AceShowbiz - The 2026 Elton John Impact Awards will honor six influential LGBTQ+ figures, including Chappell Roan, Orville Peck, and Melissa Etheridge. The awards ceremony will debut as a podcast series on June 1, available via the iHeartRadio app and other podcast platforms, and will also air as a special on iHeartRadio PRIDE stations.

Created through a collaboration between iHeartMedia and Procter & Gamble, the Elton John Impact Awards celebrate trailblazers within the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. Hosted by Billy Porter alongside iHeartRadio’s Elvis Duran, the event will feature intimate discussions with Elton John, his husband David Furnish—chair of the Elton John AIDS Foundation—and the honorees themselves. Dove Cameron will perform John’s iconic 1970 hit "Your Song," adding a musical highlight to the program.

The awards series acknowledges those who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ community through their art, activism, and visibility. Elton John reflected on the importance of these conversations, stating, "I've always believed in the power of storytelling to connect us and challenge us." He emphasized how the stories shared by these leaders not only honor history but also highlight ongoing struggles and progress within the community.

First introduced in 2022 at the virtual concert "Can't Cancel Pride," the Elton John Impact Award initially recognized Elton John for his decades-long dedication to LGBTQ+ rights and AIDS advocacy. Since then, the award has celebrated icons such as Brandi Carlile and Billy Porter. The event has evolved into an annual podcast awards series, raising over $17 million for LGBTQ+ nonprofits over five years.

This year’s honorees include:

Jonathan Bailey, an accomplished actor known for his work in film, television, and theater, who founded The Shameless Fund to support LGBTQ+ charities. Bailey has earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for his role in Showtime’s Fellow Travelers and multiple Actor Award nominations for projects like Bridgerton and Wicked. He is also recognized as People’s reigning Sexiest Man Alive, marking an important milestone in LGBTQ+ representation.

Laverne Cox, a four-time Primetime Emmy nominee for her work on Orange Is the New Black and a two-time Actor Award winner for the same series. Cox is a prominent advocate for transgender visibility and equality, making significant strides in mainstream media representation.

Melissa Etheridge, a two-time Grammy winner for her rock performances and an Oscar-winning songwriter recognized for "I Need to Wake Up" from An Inconvenient Truth. Etheridge has used her music and platform for decades to champion LGBTQ+ rights and cultural advocacy.

Billie Jean King, the legendary tennis champion and women’s rights advocate, has spent her life fighting for gender and LGBTQ+ equality both within the world of sports and beyond.

Orville Peck, a country music artist known for blending traditional country styles with queer themes, uses his artistry and platform to promote LGBTQ+ visibility and advocacy.

Chappell Roan, the 2025 Grammy winner for Best New Artist, is recognized for her fearless artistic expression and her founding of The Midwest Princess Project, which supports transgender youth.

The Elton John Impact Awards also serve as a fundraiser, supporting multiple frontline organizations dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. Partners include the Elton John AIDS Foundation, CenterLink, GLAAD, the National Black Justice Collective, Outright International, SAGE, and the Trevor Project. These organizations address critical needs such as elder care, health services, and mental health support for LGBTQ+ individuals.

David Furnish highlighted the urgency of supporting these groups, noting, "At a time when LGBTQ+ rights and health equity remain under threat globally, investing in organizations on the frontlines has never been more urgent."

A panel including Elton John, Furnish, Porter, Carlile, and leaders from iHeartMedia and Procter & Gamble carefully selected the 2026 honorees. The advisory council also features Anne Aslett, CEO of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Since its inception in 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has been a leading force in supporting LGBTQ+ communities and combating AIDS stigma worldwide. The foundation has awarded more than 55 grants and invested upwards of $23 million in programs across 47 countries since 2020. The Looking Out Foundation, another key charitable partner, has supported humanitarian efforts for over two decades.

The upcoming Elton John Impact Awards promise to be a powerful celebration of LGBTQ+ culture, resilience, and activism, shining a light on voices that have shaped history and continue to lead the way.