P&G and iHeartRadio Launch the Elton John Impact Awards Celebrating and Honoring LGBTQ+ Trailblazers

Introducing The Elton John Impact Awards

At P&G, we serve all consumers through our brands and meaningful experiences that help improve lives and create a more equal world. Today, we’re proud to introduce a new program: the Elton John Impact Awards.

The Elton John Impact Awards, created by P&G in partnership with iHeartRadio, celebrates trailblazing LGBTQ+ community members and prominent allies whose lifelong work has inspired change and shaped culture. The program also drives visibility and funding for frontline LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations that uplift the communities they serve.

Who are the 2026 Elton John Impact Awards Honorees?

The Elton John Impact Awards recognize the legendary individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, bringing together art, culture and impact while using their voices to uplift the LGBTQ+ community and create a more equitable world for all.

• Jonathan Bailey – Beloved actor who launched The Shameless Fund to support LGBTQ+ charities and is a patron of Just Like Us, a youth organization that works to create inclusive environments and combat bullying.
• Laverne Cox – Primetime Emmy-nominated actress and producer who has elevated transgender visibility in mainstream media and remains a powerful voice for equality and inclusion.
• Melissa Etheridge – Grammy and Oscar-winning musician who has used her platform to champion LGBTQ+ rights for decades through personal storytelling within her music and cultural advocacy.
• Billie Jean King – Tennis legend and award-winning humanitarian who has spent her life advocating for gender and LGBTQ+ equality on and off the tennis court.
• Orville Peck – Trailblazing country performer who uses his artistic persona to blend traditional country aesthetics with queer themes and uses his platforms to create visibility and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
• Chappell Roan – Pop icon who advocates for LGBTQ+ rights with her unapologetic artistry and founding of The Midwest Princess Project to support trans youth.

From advocacy and storytelling to music and sports, each honoree has helped redefine possibilities and expand visibility for LGBTQ+ people around the world. Building from Elton John’s leadership and legacy, the program celebrates these trailblazers and their achievements, increasing their impact.

A panel of inspirational leaders worked closely with Elton John to select this year’s honorees. Selection Committee Members include Chair of the Elton John Foundation and CEO of Rocket Entertainment David Furnish; three-time Tony plus Grammy, Emmy and Drama Desk-winning artist Billy Porter; Grammy and Emmy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated musician Brandi Carlile; Elton John AIDS Foundation CEO Anne Aslett; and the Elton John Impact Awards’ Founding Producers P&G’s Brent Miller and iHeartMedia's John Sykes.

Which Organizations Benefit from the Elton John Impact Awards?

Community impact is at the heart of the Elton John Impact Awards. The program raises awareness for and empowers LGBTQ+ nonprofits with the resources they need to grow, scale and drive lasting impact. The program will help drive visibility and funding for frontline organizations working to support the LGBTQ+ community. In partnership with Brandi Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation, we will deliver grants to support the critical work of CenterLink, GLAAD, Outright International, National Black Justice Collective, SAGE and The Trevor Project. P&G will also provide funding to the Elton John AIDS Foundation to support its efforts to expand access to lifesaving care to build a healthier future.

By combining storytelling with tangible support, the Elton John Impact Awards help ensure these organizations can continue to address various critical needs across the LGBTQ+ community, such as supporting and advocating for LGBTQ+ elder care, increasing access to preventative health services and treatment, and providing mental health support for young people.

What is the Format of the Elton John Impact Awards?

The Elton John Impact Awards are the first-ever podcast awards ceremony and feature candid, personal conversations with Elton John, David Furnish, and this year’s legendary and iconic honorees.

Hosted by Tony, Grammy, Emmy & Drama Desk Award–winning artist Billy Porter and Radio Music Award-winning radio personality and host of “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show” Elvis Duran, listeners are invited behind the scenes to hear the stories, challenges and defining moments that shaped each honoree’s journey, told in their own words like never before. To mark the inaugural broadcast, pop star Dove Cameron is delivering a special performance of "Your Song" in tribute to Elton John’s legacy.

The program’s audio format allows these stories to resonate with listeners on a more powerful level, unlocking intimacy and creating an enduring connection in a deeply human way.

How Can Audiences Listen to the Elton John Impact Awards?

The Elton John Impact Awards will air as a special audio broadcast across 300+ iHeartRadio stations on June 1, 2026, reaching more than 188 million listeners nationwide. The program is also available on the iHeartRadio app and all major podcast platforms, making these powerful stories accessible to audiences everywhere.

Building on a Legacy of Impact

The Elton John Impact Award was first introduced in 2022 at Can’t Cancel Pride — a virtual benefit concert launched by iHeartMedia and P&G — where Elton John was its inaugural recipient in recognition of his decades-long advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and the fight to end AIDS. Since then, the award has honored trailblazers including Brandi Carlile and Billy Porter, before evolving into the Elton John Impact Awards inspired by Elton’s legacy. Over the course of five years, Can't Cancel Pride raised over $17 million for LGBTQ+ nonprofits.

The Elton John Impact Awards are also a reflection of P&G’s commitment to serving all consumers by respecting and uplifting the communities we reach every day, building on more than 30 years of fostering an environment where LGBTQ+ employees are supported, celebrated and empowered. Through this partnership, P&G continues to champion those breaking down barriers and creating transformative change — advancing equal access, opportunity and support for LGBTQ+ communities that we serve.

TLDR: Key Facts to Know About the Elton John Impact Awards

• Launch Date: June 1, 2026
• Created by: P&G and iHeartRadio
• Format: Audio special and podcast series
• Hosts: Billy Porter and Elvis Duran
• Honorees: Jonathan Bailey, Laverne Cox, Melissa Etheridge, Billie Jean King, Orville Peck and Chappell Roan
• Organizations Supported: CenterLink, Elton John AIDS Foundation, GLAAD, Looking Out Foundation, National Black Justice Collective, Outright International, SAGE, The Trevor Project
• Reach: 300+ iHeartRadio stations, 188+ million listeners