Celebrities and artists are more recognized than ever for their contributions to pop culture. Each year, a number of award shows, honors list, and other forms are given to recognize the enormous influence that these individuals have on society. This article will cover the celebrities that were recently recognized for their contribution to the global entertainment and sports industries, as well as their specific fields of expertise.
Let’s first look at the world of film and TV, where celebrities graced the red carpet both in person and virtually, during the recent 93rd Academy Awards. Anthony Hopkins’s Best Actor Award for his outstanding performance in “The Father” proves that age is no barrier to talent. The 83 year old actor became the oldest person in history to win an Oscar for leading actor. Frances McDormand, on the other hand, continued her streak of winning by securing the Best Actress award for the film “Nomadland.”
Chloe Zhao’s win for Best Director in ‘Nomadland’ was one of the highlights of the evening. Zhao became the second woman to ever win an Oscar in the category of direction. She was also the first woman from a minority group. Tyler Perry was also honored with the Jean Hersholt Award for his humanitarian efforts. Sacha Baron, British actor, director, and writer, was honored for his film ‘Borat: Subsequent Filmfilm’ at the 78th Golden Globes. Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2013, received a posthumous award for his role as ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’.
The 2021 Grammy Awards in the music industry were virtually held for the first due to the pandemic. Taylor Swift’s indie-folk album Folklore, which was a surprise to many, won the Album of The Year Award. Megan Thee Stallion, the rising star, was awarded the Best New Artist Award. Billie Eilish, the singer of ‘Everything I Wanted’, was awarded the Record of the Year. Beyonce became the most decorated female Grammy artist with her Best R&B performance (‘Black Parade,’) and Best Rap performance (‘Savage,’ with Megan Thee Stallion).
Music industry recognized stars that were not part of the Grammys. The Global Music Awards recognized British singer Dua Lipa, while Variety’s Hitmakers Awards honored BTS for his global success and pushing the boundaries of Kpop.
Despite their commercial success, many artists and personalities are recognized for their contributions beyond their craft. NBA legend LeBron James has been named Time’s Athlete Of The Year. He was recognized for his impact on and off the field, as well as his commitment to social injustice and improving living standards for the underprivileged. KidsRights, a global humanitarian organization, also awarded Angelina Jolie the ChangeMaker Award 2021 for her commitment to advocating children’s worldwide rights.
The Queen’s Birthday Honours List in the United Kingdom is a final mention. No roundup of celebrity honors of recent would be complete without it. The Queen’s Birthday Honours List is released each year in June around the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday. It honors a number of figures from various fields. Kate Winslet received the CBE in recognition of her contribution to the drama industry, while Joan Armatrading was awarded the MBE, for her contributions to charity, music and LGBT rights.
The 2021 Awards have honored a variety of celebrities, for their achievements and commitment to improving the world. Each honoree is a testimony to the influence pop culture figures can have beyond entertainment. We will continue to acknowledge and celebrate these celebrities and their cultural, social and humanitarian contributions to the modern world.