iHeartMedia, P&G Launches Elton John Impact Awards

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, May 18, 2026 | 11:24am CT

Elton John Impact Awards

iHeartMedia and Procter & Gamble have announced the inaugural Elton John Impact Awards, a new audio special and podcast series honoring influential LGBTQ community members and allies.

Hosted by Billy Porter and Elvis Duran, the program will debut June 1 on the iHeartRadio app, major podcast platforms, and across iHeartRadio PRIDE stations.

The awards were created to recognize individuals whose work has advanced LGBTQ visibility, advocacy, and cultural impact, while also supporting organizations serving the LGBTQ community.

This year's honorees include actor Jonathan Bailey, actress and producer Laverne Cox, singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, tennis legend Billie Jean King, country artist Orville Peck, and pop artist Chappell Roan.

The program will also help raise awareness and funding for several LGBTQ organizations, including the Elton John AIDS Foundation, CenterLink, GLAAD, the National Black Justice Collective, Outright International, SAGE, and The Trevor Project. Additional funding support will be distributed in partnership with Brandi Carlile's Looking Out Foundation.

According to iHeartMedia and P&G, the audio special will feature personal conversations with Elton John, David Furnish, and the honorees discussing their careers, advocacy work, and experiences within the LGBTQ community. The program will also include a performance of Elton John's "Your Song" by Dove Cameron.

"I've always believed in the power of storytelling to connect us and challenge us," Elton John said in a statement. "These conversations bring together the people who have shaped LGBTQ culture and fought for dignity at a time when the world too often looked away."

The Elton John Impact Award was originally introduced during iHeartMedia and P&G's "Can't Cancel Pride" virtual benefit concert in 2022, where Elton John was the inaugural recipient. Since then, the recognition has expanded into a standalone awards platform inspired by John's advocacy legacy. Organizers said "Can't Cancel Pride" has raised more than $17 million for LGBTQ nonprofits over the past five years.

Gayle Troberman of iHeartMedia said the project highlights "the incredible icons" shaping LGBTQ culture while supporting organizations providing critical services. Brent Miller of P&G added that the awards are intended to recognize leaders helping create "a world where equality and inclusion are achievable for all."