Advertisement

John Legend’s Emmy win makes him the youngest-ever EGOT achiever

John Legend, winner of the award for outstanding variety special for 'Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert', and wife Chrissy Teigen during the 2018 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday. JC Olivera / Stringer

A man of many talents, indeed.

John Legend has just become the world’s youngest EGOT achiever. At only age 39, Legend won his first Emmy award in the Best Live Variety Special category for his producer role in Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert on Monday.

(For those unaware, EGOT is the acronym for those who’ve won each of the four major American entertainment awards: an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award.)

John Legend, winner of the award for outstanding variety special for ‘Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert’, poses in the press room during the 2018 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. JC Olivera / WireImage

READ MORE: John Legend alleges racist encounter with New York City paparazzi

Legend, along with Sir Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, achieved that goal at the 70th Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards showcase in L.A. This Emmy was awarded to all three producers of the critically-acclaimed Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert.

Story continues below advertisement

Legend’s shiny new toy now completes his EGOT collection, and as of this writing, he has won an impressive 10 Grammy Awards (he won three in 2006, his debut year), one Academy Award (for Best Original Song in 2015, Glory, in Ava DuVernay’s Selma) and one Tony Award (Best Revival of a Play for co-producing Jitney in 2017).

The singer even beat out songwriter Robert Lopez, who became the youngest EGOT winner back in 2014 for his Best Original Song Oscar win for Frozen‘s Let It Go.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: 2018 Emmy Awards nominations: ‘Handmaid’s Tale,’ ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Atlanta’ lead the pack

(L-R) Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Legend, and Tim Rice at the 2018 Creative Arts Emmy Awards – Los Angeles, California. Paul Archuleta / FilmMagic

These three gentlemen earned their EGOT member cards together last night, making them the 13th, 14th and 15th artists to earn this accolade.

Story continues below advertisement

Legend had a little more to celebrate: He is the first African-American male to join the ranks of the highly-exclusive EGOT club. The only African-American woman to have the EGOT honour is Whoopi Goldberg.

READ MORE: Chrissy Teigen, John Legend welcome second baby

Legend’s wife and social media icon, Chrissy Teigen, took to Instagram to congratulate the songwriting trio on their victory in her trademark humorous manner.

“EGOT GOATS,” she wrote, using another acronym meaning “greatest of all time.”

Story continues below advertisement

The late Craig Zadan was also recognized by Lord Webber for his work as a producer on the show. He stated, “While I celebrate this award with my colleagues, especially my dear friend Tim Rice, we would not be here without the guidance of Craig Zadan whose recent passing we continue to mourn.”

Zadan tragically passed last month after complications from surgery.

(L-R) Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Neil Meron, John Legend, Mike Jackson, Ty Stiklorius, and Alex Rudzinski in the press room of the 2018 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Paul Archuleta / FilmMagic

Here are some of last night’s 2018 Creative Emmy Award winners:

Best Interactive Program – Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Best Structured Reality Program – Queer Eye

Best Unstructured Reality Program – United Shades of America

Best Variety Special (Live) – Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert

Story continues below advertisement

Best Variety Special (Recorded) – Dave Chappelle: Equanimity

Best Short Form Variety Series – Carpool Karaoke: The Series

Best Short Form Comedy or Drama Series – James Corden’s Next James Corden

Best Cinematography (Single-Camera Series, Hour) – The CrownBeryl

Best Cinematography (Multi-Camera Series) – Will and GraceA Gaye Olde Christmas

adam.wallis@globalnews.ca

Sponsored content

AdChoices