John Legend stands as a critically acclaimed, multiplatinum singer-songwriter who has achieved the rare distinction of EGOT status – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards. This monumental accomplishment places John Legend among only a select group of fifteen individuals and marks him as the first African-American man to join this prestigious club. Throughout his illustrious career, John Legend has amassed 11 Grammy Awards, alongside an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, and an Emmy Award, solidifying his place as a true icon in the entertainment industry.
His musical journey includes the release of seven celebrated albums: Get Lifted (2004), Once Again (2006), Evolver (2008), Love in the Future (2013), Darkness and Light (2016), A Legendary Christmas Deluxe (2019), and Bigger Love (2020). Among his many hits, “All of Me” is particularly noteworthy, holding the distinction of being one of the highest certified tracks in the Recording Industry Association of America’s history, on par with Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber’s global sensation “Despacito.”
Beyond his recording success, John Legend has demonstrated his versatility as a performer. In April 2018, he took on the role of Jesus in NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.” His performance was met with critical acclaim, earning him a nomination for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. Furthermore, he won an Emmy as a producer for the same show in the category of Outstanding Variety Special (Live), adding to his EGOT collection.
John Legend’s presence extends to television as a coach on “The Voice.” He joined the show in Season 16 (2019) and continues to share his expertise and mentor aspiring artists, currently holding a coaching role in Season 19. Expanding his musical horizons, John Legend released his first Christmas album, A Legendary Christmas, in October 2018, followed by a deluxe version in 2019 and a supporting tour, further showcasing his adaptability and appeal across genres.
In addition to his achievements as a performer, John Legend is also a successful producer through Get Lifted Film Co., a company he co-founded with Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius. Get Lifted Film Co. has produced a diverse range of projects, including the critically acclaimed holiday film “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” for Netflix, the thought-provoking HBO docu-series “Atlanta’s Missing And Murdered: The Lost Children,” and the comedy series ”Sherman’s Showcase” and “Sherman’s Showcase: Black History Month Spectacular,” along with “Rhythm + Flow” for Netflix. Their upcoming projects include the documentary “40 Years A Prisoner,” the documentary “Giving Voice,” the film “Monster,” the sports drama “Signing Day,” a female-fronted film, the film adaptation of “Blacktop Wasteland,” and “Paper Gods.”
John Legend is deeply committed to philanthropy. In 2015, he launched the #FREEAMERICA campaign, aiming to reform criminal justice policies and end mass incarceration. His philanthropic efforts extend to board memberships with Harlem Village Academies, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, The Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, and Teach for All, demonstrating his dedication to social change and education.
