On Sunday, Sept. 9, John Legend lived up to his namesake by becoming the first black male artist to be awarded an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony (EGOT). Sunday marked the 70th annual Emmy awards, where individuals are celebrated with an award ceremony for outstanding television programs, producing, performing and more. With the celebration came many historic events, such as the addition of three new EGOT recipients (individuals who receive all four awards).
As of Sunday evening, only 15 individuals have reached “EGOT status.” According to Billboard, Audrey Hepburn, two-time EGOT winner Robert Lopez and Richard Rodgers, the first person to ever earn EGOT status in 1962, are just a few entertainment talents who have won the awards prior to Legend.
Legend won an Emmy award for his production of the television musical “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.” Andrew Weber and Tim Rice earned Emmys for their work as composer and lyricist in the musical, also earning EGOT status Sunday night.
Legend’s EGOT status comes a mere 12 years after he initially won a Grammy for best new artist in 2006, according to the official Grammy website. As of today, Legend has earned an Oscar for best new song, 10 Grammys, one Tony for his work as co-producer in Jitney, a broadway musical, and an Emmy.