Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh is among this year’s 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House announced Friday.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented annually, is the nation’s highest civilian honor, bestowed on individuals “who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” per the White House.
Yeoh made history in with her starring turn in 2022’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” becoming the first Asian woman to receive the Oscar for best actress. She began her career starring in martial-arts action movies, notably “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon,” and has starred in numerous other films including the James Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and Kenneth Branagh’s “A Haunting in Venice.” Yeoh also stars in the first Star Trek TV movie, “Section 31,” which recently wrapped filming.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented annually, is the nation’s highest civilian honor, bestowed on individuals “who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” per the White House.
Yeoh made history in with her starring turn in 2022’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” becoming the first Asian woman to receive the Oscar for best actress. She began her career starring in martial-arts action movies, notably “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon,” and has starred in numerous other films including the James Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and Kenneth Branagh’s “A Haunting in Venice.” Yeoh also stars in the first Star Trek TV movie, “Section 31,” which recently wrapped filming.
- 5/3/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
President Biden on Friday announced that he would be awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 recipients, including a handful of names familiar to the world of media and entertainment.
The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor that the President can bestow, and is given to those “who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
This year’s list of honorees include Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, who “continues to shatter stereotypes and enrich American culture,” according to the White House.
It also includes Phil Donahue, the journalist whose daytime talk show transformed syndicated TV and become one of the most influential programs of its era.
Other honorees include Bloomberg founder Michael Bloomberg, former Vice President (and the focus of An Inconvenient Truth) Al Gore and Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky.
You can...
The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor that the President can bestow, and is given to those “who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
This year’s list of honorees include Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, who “continues to shatter stereotypes and enrich American culture,” according to the White House.
It also includes Phil Donahue, the journalist whose daytime talk show transformed syndicated TV and become one of the most influential programs of its era.
Other honorees include Bloomberg founder Michael Bloomberg, former Vice President (and the focus of An Inconvenient Truth) Al Gore and Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky.
You can...
- 5/3/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Phil Donahue and Michelle Yeoh are among the media and entertainment recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which Joe Biden will present at the White House later today.
Other honorees include former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. James Clyburn (D-sc), former Vice President Al Gore, former Secretary of State John Kerry and former senator Elizabeth Dole. Jesuit priest Gregory Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, also will be honored.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. The White House last held a ceremony in July, 2022.
Donahue is being recognized as “a journalist and television pioneer who pioneered the daytime issue-oriented television talk show.” Yeoh is being recognized as the first Asian to win the Academy Award for best actress, and as someone who “continues to shatter stereotypes and enrich American culture.”
Others on the list include Clarence B. Jones,...
Other honorees include former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. James Clyburn (D-sc), former Vice President Al Gore, former Secretary of State John Kerry and former senator Elizabeth Dole. Jesuit priest Gregory Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, also will be honored.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. The White House last held a ceremony in July, 2022.
Donahue is being recognized as “a journalist and television pioneer who pioneered the daytime issue-oriented television talk show.” Yeoh is being recognized as the first Asian to win the Academy Award for best actress, and as someone who “continues to shatter stereotypes and enrich American culture.”
Others on the list include Clarence B. Jones,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
This Sunday at 1:02 Am on NBC, “1st Look” Season 15 Episode 4, titled “Destination Dallas,” takes viewers on an entertaining journey as Jared Haibon explores the vibrant city of Dallas, infusing the episode with a dose of southern charm. In the company of Opal Lee, Jared immerses himself in the heart of Texas culture, with highlights including the renowned Texas State Fair.
The episode promises a delightful culinary adventure as chef Tiffany Derry showcases the flavors of Dallas, adding a savory touch to the exploration of this dynamic city. Viewers can expect a mix of cultural experiences, gastronomic delights, and the signature warmth of southern hospitality.
Tune in at 1:02 Am for an episode that captures the essence of Dallas through the lens of “1st Look.” Whether it’s the lively atmosphere of the Texas State Fair or the delectable creations of Chef Tiffany Derry, this episode guarantees a captivating and flavorful journey on NBC.
The episode promises a delightful culinary adventure as chef Tiffany Derry showcases the flavors of Dallas, adding a savory touch to the exploration of this dynamic city. Viewers can expect a mix of cultural experiences, gastronomic delights, and the signature warmth of southern hospitality.
Tune in at 1:02 Am for an episode that captures the essence of Dallas through the lens of “1st Look.” Whether it’s the lively atmosphere of the Texas State Fair or the delectable creations of Chef Tiffany Derry, this episode guarantees a captivating and flavorful journey on NBC.
- 12/3/2023
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
Sunday, June 19, 2022, marked the anniversary of Black Independence Day in America—Juneteenth.
In recognition of this day, Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom, a sold-out concert featuring an eclectic lineup of thoughtful, impactful, and essential Black artists, took place at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl on Sunday, June 19, 2022. The show was broadcast live in its entirety on CNN.
The star-studded concert included performances by Amir Sulaiman, Anthony Hamilton, Bel Biv DeVoe, Billy Porter, Chaka Khan, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, D Smoke, Earth Wind & Fire, Khalid, Lucky Daye, Mary Mary, Michelle Williams, Mickey Guyton, Ne-Yo, Robert Glasper, The Roots and The Re-Collective Orchestra (a 68-piece all-Black symphony orchestra). The event made history as it was the first time an all-Black orchestra performed on stage in the Hollywood Bowl’s 100-year history. Both Principal Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra Thomas Wilkins and Derrick Hodge conducted, while Adam Blackstone and The Roots...
In recognition of this day, Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom, a sold-out concert featuring an eclectic lineup of thoughtful, impactful, and essential Black artists, took place at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl on Sunday, June 19, 2022. The show was broadcast live in its entirety on CNN.
The star-studded concert included performances by Amir Sulaiman, Anthony Hamilton, Bel Biv DeVoe, Billy Porter, Chaka Khan, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, D Smoke, Earth Wind & Fire, Khalid, Lucky Daye, Mary Mary, Michelle Williams, Mickey Guyton, Ne-Yo, Robert Glasper, The Roots and The Re-Collective Orchestra (a 68-piece all-Black symphony orchestra). The event made history as it was the first time an all-Black orchestra performed on stage in the Hollywood Bowl’s 100-year history. Both Principal Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra Thomas Wilkins and Derrick Hodge conducted, while Adam Blackstone and The Roots...
- 6/23/2022
- Look to the Stars
Earth, Wind & Fire was alternately singing about the 12th of never and the 21st night of September, but it was all about the 19th evening of June as the veteran group proved an obvious audience favorite during “Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom,” a multi-artist, multi-genre show at the Hollywood Bowl broadcast live on CNN Sunday to commemorate the national holiday.
Held to celebrate the anniversary of Black emancipation in the U.S., the concert spanned almost as wide an array of musical and performance styles as could be packed into a single prime-time slot, from soul to classical to country to jazz. That breadth established, the lineup had a special emphasis on artists that ruled the R&b world of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, leading an emcee to joke to the sold-out audience about a time “before all those knee replacements out there.”
Even with Ewf, Chaka Khan...
Held to celebrate the anniversary of Black emancipation in the U.S., the concert spanned almost as wide an array of musical and performance styles as could be packed into a single prime-time slot, from soul to classical to country to jazz. That breadth established, the lineup had a special emphasis on artists that ruled the R&b world of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, leading an emcee to joke to the sold-out audience about a time “before all those knee replacements out there.”
Even with Ewf, Chaka Khan...
- 6/20/2022
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
On Saturday, June 19, the inaugural Juneteenth Unityfest presented by the Robert Randolph Foundation brought together a star-studded lineup of artists, influencers, activists and sponsors for a virtual festival.
Nile Rogers at Inaugural Juneteenth Unityfest
Credit/Copyright: Dani Barbieri
During the five-plus hour program, the live stream was seen by over 1.1 million viewers on several platforms including LiveXLive, Ebony.com and YouTube. Taking place just two days after Juneteenth was signed into law as a federal holiday, this year’s celebration was especially joyous and served as a tribute to the breadth and depth of Black culture and Juneteenth as a uniquely American experience. The entire festival is available now via the official website and YouTube until Monday, July 19. To view the program please visit: Robert Randolph Foundation YouTube Channel, LiveXLive or www.juneteenthunityfest.com.
“I saw Juneteenth as a day to come together as Black Americans first, and as Americans – to talk about our history,...
Nile Rogers at Inaugural Juneteenth Unityfest
Credit/Copyright: Dani Barbieri
During the five-plus hour program, the live stream was seen by over 1.1 million viewers on several platforms including LiveXLive, Ebony.com and YouTube. Taking place just two days after Juneteenth was signed into law as a federal holiday, this year’s celebration was especially joyous and served as a tribute to the breadth and depth of Black culture and Juneteenth as a uniquely American experience. The entire festival is available now via the official website and YouTube until Monday, July 19. To view the program please visit: Robert Randolph Foundation YouTube Channel, LiveXLive or www.juneteenthunityfest.com.
“I saw Juneteenth as a day to come together as Black Americans first, and as Americans – to talk about our history,...
- 6/30/2021
- Look to the Stars
From Monsters, Inc. to Toy Story, check out every Pixar movie ranked from worst to best by our friends over at Thrillist.
“Choosing a favorite Pixar movie is an impossible task we wouldn’t wish on anyone—not even Sid, the toy-torturing bully first introduced to audiences back in 1995. But with the release of the Italian seaside adventure Luca on Disney+, we revisited all 24 Pixar feature films that have made us laugh and (especially) cry over the past 26 years to assess them from worst to best.”
Read more at Thrillist.
Juneteenth’s recognition as an official federal holiday happened in no small part thanks to Opal Lee, the 94-year-old Black activist known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”
“On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring an end to slavery in the U.S.—on paper, at least. It would be another two-and-a-half years before enslaved people in Texas were told they had been emancipated.
“Choosing a favorite Pixar movie is an impossible task we wouldn’t wish on anyone—not even Sid, the toy-torturing bully first introduced to audiences back in 1995. But with the release of the Italian seaside adventure Luca on Disney+, we revisited all 24 Pixar feature films that have made us laugh and (especially) cry over the past 26 years to assess them from worst to best.”
Read more at Thrillist.
Juneteenth’s recognition as an official federal holiday happened in no small part thanks to Opal Lee, the 94-year-old Black activist known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”
“On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring an end to slavery in the U.S.—on paper, at least. It would be another two-and-a-half years before enslaved people in Texas were told they had been emancipated.
- 6/18/2021
- by Ivan Huang
- Den of Geek
President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday that makes Juneteenth a federal holiday, with plans for the government workforce to observe the new holiday Friday.
The event was carried on cable news and broadcast networks.
The holiday commemorates African Americans’ freedom from slavery, and has long been observed in local and state celebrations. It was on June 19, 1865 that enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, TX, learned that they were free, and their first celebration turned into an annual event.
“Today we consecrate Juneteenth for what it ought to be, what it must be, a national holiday,” Biden said in the East Room of the White House.
At the ceremony, Biden called for passage of voting rights legislation, expected to come before the Senate next week, and also highlighted other parts of his agenda. As he has many times before, he also urged Americans to get vaccinated.
“We can’t rest until...
The event was carried on cable news and broadcast networks.
The holiday commemorates African Americans’ freedom from slavery, and has long been observed in local and state celebrations. It was on June 19, 1865 that enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, TX, learned that they were free, and their first celebration turned into an annual event.
“Today we consecrate Juneteenth for what it ought to be, what it must be, a national holiday,” Biden said in the East Room of the White House.
At the ceremony, Biden called for passage of voting rights legislation, expected to come before the Senate next week, and also highlighted other parts of his agenda. As he has many times before, he also urged Americans to get vaccinated.
“We can’t rest until...
- 6/17/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
We are thrilled to bring you the Changemakers Issue, honoring the annual Juneteenth holiday and celebrating diverse voices who have a significant impact on the culture through their art, storytelling and activism.
Our cover subject, 23-year-old singer H.E.R., enlists her incredible talents to call out inequality and the need to fight for justice. Her Grammy-winning political anthem, “I Can’t Breathe,” became a signature song for the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the murder of George Floyd. H.E.R. then took home an Oscar for best song for “Fight for You” from the film “Judas and the Black Messiah,” about the assassination of Black Panther Fred Hampton by the FBI and Chicago police.
You also must read about social impact activist Opal Lee, 94, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” who each year on June 19 makes a two-and-a-half- mile pilgrimage to commemorate the date in 1865 that marked the end of slavery in America.
Our cover subject, 23-year-old singer H.E.R., enlists her incredible talents to call out inequality and the need to fight for justice. Her Grammy-winning political anthem, “I Can’t Breathe,” became a signature song for the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the murder of George Floyd. H.E.R. then took home an Oscar for best song for “Fight for You” from the film “Judas and the Black Messiah,” about the assassination of Black Panther Fred Hampton by the FBI and Chicago police.
You also must read about social impact activist Opal Lee, 94, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” who each year on June 19 makes a two-and-a-half- mile pilgrimage to commemorate the date in 1865 that marked the end of slavery in America.
- 6/16/2021
- by Claudia Eller
- Variety Film + TV
Networks and streamers are setting special programming to celebrate Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. More specifically, Juneteenth marks the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in the last Southern holdout state, Texas, on June 19, 1865.
The 156th anniversary of that day arrives next Saturday, and this year more than ever Juneteenth is being celebrated by Hollywood. See the list of TV, streaming and festival programming below. We’ll be updating as more information comes in, so refresh for the latest.
Juneteenth Programming:
ABC: On Friday the 18th, ABC will broadcast Juneteenth: Together We Triumph – A ‘Soul of a Nation’ Special Event. The two-hour ABC News special will be hosted by Leslie Odom Jr. will include performances by Jimmie Allen, Chloe Bailey (of Chloe x Halle) and Leon Bridges. Co-anchor Michael Strahan sat down for a one-on-one interview with former President Barack Obama about race,...
The 156th anniversary of that day arrives next Saturday, and this year more than ever Juneteenth is being celebrated by Hollywood. See the list of TV, streaming and festival programming below. We’ll be updating as more information comes in, so refresh for the latest.
Juneteenth Programming:
ABC: On Friday the 18th, ABC will broadcast Juneteenth: Together We Triumph – A ‘Soul of a Nation’ Special Event. The two-hour ABC News special will be hosted by Leslie Odom Jr. will include performances by Jimmie Allen, Chloe Bailey (of Chloe x Halle) and Leon Bridges. Co-anchor Michael Strahan sat down for a one-on-one interview with former President Barack Obama about race,...
- 6/14/2021
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
The Robert Randolph Foundation will host Unityfest, a livestream concert event in celebration of Juneteenth, on June 19th at 5:00 p.m. Et via the festival’s website.
Hosted by Amanda Seales and Jb Smoove, the inaugural festival will feature a set by Nile Rodgers and his group Chic, performing “funky music that projects a happy, hopeful spirit,” Rodgers tells Rolling Stone. Other performers on the lineup include Earth, Wind & Fire, India Arie, Darius Rucker, Black Pumas, Aloe Blacc, Dave Matthews with Carter Beauford, Khruangbin, Jimmie Allen, and more.
On Thursday,...
Hosted by Amanda Seales and Jb Smoove, the inaugural festival will feature a set by Nile Rodgers and his group Chic, performing “funky music that projects a happy, hopeful spirit,” Rodgers tells Rolling Stone. Other performers on the lineup include Earth, Wind & Fire, India Arie, Darius Rucker, Black Pumas, Aloe Blacc, Dave Matthews with Carter Beauford, Khruangbin, Jimmie Allen, and more.
On Thursday,...
- 6/10/2021
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
“I can’t imagine a better major federal holiday than a celebration/memorial to the end of slavery.”
Hollywood talent has rallied around the Juneteenth anniversary commemorating the end of slavery and called for recognition of black rights and an end to racism and stereotypes in culture.
Lupita Lyong’o, Mindy Kaling, and Chris Evans were among actors who took to Twitter to support the idea of turning Juneteenth into a national holiday.
Separately, a large number of actors, writers, directors and producers including Barry Jenkins, Guga Mbatha-Raw, Thandie Newton, Tessa Thompson and Lee Daniels have signed a petition calling for systemic change.
Hollywood talent has rallied around the Juneteenth anniversary commemorating the end of slavery and called for recognition of black rights and an end to racism and stereotypes in culture.
Lupita Lyong’o, Mindy Kaling, and Chris Evans were among actors who took to Twitter to support the idea of turning Juneteenth into a national holiday.
Separately, a large number of actors, writers, directors and producers including Barry Jenkins, Guga Mbatha-Raw, Thandie Newton, Tessa Thompson and Lee Daniels have signed a petition calling for systemic change.
- 6/19/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Eight-time Grammy winner Usher Raymond penned an impassioned and informative essay in the Washington Post today arguing that, while the Fourth of July should be celebrated, for black people “Juneteenth is our authentic day of self-determination. It is ours to honor the legacy of our ancestors, ours to celebrate and ours to remember where we once were as a people. And it should be a national holiday, observed by all Americans.”
Juneteenth is a celebration of June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce that the slaves there were now free. They were the last slaves to be freed in the U.S. Their liberation came more than two months after commanding Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant and two years after Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
“Recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday,” wrote Usher, “would be a small gesture compared with...
Juneteenth is a celebration of June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce that the slaves there were now free. They were the last slaves to be freed in the U.S. Their liberation came more than two months after commanding Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant and two years after Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
“Recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday,” wrote Usher, “would be a small gesture compared with...
- 6/19/2020
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.