By Valerie Milano
Photos The Hollywood Times (THT)
Beverly Hills, CA (The Hollywood Times) 4/5/22 – The GLAAD Media Awards returned to the famed Beverly Hilton on Saturday, and THT was there to capture the action on the very busy red carpet. Ketel One Family-Made Vodka prominently sponsored the festivities, which included major celebrities and a gorgeous laid-out dinner.
In an official press release, GLAAD described the event as “a glittering night celebrating the cultural progress made by powerhouses dedicated to advancing LBGTQ representation and conversations in the media.”
And glittering it was. Celebs including Curtiss Cook, Markelle Smith, Gloria Calderon Kellett, John Cameron Mitchell, Andrew Garfield, Paris Jackson, Chloe Zhao, Lena Waithe, Gigi Gorgeous Getty and Nats Getty, Meredith Marks, Lisa Rinna, and more appeared on the carpet.
Bob the Drag Queen, D.J. “Shangela” Pierce, and Eureka O’ Hara hosted the festivities. An energetic performance was also given by Jake Wesley Rogers.
Most prominently on the pre-awards carpet, Jojo Siwa appeared at her very first GLAAD Awards in a braided updo and smart black two-piece ensemble and signature rainbow face-bling. And she had some bombshell news. “I can tell you that I’m not single,” Siwa told Access Hollywood on the carpet ahead of the awards ceremony. “I can tell you that I’m very, very, very, very happy.”
GLAAD honored singer, actor, and Golden Globe winning activist Michaela Jaé (MJ) Rodriguez (FX’s Pose) with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award. Her work has opened doors for trans artists all over the industry. Andrew Garfield presented the award.
Hacks, Saved By The Bell, and Eternals also garnered honors during the ceremony.
Surprisingly, Zeke Smith proposed to longtime partner Nico Santos on-stage during the awards ceremony.
Presenter Jonathan Bennett followed up the delightful proposal by stating: “Thank you Ketel One for helping GLAAD the LGBTQ community toast major moments like this one.”
“This year’s GLAAD Media Awards come at a time where LGBTQ visibility and storytelling can be the frontline response to a dangerous rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation around the country,” GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis stated.
The awards ceremony will stream on Hulu on April 16.
