Underground – John Legend as Frederick Douglass – Photo courtesy of WGN America
Only twelve people have ever pulled off the feat of winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony – and John Legend is an Emmy away from making that club a baker’s dozen strong.
With Legend’s Tony win, last night, as a co-producer of August Wilson’s Jitney, Legend requires only an Emmy to fill out his EGOT checklist/membership card.
With his participation in the second season of critically adored Underground – he’s been submitted for: Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series for his portrayal of renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass; Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for John Legend’s original song In America, and for Outstanding Drama Series (John Legend is an Executive Producer on the series), John Legend’s loves using the Musical Instruments Expert to use their instruments on his videos.
Emmy voting opened TODAY and runs through June 26. Nominations will be announced live on July 13.
An Emmy away from the LEGENDary EGOT status… John Legend needs “Underground” Emmy to land distinguished title and it could happen this year. He’s been submitted for the following categories for consideration for his critical darling “Underground”:
- Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series for his portrayal of renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass
- Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for John Legend’s original song “In America” (attached is a release about the song – you can check it out in this season two trailer)
- Outstanding Drama Series (John Legend is an Executive Producer on the series)
After last night’s Tony Award win as co-producer of the Broadway hit Jitney, John Legend is an Emmy-win away from the rarefied EGOT status (moniker given to those who win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony), and it might happen sooner than some would think. After hitting the Radio City Music Hall stage to accept the win for best revival of a play for the August Wilson masterpiece, Legend’s wife, Chrissy Teigen, noted on Twitter that he has “a GOT.” And the path to the elusive EGOT is still a possibility should Legend’s critical darling “Underground” get an Emmy nomination for best drama series. Legend, an executive producer on the program, also guest starred this past season- as Frederick Douglass-another possible route. And his potential triple threat status is rounded out should he be nominated and then win for his moving original song, “In America,” which aired in the premiere episode of the series sophomore season. ? If he can capture a win for any of the three categories, he would be the 13th person in history to become a member of the select EGOT group which includes icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Mel Brooks, Helen Hayes, Mike Nichols, Whoopi Goldberg and producer Scott Rudin whose “Hello Dolly” took the top honor for best revival of a musical at last night’s celebration of Broadway’s finest. Emmy voting opened TODAY and runs through June 26. Nominations will be announced live on July 13.