Brandi Carlile has been named entertainer of the year at the 2026 Anthem Awards, recognising how she has used music and public influence to support LGBTQ+ equality. The honour also highlights the Looking Out Foundation’s funding for grassroots organisations, putting a practical measure of impact alongside a celebrated career.
Carlile’s advocacy takes centre stage
The Anthem Awards have named Brandi Carlile their 2026 entertainer of the year, recognising both her music and her work championing LGBTQ+ equality. The award also points to the Looking Out Foundation, which has directed millions of dollars to grassroots organisations. It’s a reminder that a public platform can carry weight well beyond the stage. [2], [3]
Carlile has spoken openly about being a lesbian since coming out in a 2002 interview. Her advocacy has developed alongside a career that includes 11 Grammy Awards and two Children’s and Family Emmy Awards, according to the Recording Academy. [2], [5], [6]
What the Anthem Awards recognise
Presented by the Webby Awards and announced by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the Anthem Awards celebrate work intended to make a social impact. The 2026 awards marked the programme’s sixth year, with winners chosen from more than 2,500 submissions spanning 43 countries. [2], [3]
That scale gives the honours a broad remit, from individual artists to organisations and campaigns. This year’s Community Voice Celebration drew more than 67,000 votes, with winners including Girls Who Code, the Innocence Project and Refugees International. [3], [7]
A diverse group of special achievement winners
Carlile was among a varied set of special achievement recipients. Seth and Lauren Miller Rogen were named advocates of the year for their work supporting families affected by Alzheimer’s, while Jay Shetty received podcast of the year for On Purpose. [2], [4]
David and Michael Bronner received the Vision Award, and WNBA Players Association president Nneka Ogwumike was named athlete of the year for her leadership on equity and investment in women’s sport. The LEGO Group, AARP and DoSomething were also recognised as brand, nonprofit and small nonprofit of the year, respectively. [2], [4]
A career built on music and purpose
The award adds to a long list of honours for Carlile, who has also been nominated for an Oscar for co-writing “Never Too Late” with Elton John, Bernie Taupin and Andrew Watt. She won the Trailblazer Award at Billboard Women in Music in 2019 and has received three GLAAD Media Award nominations for outstanding music artist. [2], [5]
Those accolades span music, film and advocacy, but the Anthem honour puts the connection between them front and centre. For fans, it’s a welcome recognition of the work that can happen when an artist’s values travel with the songs. [2], [3]
Where to find the full list of winners
The announced recipients include special achievement awards as well as winners selected across the wider Anthem Awards programme. The official winners list includes the full range of awards, including silver and bronze recipients. [3], [7]
For a closer look, the Anthem Awards’ online list is the place to browse the winners by category. [7]
It's a reminder that recognition can celebrate not just what artists create, but what they help make possible.
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