If you tuned in to the Grammys this year hoping to witness a celebrity EGOT, you might have been left wanting. None of the nominees were just one award away from achieving EGOT status. Nonetheless, there was one notable win that brought a singer closer to the coveted achievement. And with the Oscars on the horizon, it's a perfect time to take a look at the celebrities who are inching closer to EGOT-ing.
The EGOT is the culmination of four major awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Very few celebrities have managed to win all four of these prestigious honors. While the TV show 30 Rock popularized the concept of EGOT, the term was actually coined by Philip Michael Thomas from Miami Vice back in 1984.
Legendary icons like Rita Moreno, Audrey Hepburn, Mel Brooks, Whoopi Goldberg, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Alan Menken have all achieved EGOT status in the past. Notably, composer Robert Lopez holds the unique distinction of being the only person to have EGOT-ed twice. In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of EGOT winners. Out of the 19 individuals who have attained competitive EGOT status, three have done so since 2022: Jennifer Hudson in 2022, Viola Davis in 2023, and most recently, Elton John in 2024.
At the most recent Grammys, Miley Cyrus emerged as one of the big winners. She secured her first Grammys with awards for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for her song 'Flowers.' Alongside artists like Zach Bryan and Victoria Monét, Cyrus was among those receiving their first Grammy this year. Interestingly, while the Grammy is the first accolade Cyrus has secured on her journey to an EGOT, her background in film and TV makes her a strong contender for completing all four awards. Cyrus gained fame through her role in the TV show Hannah Montana and has appeared in numerous films. In 2024, she is set to star in the movie Drive-Away Dolls and has also made appearances in TV shows like Human Resources and Black Mirror. Additionally, Cyrus has written songs for films and even earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song for 'I Thought I Lost You' from the movie Bolt. Furthermore, there are rumors of a potential collaboration on a new album with her godmother, Dolly Parton. Although Parton has been nominated for all four EGOT awards throughout her career, she has only won the Grammy thus far.
Billie Eilish was another big winner at the Grammys, taking home awards for Song of the Year and Best Song Written for Visual Media for her song 'What Was I Made For?' Eilish has already achieved an impressive seven Grammy wins and is halfway to an EGOT with an Oscar for Best Original Song for 'No Time to Die.' She is once again nominated this year for 'What Was I Made For?' Thus, she is certainly one to keep an eye on in the race to EGOT.
Jon Batiste, a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer, was also nominated at this year's Grammys. He is only missing a Tony to complete his EGOT journey. However, Batiste has expressed that he is not focused on awards, indicating that his priorities lie elsewhere.
While the Grammys may not have produced another EGOT-er this year, there is a chance it could still happen in 2025. H.E.R. is only one Tony away from achieving the EGOT. She has previously won an Oscar for Best Original Song, an Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Program, and five Grammy awards. Currently serving as one of the producers of Here Lies Love, which will be eligible for this year's Tony nominations, H.E.R. has the opportunity to become the youngest EGOT winner at 26 years old and potentially the fastest person to achieve EGOT status, with her first award received in 2019.
While many celebrities are not on the verge of EGOT-ing this year, they are certainly close. Lily Tomlin, who is awaiting an Oscar, is still actively involved in acting and will be seen in the upcoming comedy The Road Home. Cynthia Nixon, who returned to acting after an unsuccessful bid for New York Governor in 2018, is also missing only an Oscar. Nixon is currently working on TV shows, with prominent roles in The Gilded Age and And Just Like That… Another Cynthia, Cynthia Erivo, is also just one Oscar away from achieving EGOT status. Erivo received an Oscar nomination in 2020 for her role in Harriet and is involved in various upcoming projects, including starring as Elphaba in the two-part Wicked movie musical. With her packed schedule, EGOT-ing in 2025 seems like a real possibility for her.
Other notable names to watch out for who are missing an Oscar include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Audra McDonald, Hugh Jackman, Ben Platt, and Billy Porter. With Jackman's upcoming role as Paul in Apostle Paul, Platt's involvement in the Merrily We Roll Along film, and Porter's portrayal of James Baldwin in an upcoming biopic, these talented individuals may achieve the distinguished EGOT collection in the near future.
While the Grammys didn't produce an EGOT winner this year, the race towards EGOT status remains exciting and full of possibilities. With talented artists like Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, H.E.R., and others reaching new heights in their careers, it's only a matter of time before we witness the next celebrity achieve EGOT glory.
