Lesbian Grammy winner Brandi Carlile dedicates victory to misfits
Lesbian singer Brandi Carlile celebrates her multiple Grammy victories with her wife, British actress Catherine Shepherd. (Amanda Edwards:Getty Images)
Lesbian rocker Brandi Carlile won three Grammy Awards on Sunday (February 10) and gave a rousing speech addressing misfits like her.
Carlile, who was the most nominated female artist at this year’s ceremony, won awards for Best American Roots Performance, Best American Roots Song and Best Americana Album for her song “The Joke” and her album By The Way I Forgive You, respectively.
“Americana music is the island of the misfit toys. I am such a misfit,” she said in her acceptance speech.
She continued: “I came out of the closet at 15 years old, when I was in high school, and I can assure you that I was never invited to any parties. I never got to attend a dance. To be embraced by this enduring and loving community has been the dance of a lifetime. Thank you for being my island.”⠀
Lesbian singer Brandi Carlile dedicated her Grammy award victory to misfits like her. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty)
On the red carpet, the lesbian singer told Variety: “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so seen in my life. These nominations have changed my whole life, they have changed my visibility and my ability to represent my community in a way I’ll never forget.”
She added: “There are some young girls somewhere, especially a LGBT+ girl that is allowed to stay up late to hit the notes tonight and that’s monumental.”
Ahead of Sunday’s event, Carlile had spoken to Variety about her difficulties finding an outfit for the Grammys, saying: “Fashion designers don’t send clothes to the awkward lesbian that wants to dress like Freddie Mercury and Elton John.”
Brandi Carlile is ‘fangirling’ over Anna Kendrick
Carlile performed her Grammy award-winning song “The Joke” during the show, winning new fans.
Pitch Perfect star Anna Kendrick, who attended the Grammys, wrote a tweet reacting to Carlile’s performance: “So. I am changed. My jaw is on the floor. Holy shit.”
A sweet exchange between the two stars ensued. “Oh my goodness! Anna Kendrick!!” Carlile tweeted in reply.
Kendrick reiterated her previous compliments in her response: “Dude. You don’t even know. My jaw is still on the floor of the Staples Center. I bow to you.”
“And…now I’m fan girling over Anna Kendrick in front of my wife,” Carlile, who attended the awards with her wife Catherine Shepherd, tweeted.
LGBT+ media monitoring organisation GLAAD rejoiced at the queer female talent on display at the Grammys ceremony.
“LGBTQ women like Brandi Carlile, Janelle Monae, St. Vincent, and Lady Gaga took centre stage tonight at the Grammy Awards in an unprecedented and inspiring way,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a statement.
Ellis continued: “This year’s out winners not only entertain the masses with their talents, but also use art to educate the masses and empower queer youth everywhere. The Recording Academy is making good on their commitment to include diverse artists and tonight’s awards should be a signal to the entire music industry that audiences and critics alike celebrate LGBTQ musicians. “
