J. Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images; Astrid Stawiarz/WireImage/Getty Images
Paris Hilton on Britney Spears:
“Despite the darkness that has surrounded her life, Britney embodies joy and shares the light of her beautiful heart, forever the superstar. So we stand by her and root for her as she turns pain into purpose, her unwavering spirit stronger than ever.”
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Serena Williams on Simone Biles:
“What she embodies truly reflects the endless potential of Black women. I wish I had her to look up to when I was younger and trying to realize my dreams.”
Taylor Hill/WireImage/Getty Images; ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images
Kid Cudi on Lil Nas X:
“To have a gay man in hip-hop doing his thing, crushing records—that is huge for us and for Black excellence. The way he’s unafraid to make people uncomfortable is so rock ’n’ roll. He’s a true rock star.”
ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Megan Thee Stallion on Billie Eilish:
“She is a rare spirit who speaks from her heart with no pretenses. I knew I had found a kindred spirit that night [at the Grammys]. One who is strong, but still learning and still growing. A woman who stands up for herself and advocates for women everywhere.”
Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images; Toni Anne Barson/WireImage/Getty Images
Sandra Oh on Bowen Yang:
“As an Asian American performer on such a high-profile show [Saturday Night Live], he’s taken on a stewardship role. But there should be no pressure for him to do anything more than just be himself: quick-witted, hilarious and absurd, with an elegant heart.”
The Washington Post/Getty Images; Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
José Andrés on Prince Harry & Meghan Markle:
“In a world where everyone has an opinion about people they don’t know, the duke and duchess have compassion for the people they don’t know. They don’t just opine. They run toward the struggle.”
Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images; Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images
Russell Wilson on Naomi Osaka:
“Naomi Osaka’s humility and dedication to others has been spectacular to watch. It’s incredibly meaningful that she has been able to talk honestly about struggling with her mental health and share with us her vulnerability. She’s been able to say to the world: Hey, listen, I’m going through something.”
Steve Jennings/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images; MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images
Miley Cyrus on Dolly Parton:
“There’s a theory that you shouldn’t meet your heroes, but I wish everyone had the chance to meet Dolly Parton, because she’s even better than your sparkliest dreams. She may be my fairy godmother, but I think she’s that to everyone else too. I am happy to share her with the world.”
Elisabetta A. Villa/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images; Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Tiffany Haddish on Willow Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Adrienne Banfield Norris:
“For me, to watch those three Black women work together, each representing a different generation, there’s a lot of hope in that. And they look so good too. Honestly, I’d watch just to pick up Gammy’s secrets.”
Mike Egerton - PA Images/PA Images/Getty Images; Tony Marshall - EMPICS/PA Images/Getty Images
Nastia Liukin on Sunisa Lee:
“As the first Hmong American Olympian, Suni has an impact that extends far beyond any border or sport — it signifies representation. This milestone has and will continue to inspire the Hmong community, but it also sends a simple yet powerful message to underrepresented people everywhere: Dream big because anything is possible.”
MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images; Christian Alminana/Getty Images Entertainment
Julie Andrews on Shonda Rhimes:
“She is forever optimistic, courageous and honest, and her humanity and sense of purpose shine through in everything that she touches. As a small participant in her latest pop-culture triumph, Bridgerton, I am proud to call her my boss.”
Riccardo Savi/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson Collection/Getty Images
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle on Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala:
“Okonjo-Iweala has shown us that to end the pandemic, we must work together to equip every nation with equitable vaccine access. Despite the challenges, she knows how to get things done — even between those who don’t always agree — and does so with grace and a smile that warms the coldest of rooms.”