JERROD CARMICHAEL

During his HBO Max special Rothaniel, Jerrod Carmichael’s delivery was described as “edifying, yet empathetic at supplying comedic relief during some of his most vulnerable admissions” by one online reviewer. Spoken in sober tones, the comic who was no stranger to pushing the envelope on his shortlived series The Carmichael Show, officially welcomed people into his inner truth when he revealed he was gay. Rothaniel, which Carmichael revealed is his birth name, garnered him an 2022 Emmy award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special. He said of the win, “I made something that was of great consequence to me, this definitely contributes to the meaning of it.” The accolades kept coming, he hosted the iconic Saturday Nigh Live, appeared on the cover of Out magazine’s OUT100, and will be hosting the Golden Globes in 2023. See what happens when you own your narrative and live your truth. —K.M.