Angélique Kidjo to Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Angélique Kidjo is set to make history as one of the Class of 2026 inductees on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—becoming the first Black African artist ever to receive this honour.
The announcement was made on July 3, 2025, by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which revealed a star-studded list of 35 honourees spanning music, film, television, and sports. Alongside Kidjo are major names such as Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, Josh Groban, Bone Thugs‑N‑Harmony, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Angélique Kidjo, aged 64 and a five-time Grammy winner, has been lauded as “Africa’s premier diva,” with a career stretching back four decades and a discography that fuses West African rhythms with funk, jazz, R&B, and gospel. She’s also a prominent activist, known for her UNICEF ambassadorship and the Batonga Foundation, which supports girls’ education across Africa.
Her induction marks a landmark in representation—the first Black African artist to be honoured in the recording category. It places her alongside globally recognised artists, spotlighting African artistry on Hollywood Boulevard. With ceremonies typically scheduled within two years of selection and recipients covering their own star installation costs, Kidjo’s ceremony could happen by mid-2027, though a specific date hasn’t been set.
