Rufus Wainwright

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Covers

Records

Rufus Wainwright's career is marked by a rare blend of critical acclaim and artistic ambition. He has composed two full-length operas, Prima Donna and Hadrian, and set all 154 of Shakespeare's sonnets to music, a feat few have attempted. His tribute to Judy Garland is considered a landmark live performance, and he has been recognized with a Juno Award and a Victoire de la Musique. As an openly gay artist, he has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, earning the Stephen F. Kolzak Award from GLAAD.

AwardsRufus Wainwright has won several awards, primarily in Canada and from LGBTQ+ organizations. He won a Juno Award for Best Alternative Album for Want One in 2004. He received a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist for Release the Stars in 2008, and the Stephen F. Kolzak Award from GLAAD in 2012. He also won a Victoire de la Musique for Best International Album for Want in 2005.

Honours & Distinctions

Stephen F. Kolzak Award

GLAAD·2012

Given to an openly LGBTQ+ artist for their work in promoting equality.

OutMusic Heritage Award

OutMusic·2012

Honors LGBTQ+ musicians for their contributions to music and culture.

Magazine Covers

The Advocate

2005

Cover story on Rufus Wainwright

Interview

2007

Profile interview

Out

2012

Feature profile

Records & Feats

Youngest Genie Award nominee at age 14

Historic First·1988

Wainwright was nominated for a Genie Award for Best Original Song for 'I'm a Ringer' from Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller, making him one of the youngest nominees in the award's history.

Composed two full-length operas

Career Milestone·2018

Wainwright is among the few contemporary singer-songwriters to have composed two full-length operas, Prima Donna (2009) and Hadrian (2018), both of which premiered at major venues.