In her second global headline-snatch since slaying Paris Fashion Week three weeks ago, 70-year-old fashion and music legend Grace Jones has been announced by NYC Pride as the Headliner for the massive Pride Island Music Festival. This announcement comes just days after Grace set the internet ablaze when footage emerged of her doing the closing catwalk to Tommy Hilfiger’s Paris Week fashion show. Tommy’s disco-inspired collection was a partnership with 21-year-old current fashion it girl Zendaya, but it was Grace, who is old enough to be her Grandmother who stole the spotlight as she played the runway in a shimmering leotard, blazer, and leggings, as her smash hit record “Pull up to my bumper” blared from the speakers on stage.
The announcement of Grace Jone as the Pride Island headliner during the highly-anticipated World Pride 2019 in New York City, speaks volumes about her relevance and decades-long role as a gay icon. As in her early days of Studio 54, she has remained a force to be reckoned with, and Just like the title of her recent hit album, Grace is in fact, a “Hurricane” – one that joyously sweeps up her audiences; young, old, gay, straight and everything in between.
As one who has always pushed and challenged the perceived boundaries of gender, race and sexual expression, grace represents freedom in self-identity. That has been her most significant gift to her gay fans all over the world. In a statement shared by Billboard Magazine, Grace expressed, “I couldn’t be more excited to perform in front of my LGBTQIA+ friends and the community that’s supported me for so many years during WorldPride 2019. Saturday’s Pride Island lineup will be a celebration of everything that the community stands for and will go down in illustrious history.”
Others on the lineup for Saturday’s Pride Island are Kanye West protege and internet sensation Teyona Taylor, Pablo Vittar. New York festivities for Pride year are expected to be larger than ever as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots, and the first ever WorldPride has ever been held in the US.
Get your tickets and don’t miss this once in a lifetime moment to witness “Amazing Grace” turn it out, again, in the name of love … and pride!
