The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, over the weekend honored American Composer Lin-Manuel Miranda with the Portrait of a Nation Prize. The composer was presented with the honor from his long-time friend Michelle Obama, former first lady of the USA.
“So proud to present the Portrait of a Nation Prize to my good friend. Love this guy with his melodies, rhymes and nonstop energy, he’s painted as honest a portrait of our country as I’ve ever seen, lifting folks up through his work onstage and off,” Obama wrote on Twitter.
Miranda’s portrait adorned a Paul Tazewell costume designed for his role in ‘Hamilton’. Photographed by Mark Seliger, Miranda described the experience and Portrait significance as, “There’s a four-story drop behind me, and I’m scared out of my mind in that picture. A snapshot does not tell you who we are. It’s a moment. And what’s amazing about the National Portrait Gallery is that it’s moments upon moments of people who tell our story.”
The award ceremony recognizes achievement in the fields of the performing arts, business, fashion, science and media. At the end of the evening, Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour was also honored for her immense contribution towards the fashion industry’s growth, together with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold and the members of the Earth, Wind & Fire.
Amongst guest seated for the event were former First Lady Hilary Clinton and American photographer Annie Leibovitz. ‘Late Night Show’ host James Corden also graced the occasion as presenter. The event took place on Sunday, November 17, and was hosted by television personality Gayle King.
