Angelique Kidjo and Deepika Padukone are set to make history

Angelique Kidjo and Deepika Padukone are set to make history as they are included in the Hollywood Walk of Fame's Class of 2026. Kidjo, a Beninese-French singer-songwriter known for blending West African music with various global influences, will become the first Black African to receive a star on the Walk of Fame.

Her career has spanned over four decades and has been marked by numerous accolades, including five Grammy awards. With this honor, she joins South African-born Charlize Theron as the second African celebrity with a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Deepika Padukone is an Indian actress who has achieved significant success in Bollywood and has also made inroads into Hollywood. She is the first Indian actress to be awarded a star on the Walk of Fame. Her international acclaim and contributions to the film industry make her a trailblazer for South Asian representation in Hollywood.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced the 35 new inductees, which also include American stars like Miley Cyrus and Timothee Chalamet. The Walk of Fame is a popular tourist attraction in Los Angeles that honors outstanding achievements in the entertainment industry, with more than 2,700 stars embedded in the sidewalks along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street.

The date for the unveiling of their stars has not yet been announced, but the inclusion of Kidjo and Padukone underscores the increasing diversity and global recognition within the entertainment world. Their contributions to their respective fields and their advocacy work, particularly in the areas of health and social issues, have earned them a place among Hollywood's most celebrated personalities.