NBC's live version of "Jesus Christ Superstar" has won an Emmy Award and that has made two men extra happy — it means star John Legend, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice have joined the elite squad of EGOT winners.
The musical's win for best live variety special on Sunday means Legend, Lloyd Webber and Rice have Emmys to go with their Tonys, Grammys and their Oscars — the four biggest prizes in show business.
Lloyd Webber and Rice have already won Tonys ("Evita" and "Sunset Boulevard"), Grammys ("Cats," ''Evita") and an Oscar for "You Must Love Me" from "Evita." Legend has won 10 Grammys and in 2015 he scored an Oscar for his song "Glory" from the movie "Selma." Last year, he won a Tony for Best Revival of a Play as a co-producer of "Jitney." Legend, who played Jesus, is also gunning for an acting Emmy later this month.
Andrew Lloyd Webber arrives at night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards at The Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard ShotwellInvisionAP)
Two other songwriters were also one Emmy away from the EGOT — Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, whose song "In the Market for a Miracle" appeared in "A Christmas Story Live!" They previously won an Oscar for "La La Land," and a Tony and a Grammy for "Dear Evan Hansen." But their bid for EGOT status was derailed Sunday when the Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics went to "Saturday Night Live" and their song "Come Back Barack" when Chance the Rapper was hosting.
The special trio — officially the 13th, 14th and 15th members of the EGOT club — join an elite group of winners that includes Robert Lopez, Audrey Hepburn, Mel Brooks, Rita Moreno, Mike Nichols and Whoopi Goldberg.
The latest award caps a special year for Lloyd Webber, who turned 70 this year and whose autobiography, "Unmasked," came out in the spring along with a massive, four-CD collection of his songs performed by the likes of Barbra Streisand, Lana Del Rey and Madonna. He was the subject of a Grammy Awards tribute, and winter Olympic fans would have noticed Lloyd Webber soundtracks for several skaters.
Andrew Lloyd Webber arrives at night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards at The Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard ShotwellInvisionAP)
"Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert" beat out the telecasts of the Grammys, Oscars and Golden Globe, as well as the benefit show "Night of Too Many Stars" on HBO.
Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
Madeleine Gurdon, left, and Andrew Lloyd Webber arrive at night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards at The Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard ShotwellInvisionAP)
ROME (AP) — Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said on Friday she didn’t believe the United States would resort to military force to seize control of Greenland, urging a stronger role for NATO in the Arctic region to address U.S. security concerns.
Speaking during a traditional New Year press conference, Meloni said the use of military action in Greenland would not be in anyone’s interest and would have serious consequences for NATO.
“I still don’t believe in the possibility of the U.S. initiating military action to take control of Greenland,” Meloni noted, stressing that Italy wouldn’t support such a move.
The White House said Tuesday the U.S. administration is weighing “ options ” that could include military action to take control of the strategically located and mineral-rich island, which is a semi-autonomous region that is part of NATO ally Denmark.
“I think the Trump administration, with its somewhat assertive methods, is primarily focusing attention on the strategic importance of Greenland and the Arctic region for its security,” Meloni said. “It’s an area where many foreign actors operate, and I continue to believe the message from the U.S. is that it will not accept actions by foreign powers.”
The Italian conservative premier stressed that a reinforced NATO presence in the region would help smooth U.S. worries about rival actors gaining influence in the area, even with hostile intentions.
Meloni is considered one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Europe, trying to act as a mediator between the often conflicting interests of the U.S. and the European Union.
The Italian leader said it was “clear to everyone” that any U.S. military move on Greenland would have a significant impact on NATO.
Trump has floated since his first term the idea of purchasing Greenland from Denmark. But, after last weekend’s U.S. military action in Venezuela, he’s renewed calls for the U.S. to take over Greenland, citing strategic reasons.
The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain have defended the sovereignty of Greenland, along with Denmark, whose right to the island was recognized by the U.S. government at the beginning of the 20th century.
“I think international law must be fully defended,” Meloni said. “But I don’t understand what you’re asking when you say Italy must distance itself from the United States,” she added responding to a question about Trump’s aggressive policies.
Meloni stressed that Italy’s foreign policy is based on two pillars: Europe and the Atlantic Alliance.
“Of course, I don’t always agree with everything my allies say. The interests of nations don’t always perfectly overlap,” she added.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni holds her annual start-of-the-year press conference in the press room at the Lower Chamber, in Rome, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italian journalists display banners demanding the renewal of their employment contracts in front of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her annual start-of-the-year press conference in the press room at the Lower Chamber, in Rome, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni listens to a journalist's question during her annual start-of-the-year press conference in the press room at the Lower Chamber, in Rome, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni holds her annual start-of-the-year press conference in the press room at the Lower Chamber, in Rome, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni gestures during her annual start-of-the-year press conference in the press room at the Lower Chamber, in Rome, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
