Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Here’s the speech I gave in honor of Oprah Winfrey's Vanguard Award at the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, and I meant every single word. If there is anyone out there who feels you can’t be your authentic self… well, you can. I had a few minutes backstage alone and I started thinking about my journey in these last 20 years. At one point I looked up and said, “mom, will you come with me on stage?”. As I walked on that stage and saw the light shining down on me from above, I knew it was her. I felt her presence and I felt her being so proud of me. I want to give a special thank you to Oprah. Thank you for your continued support of our community and, most of all, thank you for believing in me.
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Here’s the speech I gave in honor of Oprah Winfrey's Vanguard Award at the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, and I meant every single word. If there is anyone out there who feels you can’t be your authentic self… well, you can. I had a few minutes backstage alone and I started thinking about my journey in these last 20 years. At one point I looked up and said, “mom, will you come with me on stage?”. As I walked on that stage and saw the light shining down on me from above, I knew it was her. I felt her presence and I felt her being so proud of me. I want to give a special thank you to Oprah. Thank you for your continued support of our community and, most of all, thank you for believing in me.
INSTAGRAM instagram.com/PaoloPresta
THREADS threads.net/@paolopresta
FACEBOOK facebook.com/spoonfulofpaolo
TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@paolo.presta
TWITTER twitter.com/PaoloPresta
WATCH ALL OF OUR CELEBRITY INTERVIEWS AT aspoonfulofpaolo.com
