Acclaimed Performer, Television Host, Producer, and Recording Academy Member Continues a Remarkable Career Celebrating Music, Storytelling, and Hollywood Legacy
NEW YORK, NY — Quinn Lemley has built a career captivating audiences with unforgettable performances, dynamic stage presence, and a passion for preserving entertainment history. Now, that dedication has earned her one of independent music’s highest honors: a nomination for Tribute Artist of the Year at the 12th Annual Josie Music Awards, taking place September 20, 2026, at the legendary Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.
The nomination recognizes Lemley’s acclaimed portrayal of screen icon Rita Hayworth in her long-running theatrical concert production, Rita Hayworth: The Heat Is On! Written and directed by Carter Inskeep, the production has delighted audiences for more than 25 years, blending music, storytelling, and Hollywood glamour into an immersive tribute to one of cinema’s most beloved stars.
Featuring twenty classic songs, breathtaking costume transformations designed by Broadway veteran Wendall Goings, custom footwear by Michael Troy Brown, and lush arrangements by renowned musical director Tedd Firth, the show traces Hayworth’s extraordinary life—from her rise to stardom in Gilda through her relationships with Orson Welles, Prince Aly Khan, and Howard Hughes, and ultimately her courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Critics have consistently praised Lemley’s performance. The New York Times called her “dazzling,” while The New York Post proclaimed, “You don’t even have to squint your eyes to see Rita’s in the room.”
Beyond her success on stage, Lemley is the creator, executive producer, and host of Secrets of the Stage, the popular television and podcast series that explores the creative journeys of artists, performers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. Airing Sundays at 7:30 PM EST on MNN and available on major podcast platforms, the program offers audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the passion, discipline, and perseverance required to succeed in the arts.
Produced through her company, QuinnEssential Productions, Secrets of the Stage has welcomed an impressive roster of guests, including entertainment icons, business leaders, philanthropists, and cultural influencers. Through candid conversations, Lemley continues to inspire aspiring performers while preserving the stories of those shaping today’s creative landscape.
The Josie Music Awards nomination follows a banner year for Lemley. In 2025, she received the Broadway World Award for Best Female Vocalist (NYC) and became a voting member of the Recording Academy, placing her among the music professionals responsible for determining Grammy® Award nominees and winners.
Her companion album, Rita Hayworth Revealed, featuring Tedd Firth’s elegant orchestrations performed by an 11-piece orchestra, was submitted for Grammy® consideration in the category of Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album and continues to receive praise from audiences worldwide.
Lemley’s artistic reach extends far beyond Rita Hayworth. She headlines the acclaimed touring production Burlesque to Broadway, performs internationally with her jazz ensemble, and serves as the celebrated face of the legendary Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, Greece. As a producer and creative director, she has also brought audiences innovative concert experiences including Rebel Rebel: The Many Lives of David Bowie, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Wall, and The Ultimate Queen Celebration.
Her media appearances include Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and a memorable run as a finalist on ABC’s Shark Tank, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit that has become a hallmark of her career.
The Josie Music Awards, widely recognized as the largest independent music awards program in the world, will also honor entertainment legend Tony Orlando with the prestigious Icon Award during this year’s ceremony.
For Quinn Lemley, the nomination represents more than recognition—it celebrates a lifetime dedicated to honoring music, preserving entertainment history, and inspiring audiences through artistry, authenticity, and passion.
For more information, visit Quinn Lemley Official Website.