MOTOWN LEGEND THELMA HOUSTON TO HEADLINE THE 2026 HEADDRESS GALA

The Grammy-winning voice behind the disco anthem “Don’t Leave Me This Way” brings her legendary artistry to the Hilton Orlando on September 19, 2026

ORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES, August 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Headdress Gala just landed a legend. Thelma Houston, the Grammy-winning Motown icon whose voice turned “Don’t Leave Me This Way” into one of the most beloved anthems of all time, will headline the 2026 Gala when the show takes the Hilton Orlando stage on September 19.

Few voices are as instantly recognizable, or as celebrated, as Thelma Houston’s. Her signature recording topped the Billboard Hot 100 and made her the first solo female artist at Motown to win a Grammy, cementing a career that has spanned more than five decades and continues to fill rooms around the world. Nearly fifty years on, her music continues to move dance floors, and her live performances remain a masterclass in soul, power, and showmanship.

For Headdress, Thelma is more than a headliner. She is a kindred spirit. Long before this Gala existed, she was lending her voice and her platform to the fight against HIV and AIDS, standing with the community through the hardest years of the epidemic. Her presence on the 2026 stage draws a direct line between the music that has always united this community and the mission at the heart of the night: the life-saving work of Hope & Help of Central Florida.

This year’s Gala carries the theme Metamorphosis: The Power of Expression, a celebration of transformation, resilience, and the sheer power of a voice. There may be no better embodiment of that than a legend who has spent a lifetime turning song into joy, defiance, and healing.

ABOUT THELMA HOUSTON
Thelma Houston is a Grammy Award-winning singer and actress and one of Motown’s most enduring legends. Born in Leland, Mississippi, and raised in California, she rose from gospel roots to international stardom with her 1977 number-one hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” which earned her the Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and made her the first solo female Motown artist to win the award. Across more than fifty years, she has recorded over twenty albums, performed on stages from Tokyo to London to Las Vegas, and been celebrated as a Living Legend, all while remaining a devoted advocate in the fight against HIV and AIDS. She continues to tour and record, with no plans of slowing down.

EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Saturday, September 19, 2026
LOCATION: Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32819
TIME: 6:00 PM. Doors, Silent Auction and VIP Reception. Show to follow.
TICKETS, TABLES, AND SPONSORSHIPS: Available now at headdressgala.com
SPONSORSHIP: Opportunities now open. Contact sponsorships@headdressgala.com

ABOUT HEADDRESS GALA
The Headdress Gala is a legacy charity event recognized for its bold creativity, expressive performances, and strong community impact. With more than $7 million raised over 29 years, the Gala has established itself as a significant fundraising platform for healthcare services in Central Florida. Returning in 2026, the Gala continues its tradition of theatrical showmanship while embracing a refined and elevated vision for the future.

ABOUT HOPE & HELP
Founded in 1988, Hope & Help is a nonprofit health organization providing HIV and STI prevention, testing, treatment, and supportive services throughout Central Florida. The organization is committed to ending the HIV and STI epidemic through education, compassionate care, and community engagement.

Learn more at hopeandhelp.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
press@headdressgala.com | headdressgala.com

Anna Kate Womack
Otter PR
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