Fayetteville native and renowned musical performing artist J. Harrison Ghee was honored by their hometown on Tuesday with a key to the city, Fayetteville’s highest honor given to outstanding citizens.
Ghee made history as the first nonbinary actor to win a Tony Award in a leading individual performance category in 2023 when they won Best Leading Actor in a Musical for their performance in Some Like It Hot. The Broadway production is a musical stage remake of the classic comedy film about two men who disguise themselves as women to escape Chicago mobsters after witnessing a murder.
Ghee and their co-stars also won the Best Musical Theater Album at the 2024 Grammy Awards for the Some Like It Hot soundtrack. Other productions of Ghee’s include Kinky Boots, Mrs. Doubtfire and The Sting. Ghee has also been featured on television series such as FOX’s Accused and Netflix’s Raising Dion.
Ghee is a 2007 graduate of E.E. Smith High School, where they got their start as a member of the E.E. Smith Magnificent Marching Machine. After graduating, Ghee moved to New York City to study at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and began their professional career working at Tokyo Disney on cruise ships and national tours.
Ghee’s deep appreciation and connection to Fayetteville was evident as they held back tears while accepting the key to the city from Mayor Mitch Colvin on Tuesday. In the council chambers were many of Ghee’s former teachers, including their elementary school principal, the artist said.
“I’m really humbled and honored to receive the key to the city,” Ghee said. “This place that has shaped me, has molded me. I am a proud graduate of East Smith High School. And our motto is, ‘Born of need, destined to serve, striving to excel.’ And that is truly how I try my best to live my life and represent Fayetteville, North Carolina, everywhere I go.”
In addition to winning awards for their performing arts, Ghee has been honored by various LGBTQ+ rights organizations for their advocacy work, including Broadway Cares, GLAAD and God’s Love We Deliver. Ghee was also honored by the Human Rights Campaign of North Carolina with its 2024 Visibility Award. In 2023, Ghee was named one of Out Magazine‘s Out 100, which recognizes the year’s most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people.
Government accountability reporter Evey Weisblat can be reached at eweisblat@cityviewnc.com or 216-527-3608.
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