Jonathan Bennett to Host 2026 GLAAD Awards
Hallmark favorite Jonathan Bennett is stepping into one of the biggest hosting gigs of his career. It’s a full-circle moment that says a lot about how far both he and the network have come.
The actor, producer, and reality competition host has officially been announced as the host of the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. The event’s set for Los Angeles on March 5, 2026.
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With Hallmark Channel earning three major nominations this year—and Bennett already a past GLAAD winner—this isn’t just another hosting job. It’s a milestone for representation, for the network, and honestly, for an industry Bennett’s helped reshape in real time.
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Jonathan Bennett Takes Center Stage at the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards
The 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards will honor media released in 2025. It’ll gather some of the most influential voices in entertainment to celebrate fair, accurate, and inclusive LGBTQ representation.
This year, Jonathan Bennett will be the face guiding that powerful night. That feels like the right call.
The ceremony lands in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Expect a mix of red carpet arrivals, emotional speeches, and those cultural moments that stick with you.
GLAAD has always been the gold standard for recognizing media that pushes boundaries and fosters inclusion. Bennett’s uniquely positioned to steer that celebration.
Why This Hosting Gig Feels Bigger Than Ever
This isn’t just another awards show for Bennett. He’s deeply woven into the evolution of LGBTQ storytelling on Hallmark Channel.
In some ways, his career mirrors the network’s own transformation these past few years.
Consider the timing:
- Hallmark Channel is nominated for three GLAAD Awards this year
- Bennett stars in one of the nominated films
- He previously won a GLAAD Award for his work on a groundbreaking Hallmark project
That makes him more than a host. He’s part of the story, really.
Hallmark’s Big Night: Three Major Nominations
Hallmark Channel is having a pretty special year at the GLAAD Media Awards. Three nominations highlight just how much the network’s programming has changed.
Two nominations are for Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV. The selected films are The Christmas Baby, starring Kat Barrell and Ali Liebert, and A Keller Family Christmas, with Jonathan Bennett, Eden Sher, and Brandon Routh.
The third nod is for Outstanding Reality Competition Program, thanks to Bennett’s series Finding Mr. Christmas.
A Keller Family Christmas Puts Bennett in the Spotlight
For Bennett, A Keller Family Christmas is more than just another holiday film. It’s part of a growing wave of inclusive storytelling that puts LGBTQ characters front and center in feel-good stories.
The nomination highlights Hallmark’s ongoing push to normalize queer love stories in its signature cozy, family-forward style. Bennett’s presence only makes that message louder—he’s easily one of the network’s most visible and vocal advocates for representation.
Finding Mr. Christmas Breaks the Reality Mold
The nomination for Finding Mr. Christmas matters, too. The reality competition, hosted by Bennett and Melissa Peterman, searches for the next Hallmark Channel leading man.
On the surface, it’s a fun, festive talent competition. But underneath, it’s a mentorship-driven show with a lot of heart.
Bennett’s hosting style is refreshingly vulnerable. He shares personal stories, mentors contestants, and brings a realness to a genre that can sometimes feel a little too polished.
His investment in the contestants’ journeys makes the show feel less like a competition and more like a family gathering—if you ask me, that’s rare in reality TV.
From Barrier Breaker to GLAAD Host
Jonathan Bennett’s no stranger to GLAAD recognition. He previously won for Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV in Hallmark’s The Groomsmen: Second Chances, alongside B.J. Britt and Tyler Hynes.
That project was historic, featuring Hallmark’s first same-sex wedding. It marked a turning point for the network and signaled a real commitment to LGBTQ inclusion.
The Christmas House Changed Everything
Back in 2020, Bennett starred in The Christmas House as an openly gay, married character. At the time, that was a big step for Hallmark, a network long known for its traditional romantic formulas.
By playing a character who was out, married, and wrapped up in a warm family storyline, Bennett helped normalize LGBTQ relationships for millions. It wasn’t treated as an “issue”—it was just part of the holiday magic.
That authenticity has defined his Hallmark career ever since, and it’s hard not to root for that.
A Full-Circle Moment for Representation
Hosting the GLAAD Media Awards in 2026 feels like a culmination of years of steady progress. Bennett hasn’t just participated in inclusive storytelling—he’s championed it, loudly and proudly.
His work has:
- Expanded LGBTQ visibility in family-friendly programming
- Helped Hallmark evolve its brand
- Proven that inclusive stories can be commercially successful
Now, as he gets ready to guide an evening that honors inclusive media across television, film, streaming, and more, he pretty much embodies the progress the awards are all about.
The Power of Visibility on a Major Stage
The GLAAD Media Awards are often called the largest and most legendary LGBTQ celebration around. The event isn’t just about trophies—it’s about cultural validation and lifting up stories that reflect real lives.
With Bennett at the helm, GLAAD is spotlighting someone who’s lived the journey from representation breakthrough to mainstream acceptance. He stands at the crossroads of holiday romance fandom and LGBTQ advocacy, a space that once felt unlikely but now, honestly, feels right at home.
What to Expect on March 5, 2026
The 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are coming up, and honestly, it looks like it’s going to be a pretty dazzling night. Expect:
- Show-stopping red carpet arrivals
- Iconic main stage moments
- Emotional acceptance speeches
- A powerful reminder of why inclusive storytelling matters
With Bennett hosting, you can bet there’ll be a mix of laughs, genuine warmth, and—let’s be real—probably a few misty eyes in the room. If you’ve ever caught him on Finding Mr. Christmas, you already know he’s not shy about letting his emotions out, especially when it’s about celebrating growth or authenticity.
For Hallmark fans, this isn’t just another awards show. It’s a signal that the network’s old boundaries have stretched far beyond what anyone might’ve guessed a few years ago.
Three nominations in one year, a previous GLAAD-winning film, and now one of Hallmark’s most beloved stars taking the stage as host—it’s wild how much has changed. The shift didn’t happen overnight, but wow, it’s real.
So when the entertainment world gathers in Los Angeles this March, all eyes are going to be on Jonathan Bennett. And honestly, that feels right. The guy who helped push Hallmark toward real representation is now at the heart of the event that celebrates that progress.
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