Kat Williams
| Kat Williams | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Katrina Williams |
| Genres | Blues music, Jazz music |
| Occupation(s) | Blues singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1972–present |
Katrina "Kat" Williamsis an American blues singer. She was a finalist on America's Got Talent, where she made it through to the Las Vegas rounds.[1] Williams also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Community outreach
Williams became involved in the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County in 2015 and joined its board of directors.[2][3]
Personal life
Williams is in a same-sex partnership with Patrice Boudreaux and the two live in Asheville, North Carolina as of at least 2012.[4] In March 2016, Williams was scheduled to perform for the third consecutive year at the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte's Catholic Charities Gala for Hope fundraiser. After Bishop Peter Jugis read a 2013 article saying Williams had been married to her same-sex partner for seven years, Williams was contacted by executive director Gerry Carter and told that due to church teachings on homosexuality she would not be allowed to perform. Williams was paid for the scheduled performance regardless. The fundraiser was cancelled due due to public outcry, including refund requests and cancellation of donations.[5]
Medical issues
In 2015 Williams began having health issue that would later be diagnosed as End Stage Renal Disease (stage 5) or better known as kidney failure. Williams is diabetic and it is claimed that the diabetes has been a major factor in her kidney problems. Williams was placed on the kidney donor list by Emory Hospital in Atlanta. Various fundraisers have been held to bring awareness to the disease and to help defray Williams growing medical expenses.[6]
Awards
In 2012 Williams received an Emmy Award nomination for her work on the Hands of Hope project which featured several famous vocalists. The project was headed out by recording artist and producer, David L Cook.[7] She received the 2012 AMG Heritage Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. She won a collaborative AMG Heritage Award for her work on the video for Hands of Hope.[8]
References
- ↑ "America's Got Talent 3: Episode 8 Recap". BuddyTV. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ↑ Boys and Girls Club. "Williams joins the board of directors for the Henderson County Boys and Girls Club". Blue Ridge Now Publication. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
- ↑ Williams, Kat. "The Kat Williams Story". Gay Asheville News. Gay Asheville. Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
- ↑ "Sandburg Folk Music Festival". Asheville.com. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
- ↑ Williams, Kat. "Williams fired over lifestyle choices". Life Site News. The Catholic Diocese. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
- ↑ Williams, Kat. "Williams diagnosed with end stage Kidney Failure". Black Mountain News. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ↑ Hands of Hope. "Williams listed as an artist on Hands of Hope". Radio Active Airplay. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
- ↑ Williams, Kat. "Williams wins multiple AMG Heritage Awards Honors". www.ArtistsMusicGuild.com. Artists Music Guild. Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2015.