ROSÉ, Jessica Sanchez Named to Asian Hall of Fame Class of 2026
BLACKPINK member ROSÉ and singer Jessica Sanchez will enter the Asian Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2026. The list was confirmed on 30 September. The 22nd induction ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on 5 November, according to Billboard.
The Hall was established in 2004. It describes itself as a cross-cultural platform dedicated to advancing Asian and Native legacy, early-career achievement and collaboration across communities.
Sanchez is listed as the 2025 winner of America's Got Talent, the television talent contest. She previously finished as runner-up to Phillip Phillips on Season 11 of American Idol in 2012. ROSÉ is listed with the 2026 class as a member of the K-pop group BLACKPINK.
The class stretches well beyond music. It includes Dave Lu, managing partner of Hyphen Capital, and Dr Charles Huang, founder and chairman of Pasaca Capital Inc. Philanthropists Jerry and Charlene Lee are also named as inductees, alongside Kitty Lo, chair of MHG, and Maggie Tseng, founder and chief executive of TAO.
Media and screen figures feature prominently. The inductees include Frank Buckley, anchor of KTLA 5 Morning News in Los Angeles, film actor Lisa Lu and Simran Baidwan, an executive producer. The announcement was distributed through a press release titled 'Asian Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2026 Inductees'.
Separate medals will also be presented. Former baseball pitcher Hideo Nomo was named Hall of Fame Sports Pioneer Inductee. Miky Lee was named Centennial Medal of Lifetime Achievement recipient, and Sophie Chang was named Humanitarian Service Medal of Honor recipient. Lynn and Steve Valbuena, Rich Le Roy and Sabrina Castaneda were named Heritage Excellence Medal recipients.
Two organisations will be honoured. Restaurant group Din Tai Fung was named Global Family Legacy Inductee. Chipmaker TSMC was named Corporate Tech Inductee. Actor Dennis Quaid and artist Robert Vargas were named goodwill ambassadors, while LAPD detective Sharon Kim was named Advocacy Prize recipient.
CBS Los Angeles anchor Suzie Suh will serve as master of ceremonies for the 5 November event. Ed Roth, a 2022 goodwill ambassador, is musical director.
What makes this stand out is the mix. Singers share the programme with investors, journalists, philanthropists and public servants. For fans, this means the November ceremony will look less like a music awards show and more like a roll call across industries.
