Gwen Stefani, the Grammy award-winning pop star and No Doubt frontwoman, will be one of Orange County’s greats coming back home for induction into a new Hall of Fame, officials announced Monday.
The inaugural class of 10 will be celebrated with a ceremony on Friday, Jan. 12, representing achievements in five categories: music, arts and entertainment, sports, business, philanthropy, civics.
Third District Supervisor Don Wagner has called the creation of the Hall of Fame “a pivotal moment for our community” to celebrate Orange County residents who have made impacts within and beyond the county.
Other inductees include the late LA Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant, seven-time Olympian Amanda Beard, professional golfer Tiger Woods and Olympic diver Greg Louganis from the world of sports. Singer Bill Medley and Walt Disney hail from Orange County’s history of influencing entertainment.
And representing OC’s business scene, the Hall of Fame will add Frank Jao, developer and owner of Asian Garden Mall; Gen. William Lyon, an Air Force major general who became a leading housing developer in the county; and Henry Segerstrom, developer of South Coast Plaza who was also a local philanthropist and founding chairman of the Segerstrom Center of the Arts.
Stefani is the only inductee Monday’s announcement specifically mentioned would be attending.
A Hall of Fame Ad Hoc Committee will be created each year by the Board of Supervisors, and will be in charge of choosing that year’s 10 inductees. Supervisors will be able to nominate five individuals or businesses – criteria including having a minimum of 10 years as a resident or business owner in the county and having had one major life experience or won a big award in Orange County or having been a civic leader.
The Orange County Hall of Fame will be displayed in the lobby of the county administration offices.
Friday’s 10 a.m. ceremony will be held in the Board Hearing Room. Public viewing of the ceremony will be available in the courtyard of the County Administration North Building, 400 W. Civic Center Drive, in Santa Ana. It can also be watched via livestream on Youtube.com.
