The 8th Annual Daytime Beauty Awards (DBA) proudly announces Montel Williams as the recipient of The Zen Award for his longstanding dedication to cannabis activism.
The Daytime Beauty Awards will take place on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026, at The Grand Venue in Los Angeles. The award ceremony luncheon celebrates the science behind beauty, health, and wellness by recognizing excellence in medicine, health and fitness, aesthetics, skincare, color and styling, CBD and cannabis, beauty innovation, and more.
For more than 25 years, Montel Williams has been one of the nation’s most prominent and enduring voices for cannabis and cannabinoid education, patient access, responsible policy, and scientific research. His advocacy began through personal experience following his diagnosis with multiple sclerosis in 1999, when he began exploring cannabis as part of his approach to managing the symptoms of chronic illness.
Long before cannabis reform entered the mainstream conversation, Montel used his national platform to challenge stigma, advocate for patients, and encourage policies grounded in science, compassion, and responsible access. Over the past quarter-century, he has worked alongside patients, physicians, researchers, policymakers, advocates, and industry leaders to advance greater understanding of cannabis, CBD, hemp-derived products, and their potential roles in health and wellness.
That commitment continues through Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, his long-running podcast dedicated to cannabis education, science, business, policy, and culture. Across more than 750 episodes, Montel has created a platform for conversations with researchers, medical professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, patients, and advocates helping shape the future of cannabis and cannabinoid science.
In 2026, Montel expanded his work in hemp wellness through a partnership with FK+, a wellness company developing hemp-derived products formulated with adaptogens, continuing his focus on quality, transparency, responsible formulation, and informed consumer choice.
An Emmy Award-winning television host, decorated U.S. military veteran, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and patient advocate, Montel spent 17 years at the helm of The Montel Williams Show and today hosts Military Makeover with Montel on Lifetime, as well as Let’s Be Blunt with Montel and Free Thinking with Montel.
The Daytime Beauty Awards honors Montel Williams with The Zen Award, recognizing more than two decades of advocacy dedicated to replacing stigma with education, elevating science over hype, protecting patients and consumers, and helping move the conversation around cannabis and CBD forward responsibly.
Past honorees in the cannabis & CBD space include: Tommy Chong, PAX, Beboe, THC Design, Pure Beauty and more.
Accomplished actress, businesswoman, philanthropist, and devoted animal advocate Denise Richards will serve as the 2026 Daytime Beauty Awards Ambassador.
Over the years, the Daytime Beauty Awards have honored notable figures including Cindy Crawford, Gabrielle Union, Christie Brinkley, Tommy Chong, and Holly Robinson Peete. Presenters have included Jennifer Lopez, Jay Leno, Melissa McCarthy, Tina Knowles, and Sia, all joining the DBAs in celebrating the innovators and visionaries behind beauty and wellness.
Each year, the Daytime Beauty Awards donates a portion of its proceeds to an animal-focused nonprofit organization. This year’s event will benefit the Los Angeles Mounted Police Foundation, supporting one of the last Mounted Platoons in the nation and its equine officers. The Foundation supports outreach initiatives, including programs serving veterans and the Mini Mounties youth program. Dedicated to public safety, community engagement, and the care of their equine partners, the Mounted Platoon exemplifies the extraordinary bond between humans and animals.
Montel Williams joins previously announced honorees @daytimebeautyawards
Outstanding Achievement in Fitness: Amanda Kloots
Outstanding Achievement in Color & Styling: Matt Rez
Outstanding Achievement in Medicine: Dr. David Amron
Outstanding Achievement in Health: Kara Mayer Robinson, MA, LMHC, LPCC
Outstanding Achievement in Aesthetics: Biba de Sousa
Outstanding Achievement in Nail Artistry: Temeka Jackson
The Innovation Award: Dr. Drew Taylor for Acorn Biolabs
The Inventor’s Award: Cynosure Lutronic for XERF
Brand of the Year: McKenzie Westmore for Westmore Beauty
