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Something Different

Looking for an incredible out-of-the-box keynote speaker but not exactly sure what you're interested in? These amazing speakers offer a presentation that goes beyond traditional business topics. From artists to adventurers these speakers can offer audiences a little "something different."

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Miguel Cervantes

Miguel Cervantes

Alexander Hamilton in Broadway’s “Hamilton,” Actor & Advocate

Fees
  • Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Asia: $75,001 and up*
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Miguel Cervantes

For years, Miguel Cervantes was the actor behind the most visible role in the world of the performing arts. Following his standout performances as Alexander Hamilton in the Chicago run of Hamilton: An American Musical, he was hand-picked by the show’s creator and original Alexander Hamilton actor Lin-Manuel Miranda to play the role of the title character in the Broadway run of the universally beloved production in 2020. He would stay in the role until 2024. Cervantes’ ascent to the stratosphere of theatrical excellence embodies the essence of creativity, resilience, and unwavering dedication to one’s purpose. He overcame setbacks and unthinkable personal tragedy to capture imaginations with his spellbinding portrayal of Alexander Hamilton and cement his legacy as one of the great performers of our time. He taps into the magic of story and performance to inspire audiences to write their own unique script to success.
Topics & Types
Inspiration & Motivation Creativity Diverse Voices Emcee & Master of Ceremonies Entertainment Acts Something Different
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Peter Hurley

Peter Hurley

World-Famous Portrait Photographer

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
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Peter Hurley

When global celebrities, thought leaders, and visionaries want a killer headshot, Peter Hurley is their guy. He is universally recognized as the world’s premier headshot photographer, and in more than two decades, has had more than 30,000 faces stand three feet from his lens — eager for him to capture their special moment in time. For Hurley, photography has always been a vehicle for building trust in order to achieve a common goal: empowering people to be their best in front of, and away from the camera. A masterful lensman fueled by a desire to spread positivity and knowledge, Hurley has spoken at Google, Apple, Microsoft, and the TEDx stage, and his unique ideas have propelled his YouTube videos to more than eight million views, as well as led to appearances on national television programs like Good Morning America, Nightline, and Good Day NY.
Topics & Types
Relationship Building Teamwork & Collaboration Creativity Growth Mental Health, Happiness, & Wellness Something Different
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Justin Michael Williams

Justin Michael Williams

Inspirational Powerhouse, Empowers Authentic Workplace Cultures; Grammy Nominated Musician and Author

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: Please Inquire
  • Asia: Please Inquire
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Justin Michael Williams

Called an “Inspirational Powerhouse” by Grammy.com, Justin Michael Williams is a Grammy-nominated recording artist and author who is on a mission to empower everyone — regardless of age, ethnicity, background, or circumstance — to unlock their greatest potential in their professional and personal endeavors. His journey from a childhood marked by adversity — growing up with gunshot holes outside of his bedroom window — to sharing the stage with luminaries such as Marianne Williamson and Deepak Chopra is a testament to his unrelenting dedication to purpose and leaving a positive impact on people and the world.
Topics & Types
Inspiration & Motivation Leadership Risk-Takers African American Speakers Diverse Voices Entertainment Acts Something Different
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Maya Jaguar

Maya Jaguar

Cultural Innovator, Former Head of Transformation at Google X, Leadership & Transformation Advisor

Fees
  • Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: Please Inquire
  • Asia: Please Inquire
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Maya Jaguar

Maya Jaguar is a catalyst for cultural change and a sought-after organizational and personal transformation coach who leaders and teams in high-intensity, high-stakes roles look to for guidance on how to inspire, ignite, and grow their businesses. Previously, she held the esteemed role of cultural alchemist and head of transformation at X, the moonshot factory founded by Google’s parent company, Alphabet. At Google X, Jaguar spearheaded growth initiatives and oversaw the people side of innovation. Prior to that, she served as the moonshot’s first Latina head of diversity for a successful five-year tenure. Jaguar’s philosophy is rooted in the wholehearted conviction that unlocking the full potential of individuals is the key to unlocking the full potential of the organization.
Topics & Types
Peak Performance Inspiration & Motivation Creativity Mental Health, Happiness, & Wellness Diverse Voices Female Speakers Something Different
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Sekou Andrews

Sekou Andrews

Grammy-Nominated Creator of "Poetic Voice" & Inspirational Speaker

Fees
  • Local: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • US East: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • Asia: $75,001 and up*
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Sekou Andrews

A school teacher turned actor, musician, two-time national poetry slam champion, entrepreneur, and award-winning poetic voice, any given day may now find Sekou keynoting at a leadership conference, helping a Fortune 500 company with brand messaging, or even performing pieces for Barack Obama in Oprah’s backyard. Sekou is the creator of Poetic Voice, a new, cutting-edge speaking category that seamlessly fuses inspirational speaking with spoken word poetry to make messages more moving and memorable. For over 15 years, Sekou Andrews has been helping the world’s largest organizations deliver relevant information with riveting inspiration through an innovative, unconventional category of speaking called “Poetic Voice.”

Topics & Types
Innovation Inspiration & Motivation Corporate Culture Customer Experience Disruption & Digital Transformation African American Speakers Diverse Voices Entertainment Acts Something Different
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Jon Dorenbos

Jon Dorenbos

Keynote Speaker, World Class Magician, TV Personality, Former NFL Pro Bowler

Fees
  • Local: $75,001 and up*
  • US East: $75,001 and up*
  • US West: $75,001 and up*
  • Europe: $75,001 and up*
  • Asia: $75,001 and up*
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Jon Dorenbos

As an entertainer for over twenty years, Jon is known as the NFL's “Magic Man" and is respectfully referred to as the "Entertainer's Entertainer." He also has performed personally for Jason Statham, Nicholas Cage, Garth Brooks, Magic Johnson, the entire New England Patriots football team, Joe Montana and Dan Marino.
Topics & Types
Peak Performance Inspiration & Motivation Leadership Resilience & Overcoming Adversity Teamwork & Collaboration Athletes, Coaches, & Commentators Entertainment Acts Something Different
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Jade Simmons

Jade Simmons

Speaker, Rockstar Concert Pianist

Fees
  • Local: $75,001 and up*
  • US East: $75,001 and up*
  • US West: $75,001 and up*
  • Europe: Please Inquire
  • Asia: Please Inquire
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Jade Simmons

Named one of the “Best Keynote Speakers of 2019” (Northstar Meetings), Jade spent the first few years of her career performing as a classical concert pianist. Following an artistic epiphany, she pivoted from playing the piano to impress audiences, to using the piano as the vehicle by which to provide the inspiration, information and entertainment that profoundly moves them instead. The results have been, well…darn impressive. No stranger to pushing boundaries to see bold results, this concert pianist turned world changer is brought in by the likes of corporations like Mass Mutual, Royal Bank of Canada, DOW, Raytheon, the Hershey Company, Genentech, Valic, Pfizer and Nationwide to redefine purpose, inspire seismic shifts in mindset and activate audiences to go out and instantly start living more consequential lives of impact.
Topics & Types
Inspiration & Motivation Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion African American Speakers CEOs Diverse Voices Entertainment Acts Female Speakers Something Different
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Jim Sonefeld

Jim Sonefeld

GRAMMY Award-Winning Musician & Drummer, Hootie & the Blowfish

Fees
  • Local: Please Inquire
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • Asia: $75,001 and up*
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Jim Sonefeld

Everyone has heard a Jim Sonefeld song – even if they don’t know it. He is the drummer of one of the top-selling rock bands of all time, Hootie & the Blowfish, as well as an award-winning songwriter and solo artist. Throughout his prolific career, his music has reached every corner of the globe and captured the imaginations of people from every walk of life. Sonefeld shares inspirational, never-before-heard behind-the-scenes stories from his life and the rise of Hootie & the Blowfish to illustrate how anyone is capable of overcoming any obstacle to achieve their purpose in life.
Topics & Types
Inspiration & Motivation Resilience & Overcoming Adversity Entertainment Acts Something Different
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Kevin Kallaugher

Kevin Kallaugher

Editorial Cartoonist for The Economist & The Baltimore Sun

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
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Kevin Kallaugher

Kevin Kallaugher (Kal) is the international award-winning editorial cartoonist for the Economist and The Baltimore Sun. His diverse portfolio includes more than 8,000 cartoons, 140 covers, and six books. In lively, illustrated presentations, Kal draws on stage while touching on themes like the uniqueness of our political system and the role of cartoons in free speech. He shares insights on current events, politics, and the economy and offers audiences a unique surprise to take home after his talks. He has lectured at TED, Harvard, Pixar, and Google among others. Offering an exciting twist for meetings and events, his presentations are always funny, interactive, and memorable.
Topics & Types
Inspiration & Motivation Comedians Entertainment Acts Something Different
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Alpana Singh

Alpana Singh

TV Host, Restaurateur, and Wine Expert

Fees
  • Local: Under $10,000*
  • US East: Under $10,000*
  • US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • Europe: Please Inquire
  • Asia: Please Inquire
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Alpana Singh

Born and raised in Monterey, California, it was only natural that Alpana Singh would develop a deep-rooted interest in wine. At 26, she passed the final level of the Master Sommelier exam—a feat achieved by only 269 people in the world. She's the first Indian woman and the youngest female ever to do so. She went on to serve as a Sommelier for highly-acclaimed restaurants in Chicago before opening three of her own. In lively, fun, and informative talks, Alpana shares her inspiring story of rising from the daughter of Fijian immigrants to becoming a successful entrepreneur and TV personality all while navigating a male-dominated profession. She give audiences a glimpse into the life as a Sommelier as she teaches them how to taste wines “blind,” purchase bottles like a professional, and pair with meals for any occasion.
Topics & Types
Inspiration & Motivation Resilience & Overcoming Adversity Entrepreneurship Authors Diverse Voices Female Speakers Something Different
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Edward Lee

Edward Lee

Award-Winning Chef, Author, and Culinary Director of Succotash

Fees
  • Local: Under $10,000*
  • US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • Europe: Please Inquire
  • Asia: Please Inquire
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Edward Lee

Edward Lee is the chef/owner of 610 Magnolia, MilkWood, and Whiskey Dry in Louisville, Kentucky, author of Smoke & Pickles and Buttermilk Graffiti, and culinary director of Succotash in National Harbor, Maryland, and Penn Quarter, Washington, DC. He appears frequently in print and on television, including earning an Emmy nomination for his role in the Emmy Award–winning series The Mind of a Chef. Most recently, he wrote and hosted the feature documentary Fermented.
Topics & Types
Innovation Inspiration & Motivation Social Media & Social Networking Corporate Culture Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Diverse Voices Something Different
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Val Vigoda

Val Vigoda

Keynote Speaker, Indie Rocker, Electric Violinist and Singer/Songwriter for Disney & Off-Broadway

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • Europe: Please Inquire
  • Asia: Please Inquire
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Val Vigoda

Val is a classical violinist turned rebel rocker who became a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army before going on to tour the world with iconic rock stars such as Cyndi Lauper, Joe Jackson and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She delights in giving keynote speeches where the message is enhanced by music—inspiring thousands with her powerful call to courage and the vulnerabilities she shares.
Topics & Types
Inspiration & Motivation Creativity Entertainment Acts Female Speakers
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Cook Up Something Different With Celebrity Chef Speakers & More

From songwriters and cartoonists to orchestra conductors and magicians, our out-of-the-box speakers deliver a memorable and unique experience your audience won’t forget anytime soon. Perennial favorites in our "Something Different” talent pool include our celebrity chef speakers, who count among their numbers the youngest Master Sommelier.

With their unmatched experience in the kitchen and vineyard, our leading culinary speakers can give restaurateurs, hobby chefs, and other food lovers a unique perspective when it comes to preparing meals, pairing wines, and creating a thoughtful presentation for each plate.

At Leading Authorities speakers bureau, we understand you need a presentation that “wows.” That’s why we tailor our recommendations to your event and think about more than your budget when browsing our list of celebrity chef speakers and out-of-the-box talent. It’s also why we take care of logistics for you, plus add in all those awesome extras, like book signings, into your event package.

Discover what our celebrity chef speakers and other unique talent can cook up for your next event by clicking on the speaker's names featured in the list above to check out their speaker profile pages and browse through their experience and expertise, speaking topics, and see them in action by watching their speaker videos.

Contact our team today if you want to learn more about the speakers who bring something different to event stages or if you have any questions we can help you address about the speaker booking process.

To get in touch with us, you can also email us, call 1-800-SPEAKER, or live chat with a member of our team right now.

If you are looking for a specific speaker not listed above, please contact our team as we specialize in placing hard-to-find and in-demand keynote speakers from all around the world, which may not be listed on our website.