Beyoncé & Stevie Wonder Share Special Moment As He Presents Her w/ iHeartRadio Innovator Award + She Reveals He Played The Harmonica On Her ‘Jolene’ Cover’

Beyoncé & Stevie Wonder Share Special Moment As He Presents Her w/ iHeartRadio Innovator Award + She Reveals He Played The Harmonica On Her ‘Jolene’ Cover’

Stevie Wonder and Beyoncé are giving each other their flowers.

During the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday (April 1), Stevie Wonder, 73, presented the Cowboy Carter artist, 42, with The Innovator Award.

Introducing Beyoncé, whom he called “a true visionary,” later adding, “and when she’s not changing music, she’s changing the award.”

After she strutted on stage in her glammed-out cowgirl outfit, the two legends shared a special moment on stage as they saluted each other for their marks in the music industry. Beyoncé told the “Isn’t She Lovely” crooner,

“Thank you so much Stevie, I love you. I love you and I honor you. I want to thank you for making a way for all of us. I’m honored to receive this recognition from you, Stevie Wonder. Whenever anyone asks me if there’s anyone I can listen to for the rest of my life, it’s always you. So thank you, God bless you.”

Wonder told Beyoncé, “I want to thank you for motivating the world to be a better place.”

She then revealed that he played a part in her rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” adding,

 “And thank you for playing the harmonica on ‘Jolene.’”

During her speech, Beyoncé opened up about the realities of accomplishing her dreams.

“Innovation starts with a dream. But then you have to execute that dream, and that road can be very bumpy. Being an innovator is seeing what everyone believes is impossible. Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength. Being an innovator is leaning on faith and trusting that God will catch you and guide you.”

She continued,

“So, to all the record labels, every radio station, every award show, my hope is that we’re more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions. I want to dedicate this award to all the innovators who have dedicated their lives and their art to creating shifts. So thank you for your sacrifices, your powerful voices and your dauntless spirits.”

She went on to thank her husband, Jay-Z, whom she called “my rock, my best friend,” and their “three beautiful children,” as well as pioneers who paved the way like Rosetta Tharpe, Tracy Chapman Prince, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, and André 3000, people she said, “defied any label placed upon them.”