Gladys Maria Knight (born March 28th, 1944) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is best known for her hits in the 1960s and 1970s, her group Gladys Knight and the Pips and for winning seven Grammy Awards.
She served as a guest judge and mentor during the Top 11 week on Season 2 of American Idol.
During the Season 7 Finale, Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr. jokingly sang "Midnight Train to Georgia" as "The Pips" for Gladys as promotion for Tropic Thunder.