Music Powerhouses Honored At 2023 Billboard Women In Music Awards
LOS ANGELES (March 1, 2023) – Today, Billboard hosted the Women in Music Awards recognizing rising stars and A-List artists, creators, producers and executives for their contributions to the industry and community. Hosted by Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning writer and actress Quinta Brunson at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park, the star-studded evening featured electric performances and inspiring speeches from some of the top women dominating the music industry.
Show highlights from the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards include:
- In her opening monologue, Quinta Brunson encouraged women to work together to advance their place in society, noting the show would recognize women who are “leading the way” in the music industry.
- SZA received the highly-coveted Billboard Woman of the Year Award, which was presented by Coi Leray. In her speech, she expressed her respect and admiration for the other artists in the room and encouraged people to “continue to be inspired and stay available [and] say yes to [all of] the possibilities.”
- Lana Del Rey received the Visionary Award presented by last year’s Woman of the Year honoree, Olivia Rodrigo. Del Rey accepted the award, and praised the progress that has been made by women in the industry, saying “it’s a wonderful time in the culture to be themselves.”
- Bad Bunny made a surprise appearance to present Ivy Queen with the Icon Award.
- Kim Petras kicked off the show with a performance of her single “brrr” and then received the Chartbreaker Award, presented by Wendy Goldstein from Republic Records. Petras is the first openly transgender woman to be honored at Billboard Women in Music.
- Becky G received the Impact Award presented by American Express, which recognized her efforts to build community by creating positive change. Dove Cameron presented the award to her friend Becky G, who took the stage to perform “Mamiii” and then accept the award. Becky said she was “humbled” to receive the award, especially in her hometown of Inglewood.
- Latto performed her hit “Lottery” with Lu Kala and then accepted the Powerhouse Award, which was presented by Chloe Bailey.
- Lainey Wilson received the Rule Breaker Award, which was presented by her Yellowstone co-star Piper Perabo. Lainey performed her hit single “Heart Like a Truck” and then accepted the award, saying the award was for “all the women who do things their way…who aren’t afraid to break boundaries and color outside the lines.”
- TWICE received the Breakthrough Award, which was presented by Sabrina Carpenter. They later performed their song “Moonlight Sunrise” for a cheering crowd.
- Doechii performed her song “Persuasive + Crazy” and then accepted the Rising Star Award presented by Honda. She acknowledged that the award was a “huge stamp” since she followed in the footsteps of artists like Nicki Minaj who had been previously recognized.
- Rosalía received the inaugural Producer of the Year Award presented by Bose. Canadian record producer WondaGurl presented her with the award. Rosalia explained the award was extra special because producing music “comes from love [and] comes from obsession,” and she doesn’t do it because it’s “fun,” but because it’s a passion.
- Billboard also partnered with Bose to increase awareness for women and non-binary music producers in an effort to increase representation in the industry.
- Epic Records’ Sylvia Rhone received the award for Executive of the Year.
- Golnar Khosrowshahi, founder and CEO of Reservoir Media Management, took the stage following a performance by Iranian-American musician Chloe Pourmorady. She honored the resolve of the new generation of women in Iran who are fighting for freedom.
Additional attendees included Adrienne Houghton, Alaina Castillo, Chantel Jeffries, Chelsea Cutler, Diane Warren, Erika Jayne, Heidi Klum, Kash Doll, Liz Gillies, Madison Beer, Victoria Monét, Zara Larsson and more.
A leading champion of supporting small businesses, American Express gifted all honorees and artists custom gift bags featuring artisan items from five multicultural and women-owned small businesses – Flatbush Granola, Mented Cosmetics, Sukie’s Candle Co., The Old Town Soap Co., and Treslúce Beauty.
The show was live streamed through Harmony, Penske Media’s (PMC) in house streaming platform which allows audiences to live stream some of the most significant cultural events happening today across PMC’s websites spanning entertainment, music, fashion, art, women’s interest and more. Billboard’s Women in Music event aired live on Billboard, Variety, WWD, Indiewire, The Hollywood Reporter, Soaps, Robb Report, She Knows, Stylecaster, FN and Vibe.
Billboard’s Woman of the Year Award has become one of the music industry’s highest honors. Previous artists named Woman of the Year include Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift.
Sponsors for the 2023 Women in Music Awards include: American Express, presenter of the Impact Award, Honda, presenter of the Rising Star Award, Mugler, Nationwide, Bose, and Smirnoff ICE.
For more information and the latest announcements visit billboardwomeninmusic.com and follow on Instagram and Twitter at @billboard #BBWomenInMusic.
ABOUT BILLBOARD
Billboard is a global music media brand, with a renowned authority among artists, fans, and the industry at large. Billboard powers the ultimate global music destination and magazine, featuring unrivaled reporting on music news, issues, trends, and the industry’s definitive charts, encompassing the most complete and well-respected database of charts across all music genres. Billboard also produces elite conferences and events which regularly convene influential industry stakeholders and consumers around important conversations.
ABOUT YOUTUBE THEATER
YouTube Theater is a 6,000-seat performance venue located at Hollywood Park, a near 300-acre sports and entertainment destination in Inglewood Calif., being developed by Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. The state-of-the-art theater is a 227,000 square foot, three-story indoor venue situated under the same roof canopy as SoFi Stadium and American Airlines Plaza. The venue can be configured to house three different crowd capacities, including intimate settings with minimum capacities of 3,400 and 4,400. Equipped with premium finishes throughout, the venue also offers guests both an interior and exterior balcony, luxury boxes, an industry room, and a private club with premium seats. Opened in August 2021, YouTube Theater is equipped to host a variety of events, including concerts, awards shows, esports competitions, community gatherings, conferences and more.
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us onfacebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.
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ABOUT Honda
Honda offers a full line of clean, safe, fun and connected vehicles sold through more than 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The award-winning Honda lineup includes the Civic and Accord, along with the HR-V, CR-V, Passport and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. Honda’s electrified vehicle lineup includes the Accord hybrid, CR-V hybrid, and, in the future, Civic hybrid. The Honda Prologue SUV, Honda’s first volume battery-electric vehicle, will join the lineup in 2024. Honda has been producing automobiles in America for over 40 years and currently operates 18 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2022, more than 99% of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, with more than two-thirds made in America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.
More information about Honda is available in the Digital FactBook.
ABOUT NATIONWIDE
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities, mutual funds and EFTs; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow the firm on Facebook and Twitter. Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2023
ABOUT MUGLER THE ART OF FACETING DREAMS.
The real world just isn’t enough. Shine under the MUGLER star and be inspired to become whoever you want to be. MUGLER shapes dreams. MUGLER’s creative vision reflects its unique view on the world, which subverts codes and challenges norms. MUGLER was established by the creative visionary Manfred Thierry Mugler. He launched his first Ready-to-Wear Fashion collection in 1974 followed by his first Fragrance, the Ambery Gourmand Angel perfume, in 1992.
ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE.
MUGLER has established a unique culture of craftsmanship. Each piece, whether it be in Fashion or Fragrances, is marked by a universal creative force. MUGLER’s craft is masterful and multidisciplinary. Our creative process tells a unique story, a narrative nourished by the need to be extraordinary. Much more than simply creations, MUGLER produces works of art, from Fashion to Fragrance, that are accessible to everyone. MUGLER Fashion and Fragrances, particularly the Angel and Alien perfumes are notoriously magnetic. These unclassifiable creations harness the most extraordinary forces.
MUGLER WAS BORN REFILLABLE.
Since 1992, Mugler has been pioneering sustainable solutions with purpose and audacity. We created the most eco-caring innovative services around fragrance refilling. Mugler bottles are pieces of art that we crave to possess and cherish. Thanks to the Mugler Fountain and refill bottles, you can refill your bottle anywhere, in store or at home, and act for a more sustainable luxury.
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ABOUT BOSE CORPORATION
Bose is world renowned for its premium audio solutions for the home, on the go, and in the car. Since its founding in 1964 by Dr. Amar Bose, the company has been dedicated to delivering amazing sound experiences through innovation. And its passionate employees — engineers, researchers, music fanatics, and dreamers — have remained committed to the belief that sound is the most powerful force on earth; its ability to transform, transport, and make us feel alive. For nearly 60 years, this belief has driven us to create products that have become iconic, changing the way people listen to music.
ABOUT SMIRNOFF
Smirnoff has been giving the people what they want since 1864, serving as a catalyst to revolutionize drinking culture across generations: from inventing the Mule and reimagining the vodka martini to creating a cultural mainstay that defines the flavored malt beverage category with the launch of Smirnoff Ice in 2000. Because the brand is dedicated to the people and their evolving taste preferences, Smirnoff has an option for everyone along with a dedicated history of adding fun to any occasion while keeping diversity and inclusion at the forefront. Truly showing the power of socializing when everyone (21+) is invited to celebrate. The Smirnoff portfolio offers a variety of options for adults across vodka and flavored malt beverages. Current offerings include foundations in Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka and Smirnoff Ice, a line of flavors in North America and ready-to-serve flavored malt beverages including Smirnoff Seltzer and Smirnoff Ice Smash. From culturally relevant limited editions to new innovations and zero sugar offerings, Smirnoff has always been known for quality and affordability, and prides itself on giving the people what they want.