Everything You Might Have Missed at Billboard’s 2025 Women in Music Event

On Saturday, March 29, the most influential and game-changing women in the music industry gathered at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles for Billboard's 2025 Women in Music event.

The annual event and awards ceremony is all about recognizing the singers, songwriters, creators, producers, execs and more who've made major contributions to today's music culture. If you happened to miss it, keep reading for a breakdown of the whole event, and learn all about where you can still catch the whole show.

The Women in Music Event

Every year, Billboard's Women in Music event honors the industry's biggest talents and champions with a night of thrilling performances and empowering speeches from its prestigious honorees. It's not just about the women with the biggest numbers of streams or most record sales, but the ones who at the forefront of pop culture, paving the way for others to express themselves authentically and share their voices. The event reminds us of the power great music holds, as expressed by host Laverne Cox.

"It's important to acknowledge how truly challenging these times are," Laverne shared in her opening remarks. "For me, music allows me to release emotions I sometimes can't name. Music can be a catalyst for contemplation, protest, mourning, resurrection and unspeakable joy."

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

"This year's Billboard Women in Music honorees embody the bold and fearless voices shaping the future of music," Billboard's editor-in-chief, added. "It is an incredible honor to celebrate their achievements through an evening of performances and unforgettable moments that showcased their undeniable impact in the music industry … From groundbreaking newcomers to legendary icons, each artist brings a distinct voice, and passion that pushes boundaries and inspires the next generation."

The show was streamed live on VIZIO WatchFree+ and the VIZIO app, but if you missed it, you can still catch the event on the Billboard Women in Music 2025 channel (channel 1400) on both services. Both the channel and their on-demand collection allow fans do dive even deeper with behind-the-scenes content on the most important women in music today, including interviews, studio sessions and more.

 

Woman of the Year Award

Billboard's Woman of the Year Award is the event's most prestigious honor, previously awarded to everyone from SZA and Olivia Rodrigo to Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. In 2025, that incredible honor went to Doechii.

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

"In 2025, lack of inclusion and sexism are, unfortunately, still an issue in this industry," Doechii shared in her acceptance speech. "Which is why I'm grateful that we have Billboard Women in Music … And while I may be the one front and center who's rapping, singing and performing, I'm not doing this alone. There are brilliant, savvy women on my personal and label teams standing alongside me."

 

Also read about: 25 Iconic Doechii Lyrics to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption

 

Hitmaker Award

Meghan Trainor needs no introduction, making a name for herself not only with her own irresistible releases, but also as a writer of viral hits for stars including Jennifer Lopez, Sabrina Carpenter, Jason Derulo and so many more. At this year's awards, Madison Beer presented her with the Hitmaker Award, and we can't think of anyone more worthy.

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

 

Rulebreaker Award

Country sensation Megan Moroney made big waves last year with her album Am I Okay?,  redefining the pop-country genre with her "emo cowgirl" approach.

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

Tanner Adell presented her with the Rulebreaker Award before she took the stage to perform the hit title track, "Am I Okay," showcasing her rule-breaking spirit.

 

Powerhouse Award

There's no denying that GloRilla is a powerful presence in the rap world and beyond, with viral hits including "Sticky," "Yeah Glo!" and "Tomorrow 2." During the event, country artist Mickey Guyton presented her with the Billboard's Powerhouse Award.

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

 

Songwriter of the Year Award

Gracie Abrams was another artist who defined 2024, and she shared her dynamic presence and storytelling on stage with a performance of her hit song "I Love You, I'm Sorry," before being recognized as Songwriter of the Year by presenter Victoria Monét

"Songwriting is wild," Gracie shared in her acceptance speech. "It's sometimes wildly embarrassing … It is our most private diary entries and our loudest clarion calls. It is our hiding place and, sometimes, our very salvation. I have been lucky to learn from and write with some of the most wonderful and talented people—the incomparable Ms Taylor Swift! I will never stop pinching myself and I will never stop thanking her for the gift of her pen which very much raised me."

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

 

Also read about: 20 Lovesick Lyrics From Gracie Abrams' New Album, The Secret Of Us, as Instagram Captions

 

Impact Award

South African artist Tyla has become an international phenomenon over the last couple of years, most notably with her hit "Water." At the ceremony, Becky G presented her with the Impact Award before Tyla took the stage to stun the audience with a performance of "Push to Start."  In her acceptance speech, she also promised new music on the horizon.

"You never know how something you say or do—a lyric, a performance—might ignite in someone else, and what they, in turn, will pass forward to another person," Tyla shared. "So I feel very lucky—for my fans, my Tygers, who have given me such an exciting life, allowing me to share and grow into all the different versions of myself as an artist and as a woman."

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

 

Icon Award

Neo-soul pioneer Erykah Badu has a storied musical career spanning decades, and she's still as iconic and relevant as ever. The Women in Music event honored her this weekend with the Icon Award, presented by Summer Walker.

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

 

Rising Star Award

R&B singer-songwriter Muni Long's star power has been rapidly on the rise as of late, and she continued to turn heads with her appearance at the Women in Music event.

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

She took the stage to perform her anthemic single "Superpowers" before Julia Michaels presented her with the Rising Star Award.

 

Also read about: 13 Iconic Lyrics From 2025 GRAMMY Winners to Inspire Your Next Instagram Caption

 

Mother of the Year Award

The Mother of the Year Award was a brand new honor from Billboard's Women in Music Event in 2025, going to none other than Tina Knowles.

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

Billboard's editor-in-chief Hannah Karp presented the award, highlighting her contributions to music and the world at large. As mother to both Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, she definitely knows what she's doing.

 

Global Force Award

South Korean star JENNIE is the ultimate multi-hyphenate as a singer, songwriter, rapper and actress, as well as doubling as a member of BLACKPINK and a powerful soloist in her own right.

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

During the ceremony she was presented with the Global Force Award by Kali Uchis, recognizing her influence as an artist who's broken out of the K-pop sphere to become an international force to be reckoned with.

Also read about: 36 Lyrics From JENNIE's Ruby to Inspire Your Next Instagram Caption

 

Breakthrough Award

21-year-old Mexican American artist Ángela Aguilar is yet another viral star who's well on her way to becoming a household name. Lauren Jauregui presented her with the Breakthrough Award before Ángela performed a rendition of the classic Mexican folk song "Cielito Lindo."

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

 

Group of the Year Award

K-pop group aespa have established themselves as one of the biggest girl groups in the world, with a sound that's broken barriers and made them famous and beloved around the world. Suki Waterhouse presented the quartet with the Group of the Year award before they performed their hit song "Whiplash" for an audience in English for the very first time.

(Photo credit: Christopher Polk)

"Thank you, Billboard Women In Music, for naming us Group of the Year," aespa's GISELLE shared in her acceptance speech. "We want to cheer on all the women who are chasing their dreams and hope everyone gets the chance to reach their full potential. Music connects us, and we're grateful to be part of this journey. And to our MYs, this award is yours. Your love and support push us to dream bigger. We will continue to work hard to be artists who can inspire and uplift you."

 

Global Women of the Year Awards

Billboard's Women in Music event also honored acts who are lesser-known in the U.S. but making a big splash around the world. Zara Larsson presented the Global Women of the Year Awards to Italian rapper ANNA and Canadian singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin.

 

For even more on aespa and their new English versions of "Whiplash," just click HERE.