Bonnie Raitt was among the many musicians addressing the continued disaster in Ukraine on the annual occasion.

Billboard’s 2022 Ladies in Music occasion took over the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, Calif., on Wednesday night, honoring feminine energy gamers within the music business — together with Government of the 12 months Golnar Khosrowshahi — in addition to chart-topping newcomer Olivia Rodrigo, who's Billboard’s 2022 Lady of the 12 months.
From unimaginable performances to inspiring speeches, listed below are the very best moments from the 2022 Billboard Ladies in Music occasion.
Ciara Sends Prayers to the Ladies and Women of Ukraine
2008 Billboard Lady of the 12 months recipient Ciara saved the group entertained because the night time’s host together with her light-hearted jokes and cheeky demeanor. Whereas her heat saved everybody comfortable, it was her thoughtfulness that finally gained viewers over when she held a second of silence for Ukraine amid Russia’s full-blown invasion.
“Earlier than we start this celebration, we wish to take this second of silence to ship our ideas and prayers to the individuals of Ukraine, particularly ladies and women, and hope for a peaceable decision,” she informed the group.
Phoebe Bridgers Shares the Highlight With Her Mother
Being introduced her Trailblazer Award by her mom Jamie, Phoebe Bridgers made certain that her mother acquired her fair proportion of reward from the viewers. Taking nearly all of her speech to thank her mom, Bridgers supplied a touching tribute to the girl who helped her grow to be the star she is at present, saying “she made me really feel just like the second coming of Bob Dylan even when my lyrics have been actually, actually dangerous.”
H.E.R.’s Tribute to Her Mother
It was an enormous night time for mothers on the 2022 Ladies In Music occasion, as Influence Award honoree H.E.R. additionally shouted out her mom throughout her speech: “I wish to thank my mother for instructing me to remain humble, be grounded, and be hardworking,”
Christina Aguilera Has Notes for the Teleprompter
Whereas Xtina might not have been accepting an award throughout Wednesday’s ceremony, she made an look to commemorate her look on Billboard‘s World of Ladies NFT cowl. However, within the means of explaining the place the NFT could be bought, she needed to cease herself, earlier than laughing and staring on the Teleprompter, saying, “Oh, shit, that’s small.”
Gabby Barrett’s Recommendation
In accepting her Rising Star Award, “I Hope” singer Gabby Barrett inspired others to not let naysayers derail their ambitions. “Some days you'll want to fully quit and really feel completely defeated, however attempt to use any unfavorable feedback and conditions that you just run into alongside the way in which as gas to maintain you going,” Barrett mentioned.
Saweetie Is a Hurricane, Not a Meteorologist
When accepting her Recreation Changer award, Saweetie talked about a few of the turbulence her profession had gone by and thanked her household and crew for sticking together with her. However finally, she proclaimed that she nonetheless most popular the “uncomfortable place” of stardom — as a result of she “would slightly be altering the climate than report it.”
Olivia Rodrigo Makes a Promise to the Youthful Era
Towards the tip of her acceptance speech for Lady of the 12 months, Olivia Rodrigo alluded to the difficulties of being a younger girl within the music business, and delivered a assure to the even youthful feminine songwriters who is likely to be watching. “To all of the younger women on the market who're writing songs day by day of their journals, on their bed room flooring — I'm continuously moved by your vulnerability and your creativity and bravado,” she mentioned. “And I promise everybody right here at present is working to make this world and this business a greater place for you.”
Bonnie Raitt’s Prayer for Peace
Icon Award honoree Bonnie Raitt used each her efficiency and acceptance speech to acknowledge the disaster in Ukraine. After her delivering “Angel From Montgomery,” she devoted the set to “the ladies of Ukraine.” Later within the night, whereas accepting the award, the 10-time Grammy winner mentioned, “My coronary heart is heavy for the individuals of Ukraine, and I do know the Russian individuals are not in settlement — so lots of them — with what’s being achieved. I pray for all of the people who find themselves working onerous for peace.”
Government of the 12 months Golnar Khosrowshahi’s Hope for the Future
The 2022 Billboard Ladies In Music Government of the 12 months, Reservoir Media CEO Golnar Khosrowshahi, shared her hope for the way forward for ladies within the music business: “I encourage us all to proceed to recruit, to mentor and domesticate the subsequent era of feminine leaders inside our respective organizations in order that someday, recognizing ladies in management roles would be the expectation and never a necessity.”
Summer season Walker Retains It Gentle
Earlier than totally launching into her Chart Breaker acceptance speech, Walker had the viewers in stitches, saying, “I’m probably not the one for speeches. I wish to preserve it cute and fast, however at present I’m not,” promptly pulling out a slip of paper from bra.
Doja Cat Desires That Necklace Now
Doja’s humor was on show as she accepted the night time’s Powerhouse Award. After taking to the stage for a efficiency of Planet Her monitor “Alone,” she accepted the glory and jokingly mused on her plans to interrupt open the award simply to get to the Maggi Simpkins-designed necklace inside, as a result of “that’s what women do.”
Karol G’s Attractive Efficiency
Earlier than accepting her Rule Breaker award through the ceremony, Karol G supplied one of many night time’s many ballads, with a beautiful, understated model of “El Barco.” As Karol G held courtroom heart stage, wearing her signature model, her efficiency was a examine in distinction, as she was flanked by a sharply suited, all-female backing band.
This story initially appeared on Billboard.com.