Billboard Women in Music 2025: Best Moments

Megan Moroney opened the night with a spirited model of “Am I Okay?” in a blinding silver-fringed mini gown that she twirled in with aplomb as she confidently strode throughout the stage. Accepting her Rulebreaker Award introduced by Crown Royal Whisky from Tanner Adell, Moroney joked that it was ironic that she was receiving the award as a result of in her actual life, she is an avid rule follower. “I stole a bit of gum once I was 10 and I nonetheless give it some thought generally,” she mentioned earlier than thanking the “so many unhealthy bitches on my crew.” – Melinda Newman

Mickey Guyton quoted GloRilla’s inescapable 2024 summer time smash “TGIF” (“showin’ off my moose knuckle,” she rapped) when presenting the Memphis rapper with the Powerhouse Award. Glo delivered one other scene-stealing quotable throughout her acceptance speech: her “eugh eugh” ad-lib from her and Sexyy Crimson’s “Whatchu Kno About Me” from her debut studio album Superb. The gang couldn’t get eugh-nough of it. “Shoutout to Memphis for making me and elevating me. And shoutout to Billboard! Let’s go!” Glo exclaimed. – Heran Mamo

Muni Lengthy’s riveting efficiency of “Superpowers” attracted enthusiastic applause and loud shout-outs. Lengthy was the recipient of the Rising Star Award introduced by Honda Stage. She accepted the glory from fellow singer-songwriter Julia Michaels, who shared that it was type of ironic that Lengthy was receiving this award since she’s already written hit songs for the likes of Rihanna and Ariana Grande. Michaels acknowledged how tough the transition from songwriter to singer might be — “as somebody who is aware of about that journey. However Rising Star may also imply taking dangers. Muni didn’t let that cease her and solid forward. That’s why Billboard Girls in Music is honoring her.” – Gail Mitchell

As Songwriter of Yr honoree Gracie Abrams started to carry out her hit “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” fellow WIM honoree Erykah Badu appeared on in awe as followers passionately sang alongside to the emotive efficiency. “Songwriting is wild,” Abrams mentioned in her acceptance speech, thanking Taylor Swift for “her pen, which very a lot raised me.” The second mirrored the which means of the complete night, to pay it ahead whereas honoring those that got here earlier than — persevering with a celebrated circle of girls supporting girls. – Lyndsey Havens

Ángela Aguilar devoted her second on stage to immigrants. “I need to take this second to boost my voice for the ladies whose voices are usually not at all times given a stage, for the ladies who go away behind all the pieces they know crossing borders,” the Mexican celebrity mentioned throughout her acceptance speech for the Breakthrough Award. Following her beautiful efficiency of “Cielito Lindo,” the place she was accompanied by a full band in addition to a refrain of youngsters who’re immigrants, she added, “So right this moment, for my grandmother, for my mom, who’s honored tonight, and to each lady who has paved the best way for each younger lady to have the ability to dream. We’re not breaking down, we’re breaking by.” – Taylor Mims

Meghan Trainor delivered a hilarious but deeply genuine speech as she accepted the Hitmaker Award, introduced to her by Madison Beer. “Writing songs is my foremost supply of serotonin—subsequent to my youngsters, Riley and Barry, and my husband, Daryl,” she shared. Opening up about her songwriting course of, she added, “I write these songs for myself as a result of I’m insecure, and I’m going to remedy quite a bit. I’m on medication… I really like my therapist a lot—she’s in all probability watching. Asking for assistance is the one motive I’m right here.” – Cat Johnson

Tyla’s “On My Physique” collaborator Becky G mentioned she’d try the viral TikTok dance for the South African singer-songwriter’s Scorching 100 No. 7 smash “Water” “after just a few tequilas.” However when the popiano princess commanded the stage with “no hesitation” — as she sings in her newest single “Push 2 Begin” — she didn’t want any liquid braveness. “C’mon!” Tyla roared into the mic along with her signature ferocity as she and her three backup dancers turned up the temperature with their horny, syncopated strikes. Meghan Trainor was amongst these going wild for the efficiency, shouting “I really like you!” all through it.

When she accepted the Impression Award introduced by Bose, Tyla mirrored on her international success. “I left my nation with large desires, and I believed I had extra time to determine issues out. However when my profession took off, I noticed that God has His personal plans,” she mentioned earlier than teasing her personal upcoming plans for “new music. That’s all I’m going to say.” – H. Mamo

“Her affect has been felt the world over this 12 months,” mentioned Kali Uchis whereas introducing Jennie, who was receiving the appropriately named World Pressure Award. “I’m impressed by all the ladies on this room — and across the globe who proceed to interrupt obstacles and make their mark on the world stage,” Jennie mentioned. “This award is devoted to each lady who dares to dream and create and form the world along with her imaginative and prescient.” – L. Havens

In her heartfelt speech accepting the Mom of the Yr Award, Tina Knowles expressed gratitude to her daughters Beyoncé and Solange and her niece Angie Beyincé, in addition to Future’s Youngster members Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, LaTavia Roberson, and LeToya Luckett, saying, “I bought to mom you all in some methods, and also you all believed in me.” She additionally acknowledged Mathew Knowles, thanking him for “at all times preventing for me.” – C. Johnson

When aespa hit the stage to just accept the Group of the Yr Award from singer/actress Suki Waterhouse, the group lit up — actually. aespa-branded lightsticks popped up throughout the YouTube Theater crowd, with all of the MYs (as their loyal followers are known as) making their presence recognized. Each phrase the quartet spoke elicited piercing screams all through the room, however although they’ve hit unbelievable highs, they promised “that is just the start. We’re simply getting heat now, and I promise we’ll be on much more levels for extra highly effective performances.” About 40 minutes later, their promise got here true when aespa closed the present with a efficiency of “Whiplash,” activating their vocal fanbase as soon as extra. Joined by eight backup dancers sporting all black, the foursome shocked in all white as frenetic graphics flashed on the display screen behind them. They dominate the Billboard charts and now the Billboard stage, too. – Katie Atkinson

It was legend assembly the following era she birthed when Ms. Erykah Badu obtained the Music Icon Award from R&B star Summer season Walker. And it seems that Badu was the doula who delivered Walker’s twin sons. “She’s been my fave artist since I used to be 12,” mentioned Walker, who additionally known as Badu her idol and mentor. After singling out Badu’s “fearless artistry,” Walker launched a video that captured the affect that Badu has had on a bunch of established and rising artists: “As an artist,” mentioned Badu, “I by no means thought it was my job to be [limited] to anybody class.”

Throughout her heat, freewheeling acceptance speech, Badu shared a narrative the place she defined to her daughter that the vagina was a very powerful factor on earth, to which her daughter requested, “The place is the earth’s vagina?” After noting that she could have paused too lengthy between the set-up and the punchline, Badu repeated the ultimate a part of her anecdote – and on the second time round, Badu had the entire theater laughing. – Gail Mitchell, Joe Lynch

After an introduction from her collaborators Jayda Love and DJ Miss Milan, Doechii accepted the Lady of the Yr 2025 Award and mirrored on her “full circle” second with the occasion. “I can not consider it was simply two years in the past I stood on this stage proper right here and accepted the Billboard Rising Star Award. I had actually carried out so onerous I danced my footwear off and needed to hop as much as the mic,” she recalled of that 2023 set, smiling. “And right here I’m. That second displays how I method my profession – at all times go full out, at all times go onerous and at all times be fab.”

The Grammy winner famous that even almost 20 years later, a “lack of inclusion and sexism are nonetheless points on this trade. And that’s an issue. Which is why I’m grateful now we have Billboard Girls in Music.” – J. Lynch