Adele, the international music sensation, paid a touching tribute to the influential women who have shaped her life, from her family to fellow artists, at The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment breakfast gala. The event saw her receiving the prestigious Sherry Lansing Leadership Award, presented by the legendary Helen Mirren, in recognition of her trailblazing career and philanthropic efforts in Hollywood.
Adele, known for her unwavering support of LGBTQ and women’s rights, described Lansing as the embodiment of opening doors and leaving them open for others. Lansing, the first female to lead a Hollywood studio, received accolades for her pioneering role in the industry.
Mirren, herself an Oscar winner, praised Adele’s musical genius, likening the experience of listening to her debut single, “Hometown Glory,” to a spine-tingling revelation. Mirren aptly characterized Adele as a “brilliant and game-changing new artist” who walks among us like a goddess.
In her candid speech, Adele, laced with humor and a few F-bombs, shared how the strong women in her family had molded her character and instilled resilience. She acknowledged their formidable personas, forged through the challenges of being women in their time, which became the armor of their character and, in turn, the skin that she wears today.
The Women in Entertainment Gala has a history of honoring outstanding women in the industry, including luminaries like Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, and Reese Witherspoon. Adele also expressed gratitude towards Kerry Washington, who received the Equity in Entertainment Award for her work in amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities in Hollywood.
As the evening unfolded, the importance of equity and inclusion in the entertainment industry became a recurring theme. Washington emphasized the need to make space for each other’s truths, highlighting that true equity is achieved when diverse stories are told and embraced in media and culture.
Additionally, artists like Dua Lipa, Camila Cabello, Billie Lourd, and Lily Gladstone contributed to THR’s Women in Entertainment mentorship program by presenting full-ride scholarships to Chapman University and Loyola Marymount, along with over $1 million in scholarships for female high school seniors from underprivileged communities. These students will also receive guidance from accomplished female entertainment professionals, further reinforcing the commitment to equality and diversity in the industry.
In a world where LGBTQ advocacy and gender equality remain critical, Adele and her fellow honorees at the Women in Entertainment Gala are shining beacons, using their platforms to foster positive change and amplify underrepresented voices.
