Beyoncé, Donna Kelce and Kelsea Ballerini appear to celebrate Glamor’s 2024 Women of the Year Awards
Amid the bright lights of Times Square, Pamela Anderson, Taraji P. Henson, And Suni Lee were among those honored at the charming Women of the Year Awards on Tuesday, a glitzy event attended by Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Demi Lovato, and more.
While waiting for the show to start at Times Square Edition Hotel’s Paradise Club, guests mingled with sparkling rosé flutes and enjoyed classic R&B songs performed by the DJ. Hesta Prynn. Donna Kelce—mother of Travis And Jason—was at the bar ordering a ginger beer in disbelief that he was one of the honorees at the annual event. “I am honored to be with these iconic women,” she said. Vanity Fair, jokingly saying “It’s like Where’s Waldo? and I am Waldo.” EQUAL Real Housewives alum Bethenny Frankel snapping snaps and selfies with the portable ring light, attendees were invited to sit at their respective black bar tables, decorated with snacks including chips and nuts, reminiscent of to the Parisian apéro wine display.
When the evening program begins, charming Global editorial director Samantha Barry highlights the range of women celebrated, from athletes to entrepreneurs to activists, but the night primarily focuses on mothers. Four of the honorees are what Barry calls “supermodels”: Kelce; Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé And Solange; Maggie Baird, mother of Billie Eilish And Finland; And Mandy Teefey, mother of Selena Gomez. Talking to VF, Barry shares that the idea came from looking back at previous Woman of the Year speeches and realizing how often people thanked their mothers.
The improvisational rap group Freestyle+ was present to perform honored songs, including Olympian Suni Lee, actor and activist Pamela Anderson, performer Taraji P. Hensonand actors Sophia Bush, who spoke about the importance of reproductive freedom before introducing activists and honorees Hadley Duvall And Kaitlyn Joshua.
“I have so much admiration for these women and their stories,” Bush said, adding, “any of us who have the ability to speak up in rooms like this, we should. ”
Other presenters include singers and actors Demi Lovatoalso an actor Brooke Shield and her daughter, Rowan Francis Henchy, who also shares red carpet hosting duties. “It’s wonderful to see all mothers being honored and recognized,” Shields said. Henchy, a student and aspiring broadcaster, admitted that she was a little nervous before the experience, but said that looking at her mother helped calm any remaining nerves. “Being able to talk to these people in a room full of courage and strength, it was the most amazing thing,” she said.
Some awardees cannot be there, such as tennis superstars Serena Williams, performer Sydney Sweeneyand Mandy Teefey were honored by their families through an included video montage Venus Williams and Selena Gomez.
The evening also included a performance by a country music singer Kelsea Ballerini, who performed an unreleased single and cover of “Lean on Me.” She spoke to Beyoncé, thanking her for making a country album and Bey said, “Thank you so much.”
After the show ended, DJ Hesta Prynn returned to the stage, urging the crowd to make special requests and queue up hits from Chappell Roan And Charlie xcx, to the delight of the surrounding guests as trays of pigs in blankets and snacks moved across the dance floor.