Billboard Women in Music Awards 2026: Teyana Taylor, Zara Larsson, Tate McRae Among Honorees

Key facts

• The 2026 Billboard Women in Music Awards took place Wednesday night at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
• Teyana Taylor received the Visionary Award.
• Zara Larsson won the Breakthrough Award.
• Tate McRae was honored with the Hitmaker Award.
• KPop Demon Hunters' Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami received the Women of the Year Award.
• Thalia received the Icon Award, Kehlani the Impact Award, Laufey the Innovator Award, and Mariah the Scientist the Rising Star Award.
• Filipino girl group Bini and Canadian rock band The Beaches both received Global Force awards.
• Presenters included Tyla, Brandi Carlile, Ciara, Coco Jones and Cara Delevingne.

A Night of Recognition at the Hollywood Palladium

The Billboard Women in Music Awards returned to Los Angeles on Wednesday night, filling the Hollywood Palladium with a constellation of artists, presenters and industry figures. The annual ceremony, which celebrates influential women in the music industry and their accomplishments, honored a diverse slate of performers from across genres and generations. Keke Palmer hosted the event, guiding the proceedings as awards were handed out for vision, breakthrough, hitmaking and more. The red carpet saw stars such as Tyla, Kehlani and Victoria Monet in attendance, with photographers capturing the evening's fashion alongside the accolades.

Visionary, Breakthrough and Hitmaker Awards

Teyana Taylor was presented with the Visionary Award, recognizing her impact across music, dance and fashion. Zara Larsson received the Breakthrough Award, marking her continued ascent in the pop landscape. Tate McRae, the Canadian singer-songwriter, took home the Hitmaker Award, a nod to her string of chart successes. The ceremony also honored Thalia with the Icon Award, Kehlani with the Impact Award, Laufey with the Innovator Award and Mariah the Scientist with the Rising Star Award. Each award underscored a different facet of influence, from longevity to genre-defying creativity.

KPop Demon Hunters and Global Force Winners

In a notable crossover moment, the trio behind KPop Demon Hunters — Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami — were named Women of the Year. The group, which blends K-pop and Western pop, represents a growing transnational wave in the industry. Two acts received Global Force awards: Filipino girl group Bini and Canadian rock band The Beaches. The awards highlight Billboard's recognition of artists making an impact beyond the U.S. market.

Presenters and Red Carpet Highlights

The evening's presenters included Tyla, Brandi Carlile, Ciara, Coco Jones and Cara Delevingne, each adding their own star power to the proceedings. The red carpet drew significant attention, with attendees such as Lainey Wilson, Laufey and Victoria Monet showcasing bold fashion choices. Photographers captured the arrivals, offering a visual record of the night's style alongside the formal program.

A Tradition of Celebrating Women in Music

The Billboard Women in Music Awards have become a fixture on the industry calendar, providing a platform to honor female artists, executives and creators. This year's event continued that tradition, with a lineup that balanced established icons and rising stars. The ceremony also served as a reminder of the breadth of women's contributions to music, from pop and rock to K-pop and beyond. As the industry evolves, such recognitions help shape the narrative of who gets celebrated and why.

The bottom line

• The 2026 Billboard Women in Music Awards honored a wide range of artists, from pop stars to K-pop collaborators.
• Teyana Taylor, Zara Larsson and Tate McRae were among the top award recipients.
• KPop Demon Hunters' trio won Women of the Year, signaling the growing influence of cross-cultural acts.
• Global Force awards went to Filipino girl group Bini and Canadian rock band The Beaches, highlighting international reach.
• The ceremony was hosted by Keke Palmer and featured presenters including Tyla, Brandi Carlile and Ciara.
• The event took place at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on April 30, 2026.