It's that time of year again. The time of year where we honour our favourite feminist heroes and game-changers in their field. Of course, we're talking about the GLAMOUR Women of the Year Awards, in partnership with Samsung.
Held on Tuesday 17 October at One Marylebone, and hosted by comedian Katherine Ryan, this was our 17th year running the awards - and it was our favourite yet (not that we're biased or anything).
Ryan set the tone perfectly at the start of the night with her hilarious and poignant opener.
An incredible night all round.
“As far as women have come, it’s been another challenging year for us too. Kourtney stole Kim’s wedding country, Jada revealed Will Smith was available this entire time, and thanks to Taylor, we’ve had the burden of caring about American Football,” she joked, before getting into the nitty-gritty issues. "Women’s reproductive rights SO obviously make sense, yet we have to fight for them over and over. It’s like finding out some prick with a YouTube channel has started a campaign against chemotherapy and seatbelts.
“We’ve seen misogyny in the police force. And now there’s an actor’s strike which means I’m not allowed to talk AT ALL about the record breaking, highest grossing film US and Worldwide having starred WOMEN and been made by a female director and arguably one of the most feminist films ever made!”
GLAMOUR's European Editorial Director Deborah Joseph added: "Why do we have a GLAMOUR Women of the Year ceremony? Well, simply put, the fight’s not over, there’s more work to do.
“There’s still a long way to go, which is why we are here honouring the remarkable women in the room tonight; actors, activists, musicians, influencers, authors and sports stars - all of them game-changers in their own right. What a privilege it is to be in the room with you and to celebrate your achievements.”
This year's event was held in partnership with Samsung, and saw everyone from Leigh-Anne Pinnock to Lily Allen and Halle Bailey among our honourees.
Georgia Harrison was named as GLAMOUR's Activist of the Year, while Hannah Waddingham was named Entertainer of the Year, and Olivia Dean named the Samsung Rising Star.
Millie Bobby Brown was GLAMOUR's Global Honouree alongside America Ferrera, who was also named as the UK Impact Award Winner.
Scroll down for the full list of winners, along with some of our favourite moments from their speeches.
America Ferrera: Global honouree & UK Impact Award
Ferrera, who has a GLAMOUR cover story as part of being one of our global honourees, called for ceasefire in Israel and Gaza during her acceptance speech.
“The one thing we know about war? It never benefits women,” Ferrera said. “What are our voices if not to cry out on behalf of our sisters? In this moment, we can stand together and call for an end to all violence.
“We can demand that hostages be released and safely returned to their families. We must demand that our world leaders deliver a ceasefire and an immediate humanitarian response in Gaza and Israel. We must save our sisters. We must let the children live it in peace. May we all find the courage to use our voices.”
Millie Bobby Brown: Global honouree
In her GLAMOUR cover story to celebrate being one of our Global honourees, Bobby Brown said of a past relationship: "I think I was so afraid to be a strong woman in a relationship.
"When I met Jake [Bongiovi, Bobby Brown's fiance] I just felt I could be loud. He embraced that and encouraged that. And I fell in love with myself while being with him.”
Leigh-Anne Pinnock: Musician of the Year
Former Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock is GLAMOUR's Musician of the Year following the release of her first solo song “Don't Say Love” earlier this year.
“I can't believe I'm standing here tonight as a solo artist, it's such an honour,” she said. "As some of you may know I’ve discussed the moments when I felt overlooked, like I was performing for an audience that didn't fully embrace me because of my identity as a Black woman.
“I know many women out there can relate to this feeling of being dismissed based on their race or background. It's been a challenging road, no doubt, but I have been so fortunate to have incredible women by my side who have taught me how to rise above.”
Pinnock thanked her mother, sisters and former bandmates Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards.
“Jade and Perrie, thank you for being two of the most incredible women to work with, laugh and grow with,” she added. “If this journey has taught me anything it is that every struggle serves a purpose, shaping me into the woman I am today. I am a mother, a wife and a musician.”
Ariana DeBose: Game-Changing Performer of the Year
Ariana DeBose did the thing. She was named our Game-Changing Performer of the Year!
“Tonight I want to talk about something else. What is truly game changing: Giving a damn,” DeBose said.
“Giving a damn and taking action to do something about it. If you see something, say something. I am so inspired by the faces I see in this room tonight. In the midst of such sad and, frankly, depressing times it is heartening to see people come together from different walks of life, to show up for each other. Humanity will never be devoid of nuance, for that is the essence of life.”
Lily Allen: Theatre Actor of the Year
Allen was honoured as GLAMOUR's Theatre Actor of the Year for 2023. “I’ve received several awards over the course of my career as a singer and songwriter, and in the past, I never felt like I deserved them. I don’t know why,” Allen said.
“Perhaps it was the tabloid rhetoric or the negative voices on social media. Those can really get to a person. But in my mind, awards were for being the best at something, and I didn’t feel like the best at anything. I don’t believe in the value of being the best these days. You learn so much from failing. Now I think we should celebrate our failures as much as the wins.”
Hannah Waddingham: Entertainer of the Year
The formidable Hannah Waddingham was honoured as GLAMOUR'S Entertainer of the Year.
“We have grown up learning to speak the language of men, but now the time has come for them to learn the language of women. It's very simple, and we have to choose to hold each other up” she said. “We have to choose to have each other's backs.”
Halle Bailey: Game-Changer of the Year
In her speech, Bailey spoke of how her life has changed since she catapulted into the spotlight.
“It's been an adjustment to live my life under the scrutiny of that spotlight,” she said. “But, in the age of social media, in some way, we all live under that same scrutiny. From our bodies, to what we wear to who we love and the things we care about – It’s all open to scrutiny. So, here’s my honest advice. Turn it off when you need to find inner peace. But also, live your life for you. Don’t waste time living it for social media. Everyone has an opinion but the only opinion that matters is your own – You already know deep down what’s right for you.”
Fats Timbo: Creator of the Year
Our Creator of the Year, Fats Timbo thanked her community for their “unwavering support”.
“I proudly identify as a black woman with dwarfism, and this identity comes with its own unique set of challenges,” she said. "From battling stereotypes and misconceptions to facing limited representation, accessibility barriers, and discrimination, I navigate through these obstacles on a daily basis.
“Yet, it is precisely these challenges that have moulded me into the resilient and strong individual I am today. Overcoming societal obstacles and defying stereotypes has required unwavering determination and inner strength. I am empowered by the opportunity to break down these barriers, challenge societal norms, and inspire others along the way.”
Georgia Harrison: Activist of the Year
Georgia Harrison, who was a victim of image based sexual abuse, successfully had her perpetrator convicted and successful campaigned to amend the image based sexual abuse law, is rightfully GLAMOUR's Activist of the Year.
“I do not want to see another generation of women feeling abused, violated and ashamed,” Harrison said in her speech. "I want them to feel empowered and loved. I want them to fearlessly speak their truth and I want them to live in a world where no means no and consent is taken seriously by all other human beings.
“To all of the amazing women out there I just want you to know you are so uniquely beautiful just as you are, let your soul be authentically itself in every situation and do not let anyone else’s opinion even for a second make you want to change who you are. Real women aren’t perfect and perfect women simply are not real.”
Olivia Dean: Samsung Rising Star
Dean was named as our Rising Star, and reflected on her teenage self in her sweet speech. “I stand up here and I can't help but think about how 15 year old me was frantically straightening and damaging her hair every morning before school in an attempt to look like all the other girls,” she said.
“She was deeply desperately trying to fit in and praying for the boys to say she was pretty. She would be so proud of the person I am today. I think we live in a world now where it's far too easy for us to compare ourselves and convince ourselves that we're not good enough. But comparison is the thief of joy. I started to film my most beautiful when I found my independence and I now know that my hair is my superpower and it gives me strength.”
Lionesses: Sports Icons of the Year
Lionesses Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo, Bethany England and Jess Carter accepted the Sports Icon award.
“Us girls probably don't realise the impact we have on many young girls' lives, but this award is not just for women's football, it's for every woman involved in sport; those who have paved the way that came before us, and left the shirt in a better place for us, and allowed us the platform to achieve great things – this award is for them," Kelly said.
