This year’s Billboard Women in Music was a packed program, with the singing voices of HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters, Tate McRae, Ella Langley and more heavy-hitters taking the stage at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on Wednesday (April 29) to receive awards, deliver showstopping performances and more.
Host Keke Palmer kicked off the 2026 ceremony with a performance of “Text Message Unsent” before diving into the rest of the show, which saw Zara Larsson accept the Breakthrough honor from Tyla and Coco Jones present Mariah The Scientist with Honda’s Rising Star. McRae then received the Hitmaker title from Victoria Monet, after which Langley accepted the Powerhouse prize from Lainey Wilson, and Laufey was honored with the Innovator accolade presented by Brandi Carlile.
Kehlani, Thalia and Taylor were next, taking home the Impact Award, Icon Award and Visionary Award presented by Ciara, Eva Longoria and Dionne Warwick, respectively. HUNTR/X closed the show with a high-energy performance of the Oscar-winning, Billboard Hot 100-topping soundtrack hit “Golden” after the fictional girl group’s vocalists — EJAE, AUDREN NUNA and REI AMI – collectively accepted the coveted Woman of the Year honor.
Every single one of the night’s honorees also performed songs at the event, which annually honors the ladies in music who made the biggest impact each year. In addition to the famous artists who gathered at the Palladium in 2026, ASCAP’s Beth Matthews was also celebrated with the Executive of the Year title presented by Kim Petras.
But while there’s a lot to write home about when it comes to this year’s Women in Music, Billboard knows that a picture is worth a thousand words. That’s why we’ve collected some of the best star-studded photos from the 2026 ceremony – check them out below.
Zara Larsson
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Zara Larsson performs onstage at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Mariah the Scientist
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Mariah the Scientist performs onstage at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Tyla
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Tyla at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Tate McRae
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Tate McRae performs onstage at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Elizabeth Matthews
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Elizabeth Matthews at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Keke Palmer
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Keke Palmer at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Teyana Taylor
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Teyana Taylor accepts the Visionary Award at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
The Billboard Women in Music 2026 – Show
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Eva Longoria speaks onstage at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Laufey
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Laufey performs onstage at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Kelly Rowland and Elaine Welteroth
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Kelly Rowland and Elaine Welteroth speak on stage at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Keke Palmer
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Keke Palmer performs onstage at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and Ejae of HUNTR/X
Image Credit: Billboard
Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and Ejae of HUNTR/X at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Thalia
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
Thalia performs onstage at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Ella Langley
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
Ella Langley performs onstage at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Leila Cobo and Thalia
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
Leila Cobo and Thalia at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Kehlani
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Kehlani performs onstage at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Kim Petras and Elizabeth Matthews
Image Credit: Billboard
Kim Petras and Elizabeth Matthews at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Ciara
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Ciara at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Teyana Taylor
Image Credit: Rich Polk
Teyana Taylor at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
BINI
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores
BINI onstage at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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