Victoria Monét Named Rising Star At Billboard Women In Music 2024: “I’m Gonna Be Here For A While”
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As the rain poured outside the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, Calif. on Wednesday night (March 6), women across the music industry poured inside the venue to celebrate the talent and business skills that keep the game in play at the 2024 Billboard Women In Music Awards. Musicians, producers, engineers, and executives all gathered to recognize emerging leaders, living legends, and dazzling pop stars for their contributions to music at large. The cocktail hour flowed with power suits and sequin gowns as guests mingled, enjoying small bites and big energy.
DJ Rosegold kept the affair lively, spinning music of all genres, yet only women artists, a testament to the power in the Burberry Her and champagne-scented gallery. As the evening continued, ticket holders found their rightful seats and settled in for the main event.
Clips from past WIM celebrations shifted attention to the main stage, where a montage featuring commentary from the likes of Madonna and Janelle Monáe garnered applause. Here to uplift, described “joy bringer and style icon,” Tracee Ellis Ross, stepped into emcee duties for the evening. Introducing the star-studded list of honorees, attendees, and notable guests, Victoria Monét, Ice Spice, Saweetie and K-Pop group NewJeans received roaring applause as their glamorous headshots flashed across the LED screens.
“I feel so at home in this environment and by at home I mean on stage with a captive audience” shared the Black-Ish star as she walked under the spotlights, flaunting a larger-than-life pompadour hairstyle to the intrigued onlookers. “We are here tonight to celebrate women. Women in music. And I am always thrilled to do so because we have a lot to celebrate,” she continued, congratulating Victoria Monét, SZA, Taylor Swift, and Miley Cyrus for their 2024 Grammy Award wins.
Bringing her inherited flyness centerstage, Victoria Monét kicked off the evening as the night’s first honoree and performer. The R&B star was presented with the Rising Star award by singer JoJo. After performing her chart-topping record “On My Mama,” the 34-year-old was handed the crystal trophy by her actual mother, L’Tanya Chestang-Cubit, also known as “Mama Monét.”
“She didn’t tell me she was coming” shared the singer as they embraced. Her mom remembered a shy Victoria Monét evolving into her “front and center” seat-at-the-table spirit.
“It’s one thing to receive an award, but to receive it from someone you’ve known your whole life is awesome. Not every star can be seen by the naked eye. I’m glad it’s a rising star, not a shooting star [award] because shooting stars are gone fast. I’m gonna be here for a while.”
The night continued with Coco Jones presenting the Producer of the Year award to Pinkpantheress. The 22-year-old took the stage to reflect on her emerging career and breaking out of her fear of being seen.
“It’s important to mention roots as a producer,” the United Kingdom-bred artist said. “[I started] in a dorm room at university… painfully too shy” she explained of her behind-the-scenes tendencies. “To be recognized as artist and producer… As a woman of color in electronic music… people don’t expect me to look [this way].”
Proud energy echoed throughout the audience as Ross exclaimed, “A little bit of something about women. We are the best. I love us. We are amazing.”
With compliments galore — including Saweetie praising Ice Spice’s auburn-toned swoop, and random “I love you” chants from fans in the audience — the love was felt for the duration of the awards. Continued performances included sets from NewJeans, CharlieXCX, and Luisa Sonza, with a surprise appearance from Demi Lovato.
“Shoutout to all the women in the Bronx, all the women in New York, all the women in the building…yall look so pretty,” declared Ice Spice as she claimed the Hit Maker trophy.
Take a look inside the 2024 Billboard Women In Music Awards below.
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