Rachel Zegler led this year’s Glamour Women of the Year Awards, as the star-studded event paid tribute to the women who have raised their voices, challenged convention and inspired change.
The West Side Story and Evita actress, 24, accepted her award at London’s 180 The Strand on Thursday night, joining a host of stars gathered to honour the power of sisterhood across generations and industries.
The American actress, who captivated audiences in the West End revival of Evita this summer, was presented her award by Glamour’s Global Editorial Director, Sam Barry.
During her acceptance speech, Zegler reflected on the women who have guided her through Hollywood’s pressures.
She paid tribute to her former co-stars Dame Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu, calling them her “sisterhood.”
The West End star shared: “I moved forward into what people might see as an unlikely friendship, a sisterhood I formed with Dame Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu in Shazam 2: Fury of the Gods, which I’m all sure you saw… right?”
She continued: “We slowly fell in love over dinners and drives to the mall on top of the actual work we got to do together for a summer.
“That friendship has truly carried me through even the toughest parts of being in this industry as a young woman their inherent understanding of the scrutiny we face, every single day from the way we look from the way we talk to how we express our beliefs to standing our ground to moving our mouth, how much hair we have on our top lip or our legs, our back, our underarms, you named it, they understood it – and they championed me first and foremost.
“I’ll never forget it, I’ll never be able to make it up to them but it’s reminiscent of a mother’s love and I’m eternally grateful.”
The Sugababes were among the night’s emotional honourees, accepting their award from Ashley Roberts.
Siobhán Donaghy, Keisha Buchanan and Mutya Buena reflected on their decades-long journey in an industry that “spits you out” as Roberts put it.
Donaghy began: “That was really lovely, it makes me quite emotion. To be named Women Of The Year is such a privilege so thank you.
“This past year reminded me that strength doesn't always have to be loud and unity doesn't always have to be perfect. Being independent artist means never really switching off... but we have learnt to find joy in the chaos.”
Buchanan added: “This moment feels like such a blessing. My faith has carried me through times when it would have been easier to give up.
“When we first came into the game it was rare to see women who looked like us, Filipino, Irish, Jamaican, with our different stories. So to stand here today as businesswomen, it is about more than music it is our legacy.”
“Sisterhood is holding space for each other on days even when it is hard to show up as our best. It's knowing when one of us shines we all shine. In a world that sometimes tells women there is an expiration date, we are hear to say your life doesn't fade you just learn to shine in different ways.”
Singer Tyla also received an award, presented by last year’s winner Leigh-Anne Pinnock, while actress Adwoa Aboah and England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton were also honoured.
Glamour also recognised nine transgender activists as Women of the Year, including Munroe Bergdorf, Bel Priestly, Dani St James and Shon Faye — a move designed to “amplify the community’s most ground-breaking voices” amid growing transphobic rhetoric in the UK.
In a powerful speech, the women came together to ask for support from all communities amid the “demonisation of transgender people”, saying “it can no longer be said that we're descending into fascism - fascism is here”.
“It's up to all of us to keep each other safe, to, yes, protect the dolls, but also to protect each other,” Munroe Bergdorf shared. “Whilst all of us standing on the stage are sisters, we're also your sisters, your allies, your friends and your comrades. We keep each other safe. Protection will always be a two way street.
“The demonisation of transgender people says not only segregate trans women from cis women, but the trans community from public life.
“It also serves to segregate society from humanity and eventually human rights from us all; safety, dignity, shelter, primacy, health care, protest, freedom from discrimination and freedom of expression of rights that should be protected for us all.”
Host Vick Hope dazzled on the red carpet in her first major appearance since welcoming her son in July, while Leigh-Anne Pinnock stunned in a shimmering co-ord. Strictly Come Dancing star Amber Davies also opted for a glittering silver gown.
Last year’s winners included Bridgerton star Simone Ashley, The Little Mermaid’s Chloë Bailey, and Pamela Anderson, who was celebrated for redefining natural beauty in Hollywood.
