- Title: Madonna is named woman of the year by Billboard magazine
- Date: 9th December 2016
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 09, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF MADONNA POSING FOR PICTURES ON RED CARPET MADONNA WITH MANAGER GUY OSEARY VARIOUS OF MADONNA SPEAKING TO REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MADONNA, ENTERTAINER, SAYING: "The biggest accomplishment I think was finishing my tour, doing my shows every night. And dealing with the challenges of being a mother, that's always the challenge for me. Being a good mother, being an artist, getting through it all." VARIOUS OF SINGER KESHA POSING FOR PICTURES TWAIN SPEAKING TO REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) SHANIA TWAIN, SINGER, SAYING: "I'm really honored by the title, I'm having a lot of fun with it and I'm really humbled by it. The women in this room are outstanding and so many of these women are women that I have personally looked up to and I almost can't believe that I'm here with all of them today. And it's just this incredible spirit of female support, a community of female greatness and it's empowering." VARIOUS OF SINGER HALSEY POSING FOR PICTURES ON RED CARPET (SOUNDBITE) (English) HALSEY, SINGER, SAYING: "I'm really, really excited and Billboard has always been a massive, massive champion for me. Having them recognize me in this way is everything I could have dreamed. I feel like I've really, really proved myself to them and that's what I've always wanted." VARIOUS OF COUNTRY SINGER MAREN MORRIS POSING FOR PICTURES (SOUNDBITE) (English) MAREN MORRIS, SINGER, SAYING: "You know, I think getting a Grammy nod for best new artist and also album, country album. That's - those are two big categories for me. I feel like people are starting to listen to full albums again and so to be recognized for that, to create a full body of work and not just single after single, it's really cool to be noticed like that." (SOUNDBITE) (English) ALESSIA CARA, SINGER, SAYING: "I think a lot of people have been surprised by the way I look and the way I chose to wear no makeup sometimes. I think it's just being me and I don't necessarily think I'm intentionally doing it to be rebellious. I just think it's really awesome to be able to question standards and be like, 'why do things have to be this way, or why do things have to be that way.' I don't know, I think a lot of women can find their strength and power in questioning." RITA ORA POSING FOR PICTURES ON RED CARPET ORA SPEAKING TO REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) RITA ORA, ENTERTAINER, SAYING: "I think it's amazing. Being 26 and rubbing shoulders with really incredible people is such an honor and to have the support is even more important. So I'm really looking forward to 2017 with a new record and being able to express myself musically." VARIOUS OF MADONNA POSING FOR PICTURES WITH MUSICIAN LABRINTH (SOUNDBITE) (English) LABRINTH, MUSICIAN, SAYING: "I was like, wow, ok. She became a big fan of one of the records I wrote called 'Jealous.' And she was like, 'Labrinth, I want you to perform and honor me.' So I was like, wow, yeah, I'm absolutely in, you know?" MUSICIAN DEBBIE HARRY POSING FOR PICTURES ON RED CARPET SINGER AND ACTRESS HAILEE STEINFELD POSING FOR PICTURES ON RED CARPET ACTRESS AND SINGER SABRINA CARPENTER POSING FOR PICTURES ON RED CARPET EXTERIOR OF VENUE - PIER 36
- Embargoed: 24th December 2016 22:10
- Keywords: Madonna Billboard music women Shania Twain Halsey Kesha
- Location: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- City: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA0015C5ZN0T
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Pop star Madonna was named women of the year by Billboard magazine on Friday (December 9).
For the veteran musician the highlights of the year come from personal and professional milestones.
"The biggest accomplishment I think was finishing my tour, doing my shows every night. And dealing with the challenges of being a mother, that's always the challenge for me. Being a good mother, being an artist, getting through it all," said the mother of four.
On the red carpet 58-year-old showed off her jacket adorned with the Greek word, 'euterpe' which the artist said translates into the goddess of music who brings joy.
Country star Shania Twain was named an Icon by the music publication, which she called humbling.
"The women in this room are outstanding and so many of these women are women that I have personally looked up to and I almost can't believe that I'm here with all of them today. And it's just this incredible spirit of female support, a community of female greatness and it's empowering," said Twain, best known for her hit song "Man! Feel Like a Woman."
Country newcomer Maren Morris was named the breakthrough artist of the year. The Texas native said earning four Grammy nominations has been the highlight of her year.
"Getting a Grammy nod for best new artist and also album, country album. Those are two big categories for me. I feel like people are starting to listen to full albums again and so to be recognized for that, to create a full body of work and not just single after single, it's really cool to be noticed like that."
Other honorees included Halsey with the rising star honor, Alessia Cara as the rule breaker and Kesha was named the trailblazer for 2016.
The event will air on the U.S. network Lifetime on December 12. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
