Zara Larsson Noah Reardon

The 2026 Billboard Women in Music event on April 29 at the Hollywood Palladium celebrated the women in the music industry who made headlines and broke new ground over the past 12 months. From this year’s Women of the Year, the singing voices of KPop Demon Hunters fictional band HUNTR/X — EJAE, AUDREY NUNA AND REI AMI — to Visionary Award winner, singer/songwriter and One Battle After Another star Teyana Taylor, Hitmaker Award winner pop star Tate McRae and Powerhouse Award recipient — and current Billboard Hot Country Songs chart ruler — Ella Langley, the night was packed with superstar energy.

There were also major awards for Grammy-winner Kehlani (Impact Award), singer Laufey (Innovator Award), Mariah the Scientist (Rising Star Award), Zara Larsson (Breakthrough Award) and Thalia (Icon Award). In addition to hosting, Keke Palmer joined the star-studded list of performers, including Larsson, who ripped through her hit “Midnight Sun” while being held aloft by her dancers.

Mariah the Scientist also blessed the stage with her performance of “Rainy Days” in front of a rain-soaked video wall before welcoming Kali Uchis up for their hit, “Is It a Crime,” while McRae got unplugged for a run through her song “Nobody’s Girl.” Langley also stripped things down for an acoustic ramble through her Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Choosin’ Texas” and Laufey offered up a solo take on her single “Silver Lining.”

In addition to performances from Kehlani, Thalia, HUNTR/X, host Palmer and Taylor, Billboard also asked the night’s honorees, special guests and presenters to pose for a series of autographed Polaroids from the likes of Victoria Monet, HUNTR/X, Tyla, Lainey Wilson, McRae, Ciara, Brandi Carlile, Cara Delevingne and many more. Check them out below.

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