kate Hudson, Sydney Sweeney, Wanda Sykes, Nicole Scherzinger adn Jamie Lee Curtis were at the center of the star-studded Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime event in Los Angeles Wednesday night.
Hosted by Iliza Shlesinger at the Beverly Hills Hotel, the event centered on the accomplishments of Variety’s five honorees, among many other women throughout media and entertainment over the past year. But more often than not, those women turned the spotlight towards other industries. that was the case when Curtis took the stage to talk about the cause she was supporting, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and the threat that ICE raids pose to the hospital’s patients.
“The team at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.The power of women is in every single woman who works at that hospital,” Curtis said. “Every nurse, every child-life specialist, every doctor, every mother of every patient who shows up to try to help these children – that’s the power of women. We see it every day. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is in desperate need right now. The cuts that have been made are awful, and because of the situation in the government, so much of their funding has been lost. people are afraid to go to the hospital because they’re afraid they’re going to be picked up by ICE agents, so they won’t go that hospital.”
Prior to Curtis’ speech,which was the night’s big closer,Variety Power of Women opened with some zingers from Shlesinger,followed by remarks from Variety co-editors-in-chief Cynthia Littleton and Ramin Setoodeh (now co-president,alongside publisher Dea Lawrence),and outgoing publisher Michelle Sobrino-Stearns. The first honoree of the night was Kate Hudson, who was introduced by her friend Octavia Spencer.
“As a mother of three, I feel this every day.My daughter Roni is seven,” Hudson said. “She is fearless
Empowering Voices: Highlights from a Recent Honors Event
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The event underscored a powerful message of support for those frequently enough unheard, especially those who have never been told they matter, whose voices are marginalized, or who lack safety and security. Several honorees used their platforms to advocate for critical issues affecting vulnerable communities.
Wanda Sykes Advocates for SNAP Benefits
Honoree Wanda Sykes, introduced by Jane Fonda, used her acceptance speech to address the potential expiration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the government shutdown. She highlighted the disproportionate impact these cuts would have on single mothers.
“When women thrive, the community thrives. We make everyone around us better, we do,” Sykes said. “When you get women, when we win, everybody wins. When men win, sometimes they get a younger wife. … We’re at a moment in time where, with everything that’s going on in the government, where we need to create projects where life imitates art. Look at what’s happening with cutting SNAP benefits. That’s going to affect single mothers. And so I want to do things that speak to them and uplift them.”
Nicole Scherzinger Champions the Special Olympics
Eva Longoria presented Nicole Scherzinger with her honors,which Scherzinger used to support her work with the Special Olympics.
“I’ve performed at the openings and closings of ceremonies surrounded by these athletes whose determination and spirit could move mountains,” Scherzinger said. “I’ve watched them redefine what’s possible, not just for themselves, but for all of us. They remind me that courage isn’t measured by medals or applause, but by the bold willingness to show up with your whole heart. Power of women is not just about success or recognition – it’s about how we use our voices, our platforms and our influence to lift others. True power is shared and ignites others.”
A Philosophy of Giving
The evening concluded with a speech by Curtis, introduced by Suzanne Yankovic. Curtis shared a quote from a tile displayed in her kitchen: “To live is to learn.To learn is to know. To know is to grow. To grow is to give. To give is to live.”
Key Takeaways
- The event showcased the power of women using their platforms for advocacy.
- SNAP benefit cuts were highlighted as a critical issue impacting single mothers.
- the Special Olympics was championed as a source of inspiration and empowerment.
- A core message of giving back and supporting others resonated throughout the evening.