The second annual Billboard Canada Women in Music event took place on October 1, 2025, at Rebel in Toronto. This evening celebrated the accomplishments of women in the Canadian music industry. Both emerging talents and established figures were honored across various categories. The event highlighted performances, impactful speeches, and a strong sense of community among attendees.
The night recognized both on-stage artists and behind-the-scenes professionals. It brought together a diverse group of industry leaders, including producers, executives, and songwriters. The ceremony aimed to foster connections and celebrate significant achievements within the music landscape.
Key Takeaways
- The Beaches received the first-ever Women of the Year award given to a group.
- Elton John, Kid Cudi, and Bryan Adams were among the stars who congratulated honorees.
- Lights was presented with the Visionary Award by Bryan Adams and deadmau5.
- Industry leaders like Julie Adam and Meg Symsyk were recognized for their contributions.
- Emerging artists performed, showcasing new talent in Canadian music.
The Beaches Make History as Women of the Year
The Toronto rock band, The Beaches, achieved a significant milestone by receiving the Billboard Canada Women of the Year award. This marked the first time the accolade was presented to a group rather than an individual artist. The band members are Jordan Miller, Kylie Miller, Leandra Earl, and Eliza Enman-McDaniel.
During their acceptance speech, guitarist Kylie Miller emphasized the band's focus on music and shared experiences. She highlighted the 13 years of dedication and hard work that led to this recognition. The band was visibly emotional while acknowledging their female-led team, including manager Laurie Lee Boutet and day-to-day manager Alison Perdue.
Award History
Historically, the Woman of the Year award at Billboard events has been given to individual artists. The Beaches' recognition as a group signifies a shift towards celebrating collective achievements in the music industry.
A surprise video montage played before The Beaches took the stage. It featured congratulatory messages from several music icons. These included Elton John, Kid Cudi, Arkells, Greta Van Fleet, and last year's Woman of the Year, Charlotte Cardin. The band members showed increasing excitement with each celebrity appearance.
"I hope this resonates to everybody in Canada that girl groups are really on the march," Elton John stated in the video message, acknowledging the band's impact.
Virgin Radio and iHeartRadio Canada’s Shannon Burns introduced the quartet. Burns praised The Beaches for creating music and a space that encourages women to be authentic and redefine their roles in the industry. The group is currently on their "No Hard Feelings" tour, adding to the significance of their award.
The Beaches' Impact
- First group to win Billboard Canada Women of the Year.
- Known for hits like "Blame Brett."
- Advocate for women to be authentic in music.
Lights Receives Visionary Award from Unexpected Duo
Lights, a musician known for her genre-spanning career, received the Visionary Award. Her work has crossed pop, dance, rock, and punk genres for nearly two decades. The presenters for her award were a surprising combination: electronic music star deadmau5 and rock legend Bryan Adams.
Both deadmau5 and Adams expressed admiration for Lights. Adams mentioned a recent collaboration where he was impressed by her arrangements and singing. Deadmau5 highlighted her production skills. Lights expressed her shock and gratitude upon seeing the two icons present her award.
"Send the email. Write the novel. Quit the job and start the business. Draw the comic. Produce the album yourself. Start the label. Eat the whole fucking pint. There is no time to do anything other than what excites you," Lights advised the audience during her acceptance speech, emphasizing self-empowerment.
Her message resonated with many in the audience, encouraging them to pursue their passions without hesitation. This moment underscored the event's theme of empowering women across the music sector.
Industry Leaders Honored for Their Work
The ceremony also celebrated women working behind the scenes. Billboard Canada’s CCO Elizabeth Crisante led a champagne toast to industry leaders. Those recognized in the Industry Spotlight were asked to stand, receiving applause as their names appeared on screen. This segment highlighted the diverse roles women play in the music ecosystem, from executives to managers, engineers, and publicists.
Julie Adam, President and CEO of Universal Music Canada, received the Executive of the Year award. Kristy Fletcher, COO of CARAS & MusiCounts President, presented the award. Adam, with over 20 years in entertainment, stressed the importance of supporting Canadian artists and industry professionals. She attributed her success to determination, a strong team, and artist trust.
"I promise to give you every ounce of energy I have to help," Julie Adam affirmed, sharing her belief that "anything is possible."
Meg Symsyk, CEO of FACTOR, was honored with the first-ever Champion Award. She has been a prominent figure in the industry, tackling challenges like cybertheft and engaging in CRTC discussions. Rush legend Geddy Lee sent a video message, surprising Symsyk and eliciting cheers from the crowd.
Symsyk drew parallels between her background in rowing and the music industry, noting the competitive yet tight-knit nature of the sector. She shared a personal story about Geddy Lee buying her a wig during her cancer treatment, demonstrating the community's support. She also acknowledged fellow honorees, The Beaches, recalling how she booked them as openers in 2009 for Brody Dalle's tour, which required at least one female act.
Industry Leadership
- Julie Adam: Executive of the Year, Universal Music Canada CEO.
- Meg Symsyk: Champion Award, FACTOR CEO.
- Both leaders emphasized teamwork and perseverance.
Emerging Stars Shine on Stage
The event also provided a platform for Canada’s rising artists to perform. These included indie artist Ruby Waters, R&B singer Aqyila, and alt-singer-songwriter Baby Nova. Each performance added to the celebratory atmosphere and showcased the future of Canadian music.
Ruby Waters opened the show with confidence, performing a new song for the first time. Her captivating stage presence was noted earlier in the year during her Billboard Canada NXNE performance.
Aqyila, known for her viral success in Canada and Africa, performed her hit "Bloom." Her emotional delivery and rich vocals highlighted her talent, especially after the release of her Sony Music Canada album, Falling Into Place.
Baby Nova, from Nova Scotia, performed her viral track "Too Pretty for Buffalo." She co-wrote the song with Grammy-nominated songwriter Lowell, who was also honored at the event. Nova explained the song's relevance to the challenges women face in the music industry.
New Voices in Music
The performances by Ruby Waters, Aqyila, and Baby Nova underscore Billboard Canada's commitment to highlighting and nurturing new talent within the industry. These artists represent a fresh wave of creativity and diverse musical styles.
Charlotte Day Wilson and WondaGurl Recognized for Innovation
Charlotte Day Wilson received the Innovator Award, a recognition she noted was her first of its kind, despite numerous nominations throughout her career. Wilson, a Toronto singer-songwriter, is also a Grammy-nominated engineer and an advocate for women in recording studios. She has consistently challenged traditional industry models, notably by owning all of her music through her imprint, Stone Woman Music.
Wilson shared that innovation, for her, means freedom. It is about building new structures when existing ones limit dreams and passion. She acknowledged other innovative Canadian women in music, including Saya Gray, Bambii, and Nemahsis.
Producer WondaGurl was named Producer of the Year. Her influence is significant, having produced hits for artists like Travis Scott, Rihanna, and Drake. At 28, she actively opens doors for the next generation of producers, especially young women. Her company, Wonderchild Music, supports new voices through partnerships with Cactus Jack and Sony Music Publishing. WondaGurl also released her debut album, Metal Tail, this past year, stepping into the spotlight as an artist herself.
"I hope this award encourages more women to pursue their dreams in this field and thank you for helping us spread this important message," WondaGurl stated in her speech, dedicating the award to everyone who believed in her.
Global Recognition and Community Impact
American alt-indie singer Julia Wolf received the Billboard Canada Global Rising Star award. Her album Pressure has gained international attention, including from Drake, who featured Wolf on his song "Dog House." Wolf expressed gratitude, noting that such moments help her overcome self-doubt.
Noeline Hofmann, a rising country music artist from Alberta, won the Breakthrough Award. Her song "Purple Gas" gained viral popularity and later became a Billboard Hot 100 hit as a duet with Zach Bryan. Hofmann encouraged the audience to "bet on yourself" and highlighted the resilience of women in music. She later performed "Purple Gas," showcasing her classic country songwriting.
The francophone community was represented by neo-classical composer Alexandra Stréliski and acclaimed artist Cœur de pirate (Beatrice Martin). They performed a collaboration, starting with Stréliski's piano before Cœur de pirate sang a track from her album, Cavale. Earlier, Martin received the Trailblazer Award for her nearly two-decade career and her work as president and artistic director of Bravo Musique.
Global and Community Recognition
- Julia Wolf: Global Rising Star.
- Noeline Hofmann: Breakthrough Award winner.
- Cœur de pirate: Trailblazer Award for artistry and industry leadership.
MD Motivator's Act of Goodwill
The evening concluded with a powerful act of community support from TikTok creator MD Motivator (Zachery Dereniowski). Known for his digital humanitarian efforts, Dereniowski surprised 25 single mothers who were invited to the ceremony without knowing the full details. He led them to a parking lot outside Rebel, where he gifted each woman a car.
This gesture elicited tears and cheers, closing the celebration with a focus on broader community impact. It extended the spirit of empowerment beyond the music industry to women facing challenges in their daily lives.