Olivia Rodrigo admitted music is an \u201cemotional outlet\u201d for her as she was crowned Woman of the Year at Billboard\u2019s 2022 Women in Music ceremony.<\/p>\n
The \u201cGood 4 U\u201d hitmaker was bestowed with the top prize of the night at the bash at Los Angeles\u2019 YouTube Theater on Wednesday night and began by thanking Sheryl Crow, 60, who introduced her to the stage, for inspiring her.<\/p>\n
Olivia started her lengthy speech: \u201cThis is so cool. First of all, I want to thank Sheryl for being here today. Sheryl, I am such a massive fan of you and your songwriting and I\u2019m so grateful that you\u2019re here, it really means the world. <\/p>\n
\u201cI want to congratulate all of the other amazing nominees tonight: your artistry and work is so amazing and I\u2019m in complete awe of all of you and so, so inspired. <\/p>\n
\u201cThank you Billboard, it\u2019s such a huge honour to be named the Woman of the Year. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo many surreal moments have happened over the course of this incredible past year and this is most definitely one of them, so thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n She continued: \u201cNot a day goes by where I don\u2019t think about how lucky I am to get to call this my job. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been writing songs since I was so young, and it\u2019s absolutely my favourite thing to do and such an emotional outlet for me. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat I love most about songwriting is its ability to perfectly capture how I feel better than anything I could have said in a conversation. <\/p>\n \u201cSongwriting has always been everything to me, so for people to connect with my music is beyond a dream come true and thank you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n The pop star \u2013 who had earlier performed her hit single \u201cDeja Vu\u201d acknowledged that it\u2019s tough being a woman in the male-dominated music industry and hailed the event for \u201cworking to break down those barriers and change the narrative.\u201d<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfa5| @oliviarodrigo<\/a>\u2019s Woman Of The Year acceptance speech#BBWomenInMusic<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/BBhBVL2bT6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Taylivia Team (@TayliviaTeam) March 3, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n She said: \u201cIt\u2019s not always easy being a young woman in the music industry but I found so much strength from the female songwriters and artists who have come before me and paved the way and opened doors for so many young women like me. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s what\u2019s so amazing about this event: every woman here today is working to break down those barriers and change the narrative and support each other and I\u2019m so inspired by all the incredible women in this room. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd I want to thank you all for your support. I am supporting all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia, 19, concluded by thanking all of the \u201cstrong, smart, kind women\u201d in her life.<\/p>\n OLIVIA RODRIGO WOMAN OF THE YEAR #OLIVIAWOTY<\/a> #BBWomenInMusic<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/RlUESPsLnM<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Olivia Rodrigo LATAM (@DailyRodrigoLA) March 3, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n She added: \u201cAnd I want to say to all the young girls out there who are writing songs every day in their journals on their bedroom floors, I\u2019m constantly moved by your vulnerability and your creativity and bravery and I promise everyone here today is working to make this world and this industry a better place for you. <\/p>\n \u201cLastly, I want to thank my team, my amazing team and my label Interscope and Geffen, and my amazing collaborator Dan Nigro. <\/p>\n \u201cI could not have done it without you guys. And of course, thank you to all of the strong, smart, kind women I\u2019m lucky to work with and call my friends. <\/p>\n \u201cI look up to all of you so much. Thank you guys, I love you so much, have a great night.\u201d<\/p>\n Summer Walker performs Session 32 For Billboard\u2019s Women In Music Awards. #BBWomenInMusic<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tTozr3nH8v<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Rap Alert (@rapalert6) March 3, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Women in Music ceremony also saw rappers Doja Cat, 26, and Saweetie, 28, receive the Powerhouse and Game Changer Awards, respectively, while Phoebe Bridgers, 27, was this year\u2019s Trailblazer Award recipient.<\/p>\n .@DojaCat<\/a>\u2019s breathtaking performance of \u201cAlone\u201d and the #BBWomenInMusic<\/a> ceremony pic.twitter.com\/0ZmytK1ZrR<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/gp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/be1e24c9-cee8-53c5-9fe0-48a5dc0860bf.jpg\")
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