The queen of ponytail culture, Ariana Grande has been named as Billboard’s 2018 Woman of the Year. The God is a Woman singer will receive the award at the 13th annual Women in Music dinner and awards gala hosted in New York, come December 6.
As a three times owner of the No.1 spot on Billboard 200 album chart, Ross Scarano, Billboard’s VP described Grande as a star on her own terms. He disclosed, “Ariana Grande is a star on her own terms, never bending to any particular musical trend or path in the industry. Certain in her convictions, she consistently stands up for herself and her decisions in a world that often isn’t hospitable to that sort of strength in young women. She’s got guts, she’s making some of the best music of her career and she’s absolutely deserving of Woman of the Year.”
Doubling as one of the most influential female pop singers of all time and the third most followed celebrity on Instagram (134 million), Grande uses her brand and platform to support causes that are of benefit to the world at large aside promoting her music with it. Earlier this year, Grande took part in the March for Our Lives in support of smarter gun control laws in the U.S and is also advocating for mental health awareness, gender equality, LGBTQ rights and Black Lives Matter on her Instagram handle.
Last year, Grande helped organize the One Love Manchester benefit concert, which raised more than $23 million to aid victims and their families, who got affected by the Manchester Arena bombing incident.
Ariana’s name will be recorded on the list of past winners recognized by Billboard, which has on its roll big names such as, Reba McEntire (2007), Ciara (2008), Beyoncé (2009), Fergie (2010), Taylor Swift (2011 and 2014), Katy Perry (2012), Pink (2013), Lady Gaga (2015), Madonna (2016), Selena Gomez (2017). The Women in Music event and red carpet preshow will broadcast live Dec. 6 via Twitter from 7 to 10 pm ET.
