Halle Bailey is the moment, which is exactly why we awarded her GLAMOUR’s Women of the Year Awards 2023 Gen-Z Game-Changer honouree at our star-studded event this evening.
Halle Bailey, 23, is a Grammy-nominated singer and actor who has fast become a leading voice of her generation. So what’s her secret to success? “I live every day unapologetically as myself and lean forward,” she told GLAMOUR backstage. “I’m doing my part in the best way that I can, and just going and following my heart and not letting any naysayers stop me.”
Despite her incredible career achievements, Halle says she’s found being under the scrutiny of so many opinions quite challenging but credits “learning how to stand up for yourself, be proud of who you are, regardless of what anybody has to say,” the secret to combatting it.
We bow down.
Mike Marsland
Looking unreal in a black and white peplum dress, Halle accepted her award, noting that she never claimed to be the voice of her generation so ‘can only accept this award through the lens in which I see the world and appreciate all the beautiful female souls that paved the way to allow me to be here today to accept it.’
“I guess the best way to describe how I’m feeling is to simply say I am humbled to be here,” she continued. “I know that my personal journey, although filled with my own struggles and challenges and wins and losses, pale in comparison to many more deserving women out there. But I also know that with the spotlight comes a responsibility to speak about my experience in hopes that it can provide some guidance and inspiration to those girls and women who look to me standing under that spotlight.
“It’s been an adjustment to live my life under the scrutiny of that spotlight. But, in the age of social media, in some way, we all live under that same scrutiny. From what we wear to who we love to the things we care about – It’s all open to scrutiny. So, here’s my honest advice. Turn it off when you need to find inner peace. But also, live your life for you. Don’t waste time living it for social media. Everyone has an opinion but the only opinion that matters is your own – You already know deep down what’s right for you. For me it works because I keep it simple. I put God first and then I try to make decisions that are best for me in that moment. Another thing I am super grateful for and that has helped me tremendously is to find a good life mentor – One that will inspire you and motivate you. For me, I’ve always had my sister and looking backward and connecting the important tentpole moments that shaped me, my older sister Chloe was always there at those times.”
Halle rounded things off by saying that she proudly accepts her award not on her behalf but on behalf of the women who came before and the women that will come after and build the future not just for women but for all humankind.