Coach

Selena Gomez Named Billboard Woman of the Year

Billboard announced Tuesday it will honor Selena Gomez with its 2017 Woman of the Year award at the Women in Music dinner at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood.

The on Nov. 30 event will be held in conjunction with the release of Billboard's Women in Music issue and also honor the most powerful female executives in the industry, a statement said.

"Not only is Selena soaring on the charts, but she continuously inspires young women everywhere to be authentic, give back and to not be afraid to use their voice," said John Amato, president of The Hollywood Reporter- Billboard Media Group. "She is never afraid to speak her mind and has used her platform to advocate for the needs of others. We are thrilled to be able to honor her as our Woman of the Year."

Over the past year, Gomez dominated the charts with Top 40 hits including "Bad Liar," "Fetish" (featuring Gucci Mane), and "It Ain't Me," a collaboration with Kygo that became one of 2017's biggest international smashes with over half a billion streams since its release.

Gomez executive-produced the acclaimed Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why, launched partnerships with Coach and Puma, "all the while inspiring fans through her tireless philanthropic work," the statement said.

Additionally, Gomez helped raise more than $500,000 for the Lupus Research Alliance, a cause that has affected her personally as a lupus sufferer. She has also advocated for increased mental health awareness after opening up about her own treatment.

Gomez has been an active ambassador for UNICEF since 2009, traveling around the world raising awareness and funds, according to the statement.

Billboard's Woman of the Year award has become one of the music industry's highest honors, the statement said. Previous artists named Woman of the Year include Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Pink, Katy Perry, Fergie, Beyonce and Madonna.

The 12th annual Women in Music event and a red-carpet pre-show will be broadcast live for the first time ever on Twitter from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. PST on Nov. 30. Additional honorees of Billboard's 2017 Women in Music event will be announced in the coming weeks.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
Contact Us