Milan put female voices at center stage on Tuesday, Nov. 10, as Billboard Italia Women in Music returned for its 2026 edition at Vesta Fiori Chiari.
Hosted by stand-up comedian Giorgia Fumo, “The Voices Edition” recognized performers, songwriters and music-industry figures whose work has made an impact over the past year and beyond. Madame received the night’s top distinction, Woman of the Year, while Loredana Bertè was presented with the Icon award.
“With The Voices Edition, we want to celebrate women who found the courage to make their voices heard when it wasn’t easy,” co-editor-in-chief Silvia Danielli said. “Some have been doing so for decades; some have only just begun.”
Danielli said the honorees shared “the determination to express herself and leave a mark,” adding that organizers hoped their stories would encourage younger girls to take a similar path.
Madame Leads a Night of Performances
Madame accepted Woman of the Year after delivering an acoustic piano performance of “Sciccherie,” the first song she wrote.
“I thank Billboard Italia for this special recognition,” she told the audience. “I wanted to celebrate with the very first song I wrote, precisely to mark these few — yet, to me, incredibly significant — years of my career.”
The award recognized Madame’s artistic freedom, courage and candid storytelling. Her honoree citation also highlighted two Sanremo Festival appearances, collaborations with major Italian rappers and her status as the youngest artist to win two Targhe Tenco awards. Her latest album, Disincanto, explores disillusionment and pain without avoiding self-examination.
Rising Star recipient Angelica Bove opened the evening with a two-song performance created for Spotify Italy. The set included “Mattone,” her entry in the latest edition of Sanremo Giovani. Bove was honored following the release of her debut album, Tana, which established her as a compelling and sensitive singer-songwriter of her generation.
Powerhouse winner Ditonellapiaga also performed, including “Che fastidio!,” the song that took third place at the 2026 Sanremo Festival. The recognition followed her comeback and the artistic direction developed through her latest album, Miss Italia.
DJ of the Year Adiel extended the celebration with an exclusive late-night set. Her award reflected a musical approach combining techno and experimentation, as well as her standing within the international electronic music scene and contemporary club culture.
Loredana Bertè Celebrated as an Icon
One of the ceremony’s defining moments belonged to Loredana Bertè, who dedicated her Icon award to women wishing to follow in her footsteps. She closed her speech with a declaration that captured the evening’s theme: “We are all icons.”
The honor looked across a career beginning with her 1974 debut and songs including “Sei Bellissima,” “Dedicato” and “Non Sono una Signora.” It also recognized her history of challenging convention, including her 1986 Sanremo Festival performance of “Re,” when she appeared in a leather miniskirt, studded shoulder pads and a fake baby bump to confront prejudices about pregnancy. Bertè returned to the Ariston in 2024 with “Pazza.”
Francesca Michielin was named Songwriter of the Year, particularly for Magia Bianca, Magia Nera. The album reinterprets the witch through a contemporary feminist perspective, presenting the figure as a symbol of freedom while combining folklore and tradition with influences from childhood, comics and video games.
“I’m emotional about receiving this recognition for the wildest album I’ve ever made,” Michielin said. “Just know you’ve created a monster, because I’ll keep being crazy if these are the results.”
Recognition Beyond the Stage
Elisa received the Impact award for her environmental and social commitment, her advocacy for more sustainable concerts and her wider work in music. In 2025, she founded the nonprofit Lotus Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting biodiversity and the well-being of all living beings.
Eleonora Rubini was named Executive of the Year after more than a decade working in Italian music marketing across significant urban and pop projects. She became label director of Warner Records Italy in 2025, beginning a new chapter at the major label.
Bambole di Pezza earned Group of the Year, powered by Morellato. The recognition cited the band’s journey from festival stages to Sanremo, bringing its forceful rock sound to mainstream audiences while demonstrating the place of all-female bands in Italy.
Spotify also recognized Canta Fino a Dieci through its global EQUAL initiative, which promotes gender equality in music. Spotify’s head of artist and label partnerships for Southern Europe, Chiara Nicoletti, presented the Spotify EQUAL Award to Francamente, Anna Castiglia, Cheriach Re, Irene Buselli and Rossana De Pace.
Active since 2021, Canta Fino a Dieci works to champion female talent, encourage collaboration among women artists and challenge gender stereotypes in Italian music. Billboard Italia Women in Music was held with support from SIAE, the Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori.
ShowBiz Take
The breadth of the 2026 honorees gave “The Voices Edition” its significance. The ceremony did not limit its spotlight to recording artists: it also recognized songwriting, live performance, electronic music, executive leadership, activism and collective efforts toward greater equality.
With Madame representing a newer generation and Bertè honored for decades of nonconformity, the event connected different eras of Italian music through a shared emphasis on artistic independence. Just as importantly, awards for Elisa, Rubini and Canta Fino a Dieci made clear that influence can be exercised through environmental action, industry strategy and organized collaboration as well as from the stage.