Lady GaGa, Missy Elliott Get Emotional When Honored at 2015 Billboard Women in Music

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GaGa discusses how difficult it's been for women to stay in the music business while Elliott thanks 'all the women before me' who 'kicked down the door for me to be able to walk through.'

Dec 12, 2015

AceShowbiz - Lady GaGa was one of the female artists celebrated at Billboard's annual Women in Music event which this year took place on Friday, December 11 at Cipriani Midtown in New York. The singer, who was named 2015's Woman of the Year, broke down in tears during her acceptance speech as she talked about the struggle she faced in her career.

Following an introduction from her mother Cynthia Germanotta, GaGa took the stage while "Til It Happens to You", a song about sexual assault which she wrote for the documentary "The Hunting Ground", was played. "It's really hard sometimes for women in music," she then said in her speech. "It's like a f**king boys club that we just can't get into."

"Women provide a wisdom to music that is very unique and special. It is a perspective no one else can have because we bear life. And because we go through things no one else goes through. And because it's right. Because we're all equal," she continued.

Another honoree Missy Elliott also delivered a moving speech at the event. Recently returning to the music scene after spending the past few years away from the spotlight, the raptress received the inaugural Innovator of the Year title.

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"I stand here for all the women who been told you don't fit the mold... Look at me, I'm here," she told the crowd. She then gave shout-outs to her frequent collaborators like Timbaland and Pharrell Williams as well as "all the women before me" who "kicked down the door for me to be able to walk through."

Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Tori Kelly, Lana Del Rey and Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard were other female singers feted at the Friday event. Some of the ladies also performed their respective songs during the ceremony, which is airing on Lifetime December 18 at 8:00 P.M. ET.

Lovato, who earned the Rulebreaker honor, sang her "Confident" track "Stone Cold" for everyone at the venue. Her pal and fellow former Disney darling Gomez, meanwhile, did a rendition of her "Revival" single "Same Old Love".

Honorees of 2015 Billboard Women in Music: