Two Canadian artists got a major honour at Billboard Women in Music last night (April 29) in Los Angeles: The Beaches and Tate McRae
After The Beaches became the first-ever group to win Women of the Year at the second Billboard Canada Women in Music celebration last year, the breakout Toronto rock act — including sisters Jordan and Kylie Miller, Leandra Earl and Eliza Enman-McDaniel — received the Global Force Award, presented by FACTOR.
“To be representing Canada on a global stage like this is not only an honour, but a dream come true,” Jordan said in the group’s acceptance speech. “And we’re lucky to have organizations like FACTOR and Billboard to help us along the way.”
The singer made it a point to thank the group’s mothers, their team of almost all-women — led by 2025’s Billboard Canada’s Manager of the Year, Laurie Lee Boutet — and even shouted out “the girls who broke Leandra’s heart,” who provided them with a wealth of material to make music about.
“All of the women in this room, were so honoured to be in your presence,” she continued. “All of the women who have helped us get here in our thirteen-year career — rock music is a particularly male-dominated genre — and we’ll never forget all of your help and guidance.”
Meg Symsyk, CEO of FACTOR, was there to support The Beaches and calls them a highlight of the night.
"I loved seeing The Beaches get recognized their hard work and continued momentum building their audience at home and around the world," says Symsyk. "Their speech was so authentically them — funny, heartfelt and kind.
"The Beaches were a highlight of the night, dancing at their table and singing along to other performers, Canadian values shining through!" she continues. "We see the data and know it can be extra challenging to navigate for women. FACTOR is proud to help create, amplify and support the best opportunities for Canadian artists and entrepreneurs in this cultural industry."
The Beaches are on a hot streak. Nearly three years ago, the band went viral for their breakup anthem “Blame Brett,” but their success hasn’t stopped there. Since then, they’ve have scored multiple chart placements on both sides of the border. They've toured vigorously across the globe, expanding their diverse audience.
“We’re just so honoured to be here,” Jordan said during the band’s red carpet interview, noting that it’s their first U.S. award show. “It feels really, incredibly humbling. Especially to be here with so many incredibly talented women — it’s a dream come true.”
The Beaches weren’t the only Canadian act honoured at last night’s ceremony. Pop singer Tate McRae received the Hitmaker Award, following a major year for the rising star.
Tate McRae at the Billboard Women in Music 2026 held at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.Gilbert Flores
In 2025, she scored her first No. 1 album in the U.S. and Canada with So Close to What, which houses hits like “Sports Car,” “2 Hands” and “Revolving Door.” Later, she landed her first No. 1 song in the U.S. with her Morgan Wallen collaboration, "What I Want.” McRae then snagged her first-ever Grammy nomination for the F1: The Movie’s "Just Keeping Watching." Her Billboard chart history speaks for itself.
At the ceremony, McRae took the stage to perform an acoustic version of “Nobody’s Girl,” a deluxe track from her chart-topping album. In recent years, McRae has been known for her dance moves, but this showed off her trademark vocal chops.
During her acceptance speech, McRae admitted that she dealt with a bit of imposter syndrome when thinking about the award’s meaning. Yet it’s a major feat for McRae, who has been building momentum since her initial breakthrough in 2020.
“The word ‘hitmaker’ makes it sound like you wake up every day knowing exactly what you’re doing,” she said. “I can confirm I do not. Most of the time, I’m in a room overthinking a song for eight hours.”
She continued: “A lot of the songs that have done the most came from moments that felt very small at the time. Like emotions I didn’t fully understand, or maybe couldn’t communicate. And turning those feelings into music is my way of catching up with myself, I suppose.”
Often sharing her love for other female artists, McRae revealed during her red carpet interview that her Mount Rushmore of female pop artists would be Rihanna, Beyoncé, Stevie Nicks and Victoria Monét, who presented her with the Hitmaker Award last night.
Find the Billboard’s Women in Music 2026 recap here.
