Billboard Italia Women in Music 2026: A Look at the Evening

Madame was named Woman of the Year at Billboard Italia Women in Music 2026, held Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Vesta Fiori Chiari in Milan. Stand-up comedian Giorgia Fumo hosted the ceremony.

Billboard Italia recognized Madame for her artistic freedom, courage and unfiltered storytelling. She accepted the award after performing an acoustic piano rendition of “Sciccherie.”

“I thank Billboard Italia for this special recognition. 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,” she said onstage.

Co-editor-in-chief Silvia Danielli said: “With The Voices Edition, we want to celebrate women who found the courage to make their voices heard when it wasn’t easy. Some have been doing so for decades; some have only just begun. But there is one quality we recognized in every woman taking this stage: the determination to express herself and leave a mark. We hope their stories will inspire younger girls to follow the same path.”

Performances and awards

Rising Star honoree Angelica Bove opened the evening with a two-song set for Spotify Italy. It included “Mattone,” which she performed at the latest edition of Sanremo Giovani.

Spotify honored the collective Canta Fino a Dieci through its global EQUAL initiative, which promotes gender equality in the music industry. Chiara Nicoletti, Spotify’s head of artist & label partnerships for Southern Europe, presented the Spotify EQUAL Award to Francamente, Anna Castiglia, Cheriach Re, Irene Buselli and Rossana De Pace.

Powerhouse recipient Ditonellapiaga performed “Che fastidio!,” which placed third at the 2026 Sanremo Festival. Francesca Michielin received Songwriter of the Year, particularly for her latest album, Magia Bianca, Magia Nera.

“I’m emotional about receiving this recognition for the wildest album I’ve ever made. Just know you’ve created a monster, because I’ll keep being crazy if these are the results,” Michielin said onstage.

Elisa received the Impact award for her commitment to environmental sustainability and broader issues within music through the Lotus Foundation. Bambole di Pezza received Group of the Year powered by Morellato, Eleonora Rubini was named Executive of the Year, and Adiel received DJ of the Year and played a set late into the night.

Loredana Bertè accepted the Icon award and dedicated it to women who want to follow in her footsteps. She ended her speech by saying, “We are all icons.”

About the honorees

Billboard Italia described Madame’s debut as taking place in 2016, while elsewhere dating it to 2018, when she was 16. She has appeared twice at the Sanremo Festival, become the youngest artist to win two Targhe Tenco awards and collaborated with Italian rappers. Her album Disincanto, released this year, explores disillusionment.

Bertè debuted in 1974 and found success with songs including “Sei Bellissima,” “Dedicato” and “Non Sono una Signora.” At her first Sanremo Festival in 1986, she performed “Re” wearing a leather miniskirt, studded shoulder pads and a fake baby bump to challenge prejudice surrounding pregnancy. She returned to the Ariston in 2024 with “Pazza.”

Elisa has supported social and environmental causes and promoted more sustainable concerts. In 2025, she founded the Lotus Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting biodiversity and the well-being of all living beings.

On Magia Bianca, Magia Nera, Michielin reinterpreted the figure of the witch through a modern feminist lens. The album draws on tradition and folklore as well as childhood, comics and video games. Ditonellapiaga’s latest album is Miss Italia.

Rubini has worked in Italian music marketing for more than a decade, contributing to projects in the urban and pop scenes. She became label director of Warner Records Italy in 2025. Bambole di Pezza have brought their rock sound to mainstream audiences, performing at festivals and Sanremo.

Bove’s debut album is Tana, Italian for “den.” Adiel combines techno and experimentation in her work as a DJ on the international electronic music scene.

Since 2021, Canta Fino a Dieci has worked to support 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 (Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori).

Source: Billboard