At Celeb Secrets, we are all about women helping other women. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation holds a special place in our heart since we’re a full team of females running a media company, so when we were invited to the organization’s 42nd Annual Gracie Awards Gala, last Tuesday (June 6) we just couldn’t turn down the offer!Â
For those of you who don’t know, The Alliance For Women in Media is an amazing organization run by women that support other women across all platforms including film, television, radio, and news. The organization also supports and promotes educational programs, charitable activities, and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and allied fields.
Held at the famous Beverly Wilshire – A Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, the 42nd Annual Gracie Awards Gala was filled with high-profile celebrities, inspiring speeches, girl power, and of course wine!
The host of the night was The Real talk show host and fashion expert Jeannie Mai. She did an incredible job as a host honoring the most fierce women for their outstanding achievements in film, television, and media.
“I have the feels because I am actually standing in front of what I call real-life wonder women, who use their superpowers every day in their work,†said Mai, attributing her nerves to the energy in the room. “These incredible women are laying the groundwork, breaking through barriers, and carving out paths of opportunities for other women to follow, and inspiring uncharted journeys ahead.â€
Among the presenters were Awkward’s Jillian Rose Reed, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s Rachel Bloom, and Chrissy Metz, Mandy Moore, and Susan Kelechi Watson from NBC’s breakout family drama This Is Us,  who also took home a well-deserved Gracie for Best Drama.
Also in attendance were Dove Cameron and Garrett Clayton, who took home the grand award for the outstanding musical Hairspray Live.
The biggest moment of the night had to be when Debbie Allen was honored for the Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented by Jessie Williams, who plays her son on the hit drama Grey’s Anatomy, and her daughter Vivian Nixon.
It was definitely an empowering moment when she went up on stage to receive the award. There was no one sitting in their seat as we all gave her a standing ovation.
In her acceptance speech, she said, “This is a time for women to speak up loudly and to stand tall. I truly am honored as is my family and my own tribe. Thank you for continuing to inspire us to honor ourselves.”
No, thank YOU for inspiring us every day, Debbie!
Last but certainly not least, singer/songwriter Rachel Platten took the stage to perform her smash hits “Fight Song” and “Stand By You.” Her performance was nothing but amazing, and was a perfect way to then accept the inaugural Gracies Impact Award.Â
Check out a clip of her performance below…
The 42nd Annual Gracie Awards was such a fun night! It left me so inspired and proud to be a woman working in the media. I hope to inspire others with my work someday just like these incredible women
