At The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment breakfast gala in Beverly Hills, Adele received the prestigious Sherry Lansing Leadership Award and took the opportunity to pay homage to the influential women in her life. She specifically mentioned her mother, grandmother, and aunts who have shaped her world and personality since she was a child. Adele also expressed her admiration for actor Kerry Washington and singer Dua Lipa, finding herself in awe of them during the event.

Helen Mirren, who presented Adele with the award, commended her for excelling as a trailblazer and her philanthropy work in Hollywood. Mirren described the chilling experience she had when she first listened to Adele's debut single "Hometown Glory," recognizing her as a brilliant and game-changing artist. Adele's shoot-from-the-hip speech, filled with several F-bombs, drew laughter and applause from the audience.

During her speech, Adele emphasized the impact of the women in her family and their strong personas. She described them as a force to be reckoned with, attributing her own character and strength to their influence. Adele acknowledged that they had to learn the hard way what it means to be a woman, which shaped their character as their armor. She expressed her gratitude towards Kerry Washington, who was honored with the Equity in Entertainment Award for amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities in the industry.

Actor Ariana DeBose, who presented Washington with the award, praised her for breaking traditional stereotypes faced by Black women in Hollywood. DeBose acknowledged Washington's career and empire as a testament to equity. Will Ferrell added a humorous touch to the event, lobbying for Washington to run for president and jokingly offering to pay her. Washington, in her acceptance speech, spoke about the importance of creating equity and making space for each other's truths. She emphasized the power of diverse storytelling and representation in media and culture.

Additionally, Dua Lipa, Camila Cabello, Billie Lourd, and Lily Gladstone presented four full-ride scholarships to Chapman University and Loyola Marymount as part of The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment mentorship program. Over $1 million in university scholarships were awarded to female high school seniors from under-served communities in Los Angeles. These students will also have the opportunity to be mentored by top-level female entertainment executives, lawyers, and agents.