Celebrating Women in Music: Megan Moroney and Sylvia Rhone Honored at Sharing the Spotlight Event

On February 18, 2026, the second annual Sharing the Spotlight event was held at Delilah in Los Angeles, organized by the nonprofit She Is The Music (SITM), co-founded by Alicia Keys, Jody Gerson, Ann Mincieli, and Sam Kirby Yoh. The event recognized the achievements of country artist Megan Moroney and music executive Sylvia Rhone, celebrating their contributions to increasing female representation in the music industry. The evening was sponsored by Spotify Equal, Live Nation Women, and Believe Tunecore.

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Megan Moroney, a platinum-selling singer-songwriter, received the Artist Spotlight award for her breakout success and the all-female team supporting her career, which includes manager Hayley Corbett, agent Elisa Vazzana, publicist Jensen Sussman, and tour manager Chelsae Partosan. Sylvia Rhone, former chairwoman and CEO of Epic Records, was honored with the Trailblazers Spotlight Award for her four-decade career advocating for female executives and artists.

Rolling Stone

During the event, Alicia Keys emphasized the importance of women supporting each other in the industry, stating, “It’s one thing when you’re banging on a door to be let in, and it’s another thing when someone opens the door and says, ‘Come in and join me.’” Moroney echoed this sentiment, remarking, “I think sometimes we’re taught... that there’s only room for a few women at the top. But music and creating art isn’t a competition for oxygen.” Rhone, reflecting on her career, noted, “Creativity adapts, and women, especially women, innovate under pressure,” expressing optimism for the future of the music industry.

Megan Moroney & Others Honored At She Is The Music’s ‘Women Sharing The Spotlight Event’

While the event celebrated progress, it also highlighted ongoing challenges. Rhone acknowledged the tumultuous nature of the current political, economic, and technological landscape, suggesting that while women are increasingly present in the industry, systemic barriers still exist. The disparity in representation remains a critical issue, as evidenced by a 2018 USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative report indicating a significant underrepresentation of women in music production roles.

Hollywood Reporter

The Sharing the Spotlight event also welcomed a new class of Vanguard honorees from various sectors, including record labels, publishing, management, songwriting, and production. Laura Segura, the new executive director of SITM, emphasized the importance of mentorship and collaboration among women in the industry, stating, “We call them Vanguards because they are the leaders of our women’s movement in music.” The ongoing efforts of SITM aim to create pathways for women to thrive in music, ensuring that the industry continues to evolve towards greater inclusivity.

Billboard

• “I’m inspired every time I get to be in a room with badass women who change the game every day, who do things their own way and who don’t take no for an answer,” — Megan Moroney, Artist Spotlight Award Recipient

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• “We’ve been building this for a long time and finally it has somebody to it. It has some numbers to it, and it has dialogue that’s very important and that can make a change,” — Sylvia Rhone, Trailblazers Spotlight Award Recipient

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• “Music is in very good hands, so let’s keep opening doors wider than we found them.” — Sylvia Rhone, Trailblazers Spotlight Award Recipient

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The Sharing the Spotlight event not only celebrated individual achievements but also reinforced the collective commitment to fostering a more inclusive music industry.

Billboard