SHIFTER\u2019s Emmy Carlos Rayman shares the sights and sounds from The Hollywood Reporter Women In Entertainment Gala in Toronto.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n An elevator ascends to the second floor of Toronto\u2019s Ritz Carlton Hotel<\/strong>. A glamorous walkway with copies of The Hollywood Reporter<\/strong> sit atop each end table. Afternoon light reflects off the \u201cgold carpet\u201d primed for the notable female figures which the night honors. A spirit of recognition perfumes the air at this uniquely Canadian, female-centric event. The Hollywood Reporter\u2019s Women in Entertainment<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>gala<\/strong> event saw impactful, creative, and inspiring females converge for one glamours evening. The third such gala presented by The Hollywood Reporter honored the Canadian women bringing fresh and daring perspectives to television and beyond. Conversations of female leadership, business, and creativity were omnipresent. Rare chances to network and socialize were all but built into the schedule. The festivities included:<\/p>\n SHIFTER held a prime position on the glittery gold carpet beneath a white greenery draped step and repeat. This\u00a0 formed the perfect backdrop for the night\u2019s photographers. In partnership with Netflix, notable guests included Sullivan\u2019s Crossing<\/strong><\/em> and North of North<\/strong><\/em> made appearances. Lindura <\/strong>and Meaghan Ory<\/strong> of Sullivan\u2019s Crossing<\/em><\/strong>, and North of North<\/em> showrunners Stacy Aglok MacDonald<\/strong> and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril<\/strong>, all discussed their highly acclaimed and beloved projects.<\/p>\n Toronto\u2019s own Lilly Singh <\/strong>stopped for some laughs and questions. As the night\u2019s Equity in Entertainment award<\/strong> recipient, Singh had much to say and even shared her summer Soca playlist featuring Bunji Garlin\u2019s \u201cStill a Roadman\u201d<\/strong>, Machel Montano\u2019s \u201cEncore\u201d<\/strong>, and V\u2019ghn and Terra D Governor\u2019s Jab Decisions\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n When asked about Canadian talent like herself, Drake, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander succeeding and dominating in the United States compared to when she started her career, Singh wasn\u2019t surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not shocked at all\u201d, she responded. \u201cI attribute a big part of my success to being from Toronto and Canada. I think the way we\u2019re able to relate to culture. We\u2019re able to tap into different superpowers. That\u2019s very unique to us. It\u2019s not a shock to me. I expect many more Canadians to dominate to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n Singh, a Scarborough native of Punjab descent, proudly embraces her South Asian roots and weaves it into much of her advocacy and passion projects. In 2019 she became the first female of South Asian decent to host a late-night talk show, A Little Late with Lilly Singh<\/em><\/strong>, which NBC ordered two seasons of. Despite its short run, she told SHIFTER it was simply a learning experience and that she \u201cknows what to ask next,\u201d. With a digital audience of 40+ million she still has plenty of viewers to make impressions upon. Her Unicorn Island fund<\/strong> \u201cempowers girl to live without limits\u201d and continues the work from her \u201cGirl love\u201d initiative to combat bullying among girls. \u00a0<\/p>\n As the clock struck seven, the night\u2019s marquee event began. Guests entered an expansive ballroom with glossy white logo stamped balloons floating to the ceiling. Even from the rear, the main podium was easily visible, making for excellent video coverage. Lainy Lui<\/strong> would host the hour and a half event which paid tribute to a series of impact females. Jeanie Pyun<\/strong> would preset the Canadian Women in Power List<\/strong> and Heated Rivalry<\/em><\/strong> author Rachel Ried<\/strong> would be celebrated. Other women of honor included:<\/p>\n The evening concluded with a few nibbles and refreshments. The catering crew served up nori clad mango sushi, spicy chicken skews, and crunchy potato puffs. Glasses of red and white were distributed for a final clinging and a candy buffet offered gummies galore. Blue and Green candy floss, gourmet popcorn, and The Hollywood Reporter\u2019s latest issue were offered as guests exited the event.<\/p>\n The Women in Entertainment gala event was more than an evening soiree; it was a commemoration of the power collectively held by female creatives. Women of all different shapes, styles, and colors were celebrated, honored, and noted. This event truly paid homage to the females bringing modern breezy ideas to our TV screens. Shattering stereotypes and smashing glass ceilings are all in a day\u2019s work. When offered a platform to lead, narrate, and create, the industry is enhanced to the core. Stories from marginalized groups serve to tell a \u201ctruer truth\u201d. These celebrations remind creative females everywhere; the sky\u2019s the limit!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Related content:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n
\u201cI attribute a big part of my success to being from Toronto and Canada\u2026We\u2019re able to tap into different superpowers\u2026I expect many more Canadians to dominate to be honest.\u201d -Lilly Singh<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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Moreover, an ardent supporter of women\u2019s sports she joined ownership of Toronto\u2019s WNBA team the Toronto Tempo<\/strong>. Singh would later add the gala\u2019s Equity in Entertainment\u201d to her long list of accolades and give a tender acceptance speech.<\/p>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n
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