2024 proved to be a landmark year for women in entertainment, with trailblazers rewriting history across the globe. From making groundbreaking achievements in cinema to shattering stereotypes in music and storytelling, these women have set new benchmarks.
Let’s celebrate these extraordinary figures who have defined excellence and left an indelible mark in 2024.
Women in Entertainment Who Created History in 2024
Anasuya Sengupta
Anasuya Sengupta became the first Indian to win the Best Actress Award in the Un Certain Regard segment at Cannes 2024 for her stellar performance in a groundbreaking film, The Shameless. In her winning speech, the actor said, “I dedicate this and so much more to the queer community, other marginalised communities all over the world for so bravely fighting a fight that they really should not have to fight."
She added, "You don't have to be queer to fight for equality, you don't have to be colonised to know that colonising is pathetic — we just need to be very, very decent human beings.”
Karla Sofía Gascón
Spanish actor Karla Sofía Gascón created history this weekend by becoming the first transgender woman to win the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival. At 52, Gascón shared the honor with her co-stars from the musical crime comedy Emilia Pérez, which features a star-studded cast, including Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, and Mexican actor Adriana Paz.
During her tearful acceptance speech, she dedicated her win to all trans people “who suffer and must keep faith that changing is possible.” She ended her remarks by saying, “If you have made us suffer, it is time for you also to change.”
In a groundbreaking moment, Payal Kapadia became the first Indian filmmaker to receive the esteemed Grand Prix Award at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, May 25, for her film All We Imagine as Light. The film's team, including Payal and cast members Chhaya Kadam, Divya Prabha, and Kani Kusruti, attended the festival and accepted the award during the closing ceremony.
In her winning speech Payal said, “This film is about friendship between three women and oftentimes, women are pitted against each other. This is the way society is designed, and that's really unfortunate. But for me friendship is a very important relationship because it can lead to greater solidarity, inclusivity and empathy towards each other. So, which is why these are the values I feel that we should always strive for.”
Saiyami Kher
Saiyami Kher achieved a historic feat as the first Indian female actor to complete the prestigious Ironman Triathlon in Germany, blending endurance with entertainment. The event took place in Germany this September, where she successfully finished the gruelling triathlon, which consists of a 1.9 km swim, 90 km of cycling, and a 21.1 km run, back-to-back.
Rachel Gupta
Rachel Gupta, a 20-year-old who hails from Jalandhar in Punjab, has made history by becoming the first Indian and only the third Asian to be crowned Miss Grand International Rachel began modelling in 2022, at the age of 18. That same year, she was crowned Miss SuperTalent of the World at the 15th edition of the pageant held in Paris, France. Her run-up to the final of the latest pageant included a swimsuit and sportswear competition, a national costume parade, a preliminary competition, a closed interview session and the final show.
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