Cynthia Erivo, Emilia Clarke, Suki Waterhouse, Emma Corrin, and Hannah Waddingham were the focal points at Variety‘s first Power of Women London event, sponsored by Lifetime. These five women shared insights into their careers, the significance of community, and the causes they support.
The event took place on Wednesday at the Chancery Rosewood Hotel, hosted by “Saturday Night Live U.K.” cast member Ania Magliano. It commenced with Waterhouse performing her latest single, “Back in Love.” Dea Lawrence, Variety‘s publisher and co-president, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing London’s status as “arguably the biggest entertainment hub outside the United States,” followed by comments from Variety co-editors-in-chief Cynthia Littleton and Ramin Setoodeh.
Emilia Clarke, the evening’s first honoree, spoke candidly about her recovery from two brain hemorrhages at the ages of 22 and 24 while she was acting in “Game of Thrones.” She stated, “Fifteen years after my first bleed, I have the hindsight to see how difficult that time truly was. I never had the chance to reflect on what my two brain traumas had done to me.”
She also touched on her anxiety, questioning whether it was normal in an image-focused industry, and recounted incidents like breaking a rib during a sex scene and blacking out after long shoots, attributing them to stress from her relentless work schedule.
Josh O’Connor, star of “Disclosure Day,” introduced Emma Corrin as the next honoree. He shared how they met when Corrin was auditioning as a reader for “The Crown.” Even before casting Princess Diana, the camera was drawn to Emma by the end of the first audition.
Corrin expressed the honor of being among inspiring women using their voices for a purpose and acknowledged being the first non-binary recipient of the award. They emphasized the importance of supporting each other regardless of identity, highlighting the power of mutual support networks.
Lawrence then surprised attendees by awarding Dame Joan Collins the Power of Women Icon of the Year. Collins discussed her career longevity, stating, “To survive in this business and to thrive, you have to show which women are needed to reinvent themselves. We have to reinvent ourselves time and time again.”
Collins also previewed her upcoming film, “My Duchess,” where she portrays Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. The film focuses on the last nine years of Simpson’s life, addressing the theme of elder abuse.
Returning to the stage, Waterhouse reflected on becoming a mother, stating that it has deeply humbled her and expanded her connection with all women. She appreciated her mother’s balance of family dedication and personal growth, noting her mother’s presence at the event.
Hannah Waddingham, known for “Ted Lasso,” spoke on how the discussion about powerful women should extend beyond visible strength. She highlighted the importance of supporting each other in quieter moments, sharing how she and Cynthia Erivo have supported each other during challenging times in theater and on screen.
Edward Enninful, formerly of British Vogue, introduced Cynthia Erivo as the last honoree. Erivo reflected on her work with LGBTQ+ organizations and addressed the public reaction to a viral clip where she declined to discuss “Wicked.”
Reflecting on criticism, Erivo said, “All of a sudden, I am a woman who is degrading the project that put me where I am and I should be more grateful.” She pondered the true meaning of being a powerful woman, the costs involved, and the challenges of fully embodying that power without offending others. She concluded that while the concept of a powerful woman is celebrated, genuine empowerment is rarely acknowledged or uplifted.
