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Dame Joan Collins received the Power of Women Icon of the Year award at Variety’s inaugural Power of Women London event on June 3, 2026, with a surprise presentation that delighted attendees at the star-studded celebration held at The Chancery Rosewood in London’s Mayfair.
Quick Facts
- Joan Collins, 93, honored as Icon of the Year at Variety’s inaugural London event
- Event held June 3, 2026 at The Chancery Rosewood, presented by Lifetime
- Dea Lawrence presented the award to the legendary actress and producer
- Other honorees included Cynthia Erivo, Emilia Clarke, Emma Corrin, Hannah Waddingham, and Suki Waterhouse
A Surprise Tribute to a Career of Reinvention
Variety publisher and co-president Dea Lawrence surprised the crowd by presenting the Icon of the Year award to Dame Joan Collins, marking an unexpected highlight of the evening. The presentation came during the inaugural Power of Women London celebration, which brought together some of entertainment’s most influential women to reflect on their careers, their impact, and the causes they champion. Hosted by Saturday Night Live U.K. cast member Ania Magliano, the event at The Chancery Rosewood drew an impressive roster of honorees and industry leaders.
Collins, who has maintained a prominent presence in entertainment for decades, took the stage to reflect on the lessons learned throughout her career. The legendary actress and producer spoke candidly about the demands of longevity in an image-focused industry, emphasizing the importance of constant evolution. Her remarks resonated with the evening’s broader theme of women claiming and using their power in meaningful ways.
Joan Collins Receives Power of Women Icon Award in London
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Collins on Survival and Reinvention in Entertainment
In her acceptance remarks, Collins reflected on what it takes to thrive in the entertainment industry. “I discovered that to survive in this business and to thrive, you have to show which women are needed to reinvent themselves,” she said. “We have to reinvent ourselves time and time again.” Her words underscored a reality many women in entertainment face: the pressure to adapt, evolve, and remain relevant across changing cultural and industry landscapes.
The actress also teased her upcoming film project, “My Duchess,” in which she plays Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. Collins described the role as exploring the final nine years of Simpson’s life, a period marked by both power and vulnerability. “It’s in the last nine years of her life when she was a strong and powerful woman at the beginning, but her strength and her power were totally destroyed by, sadly, another woman,” Collins explained. She connected the character’s journey to contemporary issues, noting that the story reflects elder abuse and the dynamics of power between women—themes she sees as urgently relevant in today’s world.
A Night Celebrating Women’s Voices Across Entertainment
The inaugural Power of Women London event brought together five primary honorees alongside Collins’s surprise Icon award. Emilia Clarke, Emma Corrin, Cynthia Erivo, Hannah Waddingham, and Suki Waterhouse each took the stage to share their journeys and reflect on the importance of community and mutual support. The evening opened with Suki Waterhouse’s performance of her new single, “Back in Love,” and continued with remarks from Variety co-editors-in-chief Cynthia Littleton and Ramin Setoodeh, who highlighted London’s status as a major entertainment hub.
Each honoree spoke to different aspects of female empowerment. Emma Corrin, the first non-binary recipient of the award, emphasized the importance of representation and solidarity across all identities. Hannah Waddingham spoke about the often-invisible support women provide each other behind the scenes, while Cynthia Erivo addressed the complexity of claiming power as a woman in the industry, reflecting on how her candor has sometimes been misinterpreted as ingratitude. Suki Waterhouse shared how motherhood has deepened her connection to all women and her appreciation for the sacrifices mothers make. The evening underscored a consistent message: that women’s power extends beyond visibility, encompassing resilience, mutual support, and the courage to evolve.
Sources
- Variety — Full coverage of Variety’s inaugural Power of Women London event, June 3, 2026, including quotes from Dame Joan Collins, honorees, and event details
- Yahoo Entertainment — Coverage of Joan Collins at the Variety Power of Women London event, confirming her age and attendance
- LaineyGossip — Event coverage confirming Collins received the Icon of the Year award at Variety 2026 Power of Women London
