Entertainment
Here Are the 2026 Femmy Awards Winners: Full List
It was a celebratory good time in Miami on Thursday (March 26) during the second annual Femmy Awards. Presented by Femme House, the awards honor women and allies across the dance music industry, from artists to labels to agents to parties and beyond.
Awards were divided into two categories: publicly voted and those chosen by a special committee. See the complete winners list below.
2026 Femmy Publicly Voted Awards Winners
Ableton instructor of the year: Honoring the educators who lead the way by example for every student that enrolls in a Femme House Session or signs up for an online course
- Suzi Analogue
- Modern Lover
- Claire Marie Lim
- Lorna Dune
- Christina Horn
Album or EP of the year: Recognizing a full body of work that pushed sonic and cultural boundaries
- Tides (Remixes) – Karaba
- Through the Wall – Rochelle Jordan
- Volver – Sofia Kourtesis
- The BPM – Sudan Archives
- Humanise – HAAi
Best club: Recognizing a nightclub that champions diversity, safe spaces, and inclusive lineups, shaping the electronic music scene
- Nowadays
- Smartbar
- TV Lounge
- The Fruit
- Walter WhereHouse
Best DJ set or live performance: Recognizing a live performance that stood out for its creativity, energy and impact
- Matisa (Fabric, London)
- Zoe Gitter (Boiler Room, Ibiza)
- Charlotte de Witte & Amelie Lens (Flanders Expo, Belgium)
- Ladies of Leisure (Boiler Room, Ibiza)
- Deer Jade (Lollapalooza, Paris)
Best Femme House radio mix: Recognizing an outstanding Femme House Radio mix, showcasing innovative track selection and storytelling
- Kiimi
- Sinca
- Awen
- Golden
- Krithi
Best producer: Recognizing a producer whose work stood out for its originality, technical mastery and influence on the sound of dance music
- Yulia Niko
- Honeyluv
- Azzecca
- Miss Monique
- Ki/Ki
Best record label: Recognizing a label that prioritizes femme, non-binary and LGBTQ+ artists
- She/Her
- Bass n Babes
- Nuxxe
- Smile Records
- Abracadabra Records
Best underground promoter: Honoring the grassroots, regional promoters in the U.S. who are shaping underground dance culture
- Playhouse
- Thique
- Ladera Hearts
- Jerk
- PBNJ
Best vocalist: Recognizing the often heard but not seen voices of dance music
- Blythe
- Hayla
- Bibi Bourelly
- Pamé
- House Gospel Choir
Breakthrough artist: Honoring artists who had phenomenal years and set the bar for visibility, artistic output, and buzz
- Me N U
- Lumia
- Inda Jani
- Zingara
- Tiffy Vera
Femme House activist & impact award: Honoring an artist, collective or industry professional using their platform to advocate for social change and inclusion in the music industry
- Support Women DJs
- Empwr Beats
- Beatport Diversity + Parity Fund
- Book More Women
- Her Dancefloor
Femme House community member of the year: Celebrating an individual in the Femme House community whose dedication, passion and engagement have gone above and beyond to embody the spirit of Femme House
- Raecola
- Barbara Nicole
- Tara Verma
- Val Fleury
- Hai-Life
“For the Culture” award: Honoring BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ creators and platforms making an impact in serving their communities
- Sisters In Sound
- House of Yes
- TT the Artist
- QDP
- Courtney Hollinquest
Innovator award: Recognizing innovation and impact in sound design, cultural significance and more
- DJ Dave
- Blood Oath
- Juliet Fox
- Mz Worthy
- Desiree
Most diverse lineup: Honoring the show bills that have challenged the notion that the best lineups are predominantly male and white
- Cosimea
- 4 Tha Luv
- Babestock Music Festival
- All Things Go Music Festival
- Deep Tropics Music, Art and Style Festival
Song of the year: Recognizing a song that showcases innovation, inclusivity, and exceptional artistry from a femme, non-binary, or LGBTQ+ producer, DJ or vocalist
- “Forget” – DJ Minx
- “Richman” – Inda Jani + Ghezz
- “IDK” – Azzecca
- “Hurt Me No More” – Emjie
- Don’t Wanna Leave You” – Tiffy Vera
2026 Femmy Committee Voted Award Nominees
Agent of the year: Celebrating an agent who has made a significant impact in advancing the careers of diverse talent in the music industry
- Brittany Gaston
- Barbara Frum
- Daisy Hoffman
- Natalie Koe
Best music journalist: Honoring a writer who has championed diverse voices in music media and amplified underrepresented artists through their work
- Nyshka Chandran, Resident Advisor
- Sheila Lim, EDM Identity
- Ariel King, Pollstar
- Megan Venzin, DJ Mag
Best talent booker or promoter: Honoring a booker dedicated to diverse, femme, non-binary and LGBTQ+ artists, curating inclusive and groundbreaking lineups
- Jenn Yacoubian
- Andrea Graham
- Britt Van Wouwe
- The Night League (Leslee Tatman, Jodie Layton, Shirin Saffari, Itziar Gonzalez, Gaby Castro)
Culture shifter: Recognizing an industry leader who has made significant strides in promoting diversity and inclusion within electronic music and beyond
- Tracey Manner
- Tay Allen
- Aluna Francis
- Madame Gandhi
Manager of the year: Recognizing a manager who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to artist development, advocacy, and career growth
- Cristiana Votta
- Sophia Kearney
- Sophie Kennard
- Travis Alexander
Theresa Velasquez award for outstanding executive: Theresa Velasquez’s legacy is that of a beloved executive who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to amplify diverse talent. This committee voted category recognizes executives that honor that legacy in their own work.
- Robby Engle
- Bina Fronda
- Rida Naser Greene
- Alex Simpson
Entertainment
Fat Joe Accuser Drops Accusation of Sex With Underage Girls & RICO Claims in Updated Lawsuit
A former hypeman who sued Fat Joe over shocking underage sex allegations — accusations the star has called part of an extortion scheme — has quietly dropped all reference to such allegations in a new version of his lawsuit.
Terrance “T.A.” Dixon sued Fat Joe (Joseph Cartagena) last year over sweeping allegations of wrongdoing, including sex trafficking, fraud, racketeering and, most seriously, that he had “personally witnessed” him engage in “sexual relations” with two girls aged 15 and 16.
But in an amended complaint filed in court Thursday (March 26), Dixon’s allegations no longer contain those claims of underage sex, and it also removes previous allegations made under the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) law. Dixon’s attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, did not immediately return a request for comment on why those accusations had been dropped.
The move is significant, and not just because it means Fat Joe is no longer facing hideous accusations that would constitute a crime if true. The rapper has long said such claims were part of a scheme by Dixon to extort him into a settlement; in his own separate lawsuit filed months before Dixon’s case, the rapper said the hypeman had been threatening to sue him over “grotesque” false claims, including “unspeakable acts such as pedophilia,” if he was not paid out.
The new version of Dixon’s lawsuit still includes serious accusations, including that Fat Joe violated the Trafficking Victims Protection Act by coercing Dixon to work for him and to take part in non-consensual sexual encounters. But other claims are more of a business nature, centering on allegations that Dixon was not properly paid wages and not properly credited as a co-writer on certain songs.
In a statement to Billboard, Fat Joe’s lawyer Jordan Siev reiterated that the accusations against his client were “nothing more than an elaborate shakedown to extract money from him.”
“Their decision to now voluntarily amend Mr. Dixon’s complaint — removing all allegations involving transporting of minors, statutory rape and RICO — and recast this matter primarily as a financial dispute about royalties and wages allegedly owed only reinforces that the allegations were baseless and that Mr. Cartagena is the one being targeted,” Siev said.
Meanwhile, Joe’s lawsuit against Dixon is moving ahead. In a ruling earlier this month, a federal judge refused to dismiss the rapper’s claims that the hypeman and Blackburn legally defamed him by publicly airing their allegations, allowing those claims to go ahead toward a trial. Dixon and Blackburn are currently attempting to appeal the ruling.
Entertainment
TWICE’s Nayeon Just Shared Her Favorite Vivaia Shoes in the Brand’s Latest Spring Campaign: Shop Her Picks Here
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
TWICE’s Nayeon is well known for many things, including her music, but her personal style is severely underrated.
The K-pop star’s looks are often a mix of feminine and comfortable pieces, often pulling inspo from Y2K aesthetics. The “ABCD” singer favors bright colors, playful textures and silhouettes that flatter her frame. In short, we trust her taste, and clearly so does Vivaia, an eco-friendly footwear brand founded in 2020. The retailer tapped the K-pop act to star in its spring 2026 collection titled Feel the Comfort.
The girl group member modeled some of her favorite styles, which consisted mostly of Mary Jane-meets-ballet-flat styles and whimsical sneakers in various colors with feminine and edgy touches. In specific, Nayeon wore the brand’s Square-Toe Jogger Sneakerina retailing for $159, the Square-Toe Hybrid Mesh Mary Janes retailing for $149, the Square-Toe Margot™ Mary Jane 3.0 retailing for $139 and the Mesh Floral Square-Toe Mary Janes for $149. You can shop her picks below and on Vivaia’s website.
Square-Toe Jogger Sneakerina
Think of this like a mix between a sneaker and a ballet flat. The style is affixed with silky ribbon lace-up closures.
Square-Toe Hybrid Mesh Mary Janes
This style is another ballet flat but with lace-up detailing. It also comes with charms that you can attach and alternative laces.
When asked, “What does comfort mean to you?” Nayeon responded in a statement saying, “When I am being my true self.” One of our favorite styles is the Square-Toe Hybrid Mesh Mary Janes in a tan hue with red accents. The shoe features all-round mesh paneling, making them breathable, along with dainty lace-up closures and a playful bubble sole. This style also comes with interchangeable red laces, which Nayeon chose for the campaign, along with floral charms in matching hues that can be attached to your laces to change things up. Sizing is available from 5 through 9.
Another great option is the Mesh Floral Square-Toe Mary Janes that feature see-through mesh throughout and floral accents. Fun fact: The mesh uppers are made with recycled plastic bottles. The shoe has gold clasps to adjust the fit and square toes that Vivaia seems to incorporate in a bunch of its shoe creations. Again, this silhouette is see-through, but you can wear socks with them, which could be a fun stylistic choice if you don a fun print or color.
Square-Toe Margot™ Mary Jane 3.0
These are breathable square-toed ballet flats with straps. The straps are equipped with edgy buckles and grommets.
Mesh Floral Square-Toe Mary Janes
This was said to be one of Nayeon’s favorite styles. These ballet flats feature mesh paneling with floral adornments.
All of Vivaia’s footwear focuses on on-trend silhouettes with an emphasis on comfort. The brand’s mission of comfort meets style came from a singular question: “Why can’t heels, and all women’s shoes, have a sneaker-like comfort?” Each of its shoes is equipped with padded insoles to provide ultimate comfort. The retailer even has wide-foot-friendly designs, creating a more inclusive range for people to shop.
Entertainment
BTS Invites You Behind the Scenes of Their Massive ‘Return’ in Documentary Sneak Peek
As of the release of ARIRANG, BTS has finally returned. And in an upcoming Netflix documentary, the band is showing ARMY everything it took to get here.
In a sneak peek for the streamer’s BTS: The Return posted Wednesday (March 25), cameras follow RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook behind the scenes of their cover shoot for ARIRANG. In the final artwork, the septet poses in two rows wearing suits, looking stoically ahead. But the documentary footage shows how much work the seemingly simple shot took, with a team of producers, stylists and creatives milling about around the Bangtan Boys.
The teaser also shows each of the members sitting down for solo talking-head interviews showcasing their individual personalities. It previews some of the questions asked — Do you feel that you’re trying something completely new? What changed the most for you as an artist? Are you returning with something familiar? — but holds off on showing any of their answers.
“They’re back!” a description of the doc reads. “BTS gathers in LA to record their album ‘Arirang’ in this documentary offering unprecedented access to the band as they enter a new era.”
The sneak peek comes just two days ahead of the Friday (March 27) premiere BTS: The Return on Netflix. The project will drop exactly one week after the release of ARIRANG, which features 14 tracks — including single “Swim” — and marks the band’s first full-length since 2020’s Billboard 200-topper Be.
The group is currently in the midst of promoting ARIRANG with a series of performances that’ll build to a global tour in April. After hosting a huge comeback concert in Seoul, BTS descended on New York City for a Spotify showcase followed by performances at the Guggenheim for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Watch the sneak peek for BTS’ upcoming Netflix doc above.
-
Politics7 months agoSEND IN THE TROOPS! At Least 5 Dead, 10 Wounded So Far in Chicago Weekend Shootings
-
Business6 months ago
How I Paid Off My Mortgage 10 Years Early On A Teacher’s Salary
-
Politics6 months agoBlack Lives Matter Activist in Boston Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges – Scammed Donors to Fund Her Lifestyle
-
Tech7 months agoGet a lifetime subscription to the “ChatGPT for investors” for under $60
-
Tech6 months agoReview: The Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex is the first wet/dry vacuum I liked
-
Business7 months ago
25 Low-Effort Side Hustles You Can Start This Weekend
-
Business7 months ago
9 Ways to Command a Six-Figure Salary Without a Bachelor’s
-
Entertainment6 months agoFat Joe Recalls Bruno Mars Snapping on Him Over Question About Puerto Rican Roots: ‘Broke My Heart’

