Pop stars Beyonce Knowles and Lady Gaga have claimed the Woman of the Year and the Rising Star awards respectively at
Billboard magazine's prestigious gala brunch this year.
The annual event, which recognises the year's top 30 women in the music business, took place in New York last Friday, reported Contactmusic.
"Twelve months ago I never would have imagined being here and receiving this award," said Gaga after receiving the Rising Star award.
The publication's editorial director Bill Werde insisted that picking Knowles this year was an easy choice.
"She has not only influenced pop culture with her hit songs and her signature dance moves, but has inspired women everywhere with her unique style, business savvy and dedication to charitable causes. It is theoretically possible someone on some other planet had a better year than Beyonce, but I'm not buying it," she said.
Staten Island school group the 'PS 22 Chorus' paid a tribute to the hitmaker at the gala with renditions of her hits 'Halo' and 'Single Ladies (Put A Ring on It)'.