Variety has announced the honourees for its 2026 Power of Women issue, published in partnership with Lifetime, ahead of an event on 23 September in Beverly Hills. The issue, out 17 September, will feature Jennifer Hudson, Pearlena Igbokwe, Melissa McCarthy and Sharon Stone on its cover, alongside profiles of other industry leaders in the accompanying Women's Impact Report, which spotlights influential women in entertainment.

Each honouree is tied to a cause she supports: Hudson backs her own foundation, Igbokwe supports A Better Chance, McCarthy champions the Joyful Heart Foundation, and Stone backs the ACLU. TV personality Paige DeSorbo will receive the Variety Courage Award, presented by Purina, for speaking publicly about surviving an abusive relationship and highlighting the role pets play for domestic abuse survivors, linked to the Purina-backed Purple Leash Project, which aims to provide one million safe nights for survivors and their pets by 2030. Comedian Iliza Shlesinger will host the ceremony.