Normani always had a "fear of being seen"

Accepting the Collaborator of the Year award from her choreographer Sean Bankhead at Variety's Hitmakers Brunch on Saturday (04.12.21), the 25-year-old star - who has worked with the likes of Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Sam Smith, Khalid and 6lack - said: "This is really, really big for me.

I've always felt growing up, like, really, really overlooked. And I always had this fear of being seen. My mom would always ask me, 'Why be in a girl group?' She's like, 'Is it so you can hide?'

"And I really feel like God clearly had other plans for me, and he made me uncomfortable, which was good because sometimes I get so in my head and, like Sean was saying, I'm a perfectionist, and I often get in my own way a lot of the time, but I'm just really grateful for the people surrounding me...

"And especially being a Black woman in music, this feels like a particular honor to receive recognition in this category."

The 'Motivation' singer is "proud" to be part of a music scene where women support one another instead of being pitted as rivals.

She continued: "This past year has honestly been incredibly inspiring for me, being able to witness the power of women in our industry.

"Historically, women have always been positioned against one another to compete and falsely believe that there's only room for one of us, and I'm proud to be a part of a time where we have normalized celebrating one another, supporting each other's endeavours and together hopefully continue to inspire future generations to do the same."

The event honoured the artists, writers, producers, publishers, and other music industry figures who helped make the 25 most consumed songs of the years.

Other honourees included Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, and Jack Harlow.