Wanda Sykes urges people to 'uplift' single mothers amid SNAP benefit cutoff Pamela Avila, USA TODAYOctober 30, 2025 at 6:59 PM 0 Wanda Sykes speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California. BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. − Naturally, comedian Wanda Sykes brought muchneeded levity and laughter, but also shared a necessary call to action amid the current political landscape at the Variety Power of Women event Thursday.
- - Wanda Sykes urges people to 'uplift' single mothers amid SNAP benefit cutoff
Pamela Avila, USA TODAYOctober 30, 2025 at 6:59 PM
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Wanda Sykes speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. − Naturally, comedian Wanda Sykes brought much-needed levity and laughter, but also shared a necessary call to action amid the current political landscape at the Variety Power of Women event Thursday.
The Emmy Award-winning honoree, who highlighted the Ruth Ellis Center and the work the organization does for LGBTQ+ youth, addressed the pending expiration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps, amid the government shutdown.
"We're at a moment in time where, with everything that's going on in the government, we need to create projects where life imitates art," the 61-year-old said at the Oct. 29 event in Los Angeles. "Looking at what's happening with cutting SNAP benefits, that's going to affect single mothers, hard."
SNAP benefits will lapse on Nov. 1, the first time in the program's 60-year history, as the consequences of the government shutdown spread across the country.
Variety Power of Women: Jamie Lee Curtis honors young cancer patient by wearing pink wig
"When women thrive, the community thrives. We make everyone around us better, we do," said comedian Wanda Sykes in her speech on Thursday, Oct. 30. "We're at a moment in time where, with everything that's going on in the government, where we need to create projects where life imitates art." This year's Power of Women honorees included Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis (supporting Children's Hospital Los Angeles), "Running Point" actress Kate Hudson (supporting World Food Programme), Tony Award-winning singer-songwriter Nicole Scherzinger (supporting Special Olympics), Emmy Award-winning comedian Wanda Sykes (supporting the Ruth Ellis Center) and star of the upcoming "Christy" biopic, Sydney Sweeney (supporting the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence). Gymnast and activist Aly Raisman was also honored with the Variety Courage Award, highlighting her advocacy for survivors of abuse.Scroll through for more photos from the night.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>This year's Power of Women event, hosted by Variety and presented by Lifetime, was a reminder to women everywhere to take up space and uplift one another, especially during the tumultuous political times people are living through. "When women thrive, the community thrives. We make everyone around us better, we do," said comedian Wanda Sykes in her speech on Thursday, Oct. 30. "We're at a moment in time where, with everything that's going on in the government, where we need to create projects where life imitates art." This year's Power of Women honorees included Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis (supporting Children's Hospital Los Angeles), "Running Point" actress Kate Hudson (supporting World Food Programme), Tony Award-winning singer-songwriter Nicole Scherzinger (supporting Special Olympics), Emmy Award-winning comedian Wanda Sykes (supporting the Ruth Ellis Center) and star of the upcoming "Christy" biopic, Sydney Sweeney (supporting the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence). Gymnast and activist Aly Raisman was also honored with the Variety Courage Award, highlighting her advocacy for survivors of abuse.Scroll through for more photos from the night.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/TMvZOFJ class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
This year's Power of Women event, hosted by Variety and presented by Lifetime, was a reminder to women everywhere to take up space and uplift one another, especially during the tumultuous political times people are living through. "When women thrive, the community thrives. We make everyone around us better, we do," said comedian Wanda Sykes in her speech on Thursday, Oct. 30. "We're at a moment in time where, with everything that's going on in the government, where we need to create projects where life imitates art." This year's Power of Women honorees included Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis (supporting Children's Hospital Los Angeles), "Running Point" actress Kate Hudson (supporting World Food Programme), Tony Award-winning singer-songwriter Nicole Scherzinger (supporting Special Olympics), Emmy Award-winning comedian Wanda Sykes (supporting the Ruth Ellis Center) and star of the upcoming "Christy" biopic, Sydney Sweeney (supporting the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence). Gymnast and activist Aly Raisman was also honored with the Variety Courage Award, highlighting her advocacy for survivors of abuse.Scroll through for more photos from the night.
">This year's Power of Women event, hosted by Variety and presented by Lifetime, was a reminder to women everywhere to take up space and uplift one another, especially during the tumultuous political times people are living through. "When women thrive, the community thrives. We make everyone around us better, we do," said comedian Wanda Sykes in her speech on Thursday, Oct. 30. "We're at a moment in time where, with everything that's going on in the government, where we need to create projects where life imitates art." This year's Power of Women honorees included Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis (supporting Children's Hospital Los Angeles), "Running Point" actress Kate Hudson (supporting World Food Programme), Tony Award-winning singer-songwriter Nicole Scherzinger (supporting Special Olympics), Emmy Award-winning comedian Wanda Sykes (supporting the Ruth Ellis Center) and star of the upcoming "Christy" biopic, Sydney Sweeney (supporting the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence). Gymnast and activist Aly Raisman was also honored with the Variety Courage Award, highlighting her advocacy for survivors of abuse.Scroll through for more photos from the night.
" src=https://ift.tt/TMvZOFJ class=caas-img>Jamie Lee Curtis attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/h0DmHJU class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Jamie Lee Curtis attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Jamie Lee Curtis attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/h0DmHJU class=caas-img>Sydney Sweeney and Jamie Lee Curtis attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RJK3Aqb class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Sydney Sweeney and Jamie Lee Curtis attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Sydney Sweeney and Jamie Lee Curtis attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/RJK3Aqb class=caas-img>Sydney Sweeney attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vldr9HB class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Sydney Sweeney attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Sydney Sweeney attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/vldr9HB class=caas-img>Sharon Stone and actress Sydney Sweeney attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/clBkhRo class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Sharon Stone and actress Sydney Sweeney attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Sharon Stone and actress Sydney Sweeney attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/clBkhRo class=caas-img>Wanda Sykes attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/MJ1zLGj class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Wanda Sykes attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Wanda Sykes attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/MJ1zLGj class=caas-img>Jane Fonda and Wanda Sykes attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/9XjuiI1 class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Jane Fonda and Wanda Sykes attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Jane Fonda and Wanda Sykes attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/9XjuiI1 class=caas-img>Wanda Sykes speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XCVfmO0 class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Wanda Sykes speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime.
">Wanda Sykes speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime.
" src=https://ift.tt/XCVfmO0 class=caas-img>Kate Hudson attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XLmBtay class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Kate Hudson attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Kate Hudson attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/XLmBtay class=caas-img>Kate Hudson speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ULHKPVy class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Kate Hudson speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
">Kate Hudson speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" src=https://ift.tt/ULHKPVy class=caas-img>Octavia Spencer and Kate Hudson attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EO73iZD class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Octavia Spencer and Kate Hudson attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Octavia Spencer and Kate Hudson attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/EO73iZD class=caas-img>Jane Fonda and Nicole Scherzinger attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pZmlBUN class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Jane Fonda and Nicole Scherzinger attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Jane Fonda and Nicole Scherzinger attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/pZmlBUN class=caas-img>Nicole Scherzinger performs onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/UYWjPyi class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Nicole Scherzinger performs onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
">Nicole Scherzinger performs onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" src=https://ift.tt/UYWjPyi class=caas-img>Eva Longoria and honoree Nicole Scherzinger attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/o8QWUul class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Eva Longoria and honoree Nicole Scherzinger attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Eva Longoria and honoree Nicole Scherzinger attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/o8QWUul class=caas-img>Nicole Scherzinger speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/7WrgtC8 class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Nicole Scherzinger speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
">Nicole Scherzinger speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" src=https://ift.tt/7WrgtC8 class=caas-img>Eva Longoria attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2FJo5Zw class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Eva Longoria attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Eva Longoria attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/2FJo5Zw class=caas-img>Jane Fonda attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uAQNKZE class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Jane Fonda attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Jane Fonda attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/uAQNKZE class=caas-img>Aly Raisman attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/sarHSmJ class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Aly Raisman attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Aly Raisman attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/sarHSmJ class=caas-img>Aly Raisman's dress and accessory details.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xtu9j1i class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Aly Raisman's dress and accessory details.
">Aly Raisman's dress and accessory details.
" src=https://ift.tt/xtu9j1i class=caas-img>Sharon Stone, Christy Martin and honoree Sydney Sweeney attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EeN7HgF class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Sharon Stone, Christy Martin and honoree Sydney Sweeney attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Sharon Stone, Christy Martin and honoree Sydney Sweeney attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/EeN7HgF class=caas-img>Sydney Sweeney speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CVhlSGx class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Sydney Sweeney speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
">Sydney Sweeney speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" src=https://ift.tt/CVhlSGx class=caas-img>Octavia Spencer, Yvette Nicole Brown and Essence Atkins attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NpQCD52 class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Octavia Spencer, Yvette Nicole Brown and Essence Atkins attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
">Octavia Spencer, Yvette Nicole Brown and Essence Atkins attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/NpQCD52 class=caas-img>Sharon Stone attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BoXDK9A class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Sharon Stone attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Sharon Stone attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/BoXDK9A class=caas-img>Kate Hudson walks onstage to give her speech during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/las0y7Q class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Kate Hudson walks onstage to give her speech during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
">Kate Hudson walks onstage to give her speech during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" src=https://ift.tt/las0y7Q class=caas-img>Eva Longoria attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/p0f74gD class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Eva Longoria attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Eva Longoria attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/p0f74gD class=caas-img>Sharon Stone speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/szQnLXC class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Sharon Stone speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
">Sharon Stone speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" src=https://ift.tt/szQnLXC class=caas-img>Kate Hudson speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Sf7Ubo9 class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Kate Hudson speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
">Kate Hudson speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
" src=https://ift.tt/Sf7Ubo9 class=caas-img>Aly Raisman and Jordan Chiles attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/KlREIxH class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Aly Raisman and Jordan Chiles attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Aly Raisman and Jordan Chiles attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/KlREIxH class=caas-img>Sydney Sweeney speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Vo9ZSU4 class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Sydney Sweeney speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
">Sydney Sweeney speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/Vo9ZSU4 class=caas-img>Jane Fonda speaks onstage Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/7bzg8Ap class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Jane Fonda speaks onstage Variety Power of Women.
">Jane Fonda speaks onstage Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/7bzg8Ap class=caas-img>Wanda Sykes and Jane Fonda attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2QyThU9 class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Wanda Sykes and Jane Fonda attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Wanda Sykes and Jane Fonda attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/2QyThU9 class=caas-img>Jamie Lee Curtis speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VM2dnbK class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Jamie Lee Curtis speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
">Jamie Lee Curtis speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/VM2dnbK class=caas-img>Suzanne Yankovic and honoree Jamie Lee Curtis attend Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Z75anxC class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Suzanne Yankovic and honoree Jamie Lee Curtis attend Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime.
">Suzanne Yankovic and honoree Jamie Lee Curtis attend Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime.
" src=https://ift.tt/Z75anxC class=caas-img>Honoree Jamie Lee Curtis attends Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/APLdmIK class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Honoree Jamie Lee Curtis attends Variety Power of Women.
">Honoree Jamie Lee Curtis attends Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/APLdmIK class=caas-img>Honoree Nicole Scherzinger speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mG7sach class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Honoree Nicole Scherzinger speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
">Honoree Nicole Scherzinger speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/mG7sach class=caas-img>Eva Longoria speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/j3QFREP class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Eva Longoria speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
">Eva Longoria speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/j3QFREP class=caas-img>Karen Pittman and Sydney Sweeney attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/PM2a0DN class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Karen Pittman and Sydney Sweeney attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Karen Pittman and Sydney Sweeney attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/PM2a0DN class=caas-img>Eva Longoria speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/nYLF2Hf class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Eva Longoria speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
">Eva Longoria speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/nYLF2Hf class=caas-img>Octavia Spencer attends Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/AlnejuJ class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Octavia Spencer attends Variety Power of Women.
">Octavia Spencer attends Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/AlnejuJ class=caas-img>Naturi Naughton attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fJK7Tkv class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Naturi Naughton attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
">Naturi Naughton attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/fJK7Tkv class=caas-img>Omarion attends Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/gbGxNWl class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Omarion attends Variety Power of Women.
">Omarion attends Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/gbGxNWl class=caas-img>Karrueche Tran attends Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/gVIW4sx class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Karrueche Tran attends Variety Power of Women.
">Karrueche Tran attends Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/gVIW4sx class=caas-img>Brenda Song and Kate Hudson attend Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pTfYs3G class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Brenda Song and Kate Hudson attend Variety Power of Women.
">Brenda Song and Kate Hudson attend Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/pTfYs3G class=caas-img>Jenna Dewan and Julianne Hough attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/oe1DXjh class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Jenna Dewan and Julianne Hough attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Jenna Dewan and Julianne Hough attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/oe1DXjh class=caas-img>Sharon Stone speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1BE49iX class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Sharon Stone speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
">Sharon Stone speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/1BE49iX class=caas-img>Jurnee Smollett attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/YHeWfgl class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Jurnee Smollett attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
">Jurnee Smollett attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/YHeWfgl class=caas-img>Garcelle Beauvais attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0doQgAc class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Garcelle Beauvais attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
">Garcelle Beauvais attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/0doQgAc class=caas-img>Wanda Sykes and Jane Fonda attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/o9kjP8H class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Wanda Sykes and Jane Fonda attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Wanda Sykes and Jane Fonda attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/o9kjP8H class=caas-img>Diane Warren attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/klPAey2 class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Diane Warren attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
">Diane Warren attends Variety's 2025 Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/klPAey2 class=caas-img>Sharon Stone and honoree Sydney Sweeney attend Variety Power of Women.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Lgk0eId class=caas-img data-headline="Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women" data-caption="
Sharon Stone and honoree Sydney Sweeney attend Variety Power of Women.
">Sharon Stone and honoree Sydney Sweeney attend Variety Power of Women.
" src=https://ift.tt/Lgk0eId class=caas-img>
1 / 50Sydney Sweeney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson more honored at Variety Power of Women
This year's Power of Women event, hosted by Variety and presented by Lifetime, was a reminder to women everywhere to take up space and uplift one another, especially during the tumultuous political times people are living through. "When women thrive, the community thrives. We make everyone around us better, we do," said comedian Wanda Sykes in her speech on Thursday, Oct. 30. "We're at a moment in time where, with everything that's going on in the government, where we need to create projects where life imitates art." This year's Power of Women honorees included Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis (supporting Children's Hospital Los Angeles), "Running Point" actress Kate Hudson (supporting World Food Programme), Tony Award-winning singer-songwriter Nicole Scherzinger (supporting Special Olympics), Emmy Award-winning comedian Wanda Sykes (supporting the Ruth Ellis Center) and star of the upcoming "Christy" biopic, Sydney Sweeney (supporting the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence). Gymnast and activist Aly Raisman was also honored with the Variety Courage Award, highlighting her advocacy for survivors of abuse.Scroll through for more photos from the night.
More than 42 million people across more than 22 million households relied on SNAP benefits every month during fiscal year 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In total, that means around 12% of the more than 342 million people in the United States utilize the benefits.
"So I want to do things that speak to them and uplift them," Sykes said. "Use your power to uplift women, show them what it looks like. If we did that, if that's the way we moved, we would have two female presidents by now."
Sykes was introduced to the stage by longtime friend Jane Fonda and her former "Monster In Law" costar. "I've been in the business a minute now and I've seen many people who can reach certain heights and forget all about who they are and where they came from, and Wanda is not one of those," the "Grace and Frankie" star said of Sykes.
Fonda concluded: "She has always worked hard to open doors for people after her."
Jane Fonda and Wanda Sykes attend Variety's 2025 Power of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
Sykes proved Fonda's words about her right. "My joy is when I'm able to hire somebody," Sykes said during her speech. "And you know who I like to hire? Women. … That's just how I operate, and I'll be honest with you, if she's a Black woman, oh, girl, you got the job."
This year's Power of Women honorees included "Running Point" actress Kate Hudson (supporting World Food Programme), Tony Award-winning singer-songwriter Nicole Scherzinger (supporting Special Olympics), Oscar-winning Jamie Lee Curtis (supporting Children's Hospital Los Angeles) and star of the upcoming "Christy" biopic, Sydney Sweeney (supporting the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence).
Gymnast and activist Aly Raisman was also honored with the Variety Courage Award, highlighting her advocacy for survivors of abuse.
Contributing: USA TODAY staff
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wanda Sykes addresses SNAP benefit cutoff during LA event
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Source: Entertainment
Published: October 30, 2025 at 03:36PM on Source: SHOWBIZ MAG
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