Jason Momoa and Zendaya take home the awards for this year’s GQ Australia’s 2019 Man and Woman of The Year Awards. Below we check out other key notable men and women who have won the top awards this year, presented by Audi Australia.
Each year GQ celebrates the achievements of inspirational men and women who have gone out of their way to achieve or promote the GQ ethos of unrivalled sense of intelligence and irreverence over the last 12 months.
The prestigious event took place on November 28 at Sydney’s Hyatt Regency hotel, with presenting partner Audi and supporting partners Grey Goose, Paco Rabanne, Qantas, Coach and RM Williams.
The list below will look into five key winners who took home the awards:
Jason Momoa – Man of the Year
Known wildly for his movie and television roles such as the D.C superhero Aquaman and Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones, Jason Momoa this year has been more than just a Hollywood film star.
Aside from being Aquaman, Momoa has actively been embodying the ideals of the superhero by trying to tackle environmental issues affecting the sea.
Born and bred from Hawaii, the most impacting issue that is close to Momoa’s heart, was outlined in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in the review of the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway:
Momoa said in his speech: “We are a disease that is infecting our planet. When the frontline is gone, we are doomed. There is no undoing.”
Accepting the award, Momoa said, “Never in a million years did I think I would be the 2019 GQ International Man of the Year, it’s a true honour. Unfortunately, I’ve only got a month left to enjoy my crown. But I’m really stoked that I got to beat all the Hemsworth’s because…you know…I finally deserve this.”
Zendaya – Woman of the Year
Now one of the world’s most bankable stars at the age of 23, the former Disney star has shown 2019 how empowering and genuine an emerging talent can be thanks to her activist and artistic pursuits. 2019 has seen her involved in smashing box office movies such as Spider-man and her raw performance in HBO series Euphoria.
Presenting the award, Edwina McCann said: “It’s hard to pick a highlight, when this next winner’s entire year has been full of them. From starring in one of the biggest films of 2019, to designing her own fashion collection with Tommy Hilfiger and leading one of the most acclaimed TV shows of the year. Starting her career as a teenager, she has evolved into one of the biggest stars of her generation, a multi-talented singer, dancer, actor, who is also not afraid to use her platform.”
Zendaya who graciously accepted the award, said in her acceptance speech, “Woman of the Year, that’s kind of crazy considering that I’m just 23-years-old and trying to figure out how to become a woman myself, and figuring it out as I go and be here tonight – just thank you so much.”
HoMie – The Social Force Award
The fashion brand HoMie, is about to blow up in global recognition since accepting this year’s GQ Social Force Award. Aside from boasting an enviable street wear aesthetic, the fashion label embodies a strong social cause. Founded by Melbourne duo, Nick Pearce and Marcus Crook and based in Melbourne, the Aussie fashion brand had simple origins – the idea of which came when a group of friends were talking to people living rough on the streets.
In creating pieces of unique street wear, 100% of profits are distributed to young people affected by homelessness or hardship, via HoMie’s social impact programs.
In their speech at the GQ ceremony, Pearce and Crook gave a bold speech of gratitude,
“HoMie is all about looking out for others, and if there’s an opportunity in your life to go out and help someone else, I think you should do it. And that’s our message. Thanks so much everybody.”
Ash Barty – Sportsperson of the Year
At the age of just 23, female World no.1 Australian Tennis star Ash Barty undeniably shines for all that is worth praising about Australian tennis. She is the first Australian woman since 1973 to win a Grand Slam. This year’s ceremony, Ash Barty has claimed this year’s GQ sportsperson of the year award. Presenting the award was fellow Australian tennis champion, Dylan Alcott, had nothing but kind words to say for fellow Australian Barty:
“It’s hard to overstate the impact that one humble woman from Ipswich, Queensland has had to Australian sport over the course of 2019. With our country’s sporting identity in turmoil in the wake of cricket’s sandpaper-gate, she carried the increasing burden of a nation’s expectations on her shoulders as she embarked on one of the greatest single-season performances in tennis history. She captured the first Grand Slam for an Australian woman since 1973, and following in the steps of the great Evonne Goolagong-Cawley became just our second female world number 1 in the Open Era, galvanising a nation along the way.”
Scott Marsh – Agenda Setter of the Year
Probably one of the most striking winners at the ceremony was Australian street artist Scott Marsh who won the award for Agenda Setter. Wearing a black balaclava at the ceremony, Marsh has been challenging the socio-political norms shaping society. Scott Marsh is an artist who surprises. He chooses disclosed locations to install his street art on the walls of inconspicuous and well known buildings to make an impact on society. Marsh’s input may be satirical, but artistically speaking he has a keen eye for observing the way how other artists, celebrities and political leaders are shaping today’s culture.
In his acceptance speech, he said:
“I’d like to say thank you to my beautiful girlfriend, and I think most importantly thank you to the public. With public artwork, anyone who has gone and spoken about my murals, posted them on social media, or thrown a bucket of paint on them, it’s all part of the conversation and makes me fortunate to be doing what I’m doing.”
Dan Sultan – Musician of the Year
Dan Sultan has been a conquering hero of darkness and self-abuse. According to GQ, 2018 was a descent into madness for Sultan, shadowed by his Cairns performance where he was under the influence of alcohol. A media storm which ensued damaged his reputation and what followed was a public apology and a painful admission of alcohol addiction.
But this year the Australian Indigenous music icon has bounced back stronger than ever. At the GQ ceremony, Adam Goodes who presented the award, said, “This gent, my friend, reached the summit of Australian music by the time he was 30 with award-winning albums, sold-out tours and a nation under the influence of his voice. But his greatest success has come through adversity”
Since beating his alcohol addiction, Sultan has emerged once again as a creative force. This year he has dropped two albums: Aviary Takes and Nali & Friends, each nominated for an ARIA award. Sultan also took part in a documentary where he narrated the stories about Uganda and Kenya on Indigenous wildlife rangers.
His latest adult work, Aviary Takes, is as old school as it can get, a chilling rendition of old songs and covers recorded in single takes in the sheer light of sobriety. Sultan’s story of recovery and redemption, detailed in his own life experiences empowers his artistic endeavors and he emerges as one like no other.
Subscribe to FIB’s newsletter for your weekly dose of music, fashion and pop culture news!