Hailey Bieber Thanks Husband Justin Bieber for “Always Cheering Me On”

The Daily Front Row presented its 9th annual Fashion Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday night during a starry ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The well-known fashion publication revealed its roster of fashion and beauty winners in advance, a starry list of names that included Tyra Banks, supermodel Adriana Lima, stylist Brad Goreski and designer Betsey Johnson.

But upon arrival, attendees learned that another trophy had been added to the list and its intended recipient would be on hand to accept. In a surprise move, Hailey Bieber, model, influencer and Rhode founder, turned up in the 90210 as she was feted as beauty innovator of the year.

After stepping into the lights on the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom stage, Bieber kicked off her acceptance speech with an apology. “My speech is going to be very generic in comparison to all the beautiful speeches before me,” referencing heartfelt words shared by honorees Banks, Lima, stylist duo Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald, hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos, makeup artist Alexx Mayo, and presenters Lizzo, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Dixie D’Amelio and more. “It’s amazing to be in this room surrounded by so many talented and amazing people.

Bieber then explained that when she founded Rhode, she wasn’t looking to “start a brand for the sake of starting a brand.” She had much bigger ambitions. “I really wanted to create an entire world, and something that I say often is, ‘Welcome to the world of Rhode.’ Because to me, Rhode isn’t just products. It’s a feeling. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a place. It’s a world that is open to everyone and anybody that identifies with it. To see so many people gravitate toward it and become a part of our world is so humbling and so beautiful.”

She singled out members of the Rhode team, including her fellow founding partners Michael and Lauren Ratner, and thanked “our incredible customers and supporters.” She also credited her friends for “being the best test subjects and biggest cheerleaders, and shouted out OUAI founder Jen Atkin for teaching her about beauty and brand building. Atkin was standing steps away behind the podium after offering the honoree tribute. Bieber then saved her final shout-out for her husband, pop superstar Justin Bieber.

“And lastly, I want to thank my husband for supporting the dream of mine from the beginning and for always cheering me on,” she said.

Her acceptance speech came after a loving tribute from Atkin, who dished some personal details about their friendship and even fought back tears in the process.

“I am so excited to be here tonight to talk about my dear friend of over a decade, the glazed donut turned beauty mogul, Hailey Bieber. We traveled the world as I got to watch her slay the biggest red carpets. I got to watch her shoot major campaigns and on her biggest day, her wedding day, we hid in a tent from the paparazzi while I sobbed uncontrollably. But through everything she has remained truly the perfectly moisturized calm in the storm.”

Atkin then teased that she was going to break her nondisclosure agreement by spilling “a big secret” and “the real drama behind closed doors.”

“What really gets her heated is old Grey’s Anatomy episodes,” Atkin dished. “I’m talking seasons one through four. She’s obsessed and I kind of wish Ellen Pompeo was here today with us.”

Back to Rhode. “The idea of Rhode really was a dream of hers for so, so long. She talked about it constantly. She wasn’t interested in following trends or creating pricey products with this complicated routine. She wanted really great formulas, beautiful packaging because she also wanted to create really engaging and authentic content because she wanted us all to be alongside her journey of creating this. I was there for Rhode’s very first campaign shoot, and immediately you guys, I felt so bad for her entire team. The woman is a detail fanatic. I’m talking from formulas to fonts, creative to catering. She is so incredibly hands-on. She shows up. She works so hard, and she knows exactly what she wants.”

Atkin praised that level of dedication for pushing Rhode not only into the center of all things beauty, “but culture at large” through viral lip treatments, cellphone cases, photo booths and pop-ups around the world. “Hailey, I am so proud of you, you’re a boss. You are a style icon and a skin-care guru, but your success is not just limited to your career. You are the most loving wife, daughter, sister, friend, and now you’re a mom to the cutest little boy I’ve ever seen — besides my son.”

Breakout actor, comedian and Las Culturistas podcast host Matt Rogers hosted the Daily Front Row’s Los Angeles ceremony, which was presented by Lagos, Moroccanoil, DAOU Vineyards, Milly and Casamigos. The program also saw Banks honored as fashion icon by presenter Beverly Johnson, Lima feted as comeback of the year by UFC champ Amanda Nunes, Alexx Mayo named makeup artist of the year with a tribute by Lizzo (who also sang him “Happy Birthday”), Betsey Johnson honored with a lifetime achievement award presented by Selma Blair, Dimitris Giannetos named hairstylist of the year with an introduction by Dixie D’Amelio, Brad Goreski honored as style curator of the year presented by Ashley Park, stylist duo Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald feted as men’s stylists of the year with a tribute by Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Genesis Webb handed the breakthrough music stylist of the year trophy by client and close friend Chappell Roan.