Meet the 2022 WOMEN of the YEAR

Join us in celebrating the women who have fought with passion, led with bravery and inspired with creativity in 2022. These incredible recipients of the marie claire Women of the Year Awards, presented by Kérastase, are challenging norms and building a brighter future.

THE ENTERTAINER A MY SHARK

I never thought we'd have a time where we wouldn't be able to play shows for two years," says Amy Shark shaking her head as she reflects on Covid at her marie claire shoot.

The pandemic presented many challenges for every industry, but there's no doubt live music was the hardest hit. In February 2020, the eight-time ARIA award-winning artist performed to more than 70,000 people at the Fire Fight Concert; just weeks later, borders were closed and the country was in lockdown.

With 2022 bringing a return to normality, Shark set her sights on reviving the live music scene with one of the most ambitious tours to date across the nation - and certainly the biggest of its kind this year. It's fair to say Shark has entertained Australia, playing a record-breaking 68 shows from Wagga Wagga to Whyalla and everywhere in-between.

"To get back out there and play shows in regional Australia was crazy because they haven't had many people out there performing.

That was special to me. But anytime I get to play to humans and feel the energy and look them in the eye is really special," she says.

A 68-show stint would have most artists planning a lengthy holiday. Not Shark. With a brand-new single "Only Wanna Be With You" out now, and her R3hab collab "Sway My Way" still making its mark on the ARIA charts, the singer is also focusing on this month's ARIA Awards, where she's tipped to take out the gong for Best Australian Live Act.

Also taking up her time? Searching the country for the next star after landing one of the coveted judging roles on the highly anticipated reboot of Australian Idol. As she scouts for the talent of tomorrow, Shark shares her vision for women in music going forward. "My hope for women is for any sort of fear to disappear.