Following a feel-good performance from Post Malone who sang “Sunflower,” which he called “my only good song,” Sir Lucian Grainge introduced the 2025 Industry Icon, Jody Gerson – but not before acknowledging the tragedy Los Angeles has just endured. “The wildfires this past month have inflicted enormous levels of suffering and loss upon way too many people, including many of our colleagues and artists and songwriters. Let’s take this moment to remind ourselves that, as a community, we must remain united in our resolve to help bring relief to those who have been affected…But even as we begin to recover from this tragedy, we must not fail to celebrate those things in life that deserve celebration. They provide the inspiration for the better future we envision and will build together…So, tonight, it is my privilege, and, indeed, it is my great pleasure, to introduce and celebrate Jody Gerson, a true industry icon who rightly deserves celebration.”
And after sharing just some of her career highlights across the past three decades — during which she’s championed artists including Adele, Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and more — Gerson herself took to the stage to reflect and rejoice in her many successes, starting with the first time she successfully snuck into this exact party years ago. “When I finally did receive my first official invite to attend, it was a big moment in my career,” she recalled.” I remember it well; It was the year Alicia Keys released her debut album, Songs in A Minor, and, Clive, I was so happy to share in its success with you.” She then shouted out the work she and Keys continue to do together through their foundation, She Is the Music, which increases the number of women working in the music business.
Gerson went on to share that when Harvey Mason Jr. called with the news of her honor, she was “stunned.” She thought back to being a “precocious little girl” who would hang at her father and grandfather’s New Jersey club where everyone from Sinatra to Diana Ross and the Supremes would perform. “I spent a lot of time at the club, often backstage, watching the artists and musicians before they went on stage. I studied them…I saw how my dad dealt with them. I watched everything, missed nothing, and definitely saw more than I should have. After all, it was the 70s…Even at that young age, I knew that I wanted a career in the music business.”
“But I want my impact to reach beyond the boundaries of the music business,” she continued, sharing that she recently joined the board of the non-profit Project Healthy Minds, which makes mental health services more easily accessible. She noted that in conjunction with material losses from the wildfires, “there is an unprecedented toll on the mental health of many who live here. We are anxious. Many of us are depressed and traumatized and we feel out of control. What is happening in Los Angeles now is reflective of what is going on in our country as a whole. We have a mental health crisis that must be dealt with…But by normalizing the pursuit of mental health care, we should applaud iconic artists like Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Chappel Roan and so many more who have helped to lessen the stigma surrounding mental health care and made it ok for many to seek help for the first time.”
Despite all the good Gerson has done for the music community and beyond, she concluded by saying her greatest joy is being a mom. “My mom always said that I could have it all, and I do: An incredible career and a wonderful family.” (Her daughter was later heard saying, “I’m so proud of you.”)
But before stepping off stage, Gerson brought the focus back to the evening’s main mission: to help a hurting community heal. “Music can brighten even our darkest days, and we surely need artists to bring light into the world,” she said. “Now, more than ever.”
