Hannah Waddingham to Receive Crystal Award at 2026 WIF Honors

By Marcus Bennett

Hannah Waddingham will receive the Crystal Award for Advocacy in TV at the 2026 WIF Honors. The gala takes place Nov. 5 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, the organization announced.

Waddingham won an Emmy for playing Rebecca Welton on "Ted Lasso." WIF CEO Kirsten Schaffer said the award recognizes both that performance and Waddingham's off-screen work.

"Hannah Waddingham's career reflects the spirit of the Crystal Award for Advocacy in TV, and we're thrilled to be honoring her formidable achievements and impact," Schaffer said. "In 'Ted Lasso,' Hannah's powerful portrayal of Rebecca Welton, a woman fighting to be taken seriously in the male-dominated world of professional sports, echoes the barriers women still face in the entertainment industry. Off-screen, Hannah uses her powerful platform to advocate for gender equality."

Who else will be honored?

WIF also announced Monday that "Furious" star Emmy Rossum will present the Crystal Award for Advocacy in Film to two recipients: actress Gemma Chan, accepting in absentia, and director Beth de Araújo, for their collaboration on "Josephine."

Previously announced programming includes:

• Vanguard Award: Pamela Abdy, presented by Nancy Meyers
• WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award: Adria Arjona, presented by Maria Giulia Preziano Maramotti
• The Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award: Salma Hayek Pinault, presented by Jane Fonda

The benefit gala is co-chaired by Victoria Alonso and Andrea Nelson Meigs. The WIF Honors Committee includes WIF board of directors president Syrinthia Studer and board members Tara Duncan, Ivette Rodriguez, Rachel Rusch and Jurnee Smollett.

What does the gala fund?

The evening is WIF's largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds directly fund the organization's advocacy, research and career programs. WIF Honors is presented by Max Mara, with additional support from Amazon MGM Studios, Apple TV, Delta Air Lines, Netflix, Starz #TakeTheLead and Warner Bros. Pictures.

Tickets and tables went on sale today at WIF.org/Honors. For an organization that ties its awards to year-round advocacy, the Nov. 5 gala will show how much donor appetite sustains that work.