Halle Bailey Says Being a Young Woman in the Spotlight Is 'Not for the Weak'

Halle Bailey has had a whirlwind year, and she’s opening up about life in the spotlight. 

The Little Mermaid star, 23, was among the talent celebrated at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in London on Tuesday. During her acceptance speech for the Gen Z game-changer award and after the ceremony on social media, the actress/singer shared how grateful she was to be recognized and how challenging it can be as a public figure. 

The Grammy-nominated artist, who attended the event with her boyfriend DDG, spoke candidly about what she’s learned from being in the spotlight during her acceptance speech, as seen by footage shared on social media. 

After Lashana Lynch presented her with the honor and Bailey thanked the “female souls” who paved the way for her to be there, she opened up about her own experience dealing with superstardom.

“I know that my personal journey, although filled with my own struggles and challenges, sometimes pales in comparison to a lot of what y’all have gone through,” the “Angel” singer said. “But I also know that with the spotlight comes a responsibility to speak about my experience in hopes that it can provide some guidance and inspiration to those girls and women who look to me standing under that spotlight.”

The Color Purple star continued, “It’s been an adjustment to live my life under the scrutiny of that spotlight, but in the age of social media in some way, we all live under that same scrutiny — from our bodies, what our bodies look like from what we wear to who we love to the things we care about, it’s all open to scrutiny.”

“So here’s my honest advice: Turn it off when you need to find inner peace, OK. But also, live your life for you,” the R&B hitmaker said. “Don’t waste time living it for social media. Everyone has an opinion, but the only opinion that matters is your own, and you already know deep down what’s right for you.”

After the ceremony on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram, the Chloe x Halle member echoed the sentiments from her speech in the caption of a post featuring a collection of photos from the night. 

“omg you guys 🥹♥️what a beautiful night,” the Ungodly Hour performer began her post. “i’m so grateful that I was honored with the Glamour Woman of the Year Gen Z Game-Changer award ❣️✨.”

She continued, “this is such a special honor to me and feels oh so amazing to be recognized for the work that I have put in all the years of my career. being a young woman in the spotlight is definitely not for the weak.. but because of God, my loved ones and mentors I am able to face the world everyday with my head held high.”

“i’m so grateful for all of the beautiful souls that continue to lift me up and guide me as I continue this blessing of a journey which is my life 🥰❤️✨,” the singer added. “thank you God!!!” 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Bailey offered a star-making performance as Princess Ariel in this year’s live-action version of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. 

Despite receiving racist backlash online from some who objected to the casting of a Black actress in the role, she told PEOPLE upon the film’s release that it was important to her to keep her head held high. 

"I don't really think about the naysayers," she said. "I just think about the people that are positive and lift me up."

"Now that I'm on posters and inspiring these little girls that come up to me, it's very surreal. I just want to continue making them proud of me,” she added.

Over the summer, the star, who will soon appear in a movie-musical adaptation of The Color Purple, also released her debut solo single, “Angel.” She has teased that more new music is on the way soon.