Lea Michele leads the glamour in a plunging brown leather gown at Variety's 2023 Power Of Women in New York City

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Glee star Lea Michele turned heads in a plunging brown leather gown, with a racy cutout across her toned midriff, at Variety's 2023 Power Of Women in New York City on Monday afternoon. 

While strutting down a grey carpet at the exclusive invite-only luncheon, which bright together some of the most influential stars in Hollywood, the 36-year-old actress oozed confidence as she smiled demurely at photographers.

Her glamorous makeup look consisted of a nude lipstick, warm-toned, light brown eyeshadow, several layers of  mascara and no jewelry, apart from her four-carat engagement ring from husband Zandy Reich, and stud earrings.

Her raven-haired locks cascaded down her shoulders in tousled waves as she posed for numerous solo shots on her way into the event, which will be honoring Kelly Ripa, Judy Blume, Natasha Lyonne, Rosie Perez and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. 

Michele, who is currently starring as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl on Broadway, will be presenting during the ceremony, held at The Grill in midtown Manhattan.

Glamorous: Glee star Lea Michele turned heads in a plunging brown leather gown, with a racy cutout across her toned midriff, at Variety's 2023 Power Of Women in New York City on Monday afternoon

Stunner: While strutting down a grey carpet at the exclusive invite-only luncheon, which bright together some of the most influential stars in Hollywood, the 36-year-old actress oozed confidence as she smiled demurely at photographers

Celebrating women in Hollywood: Michele, who is currently starring as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl on Broadway, will be presenting during the ceremony, held at The Grill in midtown Manhattan

During an interview on the red carpet with Variety, she revealed she was blown away that Chris Rock came to her show. 

'Chris Rock at Funny Girl was so cool,' she said. 'I've been the most nervous when funny people come.' 

She went on to say how 'wonderful' it is to see audiences of all ages come to her show and that she is having the 'best time' portraying Fanny Brice. 

Other presenters included Spike Lee, Andy Cohen, Sandra Bernhard, Aidy Bryant and Seth Meyers. 

Ego Nwodim, who was hosting the event, kicked off the ceremony by musing that its name, Power of Women, sounded 'like the worst Marvel movie ever.'

'But, seriously, it's such an honor to be here today, with all the women in New York, who've made a difference in our industry, as well as their plus-ones, who we all know are only here for the free drinks and gift bags,' she continued. 

The SNL star, 35, went on to remind the audience that 'powerful women don't let fear stop them.' 

'We do it all, and we make it look easy,' she said of women, after reflecting on giving commencement speech for her alma mater USC. 

During her speech, she gave a playful shoutout to Ripa, 52, as she raved that the seven-time Emmy winner 'is a queen.'

'I could never do what you do — and by that, I mean happily talk to people before 8 p.m,' she marveled. 'You've got that on lock.' 

Before receiving an award for her activism, Rosie Perez was introduced by Lee, who said she's 'always had the greatest heart.'

'She's always been there for the people who don't have a voice, who get ignored, kicked to the curb. She's always been there and has never changed. Her courage has even grown more and she's still fighting the good fight,' he gushed. 

After giving her longtime pal a hug, Perez stated that the entertainment industry is 'so hard for women.' 

'But especially for women of color, different gender identities and sexual orientation,' the Oscar nominee said. 'Which brings me to representation and inclusion. Representation matters. But without inclusion for all, the needle of progress will continue to move way too slowly.'

Pretty in pink: Kelly Ripa stunned in a hot pink gown, which she accessorized with a pair of glittery black and silver heels and a pair of delicate pearl drop earrings

Handsome: Andy Cohen cut a dapper figure in a charcoal grey suit, a blue button-down, coordinating tie and brown loafers

Standing out from the crowd: Rosie Perez wore a ruffled metallic gold gown and open-toed black heels

Mingling: She stopped to take a picture with director Spike Lee

Cool guy: The Academy Award winner wore a black sweatshirt, grey slacks, white sneakers and an Evil Eye necklace

Legendary career: As she introduced Ripa, 52, Nwodim raved that the seven-time Emmy winner 'is a queen'

'I could never do what you do — and by that, I mean happily talk to people before 8 p.m,' Nwodim marveled. 'You've got that on lock'

Proud: Ripa told Variety gave shout-out to her colleagues on the 40th anniversary of Live! (which she has starred on for 23 years) on the red carpet

Sweet: She also revealed earlier that she 'desperately' wanted to meet Judy Blume at the event

Passionate: Cohen, who presented Ripa, his friend of 16 years, to the stage, praised her for putting up with 'some grade-A bulls**t that men in her situation would never have to deal with'

A long road: Ripa began her speech by reflecting on moving to New York City at 18 with 'no plan' and 'almost no money, no industry connections, no friend group, nothing'

Friendly: Ripa pictured with Perez and Lee before they both accepted their awards on stage

A memorable luncheon: (L-R) Ripa, Rozonda Thomas, better known by her stage name Chilli, Perez and Lee are seen above

She continued: 'Hollywood, for some ungodly reason, still struggles to find a meaningful space for not only women but women who are marginalized on account of their race and gender identity.' 

'This needs to stop,' she stated. 'Please do not misconstrue my intentions...all the trials, tribulations, and successes by women who risked their lives and livelihood have changed the world and I wholeheartedly applaud the efforts of the women's movement to move with the times.' 

Moving forward, however, she asked 'folks to consider that we all can do better' and that 'every single human being on this planet can participate' not just women.  

Cohen, who presented Ripa, his friend of 16 years, to the stage, by commending her ability to put up with 'some grade-A bulls**t that men in her situation would never have to deal with.' 

'She has never cracked on TV, she's preserved and overcome, and won. And, she's a great role model for women and all of us, everywhere. ' he pointed out. 

Heartfelt: Before receiving an award for her activism, Rosie Perez was introduced by director Spike Lee, who said she's 'always had the greatest heart'

'She's always been there for the people who don't have a voice, who get ignored, kicked to the curb. She's always been there and has never changed. Her courage has even grown more and she's still fighting the good fight,' he gushed

Proud: Rosie beamed as she stood on stage and was handed her award from Lee

After giving her longtime pal a hug, Perez stated that the entertainment industry is 'so hard for women'

Urging others to do more: Moving forward, she asked 'folks to consider that we all can do better' and that 'every single human being on this planet can participate' not just women

Sweet embrace: The old friends shared a big hug at the event

The Bravo vet added: 'She's a woman of great faith with a mouth like a sailor. Her family has every excuse to be a complete disaster, but they're the total opposite. Kelly Ripa makes family values cool.' 

He went on to conclude that he hopes his 'daughter Lucy sees in' Ripa 'that possibility is limitless, that character and good values prevail, and that home is where the heart is.' 

Ripa began her speech by reflecting on moving to New York City at 18 with 'no plan' and 'almost no money, no industry connections, no friend group, nothing.' 

She also took the opportunity to praise her fellow honoree Judy Blume, hwo she thanked for creating characters that gave her 'all the guidance' she need growing up. 

Ripa then urged women who have power to advocate for others, themselves and encourage others to do the same.

'Support is really what women in every industry could always use more of — and will seldom ask for,' she told listeners. 

Looking good: Chilli wore a white blazer dress with a low-cut neckline as she spoke onstage

Radiant: The singer (born Rozonda Thomas), 52, smiled as she held onto an award at the ceremony in front of her peers

Supportive: Spike Lee gave Chilli a hug during the event

Having fun: Kelly Ripa, who sported a hot pink ensemble, was seen inside with Kelly Ripa

Chatting away: Cohen was spotted chatting with actress and comedian Sandra Bernhard

Powerful women: Bernhard spoke with Sherri Shepherd, who won a Daytime Emmy Award while co-hosting the talk show The View

Pretty: For the event, Bernhard, 67, wore a red and white floral dress, a silver clutch and black leather heels

Insightful: Nwodim, 35, reminded the audience that 'powerful women don't let fear stop them'

'We do it all, and we make it look easy,' she said of women, after reflecting on giving commencement speech for USC last year

Taking the plunge: The SNL wore a light blue pantsuit and purple suede pumps

Leggy display: Chilli wore a white minidress, silver heels and several layered necklaces

Dazzling: Michaela Jaé Rodriguez wore a beige minidress with a feathered bottom

 Impressive: On stage, Bernhard applauded Rodriguez's charity work and fight to save the planet on a macro level

Wow factor: The New Jersey native posed in front a giant cover of her on Variety

TLC's Chilli gave a moving speech at the luncheon as she recalled facing discrimination early in her career. 

'When you are a woman of color, it's real hard — it's a huge struggle,' she said. 'I'll always remember when No Scrubs came out and it was actually our first number one…I always wanted to be on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine…we didn't get the cover.' 

'I have to say that just because you hear many 'nos' does not mean that you don't have the talent because you do, we never stopped believing in ourselves and each other,' she stated. 

She continued: 'I won't say who [got the cover], it's okay because he deserved it too but we also did. The message was 'the last time we had someone Black on the cover, it didn't really sell well.' 

Meanwhile Michaela Jaé Rodriguez used her time on stage to spread awareness on human rights. 

'Already this year, in 2023 alone, over 400 anti-trans LGBTQIA bills have been proposed in the US government,' she told the crowd. 

She went on to call the the room full of powerful 'people with amplified voices' to fight for LGBTQIA communities 

Others attendees at the star-studded gathering included Natasha Lyonne, who donned a black and white houndstooth dress with gold and pearl buttons, a matching purse, plain black heels, bright red nails and multiple bracelets.

Her ginger locks were perfectly straightened and she rocked a heavy eyeliner to the event.

Dascha Polanco, who starred alongside Lyonne in Orange Is the New Black, commanded attention in a sleeveless striped gown with cutouts across her torso.

Attendees at the star-studded gathering include Natasha Lyonne, who donned a black and white houndstooth dress with gold and pearl buttons, a matching purse and plain black heels

Flirty look: Her ginger locks were perfectly straightened and she rocked a heavy eyeliner to the event

Honorees and presenter: Ripa, Lyonne and Cohen posed gor a group photo

Bold: Dascha Polanco, who starred alongside Lyonne in Orange Is the New Black, commanded attention in a sleeveless striped gown with cutouts across her torso

Reunited: Polanco and Lyonne both starred on Orange Is the New Black

Silly: The former costars posed for a number of photos together on the grey carpet

Edgy: The actress sported a sultry grey smokey eyeshadow

Lyonne was welcomed on stage by Bryant, who said she had seen 'some sh**; over her long career.

'I'm not smoking, and I have no beta blockers, so let's see how it goes,' Lyonne joked before accepting her award. 

She went on to rave how she was 'so happy' to celebrate all these powerful women on the same Tuesday that Donald Trump was indicted. 

She also spoke about her partnership with the Lower East Side Girls Club. 

'There's no other organization like it on the planet,' she said. 'It's so out of this world, you can literally go there and hang out on Mars or fly through the Milky Way, in their planetarium,' she raved.

Polished: Sherri Shepherd wore a checkered minidress and matching jacket

Sherri Shepherd posed for a picture with Jawn Murray

Vibrant: Samuel L. Jackson's wife LaTanya Richardson wore a bright green and black patterned dress and boots

Flower power: Bernhard wore a red and white floral dress, a silver clutch and black leather heels

SNL star Aidy Bryant, who introduced Natasha Lyonne to the stage, kept her look simple in a black dress and a pair of cute heels

Rowan Blanchard, 21, best known for portraying Riley Matthews on the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World, wore an asymmetrical black top and grey trousers

Flawless: Peloton instructor, Kendall Toole, wore a pink minidress and orange platform sandals