She’s newly single  after splitting with fiance Matt Bellamy, so Kate Hudson took a moment to  reflect when she made her speech at the People Magazine Awards on  Thursday.

The 35-year-old  actress had just been presented the Celebrity Role Model Of The Year Award by  pal Nicole Richie at the star-studded event and said ‘This is a beautiful  honour’

She continued:  ‘Life is a journey with its ups and downs, its challenges and its triumphs.  Don’t ever let anyone ever push you around.’

Accolade: Kate Hudson was presented the Celebrity Role  Model Of The Year gong at the People Magazine Awards on Thursday

The mother-of-two  also gave credit to her mother Goldie Hawn telling People backstage: ‘My [role  model is] easy, mine’s my mom, she’s kind of awesome.

‘My children are my  role models, too. I think you learn a lot from your kids – the purity and the  sense of how they attack things and how they communicate is  inspirational.’

Kate made the  evening a girl’s night and took  BFF Nicole as her date with the duo looking  gorgeous, showing off two very different styles on the red carpet at the Beverly  Hilton Hotel.

(Supportive: Nicole Richie presented her pal the award  saying ‘She has always been someone I respect, not just for her talent but she  truly defines what it means to be a role model,’)

Blonde beauty Kate  wowed in a cream asymmetric Grecian style gown with gathered waist and  intricate gold branch design.

While only 5ft 6in  herself, Kate appeared to tower over petite Nicole, who stands at 5ft 1in so  must have been hiding some skyscraper heels under the floor-skimming  garment.

Her golden tresses  fell in glamourous curls and she opted for a natural makeup palette  while completing the look with a gold clutch.

Earlier, Kate,  shared a behind the scenes selfie to her Instagram alongside Nicole saying, ‘See  u soon! #PeopleMagazineAwards’

(Girl time: Pals Kate, 35 and Nicole, 33, looked gorgeous  on the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles)

(Close: Kate shared this Instagram photo as the ladies  prepared for the star-studded event)

(Stunning: The actress looked gorgeous in a one-shoulder  Grecian style dress with branch pattern)

Nicole, 33,  meanwhile was sophisticated in a plunging black jumpsuit featuring sheer sleeves  with applique detail.

For the finishing  touch she donned classic pointed pumps and carried a silver fringed black satin  purse.

The mother-of-two  also opted for her trademark slicked back  hairdo.

(Looking good: The newly single mother-of-two positively  glowed as she walked the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel)

(Goofballs: The duo shared a giggle as they walked past  photographers)

Kate and Nicole  looked to be in great spirits and even shared a giggle as they made their way  past waiting photographers.

NBC will air the  two-hour People ceremony, hosted by Nick Cannon, and will include performances  by Maroon 5, Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams. 

Last week, just  one day after news broke of Kate’s split with Muse frontman Matt Bellamy, the  actress enjoyed a low key girl’s night with the Candidly Nicole star.

(Strike pose: Nicole, 33, looked ever-so-chic in a black  jumpsuit with sheer sleeves)

(Style star: The reality star opted for her trademark  slicked-back locks and smokey eyes_

Dressed down in  jeans and a knitted poncho, the Almost Famous actress was spotted arriving at  her good friend Sara Foster’s house with Nicole arriving shortly afterwards for  some quality girl time.

Before splitting,  Kate and Matt enjoyed a four year relationship together and share three-year-old  son Bingham. She also has son Ryder from her previous marriage to Chris  Robinson.

Nicole is married  to Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden and share a son, Sparrow, five and daughter  Harlow, six.

(Delighted: The actress beamed as she made a speech  saying ‘This is a beautiful honor’)

[via Daily Mail]