Miami, APR 24 (EFE) .- On a night of powerful messages, glamor and tributes, Billboard celebrated this Thursday for the third consecutive year to the women of Latin music in a gala held in Miami, in which the great absentee was the main tribute: Selena Gómez.
Those who said present were the renowned Anitta, Belinda, Ha*Ash, Chiquis, Natti Natasha and Olga Tañón, who received awards in the categories avant -garde, evolution, unwavering, impact, unstoppable and trajectory, respectively.
“We have to use our voice to change the world, so that we say how difficult it is to be a woman in this industry. Unfortunately, there is still a lot,” he told Efe Anitta, who received his Hand’s Hand Prize the most viral and a special video from Shakira.
The ceremony, led by Mexican singer -songwriter Ana Barbara, had musical numbers from the winners, who walked through some of her great successes since the beginning of her career.
Chiquis took advantage of the stage to pay tribute to his mother, the late Mexican music star Jenni Rivera, in addition to interpreting some of her songs.
One of the most emotional moments of the night was the posthumous tribute to Celia Cruz, on the occasion of the centenary of his birth. The unforgettable Guarachera de Cuba was recognized with the Legend Award, and her legacy came to life on stage thanks to the interpretations of Tañón, India and Ivy Queen, who made the public vibrate with a selection of their most danceable hymns.
“Celia was the one who taught me to believe that it was possible that someone like me could succeed in music. He is my godmother and continues with me,” India told Efe, who wore a green wig in honor of the Cuban artist.
Ana Barbara also shared the stage with the Yahritza band and her essence to interpret her new theme ‘Stolen kisses’, marking a generational fusion between the traditional Mexican regional and the new movement.
Selena Gómez, who received the Women’s Prize from the year 2025, sent a video message by apologizing for recording commitments with ‘Only Murders in the Building’ in New York.
“As Latin I have worked as a child to celebrate our culture and it is very exciting to be recognized with all these women who shared the same culture,” said the Texan artist, who said that her album in Spanish was one of the most important moments of her life because she knew that her grandmother would be very proud of her.
Luis Fonsi, Prince Royce and Eddy Herrera joined the tribute and from the stage offered words of support to female talent.
“These women inspire me and represent the most important in Latin music,” he told Efe Herrera, who gave him the award for Natti Natasha, who dedicated him to the victims of the collapse of the Jet Set disco in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), which occurred on April 8.
“The best thing about tonight is the meeting of women, sisters, in these awards. They are the opportunity to exchange ideas, celebrate, see what we have achieved and everything that is missing while we ensure that space is growing for the wonderful artists who come,” the Dominican told Efe.
A pink carpet
The gala had begun with the artists parading for a pink carpet, which predominated the jewelry tones and metal elements such as those carried by Ana Bárbara, Anitta, Lele Pons, Yailin the most viral and Hannah and Ashley, the members of the duet ha*Ash.
Chiquis and Belinda bet on gray and the siren cut, while Natti Natasha opted for a mixture of oxide tones in a stuck dress and large neckline.
In addition to celebrating trajectories, the gala also served as a platform to present initiatives such as the Bravas Foundation, headed by Sonia Clavell, a lifetime manager of Ivy Queen.
“We are offering a platform for women to develop their talents with freedom, dignity and purpose, breaking cycles of limitations and building new paths for generations that come,” said Clatell.
The Foundation will provide musical distribution services, public relations, creative production, digital strategy, networks and professional mentoring for women artists at all stages of their career.
Alicia Civita
(c) EFE agency
