Selena Gomez received the Women of the Year of Billboard Latin Women in Music 2025 on Thursday (April 24). The star born in Texas was not present at the ceremony to accept the honor, but expressed her gratitude in an emotional speech she delivered through a video.
The woman’s recognition of the year is granted to a female artist who has demonstrated exceptional success, leadership and cultural influence in the music industry and outside it. In the previous editions of Latin women in music, those awarded this award were Shakira and Karol G.
Next, Selena Gomez’s full speech:
Thank you very much in Billboard. I wish I could be there with all of you, but I am filming in New York. This means a lot to me as Latin. I have been working almost all my life and being seen, supported and celebrated by women who share our roots is truly powerful.
As a child, I felt extremely proud of my Mexican heritage. I did not see many women who wore like me in the center of history or on stage, and it was simply unusual. Our stories, our voices and our cultures deserve to be celebrated.
Launch my EP Revelation It was one of the most proud moments of my career, simply because I felt that I was creating music for something that I had always wanted to convey from my inheritance and my family, and for myself. Not only gave me another opportunity to highlight my culture, but I also knew that my grandmother would feel very proud.
And finally, to my fans, I can never say it enough: it is thanks to you that I can do what I love. And thank you all for supporting me during all these years. Thanks from the heart. I love them all. I love you.
The third annual edition of the Billboard Special Latin Women in Music, conducted by the tribute of 2024 Ana Barbara, was broadcast live exclusively by Telemundo, Universo, Peacock and the application of Telemundo, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean by Telemundo Internacional.
The tribute of 2025 also included Selena Gomez as a woman of the year, Celia Cruz (Legend Award), Belinda (Evolution Award), Natti Natasha (Unstoppable Artist Award), Anitta (Vanguardist Award), Chiquis (IMPACT Award) and HA*Ash (Unquestionable Prize).
For the list of Latin women in executive and businesswomen music of 2025 click here.
