Billboard Latin Women in Music 2023: Backstage Polaroids
The inaugural Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música (Billboard Latin Women in Music) took place over the weekend in Miami and celebrated Latin female artists, executives and creatives who are proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry.
A first of its kind for Latin music, the two-hour music special was co-hosted by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes and aired exclusively on Telemundo and Peacock, honoring seven incredible singer/songwriters in the industry.
In her first public appearance since her recent move to Miami from Spain, Colombian superstar Shakira received the Woman of the Year award. Other honorees included Mexican singer-songwriter Ana Gabriel, with the Living Legend Award; Argentine singer Emilia, with the Rising Star Award; Venezuelan singer, actress and director Evaluna, who received the Tradition and Future Award; Colombian singer Goyo, with the Agent of Change Award; Mexican superstar Thalia, with the Global Powerhouse Award; and Argentine Maria Becerra with the Visionary Award.
The honorees were joined by a star-studded wave of presenters such as Elena Rose, Greeicy and Nicole Zignago, to name a few.
Most of the honorees also took center stage for eclectic performances. Among others, Thalia opened the night with a medley of hits, Ana Gabriel put the whole audience on their feet with her heart-wrenching “Simplemente Amigos,” and Emilia debuted her Brazilian dance funk “No_se_ve.mp3” alongside “Ludmilla.”
With the launch of Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música, Billboard and Telemundo aim to further elevate Latin music globally and celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, affecting positive change to the industry as a whole.
Here are some fun Polaroids taken backstage of Shakira, Goyo and more. Many even autographed them.
Sigal Ratner-Arias
Billboard