The second annual Billboard Latin Women in Music may be a wrap, but we’re reliving every single moment from the gala that aired on Sunday (June 9).
Kicking off the two-hour music special, Mexican powerhouse Ana Bárbara, who was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, performed a riveting medley that included “Te Regalo la Lluvia,” “Los Caminos de la Vida,” “Qué Poca” and “La Trampa” accompanied by a live band of 13 musicians and a troupe of fierce dancers.
Her performance set the vibe for the ultra-special night that also included sets by other honorees of the night including La India (Pioneer), Ángela Aguilar (Musical Dynasty), Kany García (Spirit of Change) and Kali Uchis (Rising Star). While they didn’t perform, Gloria Estefan, Camila Cabello and Karol G were also honored this year. Estefan was honored as Legend, Cabello with the Global Impact Award and Karol as the Woman of the Year.
All honorees gave heartfelt speeches as they received their respective awards. García was the first one to take the stage to give a speech after Tommy Torres presented her with the award.
“It’s time for us to not only sing and dance and have a great time,” she said categorically. “It’s time for us to talk more. It’s time for us to use the microphone to not only entertain. We women have experienced such a brutal and incredible imbalance, which is why we’re fighting for something that comes very easily to us. That is why as a woman, being hand in hand with each of the people I see sitting here, receiving this award [is so important].”
At the top of the second hour of the show, Ángela Aguilar took the stage, alongside pianist Arthur Hanlon, to sing Pepe Aguilar’s “Me Vas a Extrañar,” one of her dad’s most iconic songs.
Toward the end of the show, Gloria Estefan was honored by Elena Rose, GALE and Juliana who gave a touching performance of Estefan’s “Mi Tierra” accompanied by an orchestra composed of women.
And Karol G shared a special message, thanking Billboard for the Woman of the Year honor and dedicating this award to the women who have collaborated with her, the women who are part of her team and the women who stream her music. She was presented with the award by her father Guillermo Giraldo, also known as Papa G. “Thanks to each one of you, to the fans, to the great team, it’s because of them we are celebrating this beautiful day,” he said.
“I think there is a part of my heart that feels very nostalgic for these beautiful things that have been happening to me. They make me remember all the years of my career, all the years of work, of effort, of obstacles, of closed doors, of mockery, of sacrifices and many tears, but also of happiness. I always say that people are afraid of the process, but the process is the most beautiful thing, the experience that it leaves you.”
See below for all the photos from the Billboard Latin Women in Music ceremony.