The 2024 Billboard Latin Women in Music event honored eight powerful and admirable mujeres in the industry, including Gloria Estefan, who received the legend award; Ana Bárbara, who received the lifetime achievement award; and La India, who received the pioneer award.
This year’s woman of the year was Karol G — who was unable to attend the awards ceremony because she’s in the European leg of her Mañana Será Bonito tour, but who sent a heartfelt and inspiring message to her fellow colleagues and viewers back home.
“To the women who have collaborated with me in my music, to those who have participated in my projects, to all the women at home who listen to me and who are also part of all this success,” she said during her pre-filmed acceptance speech. “What a beautiful way to celebrate women, their work, their commitment, their discipline, their dedication, what we are as people. I also want to thank those who are at home and work every day for their dreams. Do not stop believing in yourselves. I believe it’s not just about pursuing a goal but also about making the world more beautiful, more special, [and] that, in the end, the conclusion is to make this women’s movement bigger in the world.”
Camila Cabello, on the other hand, was at the event to receive her global impact award — where she thanked her mother, Sinuhe Estrabao for her admirable strength and ability to comfort her during difficult times.
“Seeing my parents getting emotional, and seeing things that I’ve been able to do in music but also with people … my interaction with people around the world has been so fulfilling. I’ve just gotten to see so much and feel really thankful that I’ve gotten the opportunity to interact with people,” she told Billboard backstage after receiving her award.
Backstage, Billboard also caught a couple of sweet and fun candid moments that were not shown on TV during the Telemundo broadcast. Check them out below!
The Love Birds: Gloria & Emilio
It was an incredible night to celebrate the prolific career of Gloria Estefan, who was this year’s legend honoree. Backstage, you would think she’d walk the pink carpet alone and have all cameras on her — but instead, she wanted to share the special moment alongside her husband, industry leader and award-winning producer Emilio Estefan. “He’s my date,” Gloria said of her husband backstage. “He keeps trying to run away and I tell him, ‘No! You’re here with, me and you’re a big part of me, personally and professionally.’” The sweet moment was captured through our Billboard lens, seen above.
Luis Figueroa’s Empowered Playlist
At the event Sunday night, Luis Figueroa not only presented La India her pioneer award, but also took on the role of Marc Anthony to perform alongside the artist on her 1994 salsa hit “Vivir Lo Nuestro.” Backstage, Figueroa revealed that La India, alongside Elena Rose and Karol G, are some of the female artists he has on his playlist. “Kany García, too, she makes me cry, so I have her at the bottom — so that I can save my tears,” the breakthrough salsa artist said. “I’m inspired by them, too. Kany is one of those singer-songwriters that gives me goosebumps, she makes me cry. She’s one of those people who can bring out your emotions where you didn’t have them.”
Kali Uchis Reveals New Music
Kali Uchis — who attended the start-studded event to perform and receive the rising star award (presented to her by Peso Pluma via a video message) — told Billboard that she’s working on new music. “Every time I release something, it’s like you never really know what’s going to happen, especially when you experiment a lot,” she said of her Spanish-language album Orquídeas. “I was shocked but happy.” The Colombian artist is currently enjoying motherhood, but says she’s also working hard for her fans: “I have some remixes coming from ‘Orquídeas,’ which is going to be really fun. I’m going to start rolling out my next album which I’m really excited for. It’s a little bit of both. I’m still working but it’ll be a lot of fun.”
Ana Bárbara’s Creative Moment
After getting offstage, Ana Bárbara headed backstage to take photos with her lifetime achievement award trophy. She was all smiles and had a great energy. Before her interview with Billboard, the Queen of Grupera Music was caught thinking of a phrase in Spanish out loud. Immediately, she called someone from her team to pass her the phone so she can record the phrase, which she will most probably use in an upcoming composition. She then proceeded to speak to Billboard about her special honor, which you can watch in the exclusive interview above.
Everyone’s BFF: La India
Not only did La India give an incredible performance and acceptance speech when receiving the pioneer award on TV, but she was just as grateful off camera as well. Backstage, the Puerto Rican salsa singer shared right hugs and words of gratitude with colleagues such as Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Luis Figueroa and Sergio George. She also established new connections: at one point, she was sharing words of advice to reporters, encouraging them to never quit on their dreams — and, in the hallway, she was seen sharing a sweet moment with Karol G’s dad, “Papa G.” Watch the complete backstage Billboard interview above.
