Latin Women In Music
In February of this year, Natti Natasha took the stage in Miami and performed music from her new album, Natti Natasha En Amargue, live for the first time. Backed by a full live band, Natti didn’t sing provocative reggaetón or commercial pop. Instead, she dove into the pure amargue — or bitterness — of bachata, the traditional music of her native Dominican Republic.
But for Natti, this wasn’t just her first full bachata album; it was also entirely written and produced by Romeo Santos, the superstar known as the King of Bachata. The collaboration between the genre’s biggest name and possibly the best-known female Dominican artist today has already paid off. En Amargue debuted at No. 6 on Billboard’s Top Tropical Albums chart in February, and by April, the single “Desde Hoy” became Natti’s first No. 1 as a solo artist (not part of a collaboration) on the Tropical Airplay chart.
Beyond the album’s success, it’s a “full-circle” moment for Natti. “I feel like in every area of my life, after working so hard for so long, I’m finally at a place where I can just enjoy my music,” she says.
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Natti Natasha (real name Natalia Alexandra Gutiérrez Batista) has had one of the most successful careers in contemporary tropical and urban music. She first hit Billboard’s charts in 2012 alongside Don Omar with “Dutty Love,” which reached No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart. Since then, Natti has racked up 34 entries on the Latin Airplay chart, including 10 No. 1 hits, and her debut album Iluminatti landed in the Top 10 of the Top Latin Albums chart in 2019. She’s experimented with pop and dance, but above all, she’s become known as a trailblazer of melodic, lyrically bold urban fusion music — anchored by her exceptional voice.
But her journey hasn’t been easy. Natti emerged in a time when reggaetón by women was largely overlooked and far from commercially successful. She had the image of a pop artist, but her music was often unapologetically sexual. It was hard to put her in a box, and earning respect as a confident, feminine woman in a male-dominated urban music world was no small feat. Two years ago, the foundation she worked so hard to build was shaken when her husband and manager, Raphy Pina, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for illegal possession of firearms. At the peak of her career and with a one-year-old daughter, Natti had to navigate uncharted waters. Now, she’s back on the charts — with the artistic touch of Santos, the emotional support of Pina (who’s back home), and the love of daughter Vida Isabelle, who will turn four in May.
This year, Natti Natasha will be honored at Billboard’s 2025 Latin Women in Music event with the Unstoppable Award, recognizing both her extraordinary music career and her resilience in the face of adversity.
What does receiving the Unstoppable Award mean to you?
This award means so much to me. Being recognized as “unstoppable” makes me reflect on everything I’ve been through — every obstacle I’ve had to overcome, every tear, every sacrifice, every moment I had to be strong even when I was breaking inside. To me, being unstoppable is loving what you do with your whole heart. It’s getting back up a thousand times, even when the world tells you that you can’t. It’s being a woman, being a mother, being a proud and strong Latina. Today, I embrace the Natti who started this journey with fear but had huge dreams, and I thank her for never giving up. This award is for everyone who keeps fighting with their head held high. Because together, we’re unstoppable.
Natti Natasha En Amargue was written and produced by Romeo Santos, who also worked with you on the remix of your hit “La Mejor Versión de Mí.” Had you known each other for a long time?
I’ve always been a huge fan of Romeo, but I didn’t actually know him. I first met him during the video shoot for “La Mejor Versión de Mí” in 2019, when we did the remix. I never in my life thought Romeo Santos would want to do a remix of one of my songs. I remember being in New York, getting ready for the video shoot, and my manager came over and said, “I want to play you something real quick.” He hit play, and I heard the percussion and Romeo’s voice. I didn’t say a word — I just started crying. I’m one of those people who cries when they’re happy. I couldn’t believe someone like him noticed me, my voice, and my song.
You’ve recorded so many songs. What was different about making a full album with Romeo?
First, we sat down and talked about what each song was about — because every song has a story, a concept. One thing I love about Romeo, which is something I have too, is his attention to detail. The “why,” the concept, the story — he explains everything. For every song, he’d sit in a little chair right inside the recording booth while I was at the mic. After he explained the meaning behind the song, we’d go line by line, and sometimes even word by word. The songs evolved. Every single one is so special. For every note, every breath, every way of delivering a line, Romeo was right there with me.
Jodie Jones
This album, En Amargue, has been in the works for years. Why did you wait to release it?
I was waiting, just like I was waiting to get back on stage and sing again. This project is so important, so beautiful, and so personal. I wanted to wait until my family was whole again, until our home was complete [and Pina was back]. It’s a blessing because now we have balance, and we have chemistry. This business isn’t easy. A lot of people say it’s hard for couples to work together, but for me, it’s been the perfect formula.
Did you feel incomplete without Raphy back?
Of course, [but] I had my daughter, and she made me happy. For her, I stayed focused on making music and keeping her happy. I worried a lot about that, and I did it. You know, as a mom, that’s just the law. But Raphy was such a big part of this project, and he cared about every little detail. My team is my family, and a key piece of the puzzle was missing. We deserved to enjoy this moment together. Because this is a moment to celebrate the project, not stress over it. Good music shouldn’t be rushed or forced — it never dies.
This album is very artistic and so different from something like Nasty Singles, which you released in 2023. Those are pretty spicy tracks. Do you ever regret any of the music you’ve put out?
Never. There’s not a single song I’ve recorded that feels like “filler” or makes me feel unsure. Every song — even if it’s just a party anthem — you never know what could happen. And I enjoy the process so much in the studio; it’s such a beautiful experience. I always love sharing different moments and music with my fans. At that time, Natti Natasha was living through that particular chapter of her life. So my music grows with me. You keep living, you keep creating, and you share that growth with the people who’ve been with you along the way.
And what stage are you in now?
When I first came to New York from the Dominican Republic, I didn’t know what kind of music I wanted to make. I took a chance on reggaetón and grew from there. I faced a lot of struggles because I was chasing this dream without knowing if it would ever come true. At one point, I thought, “Wow, this music career is such an uphill battle.” Then, when Raphy had to leave, I kept going and faced a lot of criticism just for being a woman. But I thought, “I’m not going to let this bring me down.” Now, with Raphy back, I look back at all those moments, and I realize I never stopped. I always pushed forward. And now, everything makes sense. When you’re in those moments of confusion, you kind of close yourself off. But thank God, I focused on my daughter, I have my family, and I released Natti Natasha En Amargue, which to me is on another level. I feel like, in every area of my life — because I’ve worked on all of them for so long — I’m now in a place where I can enjoy my music, not stress over it. I feel like I’m in a stage of growth where people are starting to appreciate Natti Natasha’s artistry more. It’s like I’m climbing all these steps in my career that are taking me to a whole new place.
The third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music special will air live at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 24 exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.
Check out Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 executive list here.
The first time Chiquis felt that she was making an impact with her music was with the release of her fourth studio album, Abeja Reina, in 2022 — eight years into her career.
“I felt confident by that time. I felt like this is what I was meant to do,” she tells Billboard. “I went to perform at El Lunario with that album. My fans in Mexico hadn’t seen me in a long time, and a lot of people were saying that I looked and sounded different on stage. Bringing the songs to the stage gave me that push of, ‘This is who I am and I’m finally here!’ It was an album where I was kind of unapologetically being myself, and I think that resonated with people. They felt that.”
The set earned Chiquis her second Latin Grammy Award for best banda album in 2022. She first won the same award with Playlist in 2020 and is the current titleholder with Diamantes (2024), making history as is the first and only solo female singer to date to win the award.
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As the eldest daughter of the late Jenni Rivera, Chiquis (real name: Janney Marín Rivera) embarked on her own singing career in 2014, two years after her mother’s passing in a plane crash in 2012. Her debut single, “Paloma Blanca,” was a tribute to La Diva de la Banda, earning her first top 10 Billboard hit on the Latin Digital Song Sales chart. The heartfelt song also became her breakthrough on Hot Latin Songs, debuting and peaking at No. 36 that same year.
Over the course of her 10-year career, the Mexican-American singer has earned 12 entries on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, with three of those reaching the top 10. Notably, her highest-charting single, “Mi Problema,” climbed to No. 7 in December 2021. She also dominated the Top Regional Mexican Albums chart, securing two No. 1 albums: Ahora in 2015 and Entre Botellas in 2018.
But her accomplishments extend far beyond music. She’s also a philanthropist and entrepreneur, who will be honored with the Impact Award at 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music event on Thursday, April 24 for her “professional endeavors in the music industry and society at large,” and for pushing boundaries and sparking change in both music and culture.
“I have to use my voice, not just to sing, but to send light and radiate love, and talk about the things that really matter to me,” says Chiquis, who in tandem with her musical career also launched her Boss Bee Nation initiative in 2014, to help those in need. “A lot of artists are afraid to speak their truth or stand behind what they believe in because it might affect and trickle their streams, but I don’t like to worry about that. I feel that if I’m my authentic self and use my platform for things that I believe in, and my heart is in the right place, you’re not going to lose the people who are important to you.”
Chiquis Rivera poses in the press room with the award for Best Banda Album “Diamantes” during the 25th Annual Latin Grammy Awards at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on November 14, 2024.
ZAK BENNETT/AFP via Getty Images
Her platform became key to continue elevating the Latino community.
“We began giving out scholarships because I’m a huge advocate for education. Knowledge is power,” she elaborates. “Then, I adopted families for Christmas. If they couldn’t afford a nice holiday, we started doing that. We’ve also taken music, gifts, and donations to the farm workers in the fields. Anything that my heart points me to, that’s where I go.”
Below, Chiquis shares more on how she’s forging her own path.
Which artist made you believe you could have an impact outside of music?
The only person I can think of is my mom because she was a businesswoman. Business was my first love, and I saw that she did it well. That’s one thing I want artists to know about, the business side of music, and I’m so grateful to have that school with my mom. For sure, she was the person who made me believe, 100%, that I could do both things — be in music and a business owner.
Besides my mother, the artists who have impacted my music career have been, of course, Shakira, Ana Gabriel, Celia Cruz, Selena, even Karol G. Seeing everything that Karol’s been doing completely inspires me to this day. Carla Morrison, how vulnerable she can be in her lyrics — it’s helped me to write differently, especially in the moment I’m in right now.
How has your experience been as a woman in regional Mexican music, which is still a still male-dominated genre?
I love to see how our genre has grown so much, and how the men are more accepting of women in the space. I was there when it was a big taboo. I saw it since I was very little with my mom — her wanting to sing, and people questioning her. Now I have so much compassion for my mom, but that’s exactly who we needed: the women who are daring. It still is very male-dominated but not as much as before, and I love that we can push through. Someone like Jenni Rivera really paved the way. Today, I see more unity among women in regional Mexican, and the more united we are, the more powerful we’ll be. I love to be able to represent women and be a voice in this genre, because las mujeres pueden … abso-freaking-lutely!
What does your state of mind look like going into 2025, and how do you plan to make this year more impactful than 2024?
I took a little bit of soul space to reconnect with myself and what I wanted to write about. I think it’s very important to get passionate and fall in love all over again with my art. This time I’ve taken for myself has helped me to get inspired. Last November, I felt something shifting in me. I didn’t know what was going on, but I felt different. I think winning the third Latin Grammy marked a turning point in my career. I feel a different type of confidence. In early February, I felt the epiphany and began to understand the change in my life. I had my creativity blocked, and I didn’t know what was happening, but then I realized that I needed to look inward. I did a spiritual retreat for three weeks, and it helped me tremendously, to the point that I want to sing things I never sang about.
This year, I have my new series called Foodie on the Go; my Chiquis Sin Filtro show on VIX is in its second season; my podcast Chiquis and Chill is in its fourth season; I have my first children’s book called The Girl Who Sings to Bees coming out in July, which I’m very excited about; and I’m already going to the studio to start music. A lot of different music is coming, but still with that special Chiquis sauce. Also, I think I’m going to start touring towards the end of the year. Sometimes you need to take a step back and look in to get inspired again.
What does receiving the Impact Award mean to you?
I’m so grateful I can cry. It means so much because for a long time, I thought I believed in myself, but it was superficial in a way. Now, I can tell you that I really believe in myself, and to know that it’s had an impact and inspired other people, that is why I’m here and part of my mission. Everything that I’ve been through, all the adversities and criticism, has been worth it, because if I can inspire one person and impact their life so that they can follow their dreams, that to me is worth every tear and every late night. I’m so honored and grateful to get this award. It’s been tough, and moments like this make me feel like people are recognizing my hard work. It’s truly an effort.
The third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music special will air live at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 24 exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.
Read Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 executive list here.
In 2019, pop star Belinda earned her first Billboard top 10 hit. That rarified chart milestone didn’t come from a pop hit, but rather, from “Amor a Primera Vista,” a cumbia sonidera with Los Ángeles Azules, Lalo Ebratt and Horacio Palencia that peaked at No. 2 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart. It was the first time that Belinda entered the chart, a feat that underscores not just the artist’s versatility but her resilience.
Co-written by Belinda, Descemer Bueno and Palencia, the track that fuses traditional Mexican cumbia sounds with soft hints of reggaetón not only marked the Spain-born, Mexican-raised star’s return to the Billboard charts after four years, but it also introduced a bold new sound that she had never done before, and ultimately the música mexicana era she’s in today.
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Thanks to that capacity for continuous reinvention, the singer and actress is receiving the Evolution Award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music gala on Thursday, April 24.
“Life has been a journey full of learning, growth, and constant evolution — both personally and artistically,” she tells Billboard. “This recognition not only celebrates my career, but also the power of reinvention and continuing to explore new chapters. I feel more inspired than ever and excited to share this new musical era. Being honored on a night that celebrates such powerful and talented women makes this moment even more special.”
Though the artist born Belinda Peregrín Schüll has a trajectory that spans 25 years, she admits she hasn’t had time to stop and truly reflect on the moment she became a bonafide Latin star.
“I keep working while having many goals, and to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever, at any point in my life, thought ‘Wow, I made it!,’ which is something I should do,” she says. “I’m always thinking about new ideas, new songs, new challenges, new projects, but I’ve never taken the time to think, ‘Okay, I’ve achieved all this.’ ”
But she has achieved a lot, and along the way, rightfully earned her place in the Latin pop realm.
Belinda was only 10 years old when she was cast as the lead in the Mexican children’s telenovela Amigos x Siempre in 2000, but it was her self-titled debut album that catapulted her into the musical spotlight three years later. The set — home to her timeless pop tune “Ángel” — earned her a first top 10 entry on a Billboard chart, reaching No. 6 on the Top Latin Pop Albums chart in 2003. Her four studio albums since, including Utopia (2006), Carpe Diem (2011), and Catarsis (2013), have also entered the top 10 on the chart.
Meanwhile, hits such as “Bella Traición,” the Pitbull-assisted “Egoísta,” and “Amor a Primera Vista,” have displayed her ease to navigate different genres from rock to EDM to reggaetón to cumbia. Never one to shy away from experimentation, Belinda has now branched out into música mexicana, tagging her new fare as “Beli Bélica” in a wink to the genre’s corridos bélicos. However, Belinda’s songs steer away from drug dealer exploits and rather focus on lyrics about heartbreak and being coquettish.
“The first corrido tumbado artist I heard was Natanael Cano. He was the first one who made me say, ‘Wow, Mexican music sounds different. It doesn’t sound like it used to,’ ” she recalls. “At that time, someone also told me: ‘You’re a woman, you’ll never be able to sing corridos or regional music, because it doesn’t suit you.’ They told me I couldn’t sing it because it was for men and that I would look ridiculous. And a couple of years later, here I am singing that style.”
Defying all odds, Belinda officially evolved into her corridos era with the release of “Cactus” in Jan. 2024, which also marked her debut single with Warner Music México after signing an exclusive record deal in Aug. 2023.
“I’d been thinking about doing corridos tumbados for a couple of years, but it just sort of happened,” she explains. “ ‘Cactus’ was a song that started out written in a notebook; it didn’t really have a melody because it was a feeling I had to express, and suddenly we turned it into music. We knew it was the right song at that moment, and that it would represent a new musical phase in my life.”
That new phase was shortly followed by her first collaborative effort with Natanael Cano in “300 Noches,” which she coined as a “corrido coquette” because of its dreamy pop undertones; “La Mala,” an unapologetic trap-corrido; and her team-up with Tito Double P on “La Cuadrada,” which secured a No. 23 spot on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart in March.
“I know there are many who don’t like it,” she says of her Beli Bélica era, but if there’s anything that her música mexicana collaborators have taught her, it’s to “go with the flow.”
“I’ve learned not to take everything so personally and to listen to myself,” she elaborates. “To listen to what I feel, what I think, and what I like, because no one is going to agree with you 100% and no one is going to have your vision 100%, and as long as you’re happy with what you’re doing and writing, the audience will accept it well because you’re doing it from the heart.”
Belinda & Tito Double P
Bri Diez
And even though she found a new sound — while also being active on social media and connecting with new and loyal fans — Belinda remains true to her pop essence. Her single, “Jackpot,” with Kenia Os, peaked at No. 10 on the Latin Pop Airplay in February.
“Belinda isn’t a musical genre,” she emphasizes. “I’ve been through all the musical eras, and my favorite word to describe my career is versatile. It’s the perfect word to define my style. Now, with Mexican music, we’re going back to the basics. It reminds me a lot of how music used to be. I love that I can go back to what it was like to make a song with real instruments and not rely on a computer program. It feels like I’m going back to what music used to be.”
Now, with her new “go with the flow” mentality, Belinda says a new studio album is on the horizon, one that she’s creating specifically for those “independent women who are completely irreverent but at the same time strong, sexy, fun.”
But first, she’s taking it easy.
“I’m trying to rest because in 2024 I didn’t rest at all. I spent almost all my time writing the album. It was a lot of emotions in one year. This year I’m going to take the time I need to finish my album. I just want to enjoy every moment, every stage, every project,” she concludes.
The third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music special will air live at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 24 exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.
Read Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 executive list here.
On April 24, the third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music will honor Anitta, Belinda, Celia Cruz, Chiquis, Ha*Ash, Olga Tañón, Natti Natasha and Selena Gomez with special awards, celebrating these groundbreaking women who are shaping the future of Latin music.
The two-hour Latin Women in Music special, which will air live on Telemundo at 9 p.m. ET, will be hosted by 2024 Lifetime Achievement honoree Ana Bárbara, who will also be performing alongside Yahritza y Su Esencia on Thursday. As previously announced, Ivy Queen, La India and Tañón will perform a memorable tribute of Celia Cruz’s most iconic hits. The salsa star would’ve have celebrated her centennial this year.
Throughout the night, artists such as Adriel Favela, Amandititita, Eddy Herrera, Goyo, Lele Pons, Luis Fonsi and Aleyda Ortiz will present the night’s awards and recognitions to the celebrated women. This year’s honorees and honors are Anitta (Vanguard Award), Belinda (Evolution Award), Celia Cruz (Legend Award), Chiquis (Impact Award), Ha*Ash (Unbreakable Award), Natti Natasha (Unstoppable Artist), Olga Tañón (Lifetime Achievement Award) and Selena Gomez (Woman of the Year).
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How to Watch
The 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music special will air live on Thursday, April 24, at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. Central, exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.
Performers
Ana Bárbara
Yahritza y Su Esencia
La India
Ivy Queen
Olga Tañón
Presenters
Adriel Favela
Amandititita
Eddy Herrera
Goyo
Lele Pons
Luis Fonsi
Aleyda Ortiz
Read Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 Executive List here.
Olga Tañón was just 19 when she was invited to audition as a vocalist for a band. A self-proclaimed “rockerita” from a young age, she assumed it was a rock band. But when she arrived, she found a tambora and a güira instead of an electric guitar, bass, and drums.
“I think I’m in the wrong place,” she recalls thinking. “When I approached the bandleader, Ringo Martínez, he said to me: ‘No, this isn’t a rock band. This is a merengue orchestra.’ I replied, ‘But I don’t know how to sing merengue.’ And he came back with a challenge and told me: ‘Well, a good singer can sing anything.’”
The next day, she was already recording her first merengue song, “Fuera de Mi Vida” by Valeria Lynch, as part of the group Las Nenas de Ringo y Jossie.
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Nearly four decades later, the so-called “Mujer de Fuego” (Woman of Fire) from Santurce, Puerto Rico, is being honored with Billboard‘s 2025 Latin Women in Music Lifetime Achievement Award for her unparalleled influence as a singer in this Dominican genre.
Over her career, which began in the mid-’80s, Tañón has not only won hearts but has also shaped the tropical music style, earning a special place in Latin music history with her exceptional performance quality, unmistakable mezzo-soprano voice, and high-energy stage presence.
Since launching her solo career in 1992, 20 of her albums have entered Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, including two that reached No. 1: Llévame Contigo (1997) and Te Acordarás de Mí (1998). On the Tropical Airplay chart, she holds the record as the female artist with the most top 10 entries (29 in total), with hits like “Es Mentiroso,” “Cómo Olvidar,” and “El Frío de Tu Adiós,” to name a few.
“I’m beyond grateful for this beautiful Lifetime Achievement Award,” Tañón says. “It represents all the sacrifices made, all those nights that weren’t wasted but learned from, as I prefer to say. And for people to value you in such a way is a reminder that we’ve truly done the right thing: choosing what we wanted to do with our lives, and achieving it.”
“I hope many young women are inspired to pursue this beautiful [career], which isn’t easy but is wonderful,” she adds.
A Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, and also recognized this year by Billboard among the top 10 Best 50 Female Latin Pop Artists of All Time, Tañón looks back on her beginnings, reflects on her biggest achievements, and shares the secret to a long-lasting career.
Natalia Aguilera
When did you know you wanted to be a music artist?
I really started noticing the early inklings, as I call them, at 4 years old, when I moved to Levittown in Puerto Rico and was already singing a solo at the Coliseo de Toa Baja. I was in pre-kindergarten, and they held an event in that coliseum, and I was part of the choir. Did the teacher see something in me? I don’t know. But from there, I took opera lessons. I took advantage of all the services the public school offered because that’s where I studied.
What’s the first merengue song you remember as being special to you?
At home, we used to listen to “Sancocho Prieto” [by La Sonora Ponceña]. Honestly, I never thought I’d have a career in tropical music. I’ve loved the Dominican Republic since I was very young because the first, second, third, and fourth country my dad took us to visit was the Dominican Republic. But I only listened to merengue to dance to it. If I wanted to sing, I always imagined myself singing songs by Rocío Dúrcal or Isabel Pantoja, things like that. I never imagined I’d build an entire life honoring, as I say, a country that has given me so much. And I wasn’t even born there; that’s why I treat it with such respect.
So how did you end up making merengue music?
I was looking for opportunities in music. I was a “rockerita” in Spanish because I didn’t know a lick of English. After my dance teacher, [the famous Puerto Rican choreographer] Junito Betancourt, passed away, I was invited to an audition, and they told me it was for a band. So, I assumed it was a Spanish rock band. When I walked into the audition at Salón Villarreal, I saw a guy with a tambora and a güira, and I thought, “I think I’m in the wrong place.” But when I approached the bandleader, he said, “No, this isn’t a rock band. This is a merengue orchestra.” And I said, “What do I do? I don’t know how to sing merengue.” And he came back with a challenge and told me: “Well, a good singer can sing anything.” From then on, I haven’t stopped singing merengue.
What a happy mistake, right?
That’s what I call it, “a happy mistake.” Because the truth is, I don’t come from a famous family. I didn’t get a lucky break, you know, like a stroke of fortune. On the contrary, it was a lot of knocking on doors until something worked, and from there, I made the most of it. And the first thing I said was, “If I’m going to do a musical genre that isn’t from my country, I at least need to learn how to play a tambora.” And that’s how I started to learn more about the genre which has given me the life I have today — merengue.
Natalia Aguilera
Who did you look up to as role models? There weren’t many women in merengue at that time…
The image I always remember, and it was a dream that I was fortunate enough to fulfill by meeting her in person, was Rocío Dúrcal, with all those songs that stick with you even to this day — “Pues mira tú, como te ríes, como juegas tú” [she sings part of “Como Tu Mujer,” imitating the Spanish singer’s classic inflections] — with those always extraordinary vocal modulations. When I got into merengue, I didn’t really have an image of a woman in merengue because, at that time, there were duos and groups like Milly Quezada and her sister Jocelyn.
Obviously, there was Fefita La Grande from the Dominican Republic, who was always there with “Vamos a Hablar Inglés.” And I was also greatly inspired by many men who were active at that time.
As a woman in the industry, and in a genre like merengue, what has been the biggest challenge for you?
When you perform a musical genre that isn’t necessarily salsa, bomba or plena — the styles we’re known for in Puerto Rico — when you take on the responsibility of performing a genre that represents a country, you have to make an effort to learn a bit about it and approach it with great respect. I always tried to bring something important to merengue, with a lot of detail, care and love for everything I did.
How did you find your own voice?
Well, honestly, I don’t even know. They just told me, “Open your mouth and sing,” so I opened my mouth and sang. I didn’t have many references in that sense, so I wanted to add my own style. Obviously, when you’re trying to build a career, I always say that everything’s already been invented. But as long as you try to be as original and authentic as possible, I think you’ll do well.
What would you say are your greatest accomplishments in music?
The years I’ve spent making merengue. And also ballads, because Marco Antonio Solís gave me the chance to break into that world [in 1996 with the album Nuevos Senderos]. But specifically in merengue, the years and the applause — it’s a privilege I humbly say I still receive. I still feel like crying every time I come offstage after a sold-out show, even after so many years of my career. And we’re still doing it with a new tour. I think, wow, the people.
And how have you managed to stay relevant over four decades?
By not closing myself off to musical innovation. I think you have to be open to saying, “I can do this with a bit of influence from that.” I meet with producers. I meet with people I love and respect to write. I also open the door to new talent. I think staying relevant means not shutting yourself off.
Natalia Aguilera
The third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music special will air live at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 24 exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.
Check out Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 executive list here.
Selena Gomez will receive the 2025 Woman of the Year award at the annual Billboard Latin Women in Music event, Billboard and Telemundo announced on Wednesday (April 16). The two-hour special, set to be held Miami, will air April 24 exclusively on Telemundo.
The Woman of the Year award is presented to a female artist who has demonstrated exceptional success, leadership and cultural influence in the music industry and beyond. Previous Women of the Year honorees at Latin Women in Music include Shakira and Karol G.
A global powerhouse, Gomez has had a fruitful career as a recording artist. On the Billboard charts, the 32-year-old star has had presence across genres, including a total of 42 entries on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, including her first No. 1 hit, “Lose You to Love Me” (2019). On the Hot Latin Songs chart, her featured role on DJ Snake’s “Taki Taki,” alongside Ozuna and Cardi B, debuted at No. 1 on the tally in October 2018, where it ruled for 13 weeks. Since, she’s achieved three additional top 10 hits on the multimetric ranking, including “Baila Conmigo,” her collaboration with Rauw Alejandro, which soared to a No. 4 peak in 2021 and topped the Latin Airplay chart for a week.
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The Texas-born artist of Mexican descent further expanded her reach in Latin music with her first-ever Spanish-language project, Revelación. The EP, released four years ago, debuted at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart, making history as the first album by a female artist to achieve the feat since Shakira’s El Dorado. It also scored her a Grammy nomination for best Latin pop album. Most recently, Gomez entered the top five on Hot Latin Songs thanks to “Ojos Tristes” with Benny Blanco and The Marías. The song, a reimagination of the ’80s classic “El Muchacho de los Ojos Tristes,” is part of Gomez and Blanco’s collaborative album, I Said I Love You First.
Beyond her career in music, Gomez — also an award-winning actress, producer and business mogul — has become a leading voice for mental health and social justice issues that impact underrepresented communities. She was Woman of the Year at the 2017 Billboard Women in Music.
Gomez joins this year’s previously announced honorees, including Anitta (Vanguard Award), Belinda (Evolution Award), Celia Cruz (Legend Award), Chiquis (Impact Award), Ha*Ash (Unbreakable Award), Natti Natasha Unstoppable Artist), and Olga Tañón (Lifetime Achievement Award).
Read Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 Executive List here.
The third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music special will air live April 24 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. Central exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean onTelemundo Internacional.
Celia Cruz will be honored with a tribute performance at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music awards, Billboard and Telemundo announced on Tuesday (April 15). In honor of her centennial this year, the memorable Queen of Salsa — who was born in 1925 and died in 2003 due to a brain tumor — will […]
Natti Natasha, Ha*Ash and Belinda will be honored at the third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music event, Billboard and Telemundo announced on Tuesday (April 8). The artists join Olga Tañón, Chiquis and Anitta, who were previously announced as honorees for this year.
Hosted by Mexican star Ana Bárbara, the two-hour ceremony will air live exclusively on Telemundo on April 24 at 9 p.m. ET and will celebrate “groundbreaking women shaping the future of Latin music,” according to a press statement. The show will also stream on the Telemundo app, Universo and Peacock.
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Dominican hitmaker Natti Natasha will be honored with the Unstoppable Artist Award, a nod to her sustained influence in the music industry. Natti initially burst onto the Billboard charts when she earned her first No. 1 in 2012 as a featured artist on Don Omar’s hit “Dutty Love.” Since then, she has amassed 34 career entries on the overall Latin Airplay ranking, including 17 top 10 hits, 10 of which soared to No. 1.
On the album front, her debut studio project, Iluminatti, reached new heights in 2019, breaking into the top 10 on both the Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums charts, with a peak at No. 3. More recently, her LP Natti Natasha en Amargue, produced by Romeo Santos, earned her a top 10 debut on the Tropical Albums chart.
Sister-duo Ha*Ash, comprised of Hanna and Ashley, will receive the Unbreakable Award, celebrating the collaboration between Latin women artists who have made an indelible impact on the music industry. Honored for their resilience, innovation and empowerment, Ha*Ash made an impressive debut in 2004, scoring their first top 10 hit on Latin Pop Airplay with “Estés Donde Estés,” which peaked at No. 9.
Over the years, they have proven their staying power, accumulating a total of 16 entries on the chart, four of which reached the top 10. The sisters recently made a notable comeback with “El Cielo Te Mandó Para Mí,” a standout track from Haashville, which reached a No. 7 high on Latin Pop Airplay. Currently, the duo is on their Haashville Tour across the U.S. and Canada
Meanwhile, Belinda is set to be honored with the Evolution Award, a special honor that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional growth, transformation, and innovation throughout their artistic journey, and an enduring impact and commitment to evolving their vision and voice. Belinda’s self-titled debut album catapulted her into the spotlight in 2003, earning her a first top 10 entry on a Billboard chart as the set reached a high of No. 6 on the Latin Pop Albums tally.
Since then, she’s had three additional top 10 albums, including Catarsis, which peaked at No. 2 in 2013. Showcasing versatility, Belinda has most recently dabbled in regional Mexican music, specifically in corridos bélicos, collaborating with the likes of Natanael Cano, Tito Double P and Netón Vega.
As previously announced, Anitta will receive the Vanguard Award, Chiquis the Impact Award and Olga Tañón will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, with the remaining honors to be announced soon.
Billboard Women in Music 2025
Olga Tañón, Anitta, and Chiquis will be honored at the third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music event, Billboard and Telemundo announced on Wednesday (April 2). The program will air live exclusively on Telemundo on April 24 at 9 p.m. ET.
Hosted by Ana Bárbara, the two-hour music special will celebrate the “groundbreaking women shaping the future of Latin music,” says the press release. It will also stream on the Telemundo app, Universo and Peacock.
According to the initial list of honorees, la Mujer del Fuego (the Women of Fire) Olga Tañón, as she is widely known, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for her nearly four decades of unparalleled influence in merengue and Latin pop. Throughout her career, which dates back to the mid-1980s, the Puerto Rican legend has not only stolen hearts, but has also shaped the tropical style, earning a special place in the history of Latin music, earning the No. 8 spot on Billboard‘s Best 50 Female Latin Pop Artists of All Time.
Twenty of her albums have charted on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums, including two No. 1s, Llévame Contigo (1997) and Te Acordarás de Mí (1998). Meanwhile, on Tropical Airplay, the merengue powerhouse holds the record as the female artist with the most Top 10 entries (29 in total). “Her musical versatility, passion, and ability to connect with diverse audiences have made her an enduring icon,” reads the statement.
Meanwhile, trilingual superstar Anitta will be honored the Vanguard Award for her groundbreaking contributions to Latin pop, becoming one of the few Brazilian artists to successfully break into the Spanish-speaking market.
Anitta’s breakthrough came in 2017 with the J Balvin collaboration “Downtown,” which peaked at No. 14 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. Since then, through impactful collaborations and solo hits like “Envolver” — which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Global 200 — she has established herself as an essential force in breaking “barriers, challenge norms, and inspire future generations,” the statement said.
Rounding out the honorees on this first announcement, Chiquis will be recognized with the Impact Award for her “extraordinary contributions to the music industry and society.” A three-time Latin Grammy winner, the Mexican-American artist carries forward the rich banda legacy of her renowned family.
Chiquis holds 12 entries on Regional Mexican Airplay, and two No. 1 albums on Regional Mexican Albums for Ahora (2015) and Entre Botellas (2018). As the founder of Busy Bee Productions, she launched two hit TV series, while her podcast Chiquis and Chill has ran for four successful seasons.
Billboard and Telemundo will announce additional Latin Women in Music honorees in 2025.
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 […]