Music
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Chiquis invigorated the stage at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music event with an electrifying live performance on Thursday (April 24) that showcased her artistry and paid homage to her roots.
The Mexican American singer delivered a medley of “Qué Me Vas a Dar” — a heartfelt cover of her legendary mother Jenni Rivera — and her empowering anthem “Por Qué Soy Abeja Reina,” a bold declaration of her individuality, but important lessons she learned from her mom. Backed by a robust banda ensemble, Chiquis proved why she’s a force to be reckoned with in Latin music and beyond.
Dressed in a striking burgundy gown paired with a matching cowboy hat, Chiquis commanded the stage as her powerful vocals soared. Behind her, a shimmering iridescent visual of a diamond display added another dimension to the performance, enhancing the emotional energy of the moment.
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Her accomplishments extend far beyond music. Chiquis was honored the Impact Award at this year’s ceremony for her philanthropic and entrepreneurial endeavors.
“Thank you for recognizing the great work. To the people who have been with me since I started this career, there were many moments when I wanted to give up, to throw in the towel, because it was a very difficult path. I always had my vision clear: having a microphone is a great responsibility. It’s not always going to be easy, I understand that, I lived it with my mother. Thank you for giving me strength when I didn’t have it. I started this to inspire and to empower. ¡Arriba las mujeres!” Amandititita delivered Chiquis her prize.
“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,” Chiquis told Billboard earlier this week. In tandem with her musical career, she 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.”
The third annual edition of the Billboard Latin Women in Music special is broadcasted live exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, and the Telemundo app, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean via Telemundo Internacional.
The 2025 honorees also include Selena Gomez as Woman of the Year, as well as Belinda (Evolution Award), Natti Natasha (Unstoppable Artist Award), Anitta (Vanguard Award), Ha*Ash (Unbreakable Award), Olga Tañón (Lifetime Achievement Award),and Celia Cruz, who, on the centenary of her birth, is posthumously recognized with the Legend Award and featured in the new Billboard Español cover story.
Watch Chiquis on the pink carpet during Billboard’s livestream here.
For Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 executives list, click here.
Anitta delivered a stripped-down yet emotionally charged performance at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music event on Thursday (April 24), captivating the audience with her deeply personal ballad, “Larissa.”
Accompanied only by an acoustic guitarist, the trilingual superstar showed her soul through deep lyrics and a soulful vocal performance, revealing a vulnerable side rarely seen behind her electrifying stage persona. Dressed in a delicate nude lace dress, Anitta delivered a moment that was as intimate as it was powerful on a stage framed by smoke, genuinely connecting with the audience.
Yailin La Más Viral was in charge of introducing Shakira on screen, who praised the reach of funk and its ability to blend the past with the future, taking music to new heights. In this context, Anitta took the moment to share a powerful message about the impact of artists on society:
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“I believe that we, artists, are in this position with many people watching us, not only to entertain, but to change society,” said the Brazilian artist. “We have thousands of people watching us, and the importance of having an award like this [is immense]. We would like to see more men supporting us for society to change; not only women should support the cause, but also men.”
As the recipient of this year’s Vanguard Award — an honor recognizing an artist who boldly forges her own path — Anitta’s performance was a powerful statement of creativity, resilience, and vision.
Beyond the music, Anitta has embraced a more personal and reflective chapter in her life, as documented in her 2025 Netflix film, Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta. The documentary explores her journey of healing and the balance between her stage persona and her true self. “I wanted to show people that everyone goes through struggles, even if it looks perfect from the outside,” Anitta recently told Billboard Español.
The third annual edition of the Billboard Latin Women in Music special is broadcasted live exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, and the Telemundo app, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean via Telemundo Internacional.
The 2025 honorees also include Selena Gomez as Woman of the Year, as well as Belinda (Evolution Award), Natti Natasha (Unstoppable Artist Award), Chiquis (Impact Award), Ha*Ash (Unbreakable Award), and Celia Cruz, who, on the centenary of her birth, is posthumously recognized with the Legend Award and featured in the new Billboard Español cover story.
For Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 executives list, click here.
Natti Natasha showcased her romantic bachata-pop balladry at the third edition of Billboard Latin Women in Music, aired live on Telemundo on Thursday (April 24).
Wearing an elegant white silk suit and backed by a tropical ensemble, the Dominican singer performed the soulful “Vendaje” from her latest album Natti Natasha en Amargue, which debuted at No. 6 on Billboard‘s Top Tropical Albums chart in February.
The Dominican singer is honored with the Unstoppable Award at the third edition of the gala. “Thank you for allowing me to be here alive, present, without purpose. It is from a country that gave me birth, from a soul that I carry with pride, thanks to my land for giving me passion, flavor,” said the singer upon receiving her award.
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“I want to dedicate this award to the souls who are no longer with us, people who were simply celebrating life, this moment is also yours. To show that a woman can sing to the whole world,” she added, referring to the tragedy in the Dominican Republic that took hundreds of lives. She then thanked Don Omar, Becky G, Bad Bunny and many more artists who have marked her career to this day, as well as her daughter.
“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,” the performer told Billboard earlier this week. “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.”
Billboard Latin Women in Music special is broadcasted live exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, and the Telemundo app, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean via Telemundo Internacional.
The 2025 honorees also include Selena Gomez as Woman of the Year, as well as Belinda (Evolution Award), Anitta (Vanguard Award), Chiquis (Impact Award), Ha*Ash (Unbreakable Award), and Celia Cruz, who, on the centenary of her birth, is posthumously recognized with the Legend Award and featured in the new Billboard Español cover story.
Watch Natti Natasha on the pink carpet during Billboard‘s livestream here.
For Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 executives list, click here.
Zach Top was named the winner of the Academy of Country Music Award for new male artist of the year on Thursday night (April 24) prior to taking the stage for a sold-out show in Wilmington, N.C. The news was revealed by Brooks & Dunn, the winningest duo in ACM history, through a congratulatory video.
Top beat strong competition, including Shaboozey, whose megahit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is nominated for an ACM Award for single of the year; Bailey Zimmerman, who was nominated for new male artist of the year for the second year in a row; Tucker Wetmore; and Gavin Adcock.
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“I couldn’t be more honored, and I can’t say a big enough thank you to my fans for loving music and loving what we do on the road and listening to the songs every day,” Top said after being handed his award. “It means the world to me, I’ve always wanted to just play and sing for a living, and I get to do that now and it’s cool to be able to get a little trophy every now and then to let us know that we’re doing good doing it. So thank you so much, this is beautiful.”
Top, 27, got the news before a stop on his Cold Beer & Country Music Tour. The tour was named after his debut album, which is nominated for an ACM Award for album of the year. The album peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.
Top’s Cold Beer & Country Music headline tour features stops at Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium (two nights), New York’s Terminal 5, and Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway. In addition, Top is supporting select dates with Alan Jackson on his Last Call Tour and will join Dierks Bentley’s Broken Branches Tour, when it kicks off next month.
Top was nominated for new artist of the year at last fall’s Country Music Association Awards. He lost to Megan Moroney, but the leading country awards shows allow artists two nominations in this category, so he could be nominated there again this year.
New artist of the year winners are typically issued invitations to perform on the ACM Awards telecast. Last year’s new male artist of the year winner, Nate Smith, performed (joined by Avril Lavigne), as did last year’s new duo or group of the year winner, Tigirlily Gold. Last year’s new female artist of the year winner, Moroney, did not.
The 60th ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, will stream live for a global audience on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch on Thursday, May 8 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. A limited number of tickets to the landmark 60th ACM Awards are available for purchase on SeatGeek.
The ACM Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.
Belinda took center stage on Thursday night (April 24) at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music event, where she showcased her artistic evolution with a stunning performance.
The singer appeared in a dress made entirely of flowers to perform “Cursi de Más,” framed by a floral backdrop onstage. She then transitioned into “300 Noches” with a stunning outfit featuring fringe pants, a tank top that highlighted her toned physique, and a cowboy hat. The stage design was equally mesmerizing, adorned with red roses, bubbles and a heart-shaped centerpiece that enveloped the performance in magic and symbolism.
A very pregnant Lele Pons took the stage to present Belinda with her Evolution Award. “This recognition not only celebrates my career but also my ability to reinvent myself. Ever since I launched my album, everything has led me to this moment of deep inspiration,” Belinda said as she accepted her prize.
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The Latin pop princess has proven her ability to reinvent herself by exploring genres such as corridos, cumbia and electronic music, while evolving both artistically and personally.
“Life has been a journey full of learning, growth, and constant evolution — both personally and artistically,” she told Billboard earlier this week. “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.”
The third annual edition of Billboard Latin Women in Music, hosted by 2024 honoree Ana Bárbara, is broadcast live exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean via Telemundo Internacional.
The 2025 honorees also include Selena Gomez as Woman of the Year, as well as Natti Natasha (Unstoppable Artist Award), Anitta (Trailblazer Award), Chiquis (Impact Award), Ha*Ash (Resilience Award), and Celia Cruz, who is posthumously recognized with the Legend Award and featured in a new Billboard Español cover story in celebration of the centenary of her birth.
Check out the list of 2025 Latin Women in Music Executives and Entrepreneurs here.
Watch Belinda on the pink carpet during Billboard‘s livestream here.
Olga Tañón brought the fire to the stage at Billboard Latin Women in Music on Thursday night (April 24), kicking off the third edition of the event, broadcast live on Telemundo.
The Mujer de Fuego (Woman of Fire) performed a commanding medley of hits that included “Basta Ya,” “El Reclamo,” “Escondidos,” “Cómo Olvidar” and “Así Soy Yo.” Moments later, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her unmatched influence as a merengue star from her fellow Puerto Rican friend Luis Fonsi, who called her “more than a star, a force of nature” and an “undisputed role model for Latinas” as an artist, mother and wife. He also thanked her as his “musical godmother” for having supported him early in his career by inviting him to sing with her.
“After such a beautiful career of almost 40 years, it’s been a journey of immense growth to be able to leave [something valuable] for future generations,” Tañón expressed joyfully. Having a successful career “sometimes takes a long time,” she added, “but by doing the right things, you can get there.”
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Later in the evening, Tañón will participate in a tribute to Celia Cruz alongside La India and Ivy Queen.
With nearly four decades of an artistic career, Olga Tañón has not only won hearts but has also helped shape the tropical music style, earning a special place in the history of Latin music thanks to her interpretive quality, her unmistakable mezzo-soprano voice, and her high energy on stage.
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.
The Grammy and Latin Grammy winner was also recognized this year by Billboard among the top 10 Best 50 Female Latin Pop Artists of All Time.
Hosted by 2024 honoree Ana Bárbara, the third annual edition of the Billboard Latin Women in Music special is broadcasted live exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, and the Telemundo app, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean via Telemundo Internacional.
The 2025 honorees also include Selena Gomez as Woman of the Year, as well as Belinda (Evolution Award), Natti Natasha (Unstoppable Artist Award), Anitta (Vanguard Award), Chiquis (Impact Award), Ha*Ash (Unbreakable Award), and Celia Cruz, who, on the centenary of her birth, is posthumously recognized with the Legend Award and featured in the new Billboard Español cover story.
Watch Olga Tañón on the pink carpet during Billboard‘s livestream here.
For Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 executives list, click here.
The Chainsmokers dropped a remix of Chappell Roan‘s “Pink Pony Club” on Thursday (April 24), with the duo shaving down the original from four-plus minutes to a tight two-minute and 11-second edit. The remix bounces along on a dark house beat before taking a turn into brighter and quintessentially Chainsmokers sonic terrain around the one-minute […]
All the glitz and glam of the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music event took over the pink carpet at Telemundo Center in Miami on Thursday night (April 24). This year’s edition honors Anitta (Vanguard Award), Belinda (Evolution Award), Celia Cruz, posthumous (Legend Award), Chiquis (Impact Award), Ha*Ash (Unbreakable Award), Olga Tañón (Lifetime Achievement Award), […]
Ayra Starr and Wizkid linked up again on “Gimme Dat,” which she released on Thursday (April 24). The Sabi Girl teased the collaboration a week earlier in an Instagram video of her vibing out to the tropical-tinged dancefloor filler while watching the sunset before the song cuts to Wizkid singing, “God da–,” which Starr used […]
In a new interview, Billy Ray Cyrus is opening up about his unexpected relationship with Elizabeth Hurley and the text message that started it all.
The “Old Town Road” singer sat down with Apple Music’s The Ty Bentli Show this week, and in an excerpt previewed by People, Cyrus opened up about reconnecting with the actress after filming the movie Christmas in Paradise together back in 2022. (The pair caught the world off-guard on Sunday when they shared a photo of Cyrus kissing Hurley via Instagram with the simple caption “Happy Easter.”)
“We did very few scenes together but the couple times we were in the same scene there was a chemistry there,” Cyrus told Bentli. “We just laughed, and it was at a time I wasn’t laughing a lot.”
The movie was filmed the same year the country star separated from ex-wife Tish, with whom he shares five children: Brandi, Trace, Miley, Braison and Noah. (Cyrus also has two children, Christopher and Kristen, from a previous relationship.) Cyrus then went on to marry singer Firerose in 2023 before divorcing the next year.
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Cyrus has faced many public challenges in the past year, including allegations of domestic abuse from ex-wife Firerose and an apparent estrangement from some of his famous children, including Miley. “I felt like, ‘Wow, can life get any harder? Can it get any tougher?’” Cyrus told Bentli in the new interview. “For me, at a certain point it was like, you can’t get knocked down any flatter than laying on your back when life is kicking you. And in this moment… a friend reached out.”
According to Cyrus, the text from an unknown number read: “Hey, it looks like life might be a little bit tough and just wanted you to know I’m in your corner. You’ve got a friend in your corner.”
“So I text back, I go, ‘Who is this?’ And it’s like, ‘Elizabeth Hurley,’” Cyrus recalled. “Of all the people to reach out to me in that second that maybe I needed most… this friend who made me laugh.”
Cyrus likened the sentiment to a moment in 1992 when the late Johnny Cash supported him as critics were bashing his music. “Johnny said, ‘Hey, you know, just remember that all things that are good come from almighty God above and that stuff happens, and in your case… the good outweighs the bad. Let ‘em have it. I’m in your corner.’”
The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer went on to praise Hurley, telling Bentli: “She’s so impressively brilliant. She reminds me a lot of Dolly Parton. She’s a very smart businesswoman. If you can laugh together, you can make it through everything.”
He also said he has a relationship with Hurley’s 23-year-old son Damian. “No expectations of where we go from here other than her and her son — I do love him a lot, and it’s great that God brought them into my life when he did,” Cyrus said. “It’s just a good thing. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this happy.”
Hurley was previously married to businessman Arun Nayar from 2007 to 2011. She had Damian with businessman Steve Bing, who died in 2020. And Hurley famously dated British actor Hugh Grant from 1987 to 2000; Grant is Damian’s godfather.