Women in Music
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Billboard‘s 2023 Women in Music event took place at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday (March 1), and brought out the several of the biggest and brightest stars who have cemented their impact within the music industry over the past year. In between acceptance speeches — Lana Del Rey, SZA, Rosalía were among the few to go home with an award — attendees were treated to performances from TWICE, Becky G, Kim Petras and more, but which was your favorite?
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After receiving the Breakthrough Artist Award, the K-pop stars delivered a stunning showcase of its second-ever English single, “Moonlight Sunrise,” expertly performing the track’s choreography in unison, much to the delight of ONCEs in the audience.
Becky G, recipient of the Impact Award, took to the stage to perform a solo rendition of her Karol G collab “Mamiii,” backed by a guitarist, percussionist and two backing vocalists. “Lo que no sirve, que no estorbe/ Te metiste autogol por torpe/ Te quedó grande este torque/ Ya no estoy pa que de mí te enamores, baby/ Sin visa ni pasaporte/ Mandé tu falso amor de vacaciones,” she sang in Spanish.
Kim Petras, who used her Chartbreaker Award acceptance speech to plead for women’s body autonomy, performed her recently released dark-pop banger “brrr” under a blanket of billowing fog.
Doechii, Latto and Lainey Wilson also graced the stage for Women in Music, but which performance was your favorite? Vote in our poll below.
The outpouring of love for 2023 Woman of the Year SZA at Wednesday night’s Billboard Women in Music Awards was the perfect example of the celebratory, overjoyed mood at the ceremony.
Not only did SZA have a very enthusiastic Coi Leray hyping up her many accomplishments this year and beyond — including her 10th week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with her latest album, SOS — but she also had a surprise video message from fellow superstar Lizzo, singing her praises (literally): She started the pre-recorded message by singing her favorite SZA song, “Warm Winds” from 2014’s Z.
“You are the real deal. You are such a genuine human being, a genuine artist, a poet, a songwriter, an emoter who’s a once-in-a-lifetime, once-in-a-generation talent,” Lizzo said, adding, “We don’t deserve you!”
SZA was one of many honorees at the Billboard Women in Music Awards, and below we’re remembering our favorite moments from the night. See the best moments from Lana Del Rey, TWICE, Rosalía and more here:
Kim Petras in the Crowd
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In addition to performing her latest single “Brrr” and being presented the Chartbreaker Award, Kim Petras was the MVP of the YouTube Theater crowd. She flitted among the VIP tables next to the stage to rub elbows with the other powerhouse women in attendance — including fellow German superstar Heidi Klum, who made sure to give Petras a hug before leaving the show – and danced enthusiastically for each intimate performance, especially the show-ending number “Moonlight Sunrise” from K-pop nonet TWICE, as you can see below.
Rosalía Gets Real About the Life of a Producer
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The importance of receiving the first Women in Music Producer of the Year Award was not lost on Rosalía, and she used her speech to both encourage more women to join the field but also to not sugarcoat the reality of life in the studio. “A producer’s job is a job in the shadow. … It’s not very fun – whoever tells you otherwise, they’re lying. It’s 15 hours a day, nonstop maybe, working on a sound. It comes from love, it comes from obsession maybe, and that’s why you stay in that small-ass room with no windows while everybody else around you is at home, just chilling, eating something nice, laughing, having sex, living life, just regular human cool sh–.”
Doechii: A Star Is Born
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If you went into Wednesday’s ceremony not knowing Doechii’s name, you definitely know it now. The Rising Star Award winner made the most of her time on the YouTube Theater stage, ripping through a frenetic mash-up of her songs “Persuasive” and “Crazy” and dancing with the energy of an arena or stadium show vs. to the 5,000-ish people lucky enough to be in the room. She performed so hard, in fact, that one of her shoes couldn’t survive the spectacle, so the first female TDE rapper had to limp over to the microphone to accept her award from her mother, Celesia Moore. “Girl, I done danced my shoe off!” she said with a laugh to kick off her speech.
A Bad Bunny Surprise, All for Ivy Queen
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When an introduction started for Billboard’s top artist of 2022, the crowd started murmuring about who could be the hitting the stage, but once the intro mentioned Puerto Rico, everyone knew: Bad Bunny was surprising the crowd. And it was all for reggaeton pioneer Ivy Queen, whom Bunny presented the Icon Award to with an all-Spanish speech. He said he is the artist he is today because he has a part of Ivy Queen in his musical DNA. “She gave me the strength to be myself and to work double,” he said. “As a fan of reggaetón, I’ve waited a long time for this moment, and I think that 2023 is the time where more female reggaeton artists exist, and I’m sure it’s because of the root that Ivy planted a long time ago.”
Lainey Wilson Is All ‘Heart’
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Country star Lainey Wilson might have stripped down her top five Country Airplay hit “Heart Like a Truck” for the Women in Music stage, but she didn’t strip away any of her impressive vocals for the performance, even sustaining one big power note in the chorus. And she also didn’t strip away any of her signature style, wearing a wide-brimmed black hat and gold-lamé spandex bell bottoms. “This sh– is not for the faint of heart,” she said later in her speech. “All the women who are coming on this stage and in this room here tonight being honored can testify.”
The Sisterhood of Latto & Chloe Bailey
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We knew they were collaborators, teaming up on “For the Night” last year, but now we also know what good friends Latto and Chloe Bailey are. Bailey presented Latto with the Powerhouse Award – calling her “a force to be reckoned with,” “an icon for young women everywhere” and “the personification of a powerhouse” — and the rapper squeezed the singer’s hand during her whole speech.
Becky G Comes Home
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Becky G was born and raised in Inglewood, Calif., so she was extra emotional to receive the Impact Award in her hometown. She talked about how she made a promise to her family and fans in her breakthrough “Becky From the Block” song (her interpretation of Jennifer Lopez’s “Jenny From the Block”). “The promise wasn’t that I wouldn’t leave where I came from, but that I would take where I’m from wherever I go,” she said, explaining that as a Mexican-American, a “200 percenter,” she often feels not American enough for the U.S. and not Hispanic enough for Mexico. “Where we come from, that will always be in our hearts, but where we go, that’s up to us.”
Lana Del Rey Is ‘Happy’
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Accepting the Visionary Award from last year’s Billboard Woman of the Year Olivia Rodrigo, Lana Del Rey said she didn’t “exactly have a long-term vision at all, but if you were curious, I am very, very happy.” That hasn’t always been the case, as the quintessential sadgirl singer described a much less friendly time in the music industry when she first started. “I feel like being happy is the ultimate goal, so I did it,” she concluded.
TWICE Pandemonium
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Of all the moments and all the performances, there was nothing more showstopping than the sheer volume and enthusiasm of the TWICE fans in the YouTube Theater. Host Quinta Brunson made a running joke out of it, including telling the audience she wanted to try something and then whispered “TWICE” into her microphone, causing the fans to scream on cue. The nine-piece girl group accepted the Breakthrough Award from certified ONCE Sabrina Carpenter, with Chaeyoung saying during their speech: “This title Breakthrough Artist proves that if you confidently push for your dream, people who support you will always be your team, you will break through.” According to the vocal crowd on Wednesday night, they’ve definitely broken through in a big way.
Kim Petras would do unholy things to work with Madonna. While walking the red carpet at Billboard‘s 2023 Women in Music event Wednesday (March 1), the night’s Chartbreaker honoree gushed about her love for the Queen of Pop — who introduced Petras and Sam Smith’s performance at the Grammys in February — and revealed her hopes to work together in the future.
“I’m such a huge fan,” Petras told Entertainment Tonight. “I don’t know how good of a friend I can be to her because I’m just like, Confessions [on a Dance Floor], Ray of Light changed my life!’ Every time I see her, I just talk about her music and how much it means to me, but it’s just been the most incredible thing for me to get respected by Madonna, and for her to even know anything about me.”
When asked if their newfound friendship but someday turn into a collab, the “Unholy” singer said, “I would die to.” “I would die to have Madonna on anything, or be on anything Madonna, so yeah, absolutely,” she added.
Later that evening, Petras performed her latest single, “Brrr,” for the Women in Music crowd at Los Angeles’ YouTube Theater before accepting the Chartbreaker Award, a moment that made her the first transgender woman to be honored at the annual event. “Growing up, I would question what rooms I would be put into and what boxes I would be put into — and I’m grateful it’s this one,” she said during her acceptance speech.
In January, the German dance-pop star became the first transgender artist to win a major category Grammy award when “Unholy,” her Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 duet with Sam Smith, took home best pop duo-group performance. While accepting the Grammy, Petras gushed, “I don’t think I could be here without Madonna.”
Later that night, the “Material Girl” singer herself introduced Petras and Smith before their performance of “Unholy.” “So now, speaking of controversy, it gives me great pleasure to introduce two incredibly talented artists who have risen above the noise, the doubt, the critics into something beautifully unholy,” Madonna said. “Here are two Grammy award winners, Sam Smith and Kim Petras.”
Billboard Women in Music honored executives, artists and power players in the music industry on Wednesday night (March 1) at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles. In addition to Woman of the Year SZA and Executive of the Year Sylvia Rhone, Lana Del Rey was feted with the Visionary Award — which was presented to her by 2022’s Billboard Woman of the Year Olivia Rodrigo.
Here’s Del Rey’s full acceptance speech.
“We made it. Well, I’m not much of speech person either. Olivia Rodrigo – I really don’t deserve her giving me this wonderful award. She’s so endlessly glamorous and talented I cannot tell you how much it means that someone who wrote ‘Drivers License’ is standing next to me. Thank you, John Janick [CEO, Interscope] for giving me the friendship of Olivia and also Billie [Eilish] and all the wonderful artists on the label. Thank you Carole Kinzel for being here with me and my besties Jen Stith and Alex Kaye, who choreographs my show.
“And, okay, deep breath. I don’t see SZA, but I want to say, SZA, from the minute I heard you I knew I wanted to know you. Congratulations. Well, well deserved on being Woman of the Year. To Rose, staggeringly amazing. Kim, congratulations. I’m so glad I got the meet the vloggers who got me through COVID – Remi Ashten, Ali and Alicia Marie.
“I’m gonna get close to the mic because I’m really, really quiet. I think the word ‘visionary’ could have been exchanged with any word when you’re up here. But if you were wondering, for my fans, I don’t exactly have a long-term vision, at all. But if you were curious, I am very, very happy to be a female singer, that is a wonderful feat.
“When I released my first album 14 years ago, the waters were not quite as warm. So I’m really happy for everyone who feels like it’s a wonderful time in the culture to be themselves and to express themselves. It didn’t feel that way in 2008 and I’m so grateful to be in the best company I’ve ever been in. Thank you. I feel like being happy is the ultimate. So I did it. Thank you, Billboard.”
Lana Del Rey’s next album, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, comes out March 24.
Lana Del Rey was honored with the Visionary Award at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday (March 1). And last year’s Woman of the Year, Olivia Rodrigo, stopped by to introduce the trailblazing singer-songwriter.
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Rodrigo, a chart-topping, award-winning superstar is just 20 but she’s already packed in more highlights than many would achieve in a full life. But tonight, it was all about Del Rey and the many and varied gifts she’s shared with her fans.
“Lana has raised an entire generation of music lovers and songwriters like me,” Rodrigo enthused, “and taught them that there’s beauty in their vulnerability and power in their melancholy.”
Like many of us, it was 2012’s “Video Games” that hooked-in Rodrigo. “I still consider that song to be probably the best love song of all time,” she explained. “She captures sadness, anger and sensuality in a way only the greatest of songwriters ever could.”
The greatness doesn’t end with those “perfectly written albums, life-changing poetry and heavenly voice,” said Rodrigo, praising the living legend’s “unwavering authenticity.”
Billboard’s Visionary Award recipient, she continued, “has forged her own path, her entire career constantly raising the bar for herself and creating art that pushes boundaries and changes lives.”
Rodrigo, a three-time Grammy Award winner, is one of those fans who’s life is changed by Del Rey, for the better.
Read Olivia Rodrigo’s induction speech in full below.
Hey guys, I am so grateful to be here tonight celebrating so many incredible women. And I’m beyond honored to present the visionary award to someone who couldn’t be more deserving of it if they tried, Miss Lana Del Rey.
Lana’s career has spawned 15 Hot 100 hits and eight consecutive top 10 albums on the Billboard 200. She’s brought equal passion to poetry, photography and film, including collaborations with soundtracks like “Big Eyes” and “The Great Gatsby.”
More important than her lost list of accolades though, is the unique way she impacts everyone who encounters her in her music. Lana has raised an entire generation of music lovers and songwriters like me, and taught them that there’s beauty in their vulnerability and power in their melancholy.
The first song that I ever heard of Lana’s was “Video Games.” I still consider that song to be probably the best love song of all time. She captures sadness, anger and sensuality in a way only the greatest of songwriters ever could.
What I admire most about Lana though, even more than her perfectly written albums, life-changing poetry and heavenly voice is her unwavering authenticity.
Lana has forged her own path, her entire career constantly raising the bar for herself and creating art that pushes boundaries and changes lives.
She never sacrificed her unique voice and perspective on a world and an industry that constantly tries to put people in a box. And if that doesn’t make you a visionary, I truly don’t know what does.
She’s also just the coolest, kindest, nicest girl to ever exist, and Lana…I love you.
SZA took the stage at YouTube Theater on Wednesday (March 1), where she was being honored as the Woman of the Year at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards.
After an in-person introduction from Coi Leray and a partially sung message from Lizzo via video, the SOS auteur – who has topped the Billboard 200 for 10 weeks and counting – took the stage.
Here’s her full speech.
“I’m taped in here for high hell, y’all,” she said of her outfit. “I just want to thank God and my parents are here, my mom and my dad and right here, and my whole team [at TDE], Punch [Terrence Henderson] and MeLisa [Heath] and Top [Anthony Tiffith] and Amber, who is my best friend, we were roommates in college, and now she just makes sure I don’t fall apart every single day. To RCA, just everybody.
“I don’t know. A couple days ago MeLisa was like – I was about to go on stage, I’m on tour right now, today is my day off – she was like, ‘You should take time to write your speech.’ And then it’s like, ’10 seconds to stage’ and it’s like, ‘OK.’
“I didn’t write anything but that’s also who I am. I’m a very off the dome person. What I wanted to say is that there’s so many women in this room right now that I respect so deeply. This could have been any of us in this room.
“Whether it’s Lana Del Rey or Olivia Rodrigo or Chloe or Doechii who is a f–king star or Latto, or even Coi, my very own Jersey baby. I think sometimes there’s a misconception where everybody always feels like that girl, like, oh, I know I’m that b—-h and I have a lot of confidence. It’s OK to not be that person all the time. I used to feel like I didn’t belong because I don’t always feel like that. But I realized that the key is to stay open and available for whatever the universe or God wants to do with your life. Even when you don’t know who you are or you may not see, I don’t know why telling these on Billboard, I’m grateful — I love you too [aside to an audience member].
“But I really just want my life to be more than music, to be more than just an artist. I want to serve others, I want to serve people I want to be open and available to whatever God wants from me and saying yes to everything that’s scary to everything that feels like it’s not for you or where you don’t belong. It’s really the only way we walk through those doors. I encourage everybody to continue to be inspired and just stay available. You don’t have to be confident or even know that you are the one, or anything like that, you just have to say yes to the possibility. I’m grateful and thank you all for saying yes to me and I hope everybody has a blessed night. Thank you very much.”
Some of music’s biggest names and rising stars gathered to celebrate and support woman artists, executives, producers and creators who have made an impact in their communities and the music industry at Billboard’s annual Women In Music event on Wednesday (March 1) at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles.
The star-studded event featured performances from Woman of the Year honoree SZA, Becky G (Impact Award), Doechii (Rising Star), Kim Petras (Chartbreaker), Lainey Wilson (Rulebreaker) and TWICE (Breakthrough Artist). On hand to present were Sabrina Carpenter, Dove Cameron, Chloe Bailey, Coi Leray and Wondagurl. There was also a surprise appearance by global superstar Bad Bunny, who was on hand to present Ivy Queen with the Icon Award.
This Women In Music Executive of the Year honoree was Sylvia Rhone, the CEO and chairwoman of Epic Records. During her speech, she gave a shout-out to her fellow honorees SZA and Rosalia, who received the inaugural Producer of the Year Award. “You changed the game for R&B music, and R&B music is where I come from, and we’re back!” Rhone said of the “Kill Bill” artist. “And Rosalia particularly because that’s a historic win to be producer of the year.”
During her own acceptance speech — which was unscripted — SZA shared her deep respect for the other women in the room. This could have been any of us,” she said.
This year’s ceremony was hosted by Emmy Award-winning actress and writer Quinta Brunson. Check out moments from the 2023 Billboard Women In Music event below.
Becky G & Dove Cameron
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Becky G and Dove Cameron at Billboard Women In Music held at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Doechii
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Doechii performed “Crazy” and “Persuasive” at the 2023 Billboard Women In Music event.
Lana Del Rey & Rosalía
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Lana Del Rey and Rosalía — both of whom were honored during the evening — posed together at Billboard Women In Music.
Latto
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Latto performed “Lottery” and accepted the Powerhouse Award at Billboard Women In Music.
Doechii
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Doechii accepted the Rising Star Award from her mother at the 2023 Billboard Women In Music event.
Bad Bunny
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Bad Bunny presented Ivy Queen with the Icon Award during his surprise appearance at the 2023 Billboard Women In Music event.
Quinta Brunson
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Quinta Brunson hosted the 2023 Billboard Women In Music event.
Kim Petras
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Kim Petras made a plea for body autonomy while accepting the Chartbreaker Award at the 2023 Billboard Women In Music event, where she also performed “Brrr.”
Rosalía
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Rosalía marveled at the “chain” (a diamond necklace given to each honoree) while accepting the inaugural Producer of the Year Award at the 2023 Billboard Women In Music event.
Kim Petras
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Kim Petras accepted the Chartbreaker Award from Wendy Goldstein onstage at Billboard Women In Music event.
Lainey Wilson
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Lainey Wilson performed “Heart Like a Truck” at the Billboard Women In Music event.
Wendy Goldstein
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Wendy Goldstein spoke onstage at the Billboard Women In Music event before presenting an award to Kim Petras.
Kim Petras
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Kim Petras performed “Brrr” at the Billboard Women In Music event.
WondaGurl
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WondaGurl spoke onstage at the Billboard Women In Music event.
Piper Parabo & Lainey Wilson
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Piper Parabo and Lainey Wilson posed together at the Billboard Women In Music event.
Sabrina Carpenter & Lauren Spencer-Smith
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Sabrina Carpenter, who presented TWICE with the Breakthrough Award, and Lauren Spencer-Smith struck a pose together at the Billboard Women In Music event.
Latto & Chlöe
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Latto and Chlöe at Billboard Women In Music event as Latto accepted the Powerhouse Award.
Chlöe
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Chlöe presented the Powerhouse Award to Latto at the Billboard Women In Music event.
Ivy Queen
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Ivy Queen accepted the Icon Award at the Billboard Women In Music event.
Piper Parabo
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Piper Parabo at Billboard Women In Music event.
Lainey Wilson
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Lainey Wilson accepted the Rulebreaker Award at the Billboard Women In Music event.
Coi Leray
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Coi Leray presented the Woman of the Year Award to SZA at the Billboard Women In Music event.
Latto hit the stage at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday night (March 1) to perform her new single “Lottery” and receive the Powerhouse award during the 2023 Billboard Women in Music event.
Flanked by four backup dancers, the rapper swaggered and danced her way through the disco-inflected track in a sparkling body suit and matching opera-length gloves and dramatic heels.
Following her performance, Latto was presented her award by previous Rising Star honoree Chlöe Bailey, who called her pal and “For the Night” collaborator “a force to be reckoned with,” “an icon for young women everywhere” and “the personification of a powerhouse.”
“Megan Thee Stallion won this award, Doja Cat won this award. It’s crazy because I’m fans of my peers and they’re now my peers,” Latto said, gratefully gripping Bailey’s hand for support. “All the inspiring women who paved the way for me and all the women that there are to come. I’m grateful to be a part of this new wave of female rap and baby, we kickin’ down the door and we ain’t takin’ no for an answer.”
Latto recently sat down with Billboard at Los Angeles’ luxe Paramour Estate to reflect on her rise to Powerhouse status and her dedication to supporting the upcoming generation of female MCs.
“My No. 1 thing has been being a girl’s girl,” she said, giving props to the likes to Flo Milli, Lola Brooke and GloRilla. “I utilize my power in uplifting others on my way up. When you see Latto do a feature with an upcoming female rapper, I don’t charge them.”
Becky G was honored on Wednesday night (March 1) with the American Express Impact award at 2023 Billboard Women in Music.
The bilingual crossover star also brought Latinidad flair to the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles during the show by performing a solo rendition of her Karol G collab “Mamiii” while flanked by a guitarist, percussionist and two backing vocalists. “Lo que no sirve, que no estorbe/ Te metiste autogol por torpe/ Te quedó grande este torque/ Ya no estoy pa que de mí te enamores, baby/ Sin visa ni pasaporte/ Mandé tu falso amor de vacaciones,” she sang in Spanish.
The singer later got teary-eyed as she accepted this year’s Impact award from Dove Cameron. “Let’s talk about my friend Becky G,” the Vengeance actress said while introducing her pal. “Her music is incredible, spans multiple languages and keeps racking up the hits.”
From there, Cameron ran through Becky’s litany of recent accomplishments, including five career top 10s on the Hot Latin Songs chart, her first No. 1 on the Latin Pop Albums chart (thanks to her 2022 sophomore full-length Esquemas) and more than two billion U.S. streams (per Luminate), before touting the reasons Becky G is this year’s Impact honoree.
“A second-generation Mexican-American, Becky G has made it a point to represent her community and celebrate Latinidad culture and 200 percenters through her music, her beauty brand and her new production company, which will focus on storytelling [in] underrepresented communities,” Cameron explained.
“She has donated funds from merchandise to help underprivileged students from Los Angeles access digital technology to attend online classes, used her platform to support Black Lives Matter and Dreamers and was a co-chair of Michelle Obama’s voter registration nonprofit When We All Vote,” she continued. “The word ‘impact’ can mean so much to so many and there is no one who is more deserving than this tonight.”