Behind the Scenes at the 2026 Billboard Latin Women in Music
The fourth annual Billboard Latin Women in Music event brought together a powerful collective of artists to celebrate the achievements and excellence of women in the industry. Held on Thursday, April 23, at the Telemundo Center in Miami, the pink carpet served as a hub for this year’s honorees and notable presenters, including Feid, Natti Natasha, Natalia Lafourcade, Villano Antillano, and David Bisbal.
The 2026 honorees featured a stellar lineup: Rosalía (Woman of the Year), Becky G (Global Impact Award), Gloria Trevi (Lifetime Achievement Award), Ivy Queen (Pioneer Award), Joy (Spirit of Change Award), Julieta Venegas (Artistic Excellence Award), Lola Indigo (Evolution Award), and Young Miko (Unstoppable Award).
A Celebration of Executive Leadership
On the eve of the gala, Billboard hosted an exclusive cocktail party at Miami’s Casa D, specifically recognizing the female executives driving the Latin music industry. Leila Cobo, Co-Chief Content Officer at Billboard, reflected on the event’s growth: “This is an event we started four years ago, and people kept telling me: ‘There aren’t enough women to sustain this for four years.’ What we’ve found is that, over these four years, there are more women in executive positions and more female artists on the charts; for us, it is a pleasure to continue celebrating them year after year.”
Backstage Moments You Didn’t See on TV
While Chiquis hosted the televised ceremony, the real magic often happened away from the cameras. Here are some of the most memorable moments from the pink carpet and beyond:
Chiquis and the Becky G Connection
Before her solo hosting debut, Chiquis shared a heartwarming story about her friendship with Global Impact honoree Becky G. “If it weren’t for Becky, I would have never met my husband… they’re cousins,” Chiquis revealed. “Even before, we were friends, but now we’re family.”
Feid and Ivy Queen’s New Bond
Following the presentation of the Pioneer Award, Feid and Ivy Queen were spotted backstage sharing a genuine moment of mutual admiration. The two icons exchanged phone numbers, sparking rumors of a potential future collaboration.
Young Miko’s Gratitude
Unstoppable Award honoree Young Miko expressed deep appreciation for the support she has received, particularly from Feid. “I love you to the moon and back; thank you for those words — they touched my heart,” she said. “When you do things that fill your heart, life simply won’t let you stop.”
Julieta Venegas at Casa D
The intimate pre-awards cocktail party saw a surprise appearance by Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas, who spent the evening mingling with industry power players and the Billboard team, further highlighting the collaborative spirit of the event.
