Billboard Women in Music 2025: Best Latina moments

This past Saturday, the Billboard Women in Music event was held at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, celebrating not only the influential women in music but also shining a spotlight on the mothers who are leading the industry.

Airing for free on VIZIO TVs and in the VIZIO mobile app, the annual event was hosted by Laverne Cox, who killed it with every outfit she presented in, from sparkly to Beyoncé-inspired wardrobes.

This year's awards honored Doechii with the 2025 Woman of the Year Award; aespa, Group of the Year Award; Ángela Aguilar, Breakthrough Award; ANNA, Billboard Italy Woman of the Year; Charlotte Cardin, Billboard Canada Woman of the Year; Erykah Badu, Icon Award; GloRilla, Powerhouse Award; Gracie Abrams, Songwriter of the Year Award; JENNIE, Global Force Award; Megan Moroney, Rulebreaker Award presented by Crown Royal Whisky; Meghan Trainor, Hitmaker Award; Muni Long, Rising Star Award presented by Honda Stage; Tina Knowles, Mother of the Year Award; and Tyla, Impact Award presented by Bose.

Kali Uchis, a trailblazing artist in the music industry, was the first Latina to present an award at the event. While she had the honor of presenting the Global Force Award to Jennie Ruby Jane, the crowd couldn’t stop cheering her on and shouting, “I love you, Kali Uchis!”

“Jenny first experimented with stepping out on her own in 2018, and her solo career has gained four hits on the Billboard Global 200, two Hot 100 hits, and two pop airplay hits… The first song from Jenny's just-released debut studio will be—which, by the way, Jenny, thank you for inviting me to be on the album,” said Uchis. She also continued to share Jenny’s mantra, which is all about being positive, being expressive and being true to who you are.

Becky G, who accepted her Impact award in 2023, was back again but this time to pass the torch to someone she has the pleasure of calling her friend, Tyla.

“This award isn't just about numbers, it's about impact. Tyla is bringing South African culture to the world, introducing millions to Alma piano, a style of house music that originated in South African townships, and she's fused it with R&B and pop, creating something very fresh called Papiano. Her success proves to young artists everywhere that when your music takes you beyond your own borders, you don't have to leave your roots behind,” said Becky G before handing out the award.

“I left my country with big dreams, and I thought I had more time to figure things out, but when my career took off, I realized that God has his own plans. And I just feel very lucky for my fans, who have given me such an exciting life and allowed me to grow in front of the world into all the different versions of myself as an artist and as a woman. I appreciate the way music has been able to impact us through time and how I'm just a manifestation of that,” Tyla said in her acceptance speech.

Singer and songwriter Lauren Jauregui was another Latina who spiced up the night by correcting Laverne Cox on the pronunciation of her last name. “Jauregi, baby, but that’s OK,” she said.

She continued, presenting the Breakthrough Award to Mexican singer Ángela Aguilar, who dedicated her moment on stage to immigrants. “I want to take this moment to raise my voice for the women whose voices are not always given a stage, for the women who leave behind everything they know, crossing borders with nothing but hope in their hearts. Only to find themselves living in uncertainty and fear for the immigrant women in the country who work tirelessly building and nurturing, sacrificing, yet still remain unseen, unheard, and unprotected. This one is for you. I see you. I honor you. You deserve safety, dignity and the right to dream and if my voice and my music and my presence on this stage can remind you that you are not invisible, then I will sing for you every single time,” said Aguilar after her performance of “Cielito Lindo.”

The bright folklorico colors of the stage set created a striking visual contrast, bringing energy and emotion to the performance. The presence of the full band and the chorus of immigrant children added a layer of depth, blending music and storytelling to her music creativity while celebrating culture and the immigrant experience.

Her husband, Cristian Nodal, who is also a well-recognized Mexican singer, was there to support her accomplishments in the industry. Aguilar’s career started when she was just a toddler; she debuted when she joined her father Pepe Aguilar, an iconic performer in his own right,at one of his concerts. By the time she was just nine years old, she released her first album, “Nueva Tradición,” her older brother, Leonardo Aguilar.

The two later joined their father on arena tours when he launched “Jaripeo Sin Fronteras” in 2018, honoring the traditional Mexican rodeo-style show. Now rising to the top and getting her breakthrough in the music industry, she has landed three No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart and four top 10 hits on Latin Airplay. Including a feature song that she was part of, along with Leonardo, called “Por el Contrario,” by Becky G, last year.

As Aguilar was ending her acceptance speech with tears, the crowd honored her with a standing ovation. “Tonight I accept this award for every woman who has ever had to break through,” she said.” “For my grandmother. For my mother, who’s honored tonight. And to every woman who has paved the way for every young girl to be able to dream. We are not breaking down. We are breaking through. Gracias, ¡Y qué viva México!”