2025 Latin Women in Music

Ana Bárbara and Yahritza y Su Esencia delivered an unforgettable performance of “Besos Robados” at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music event on Thursday (April 24). The collaboration created a magical moment that honored the past, present and future of regional Mexican music.
The stage transformed into a luminous desert landscape, complete with glowing cacti and a full moon, setting the perfect atmosphere for the emotional ballad. Ana Bárbara dazzled in a crystal-encrusted cowboy hat paired with a fur-trimmed top, exuding iconic glamor, while Yahritza brought a contemporary edge in her relaxed, baggy attire. Together, their powerful vocals soared, sending chills and leaving an indelible mark on the night.

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The duet between the iconic regional Mexican singer-songwriter and the rising sibling trio showcased the beauty of intergenerational artistry and celebrating the profound impact of women in Latin music.

Released last Friday, “Besos Robados” is a heartfelt ballad that delves into themes of heartbreak, longing and the bittersweet process of letting go. “You, who inspired me so many, many melodies/ You left my heart so empty/ I’d better say goodbye (I wanted you by my side, but today they are stolen kisses),” they sang in Spanish.

In addition to being one of the evening’s performers, Ana Bárbara also took on the role of host for the prestigious gala. Last year, she received the Lifetime Achievement award at the gala.

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 coverage 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.