Billboard celebrates Shakira in tribute to Latin women in music
By Alice Civita
Miami, May 6 (EFE).- The first Billboard Latin Women in Music gala celebrated Colombian singer Shakira and other female talent on Saturday, beginning with a blue carpet dominated by pinks, black and metallics to open the historic event.
Although the woman of the night did not walk the carpet, the Colombian wore a short black dress and her hair loose to the ceremony to receive the first-ever Woman of the Year award. She entered the Watsco Center in the city of Miami accompanied by her family.
Shakira’s essence permeated the entire carpet, with young artists such as Puerto Rican Gale and Mexican Mariangela pointing to her as an “example to follow.”
“At Billboard Latin we have years supporting and opening spaces for female talent. This event is a further important step in this goal,” said Leila Cobo, vice president of Billboard Latin and the creator of the tribute.
Other honorees included Mexican Ana Gabriel, receiving the Living Legend Award; Argentinian Emilia, receiving the Rising Star Award; her compatriot Maria Becerra, receiving the Visionary Award; Venezuelan Evaluna, receiving the Tradition and Future Award; and Colombian Goyo, receiving the Agent of Change Award, and Mexican Thalia, receiving the Global Powerhouse Award.
Thalia paraded in a pleated gold suit and a crown of stars, while Goyo was faithful to her fight for the environment with a suit made of recycled denim pieces.
“These awards are very important because they are simply motivational for us to continue fighting together to help us achieve our dreams, meet our goals,” said Goyo, who paraded with her mother and daughter.
Evaluna wore a long yellow dress with a fuchsia print, while Emilia chose a long, elegant black dress.
“We are celebrating the path that others have opened for us,” said Emilia, who was accompanied by her mother, adding “it is a responsibility to go further for those who come after us.”
Evaluna arrived without her husband, Camilo, who is on tour in Mexico. The singer praised the fact that the gala brought together “different generations and different genders.”
Other artists at the gala included Colombian singers Greeicy, Mike Bahía and singer-songwriter compatriot Keityn, as well as Venezuelan American singer-songwriter Elena Rose and Peruvian artist Nicole Zignago. The women were in black, with styles as varied as their music, while the men were more toned down so as to not detract attention.
Becerra wore a short dress in royal blue – her “favorite color” – while the American sisters Hanna and Ashley of the Ha*Ash duo wore black gowns with characteristic rock touches.
The inaugural Latin Women in Music event is an expansion of Billboard’s Women in Music franchise.
Its goal is to “further elevate Latin music globally and celebrate the women who have made a concrete impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements, or through tangible, noteworthy actions that have brought measurable recognition and opportunity to women, affecting positive change to the industry as a whole.” EFE
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