Mexican-American artist Selena Gomez will be recognized as Woman of the Year at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music Awards, a distinction that celebrates not only her artistic success but also her leadership and cultural impact.
The ceremony, which will air live on Telemundo on April 24 at 9 p.m./8c, will pay tribute to the women who are transforming the Latin music industry.
"With a career that has transcended genres, languages, and formats, Selena Gomez has left an indelible mark on pop music and embraced her Latin roots through projects that celebrate her heritage and connect with new audiences," Billboard said in a statement upon making the announcement.
Her foray into the Latin market began with a bang in 2018 with 'Taki Taki,' a collaboration with DJ Snake, Ozuna, and Cardi B that debuted at number one on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart, a position it held for 13 weeks.
Since then, her commitment to Spanish-language music has only strengthened. In 2021, she released "Baila Conmigo" with Rauw Alejandro, which peaked at number 4 on Hot Latin Songs and reached number 1 on Latin Airplay. Her EP, "Revelación," was released entirely in Spanish and debuted at number one on the Top Latin Albums chart, something that hadn't happened to a female artist since Shakira's "El Dorado." The album also earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Pop Album.
Most recently, Gomez surprised audiences with the collaborative album 'I Said I Love You First,' made with producer Benny Blanco.
This work, which includes the song "Ojos Tristes" with The Marías—a reimagining of Jeanette's classic "El Muchacho de los Ojos Tristes"—became the best-selling early release of her career and returned her to the Top 5 of Hot Latin Songs.
But "Selena Gomez is much more than a successful artist: she is a powerful voice in mental health activism, social equity, and Latinx representation. Through her Rare Beauty brand and the Rare Impact Fund, she has mobilized more than $20 million in support of youth mental health programs on five continents," Billboard added. She is also the co-founder of Wondermind , a platform that combats the stigma surrounding mental health and promotes emotional well-being.
Through her work as an actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Gomez has proven herself a multifaceted figure who uses her influence to create real change. Her impact transcends music, making her a true cultural icon for millions of people.
This year's ceremony will also pay tribute to other prominent figures in the Latin music scene, including Anitta (Vanguard Award), Belinda (Evolution Award), Celia Cruz (Legend Award), Chiquis (Impact Award), Ha*Ash (Inquebrantables Award), Natti Natasha (Unstoppable Artist), and Olga Tañón (Lifetime Achievement Award).
The Billboard Latin Women in Music Awards will be streamed on Telemundo, the Telemundo app, Universo, and Peacock, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional. The gala promises to be a celebration of the power, resilience, and creativity of the women who are shaping the present and future of Latin music.
