Next month, at the first-ever Latin Women in Music event, Shakira will be recognized with the 2023 Woman of the Year award, according to an announcement made by Billboard and Telemundo on Monday. The Colombian pop superstar is being honored for her remarkable contributions to the music industry and for paving the way for Latin women to receive recognition and opportunities, all while making significant philanthropic efforts along the way.
According to Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin/Español, Shakira is an icon in the music industry and a true inspiration for Latin women around the world. With her unique style of deeply personal music, Shakira has paved the way for other Latin artists to break into the international music scene. Her talent, grace, and commitment to giving back continue to make her relevant today. Telemundo and Universo will be celebrating Latin women artists, executives, and creatives in a two-hour music special on May 7, featuring performances from Ana Gabriel, Emilia, Evaluna, Goyo, and Thalia. Shakira holds the title of the top-selling female Latin artist of all time, having sold over 95 million records worldwide, according to Billboard and Telemundo.
Twice named Billboard’s Top Female Latin Artist of the Decade, in both 2000 and 2010, Shakira has garnered an impressive array of awards throughout her career. She has received three Grammys, 12 Latin Grammys, seven Billboard Music awards, and 39 Billboard Latin Music awards, as reported by Billboard and Telemundo. Ronald Day, Telemundo’s president of entertainment and content strategy, praised Shakira for the role she has played in shaping Latin and general music, stating that her talent, passion, and creativity have broken barriers and empowered generations to embrace their identity through music. In recognition of her contributions to the industry, Shakira was named Women of the Year. Her single “MonotonÃa,” released in 2022, has become one of the most popular Spanish-language songs of the year, breaking records on Spotify as the most-streamed Latin track in 24 hours. Additionally, it debuted at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, making Shakira the first solo woman to reach the top ten with a song recorded in Spanish.
