In her speech, Cuban-American singer-songwriter Camila Cabello expressed gratitude to the most significant female influence in her life: her mother, Sinuhe Estrabao.
Cabello, emphasizing her mother's strength and comforting presence during tough times, remarked in her acceptance speech: “When the world is suffering, headlines that make my chest ache with news of war and death with dangerous amounts of lack of compassion, my mom reminds me that there is love in this world […] she shows me that there is hope in this world. Her best advice is not something she says but something she practices — her kindness, empathy and most importantly how she treats people.”
Inspired by this example, the "I Luv It" singer — who has achieved 21 career entries on the Billboard Hot 100, including the No. 1 hits "Havana" (with Young Thug) and "Señorita" (with Shawn Mendes) — has learned to leverage her star power and platform to champion causes she deeply cares about, such as immigration, mental health, climate change, and LGBTQ+ rights.
“It feels like it really didn’t sink in until I saw that video, and saw the trajectory of my career and the journey that I’ve been on in the past several years,” Cabello shared exclusively with Billboard backstage after receiving her award.
“Seeing my parents getting emotional, and seeing things that I’ve been able to do in music but also with people … my interaction with people around the world has been so fulfilling. I’ve just gotten to see so much and feel really thankful that I’ve gotten the opportunity that I’ve gotten to interact with people.”
Cabello was one of eight female artists honored at the second annual Billboard Latin Women in Music event, alongside Gloria Estefan (Legend Award), Ana Bárbara (Lifetime Achievement Award), and Woman of the Year, Karol G.
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