Camila Cabello made sure to shout out the women who have impacted her life and career during her speech at the Billboard Latin Women in Music 2024 gala, where she was honored with the Global Impact Award.
Speaking in both English and Spanish, Cabello spoke with great emotion about her mother, who was present at the music special, which aired on Sunday night (June 9): “I was thinking about what to say tonight here in front of you and I decided to take this moment to thank my mom. Honestly, I had never taken a moment to talk about her like this, so I wanted to do it tonight.”
Cabello praised her mother’s strength and her ability to comfort her in difficult times. “When the world is suffering, the headlines make my chest hurt 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 expressed. “She inspires me with that infinite strength that just being herself, transmits her endless energy and encourages my sister and me no matter how exhausted she is. 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.”
The “I Luv It” singer was among this year’s Latin Women in Music honorees, which also included superstars Kali Uchis, Gloria Estefan, Kany García, Ángela Aguilar, Ana Bárbara and Karol G. In her speech, Cabello made sure to recognize their contributions to music and express her love for Estefan, whom she also shouted out numerous times throughout her speech.
“I feel very honored to share this award with these incredible women. Gloria Estefan, I mean, are you kidding? Karol G, Ana Bárbara, Ángela Aguilar, Kany García, La India, Kali Uchis. I love you guys, you guys are amazing. You all have been and are a source of inspiration for me and other women, so I salute you. I love you, Gloria!”
Of course, she also thanked her fans, for whom she had some advice: “I would like to tell them not to underestimate the power of their actions, be kind to the shy new kid at school, stand up for a friend who is being bullied and get involved with the cause you care about. Every act of kindness creates a chain reaction.”
Cabello added: “I am grateful every day to be Cuban and Mexican and from Miami. I’m proud to represent young people with stories like mine, to be proof of possibility. I’m here because of the kindness and generosity of so many people and I remind myself every day to pass it on. I love you mommy and I love you all so much. And I love you Gloria Estefan.”
Listen to Camila Cabello’s full speech below:
