Billboard’s Latin Music Week was all about female power on Tuesday (Oct. 15), as six international artists came together for the Women‘s Panel: Global Rise: Bad Gyal, from Spain; Belinda and Danna, from Mexico; Debi Nova, from Costa Rica; Mon Laferte, from Chile; and Zhamira Zambrano, from Venezuela.
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During the conversation, presented by Ulta Beauty and moderated by Ingrid Fajardo, social media manager/staff writer for Billboard Latin, the six Latin music stars created an atmosphere of camaraderie at The Fillmore Miami Beach as they spoke about the challenges of being a woman in the industry and the advances they have seen in recent years.
“I feel that the world is changing positively. Slowly, but it is changing,” said Mon Laferte. “When I started in music there were fewer women, not only on stage but behind the scenes. I see tech women, audio engineers, producers, and that speaks to the fact that there is a change in the world.”
While they highlighted the importance of collaborating and support each other, they noted that in many cases they have encountered men in the industry who have been their accomplices and allies.
Here are their best quotes from this year’s Women’s Panel.
Bad Gyal, on mental health and social media: “One way to handle it with more peace is to accept that insecurity is going to be there and that if one day you feel like not uploading anything, that’s fine. I’m Bad Gyal but I’m also Alba (her real name) and I live a real life. I am connected to my childhood, to my essence, and that also helps.”
Belinda, on her recent foray into Mexican music: “Three or four years ago they told me that that genre was not for women, that I would not be able to record those songs. Natanael Cano inspired me a lot […] Life changes when you do things by feeling them and fighting for what you want. Taking risks is what one has to do, and lose fear little by little.”
Danna, on female alliances in music: “They are important and necessary. We talk to each other and the world moves. Being able to turn around and know that we are colleagues and not competition […] We are making a very big change. Women are taking charge of everything. Here we are shaking the world.”
Debi Nova, on the music industry in her native Costa Rica: “Growing up there, I really didn’t have any reference in the country of women who dedicated themselves to music and now I see a whole generation of girls who are taking that leap, that challenge to say that yes it is possible, and I want to say that in part it is this generation of women who come to my country where little girls see them and say ‘if she can, I can.'”
Mon Laferte, on how she deals with haters: “I have learned to enjoy even having hate thrown at me. Sometimes I love that they think I’m the worst […] It’s the character: ‘She’s terrible, she’s bad.’ I laugh at it at home with my daughter. Maybe it’s because I’m older, age also [helps].”
Zhamira Zambrano, on how she maintains her essence despite the pressures of the industry: “I am very attached to God, to having my feet on the ground, to relying on my family, my husband, my daughter. Having that strong foundation at home is what works for me […] If you are happy and content with yourself and you are confident in yourself, you are going to radiate that to the world. We see that much more, woman empowerment, but it is never enough; “We have to continue watering that little plant.”
The 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards set to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20, on Telemundo. It will simultaneously be available on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.