Becky G starred in one of the most emotional moments of the night at the fourth edition of the Billboard Women in Music, held on Thursday, by performing "Dreaming of You" as a tribute to Selena Quintanilla before an audience that could not hold back their tears.
The performance took place during the presentation of the Global Impact award to the 29-year-old Mexican-American singer, an honor she received from her colleague and friend Natti Natasha during the gala.
Dressed in a sparkling outfit and with her head wrapped in a scarf that highlighted her unique style, Becky G took the stage to honor the so-called "Queen of Tex-Mex" with a performance full of emotion and nostalgia.
The choice of the song was not coincidental: "Dreaming of You" is one of Selena's most iconic tracks, released posthumously in July 1995, and represents the longing and hope that defined the legacy of the Texan artist.
Upon receiving the award, Becky G delivered a speech that brought equal parts applause and tears.
"Global impact really makes me reflect on my own impact. I love what I do on stage, but for me, it’s also about what happens when the lights go out. It’s about how I engage with my community, how I represent my culture, and how I make space for the next generation while honoring the generations before me. Obviously, a great inspiration for me was Selena Quintanilla, someone who showed us that we don’t have to choose between cultures and languages and that we can be all of them at once," said the artist with tears in her eyes.
Becky G closed her speech with a direct message to the women and girls watching her: "Your voice matters, you don’t have to diminish yourselves. You already belong, we deserve to dream without limits."
The performance sparked an avalanche of reactions on social media, where thousands of followers expressed nostalgia and admiration. "That death still hurts" or "Selena forever in our hearts, no one like her." Many celebrated the gesture as a respectful tribute between two generations of Chicana artists, summarized in a widely circulated phrase: "Both have very similar stories but different generations."
The tribute takes on a special meaning due to the connection between both artists: Becky G, born in Inglewood, California, of Mexican descent, shares a Chicana identity with Selena and the experience of navigating between two cultures and languages.
The gala, hosted by Chiquis, also honored Rosalía as Woman of the Year and presented awards to Gloria Trevi (Musical Career), Ivy Queen (Pioneer), Julieta Venegas (Artistic Excellence), Lola Indigo (Artistic Evolution), Young Miko (Unstoppable Artist), and Joy (Spirit of Change).
Selena Quintanilla, who passed away on March 31, 1995 at the age of 23, sold over 18 million records during her lifetime and continues to be a cornerstone of Latino identity in the United States, a legacy that Becky G's performance demonstrated that no generation is willing to forget.
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