The magazine People en Español published its traditional annual list on Wednesday of «The 50 Most Beautiful 2026», led by singer Belinda, and among those selected are four individuals of Cuban descent: quarterback Fernando Mendoza, musician Cimafunk, rapper Pitbull, and presenter William Valdés.
The publication categorizes its selections into thematic groups—music and stage, television, sports, and series—and brings together about fifty personalities from entertainment, sports, and the arts who, according to the magazine itself, "have made us laugh, made us cry, got us dancing and singing, moved us with their achievements, and inspired us with their sacrifices."
Fernando Mendoza is undoubtedly the most notable addition of this edition. The Cuban-American quarterback, grandson of Cuban immigrants and a former player for Indiana University, was selected with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 24 by the Las Vegas Raiders, marking a historic milestone for Cuban-American sports.
Before arriving at the NFL, Mendoza completed 273 of 379 passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions in his final college season, in addition to adding 276 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He won the Heisman Trophy and the national championship with Indiana, and later signed a four-year rookie contract worth 57.3 million dollars fully guaranteed.
In the music category, Cimafunk (Erik Alejandro Iglesias Rodríguez) appears, the artist born in Pinar del Río who has solidified his international presence alongside figures such as Karol G, Luis Fonsi, and Feid.
The musician from Pinar, who in 2024 became the first Cuban artist to perform at Coachella, recently shared a performance with Emilio Estefan that strengthened his presence on American stages.
Pitbull (Armando Christian Pérez), globally known as "Mr. Worldwide," is also featured in the category "Stage Attraction," alongside Rosalía, Aitana, and Yandel.
The Cuban-American rapper from Miami has been one of the most commercially successful Latin artists in the world for over two decades, and his inclusion on the list confirms his relevance in the Spanish-speaking entertainment industry.
The Cuban representative in the selection is William Valdés López, a presenter born in Havana on January 10, 1994, who appears in the category "The Sparkle of the Small Screen" alongside Dayanara Torres, Carmen Villalobos, and Karla Monroig.
The simultaneous presence of these four figures in this year's edition reflects the broad representation of Cuban talent in various areas of entertainment and sports, showcasing the growing influence of Cuban talent in Spanish-speaking popular culture on both sides of the Atlantic.
In previous editions, the list had already recognized Cubans such as William Levy, Ana de Armas, Lili Estefan, and Yotuel Romero, but never before had four compatriots been featured in the same annual selection.
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