AceShowbiz - Thalia created one of the most memorable highlights at the 2026 Billboard Women in Music Awards held on April 29 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The Mexican superstar not only received the prestigious Icon Award but also paid tribute to her cultural roots by performing with a full mariachi band during her dynamic stage presentation.

As the recipient of the Icon Award, Thalia energized the audience with a vibrant medley of her classic hits "Piel Morena" and "Amor a la Mexicana." These songs hold special significance in her career: "Piel Morena" reached No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart in 1995, marking her first top 10 hit, while "Amor a la Mexicana" climbed to No. 6 in 1997.

For her performance, Thalia donned a striking short red dress paired with a flowing cape of the same color. She began "Piel Morena" accompanied by two guitarists, soon joined by four dancers dressed in white mariachi-style suits. The energy escalated as an all-female mariachi group took the stage for "Amor a la Mexicana," while a larger male mariachi ensemble, clad in black, roamed through the audience aisles playing live music, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

Following her performance, the award presentation was led by actress and activist Eva Longoria, who lauded Thalia for her extensive career and hailed her as a genuine "chingona," a Mexican term meaning “bad-ass.”

In an emotional acceptance speech, Thalia expressed gratitude to Billboard, her family, fans, and everyone supporting her across four decades, generations, countries, and languages. She reflected on the significance of the word “icon,” calling it a “symbol” embodying culture, story, and moments that resonate deeply in people’s hearts.

"An icon is not about standing here alone. It’s about opening doors so others can walk through them," she said. "It’s about holding on to your dreams even in uncertainty and reinventing yourself over and over. An icon is a survivor: she falls, she stands up, she keeps going because there’s no option."

Thalia dedicated the award to her younger self, the little girl who first stepped onto a television stage at age seven and discovered the magic of performing. She encouraged every child with big dreams not to stop, reminding them that their dreams are not too large—they are simply waiting to be grown into.

She closed her heartfelt remarks with a spirited call, "¡Viva México! ¡Viva los latinos! Gracias."

This honor adds to Thalia’s previous recognition, including the Global Powerhouse Award she received at Billboard Latin Women in Music in 2023.

Known as the Queen of Latin Pop and the Queen of Telenovelas, Thalia began her career as a child actress and member of the influential Mexican pop group Timbiriche. By her early twenties, she was a global sensation starring in the María Trilogy, a series of telenovelas broadcast in over 180 countries to nearly two billion viewers.

Launching her solo music career in 1990, Thalia rose with progressive pop-rock sounds and a playful image. She has achieved remarkable chart success with 41 songs charting on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay—the third most for a female artist behind Shakira (56) and Ednita Nazario (44). Her presence extends across multiple Billboard charts, including 29 entries on Latin Airplay, 26 on Hot Latin Songs, 16 on Top Latin Albums, and seven on the all-genre Billboard 200.

The 2026 Billboard Women in Music ceremony was hosted by Keke Palmer and streamed live on Billboard’s YouTube channel and Billboard.com, making the event accessible to a global audience.

Alongside Thalia, the event celebrated other outstanding women in music. The K-Pop group HUNTR/X members EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, and REI AMI were named Women of the Year. Additional honorees included Teyana Taylor (Visionary Award), Zara Larsson (Breakthrough Award), Kehlani (Impact Award), Laufey (Innovator Award), Mariah the Scientist (Rising Star Award), and Tate McRae (Hitmaker Award).

Billboard’s Women in Music serves as a platform to highlight the achievements and contributions of female artists across the music industry. For more information on the event and honorees, visit Billboard’s dedicated Women in Music section.