Selena Gomez is embracing the enduring essence of love, even though she was unable to personally attend the highly anticipated 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music awards ceremony.

Despite the “Hands to Myself” singer’s absence from the April 24 event due to her ongoing filming commitments in New York, she still made a memorable appearance by being honored as the Woman of the Year. In a heartfelt video message, Selena—who is currently engaged to Benny Blanco, a renowned music producer—expressed her deep gratitude for the recognition.

“I have dedicated a significant part of my life to my craft, and to be acknowledged, supported, and celebrated by women who share similar backgrounds is incredibly powerful,” she conveyed in her heartfelt video. “As I grew up, I was immensely proud of my Mexican heritage. Unfortunately, I often didn’t see many women who resembled me at the forefront of stories or on stage. It was a rare occurrence. Our narratives, our voices, and our diverse cultures truly deserve recognition and celebration.”

Selena elaborated on her 2021 album Revelación, stating, “Not only did this album provide me with another chance to showcase my culture, but I also knew it would make my abuela extremely proud.”

“Lastly, to my devoted fans, I can’t express my gratitude enough,” she stated with sincerity. “Thank you, thank you, thank you from the deepest part of my heart, and I love you all dearly.”

This honor is not a first for her; the 32-year-old star was previously awarded the title of Woman of the Year at the Billboard Women in Music event in 2017, mere months after undergoing a life-saving kidney transplant due to her ongoing battle with lupus.