Latina Powerhouse Gala 2026: Live updates from Miami’s big night

The big night is finally here! The 2026 ¡HOLA! Latina Powerhouse 100 Gala brings together influential women, celebrities, and industry leaders for an unforgettable celebration of Latina talent, leadership, and impact. Set against a backdrop of glamour and Latino pride, this special evening takes place at the Ziff Ballet Opera House at Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center, honoring the remarkable women making their mark across industries and shaping the future.

Held under the theme “The Hispanic Legacy: Inspiring America’s Future,” the 2026 edition celebrates the lasting contributions of Hispanic communities to American history and society while recognizing the trailblazing women whose leadership continues to inspire future generations.

A Star-Studded Red Carpet Kicks Off the Celebration

The festivities began with a spectacular red carpet, where dozens of celebrities, honorees, and special guests turned heads with their glamorous looks and standout style.

Following the arrivals, the celebration moved inside for an exclusive gala welcoming approximately 400 guests, including this year’s honorees and prominent figures from business, media, culture, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, sports, public service, and the arts.

Dayanara Torres, Andrea Meza, and Boris Izaguirre Take the Stage

The evening officially kicked off at 7 p.m., with an impressive trio of hosts leading the celebration: Dayanara Torres and Andrea Meza, both former Miss Universe titleholders who have built successful careers as television presenters, alongside acclaimed Venezuelan television personality Boris Izaguirre.

Together, they set the tone for a memorable night dedicated to celebrating Latina excellence, honoring inspiring achievements, and highlighting the growing influence of Hispanic women in the United States.

Miami Honors Latina Powerhouse 100 With Two Official Proclamations

One of the evening’s most significant moments came during a special ceremony featuring two official proclamations, recognizing the cultural impact and ongoing mission of ¡HOLA!’s Latina Powerhouse 100 initiative.

The ceremony brought together Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, Nagidmy Márquez, Chief Content Officer of ¡HOLA! Americas, and Maria Dreyfus-Ulvert, Head of International Affairs, representing Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, alongside Mercedes Sánchez Pérez, Vice President of ¡HOLA! magazine.

In a milestone for the initiative, Miami-Dade County officially proclaimed November 2 as ¡HOLA! Latina Powerhouse Day, while the City of Miami formally recognized ¡HOLA!’s Latina Powerhouse 100 initiative for its continued commitment to elevating Hispanic women’s leadership.

The recognition also celebrates the initiative’s efforts to preserve meaningful stories, amplify Latina voices, and honor the rich Hispanic cultural heritage that continues to shape Miami, the United States, and the Americas.

Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Mercedes Sánchez Pérez shared: “Having Miami-Dade County proclaim November 2 as ¡HOLA! Latina Powerhouse Day, and the City of Miami recognize our Latina Powerhouse Top 100 initiative, holds a very special meaning for us.”

An Elegant Dinner Sets the Stage for a Night of Celebration

Following the official proclamations, guests were treated to an exquisite dinner, with honorees and special guests enjoying a carefully curated menu featuring fresh ingredients and sophisticated flavors.

The first course, titled “Mujeres en Flores” (Women in Bloom), featured baby gem lettuce, confit hearts of palm, charred corn, plumped raisins, pickled red cabbage, dehydrated olives, spiced toasted almonds, orange-saffron vinaigrette, and Green Goddess dressing.

For the main course, guests enjoyed “Poder en Tinto” (Power in Red), a culinary creation featuring sweet corn purée, petite heirloom carrots, confit sweet potato, asparagus, and Bordelaise sauce.

The beverage selection included wines and cava from Vicente Gandía, Jean Leon, and Cavas Mastinell, along with cocktails featuring Don Julio, Zacapa, and Johnnie Walker.

Jean Shafiroff Receives the Latina de Corazón Award

The evening’s first special honors soon followed, adding more memorable moments to a celebration dedicated to recognizing Latino talent, leadership, and contributions.

Jean Shafiroff, widely known as New York’s “First Lady of Philanthropy,” received the Latina de Corazón Award in recognition of her dedication to the Hispanic community. The award was presented by prominent businesswoman and philanthropist Adrienne Arsht.

The honorees were presented with a special award designed by Argentine artist Marcelo Toledo, whose creation represents the different stages of a woman’s life. The piece pays tribute to each woman’s journey, her accomplishments, and the Latina roots that continue to shape her story.

The celebration continued with the presentation of the Hispanic Arts & Culture Legacy Honor to Johann Zietsman, who expressed his gratitude during the ceremony. “I want to thank ¡HOLA! for a memorable evening celebrating the power of creativity and Latina women,” he said.

A Meaningful Jewelry Design Celebrates the Strength of Latinas

Each honoree also received a special piece of jewelry celebrating the strength, impact, and influence of Latin American women. Jewelry designer Daniela Califa created a distinctive brooch featuring an ant and a pearl, a design with symbolism that goes far beyond its delicate appearance.

“I was inspired by ants because, although they are small, they represent extraordinary strength. They are hardworking, persistent, resilient, and capable of carrying much more than their own weight. To me, they reflect the spirit of Latinas,” Califa explained.

The Sound of the Americas Brings Music to the Latina Powerhouse Gala

Following a series of heartfelt speeches and award presentations, the evening reached one of its most anticipated highlights: “The Sound of the Americas,” a live musical journey featuring the Latina Powerhouse Big Band alongside special guest performers.

The 17-piece ensemble, led by Dr. Colleen Clark-Acosta, returned for the second consecutive year to bring the gala’s musical performances to life.

Boris Izaguirre introduced the Big Band, which kicked off its performance with an electrifying rendition of the iconic classic “Mambo No. 5,” setting the tone for an unforgettable musical celebration.

Disney Executive Rita Ferro Receives the Legacy of Excellence Award

Following the high-energy performance, the spotlight turned to another remarkable honoree as the Legacy of Excellence Award was presented to Rita Ferro, the Cuban-American business executive who serves as President of Global Advertising at The Walt Disney Company.

With nearly three decades of experience at Disney, Ferro was recognized for her outstanding career and contributions to the media and advertising industry.

Camila Fernández Brings Regional Mexican Music to the Gala

The musical performances continued with Camila Fernández, who brought the vibrant sounds of regional Mexican music to the celebration. The singer, who recently earned her first Latin Grammy nomination ahead of the upcoming awards ceremony, looked stunning in a navy blue charro suit featuring a striking orange bow. 

The form-fitting ensemble beautifully accentuated her growing baby bump.

Fernández delighted the audience with performances of “Serpiente de Cascabel” and “No Me Queda Más,” one of Selena Quintanilla‘s most beloved hits.

MŌRIAH, Irany, and Ela Taubert Deliver Unforgettable Performances

Meanwhile, MŌRIAH treated guests to captivating performances of “Superwoman” and “Killing Me Softly.”

Irany showcased her impressive talents as a multi-instrumentalist, taking center stage with her accordion. Originally from Mexicali, Baja California, the rising star energized the crowd with her renditions of “Si Una Vez” by Selena Quintanilla and “Caray” by Juan Gabriel. Her interpretation of the latter, a classic by the legendary Mexican singer known as El Divo de Juárez, has become one of her most viral videos on social media.

Ela Taubert also delivered a special performance, treating the audience to a medley featuring “Inevitable” by Shakira, along with her own songs “¿Cómo Pasó?” and “No Tengo Remedio.”

Amid the musical performances, Colombian cultural visionary Celia Sredni de Birbragher, the driving force behind ArtNexus, received the Cultural Vanguard Award in recognition of her dedication to promoting Latin American art and expanding its reach beyond borders.

Content creator Lele Pons received the Entertainment Vanguard Award, recognizing her influence and contributions to the entertainment industry.

Nella, Erika Ender, and More Stars Light Up the Latina Powerhouse Stage

Nella took the stage twice throughout the evening, delivering memorable performances. One of the highlights was a heartfelt tribute to Gloria Estefan, featuring a rendition of her timeless classic “Con los Años que Me Quedan.”

Panamanian singer-songwriter Erika Ender brought her talent to the celebration with a medley of “Candela” and the global hit “Despacito,” which she co-wrote.

Venezuelan flamenco dancer and choreographer Suidy Guerrero captivated the audience with a performance of “Ritual Fire Dance,” while Latin Grammy winner Nicole Zuraitis showcased her vocal talents with a medley of “But Not for Me,” “Jolene,” and “You Make Me Feel.”

As the evening approached its grand finale, renowned Colombian fashion designer Silvia Tcherassi was honored with the prestigious Fashion Legacy Award, celebrating her remarkable career and lasting influence on the fashion industry.

Aymée Nuviola brought the evening to a memorable close with a vibrant performance of “Chan Chan.”