2023’s Most Influential Women

Celebrating Women in Entertainment for Women’s History Month

By Kayla Jovel, Staff Writer

Although Women’s History Month has come to end, 2023 seems to be the year for women, which is why we are celebrating the top influential and history-making women in entertainment this year.

To start our list, we are going down to Latin America with artists like Shakira, Becky G and Karol G, whose music has been filled with exciting projects, drama and achievements. These Latin artists have claimed their year and it’s just beginning.

The Mexican-American, genre-less artist Becky G was awarded the Impact Award from Billboard Women in Music and is the most nominated female artist at this year’s Latin American Music Awards. Becky G continues to reinvent herself and show her versatility with new releases, dipping her toes into mambo and meringue with the new song, “Arranca,” featuring Omega and by creating a regional Mexican album soon to be released.

Although we cannot forget her Billboard Women in Music speech, which brought homage to her town Englewood and brought tears to the 200 percenters for always representing and celebrating Latinidad culture. She once again stated how millions of Latinos feel living in the U.S., facing struggles on the road to success for those who are told, “que no somos ni de aquí ni de allá,” and always promising to take where she came from wherever she goes.

“Becky G is a young Mexican-American Chicana just like me,” said student Anna Gonzalez. “I resonate a lot with what she says about the struggles of being Mexican-American or any Latin American living in the U.S. She makes me proud of who I am and where I come from because of lot of things that she talks about are things that many Latinos feel and face every day and she speaks about it openly, which a lot of people don’t do. I respect her for that.”

Next on our list is the Colombian superstar Karol G who became the first woman in history to ever score No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with an all-Spanish album, “Mañana Será Bonito”. Karol G also claimed her year as she became the second women to rule No. 1 on Billboard Latin Songwriters chart.

Last in our list for music is another Colombian artist, Shakira. Shakira performed in the 2020 Super Bowl alongside other Latin artists and has broken 14 Guinness World Records for her collaboration with Bizarrap for BZRP Music Sessions Vol. 53. The song reached 63 million views within 24 hours on YouTube, becoming the most viewed Latin track and eventually becoming the fasted to reach 100 million views on YouTube.

“It’s cool to see how women, especially Latin women, are getting the attention they deserve,” said student Emily Fernandez. “Both Karol G and Shakira are big artists for Latinos and for them to be recognized mainstream is really cool to see because it feels like they are representing Latino America in a way, and their music is really good so it’s cool to see others enjoying it just as much.”

Leaving the music scene and heading to film, next on our list are two names: Michelle Yeoh and Quinta Brunson.

Brunson was one of this year’s honorees for Time Magazine’s Woman of the Year. This actress-producer created the tv-series “Abbott Elementary,” where she created a comfort comedy alongside a primarily female writers’ room. Brunson is an Emmy and Golden Globe winner and has continued to shine a light to not only teachers but to everyday people which is reflected on her sitcom, by establishing the importance of diversity and real-life topics. Brunson will spoon make her SNL debut.

Yeoh made Oscars history becoming the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. She starred in “Everywhere Everything All at Once,” playing Evelyn Wang, a first-generation Chinese immigrant. On the night of the Oscars, Yeoh dedicated her award to her mother who was watching from Malaysia. Yeoh gave her acceptance speech saying to ‘Never give up’ and that ‘this is proof to dream big, and dreams do come true.’

“Its all over TikTok. I scroll and see scenes of ‘Abbott Elementary,’ which is one of my favorite shows to watch. It shows everyone’s life and it’s really funny. Its’ cool to see Quinta get some recognition,” said Gabriela Thompson. “I saw the Oscars and I thought it was cool to see two Asians win such as big award, both Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan were able to make history and represent Asian-Americans.”

Ending our list with athletes, Alexa Grasso is the UFC’s first Mexican woman champion. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, the 29-year-old mixed martial artist made her debut in 2012. At UFC 285, the underdog fighter defeated Valentina Shevchenko, who was defending her title, which she has held for the past seven years.

With three Mexicans rising up in sports, Grasso has become someone to look out for and created a historic fight for not only sports fans but Latinos around the world.

From music to film to sport, women have influenced and become leading figures in their respective industries. Just this year, women have made history and received acknowledgment for their achievements worldwide. These women have created noise and have led themselves to greatness.

Becky G giving her acceptance speech for her Impact Award at Billboard Women in Music. Photo/BillBoard
Quinta Brunson along with the cast of “Abbott Elementary.” Photo/ tubefilter.
Karol G and Shakira collaborating in new song TQG. Photo/ Estilo
Everything Everywhere All at Once cast makes history winning Oscars and representing Asian Americans. Photo/ The Wrap
Alexa Grasso became the first Mexican women to win a UFC championship. Photo/bloodyelbow
A student enjoying “Abbott Elementary” on their iPad. Photo/K.Jovel
Lynn’s women’s soccer team.  Photo/Lynn University
Lynn’s South Asian Club. Photo/Lynn University.
Women’s History Month’s most influential and history-making women. Photo/K.Jovel.

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