Bad Bunny surprises Ivy Queen, TWICE's magical performance: Billboard Women in Music top moments

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Billboard Women in Music awards are a night to celebrate the accomplishments of women in the music industry – and this year, Bad Bunny joined in on the fun.

As soon as "Abbott Elementary" star and host of Wednesday's award show, Quinta Brunson, welcomed the Puerto Rican superstar to the YouTube Theater stage, fans went wild, yelling "te amo, Benito!" Struggling at times to get a word in over screaming fans, Bad Bunny stayed laser-focused on his goal: to honor 50-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, Ivy Queen, with the Icon Award.

Speaking in Spanish, Bad Bunny said that "he has a little piece" of the reggaetonera in his musical DNA. "It's what has given me strength, what has made me work double to prove people wrong, and made me feel proud of who I am like Ivy has always done."

"As a fan of reggaeton, I've waited a long time for this moment," he continued. "In 2023, I think we're in a moment where more female reggaeton exponents exist and I don't want to speak for (Ivy), but I'm sure it's because of the seeds Ivy planted a long time ago."

This isn't the first time Bad Bunny has given Queen her flowers. In 2020, he brought her on the "Yo Perreo Sola" remix and during his World's Hottest Tour dates, he invited the "Queiro Bailar" singer to perform alongside him.

To accept the award, Queen gave an empowering speech and encouraged other Latina artists to stand up for themselves and "not to stay quiet when something hurts."

Other Billboard honorees included SZA (Woman of the Year Award); Becky G (Impact Award); Lana Del Rey (Visionary Award); Rosalía (Producer of the Year Award); Kim Petras (Chartbreaker Award); Latto (Powerhouse Award); TWICE (Breakthrough Award); Doechii (Rising Star Award); and Lainey Wilson (Rulebreaker Award).

Here are more top moments from the night:

Becky G accepts Impact Award 'holding back tears'

Becky G had a lot to be grateful for on the eve of her 26th birthday.

"I'm not going to lie, I'm genuinely holding back tears," the singer said teary-eyed onstage, accepting the Impact Award. "I was already crying backstage with my team because tomorrow is my birthday and I cannot help but think that this is some crazy sign from God that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."

As an Inglewood native, Becky G said it meant the world to her to be celebrating women in music in her hometown. "I can't put it into words, I wouldn't be where I am today without my community," she told USA TODAY. "They're always at the forefront of everything I do and I'm proud of where I come from."

"Girl power all day," she said. "Women need to support one another. It's one thing to talk about girl power and another to act on it, and stand by it."

Kim Petras talks Grammy win, advice to LGBTQ fans

On the red carpet, Petras spoke to USA TODAY about how she's been celebrating since she became the first openly transgender woman to win a Grammy for best pop/duo group performance last month for her smash hit "Unholy" with Sam Smith.

"It's been crazy, it's been nonstop," Petras said. "I still can't really believe that that happened … but I'm a workaholic and I love working, so I celebrate by going even harder."

The German-born dance-pop singer also shared a piece of advice to her LGBTQ fans passionate about pursuing music and breaking barriers.

"Stay true to what makes you special, believe in that. Disregard what other people have to say. Be really nice," she said. "Find people who understand you and who want to be on the journey with you. Find people you trust. Don't ever forget the passion you have as an artist. Make sure that whatever you're a part of, and whatever you make, makes you happy. It's important that you love what you do."

Lainey Wilson didn't realize she was breaking the rules

Country singer Lainey Wilson thrives on being a rulebreaker. "I've gone against the grain … and it's taken me a really long time to get to this moment," Wilson told USA TODAY on being awarded the Rulebreaker Award. "I have a really hard time being anything other than myself but I feel like (things) are finally in my favor."

"I didn't even realize I was breaking the rules," Wilson added. "I was just doing things how I wanted to do them."

That's more or less her advice to women trying to break into the country music industry. "First of all, I would say this is the hardest thing that you'll ever do but also the most rewarding."

She encourages rising artists to "find whatever it is that makes you different and unique and lean into it as much as possible. It could be your style, your songwriting, it could be your voice – whatever it is, find that strength and don't take no for an answer."

TWICE gets Kim Petras up on her feet

K-pop group TWICE put on a show that got Petras out of her seat.

On stage, after receiving the Breakthrough Award from "really big stan" Sabrina Carpenter, Chaeyoung of TWICE said receiving the award was "the most magical way to start our year."

Magical was also one way to describe their electric and energetic performance of "Moonlight Sunrise," their second English-language single off their upcoming album "Ready to Be." The YouTube Theater reverberated as the K-pop queens hit every mark of their choreography.

Chloe Bailey gushes over Billboard honoree Latto

Chloe Bailey was all about empowering the women around her on Wednesday night. Speaking to USA TODAY ahead of the award ceremony, Bailey said she was "so happy to be here to present my girl Latto and give her her flowers." The duo also shared sweet moments on the carpet when they ran into each other – as they giggled, blew kisses, hugged one another and hyped each other up on how they planned to act up on stage when presenting and receiving the Powerhouse Award.

The singer-songwriter said that being around "this frequency" was also gearing her up for her album release later this month. "In Pieces" will mark Bailey's debut solo studio album.

"It's put me in the right mindset, I'm getting inspired, I'm believing in myself more and I'm really happy to be here," she said.

More trailblazing women in music

• Ranchera royalty Ángela Aguilar follows 'in the footsteps of my dad' Pepe, but could also be its future

• Latin music stars to add to your playlist ASAP: Silvana Estrada, Angela Alvarez, The Marias, and more

• It's about time: Women like Karol G, Natti Natasha, Becky G and Anitta are transforming reggaeton. 

• Changemaker: Kim Petras earns Grammy for Sam Smith hit, becomes first openly transgender woman to win honor

• Joni Mitchell sings at Gershwin Prize concert in her honor with 'new friends, old friends'

• Pink explores grief, marriage, the meaning of 'Trustfall': 'I will not be the villain in your story

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bad Bunny and Ivy Queen, TWICE, Kim Petras, more from Billboard event