More than 20 years after its launch, the Premios Juventud, TelevisaUnivision’s annual awards show celebrating Hispanic youth culture, has evolved into a week-long fest that will culminate at the Starlight Amphitheater in Marbella, Spain on Sept. 3.
This expansion marks a historic milestone for the show as it grows from a single-night event to an immersive festival, dubbed the PJ Fest, featuring creator initiatives and live concerts from Houston, Miami and Los Angeles, before culminating in its 23rd edition in Marbella.
Fans voting for the 50 award categories began casting their votes from August 10 at PremiosJuventud.com.
The event is particularly meaningful for Univision Television Networks Group President Ignacio Meyer who was previously executive VP of Music for Univision in the U.S.
“This latest move [to Spain] took quite some time because it involved our partners at Televisión Española, the wonderful team at Starlite in Marbella and really the entire music community, which needs to support us and be there. It took about a year and a half to put together and we’re very excited.”
While most award shows acknowledge long-standing careers or achievements, the Premios Juventud Agents of Change awards recognize artists for their social impact and commitment to future generations and their communities. “We’re ‘re rewarding the generosity of artists that use their platforms for social good,” said Meyer, naming actor Antonio Banderas, singer Marc Anthony, reggaetón artist Yandel and Spanish pop-rock band La Oreja de Van Gogh as this year’s agents of change.
Antonio Banderas Credit: Javier Salas
Anthony is known for his philanthropic work through his Maestro Cares Foundation, which has supported more than 35 projects benefiting children and underserved communities across Latin America and the U.S. Since the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, he has also led “Unidos por Venezuela,” a benefit concert and international telethon supporting the country’s recovery and reconstruction.
Marc Anthony Credit: StudioLifestyle
Yandel is recognized for his support of community and educational initiatives, mental health awareness and emerging Latino talent. Through charitable programs and his Yandel Sinfónico Tour, which blends reggaetón with local symphony orchestras, he has created opportunities for more than 250 classical musicians while collaborating with music students and orchestras worldwide.
Yandel Credit: Oscar Mena
La Oreja de Van Gogh Courtesy of Premios Juventud
The confirmed lineup assembles major Latin stars, emerging talent and artists from across Latin America and Spain, including Christian Nodal, Ángela Aguilar, Camilo, Yandel, Wisin, Ǫuevedo, Ana Mena, Farruko, DND | Do Not Disturb, Santos Bravos and many others.
Said Meyer: “This [collaboration] really underscores what we’ve been able to do with our commitment to international audiences, which is taking Latin culture and localizing it. Just like we localize Latin culture in the U.S., they will localize the importance of Latin music, Latin culture in Spain.”
