13 Times Latino Excellence Shined in 2018
It’s always great to be reminded of the accomplishments of Latinos, and what better time than the end of the year? We can look back at what we have achieved, and look forward to much, much more
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Franmarie Metzler; U.S. House Office of Photography
It’s always great to be reminded of the accomplishments of Latinos, and what better time than the end of the year? We can look back at what we have achieved, and look forward to much, much more. The following Latinx stars gave us a major dose of orgullo Latino with the milestones they reached in 2018.
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Camila Cabello Breaks Streaming Records
Camila Cabello wasn’t playing around when she started her solo career. In 2018, her first album debuted at #1, and the single “Havana” made Cabello the most streamed female artist on both Spotify (for female solo artist) and YouTube.
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Alexandria Ocasio-Ortiz Becomes Youngest Woman in Congress
Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez was another Latina who made history in 2018. In November, when she won the race for New York’s 14th Congressional District, the 29-year-old became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress.
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Guillermo del Toro Wins Two Oscars
Guillermo del Toro won two Oscars this year for the film, The Shape of Water. One was for Best Picture, and the other for Best Director.
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Cardi B Continued to Set and Break Records
Cardi B had a fabulous 2017 and followed it up with an equally fab 2018. She set the Apple Music record for most streams by a female artist in one week; was nominated for two Grammys, with five nominations for 2019; and became the first female rapper to have three #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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John Leguizamo Schools the World on Latino History
We all need to be schooled in Latino history since we didn’t actually get to learn it in school. Luckily, John Leguizamo heeded the call, creating the Broadway show, Latin History for Morons (currently streaming on Netflix).
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Elizabeth Acevedo Bestseller Wins National Book Award
Elizabeth Acevedo had a hit on her hands with the New York Times bestselling novel (and debut novel!), The Poet X. In addition to being a bestseller, the work also earned Acevedo the prestigious National Book Award.
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Lin-Manuel Miranda Gets Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
A Pulitzer Prize, an Emmy, a Tony, a Grammy, and countless other awards — Lin-Manuel Miranda is no stranger to excellence. This year, the 38-year-old was also honored with his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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And So Did Lynda Carter
Another Latinx to get a star on the Walk of Fame this year was icon Lynda Carter. The O.G. Wonder Woman, Miss World America 1972, singer, songwriter, and model has been a role model to Latinxs everywhere for decades.
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And Zoë Saldana
Zoë Saldana was the third Latino star to shine on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this year. She received her star on May 3.
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J.Lo Gets MTV Video Vanguard Award
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Jennifer Lopez was the recipient of the 2018 MTV Video Vanguard Award. Her performance, a medley of hits was fire, showing the world that J.Lo not only had it but continues to have it.
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Supermodel Adriana Lima Retires from Victoria’s Secret
Adriana Lima is a supermodel, and one of the instantly recognizable faces of the yearly Victoria Secret runway show. This year, she hung up her angel wings, retiring 19 years after first walking for the brand.
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Morena Baccarin Stars in One of the Top Movies of the Year
Morena Baccarin played Vanessa (Copycat in the comics) in the film Deadpool 2. It grossed a whopping $732.4 million worldwide, making it the 7th highest grossing movie (worldwide) of 2018.
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Victor Manuelle Sets Guinness World Records
Victor Manuelle, who is celebrating 25 years in the music game, is a salsa legend. Guinness World Records presented the star with five certificates, for:
Most charted titles on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart
Most charted titles on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart
Most Top 10 hits on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart
Most Top 10 hits on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart (male)
Most #1 singles on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart
