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The Hall of Fame described Cruz on its official website with these words: "Cruz was a pioneer of 20th-century Latin pop and beyond with her contributions to the Afro-Cuban guaracha style, as well as with the creation and popularization of salsa. With her powerful voice and vibrant image, Cruz was the voice of love and freedom following the Cuban revolution and during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States."

The institution also highlighted that "Cruz has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, making her one of the best-selling Latina artists to date" and that "with classics like 'Quimbara', 'La vida es un carnaval', and 'La negra tiene tumbao', Cruz reigns as the undisputed queen of salsa."

The Musical Influence category honors artists whose style and journey directly influenced the development and evolution of rock & roll and culturally impactful music.

Cruz shares this category this year with Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons.

Born Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso in Havana on October 21, 1925, she was one of fourteen children and found her voice singing lullabies to her younger siblings.

She made her professional debut with Sonora Matancera in 1950 and remained their lead vocalist for 15 years, until the success of the Cuban Revolution forced her to leave the island in 1960.

The regime of Fidel Castro banned her and prohibited her music in Cuba, but that did not prevent Cruz from building a monumental career in exile.

In 1974, the album Celia & Johnny alongside Johnny Pacheco from Fania Records and the single "Quimbara" propelled her to international stardom, marking the beginning of nearly three decades of increasingly ambitious tours and productions.

Cruz's induction adds to a long list of posthumous recognitions: she won three Grammys and four Latin Grammys during her lifetime, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2016, and in 2024 she became the first Afro-Latina to appear on a United States 25-cent coin.

The ceremony is scheduled for November 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and a television special will air in December on the ABC network and on the Disney+ platform.

Details: By Super User; Category: Popular; 14 April 2026; Hits: 78

Lionel Messi's wife Antonela Roccuzzo sent a message to journalist Sofi Martinez, who was accused of flirting with the Argentina captain after a viral interview.

Lionel Messi's wife Antonela Roccuzzo revealed her true character by sending a private message in support of the woman accused of flirting with her husband. She rejected claims of any inappropriate conduct and backed sports journalist Sofi Martinez, who had unwittingly become the subject of online speculation. It all began with an exchange between the football legend and Martinez during the 2022 World Cup. Shortly after Argentina's 3-0 semi-final triumph over Croatia, where Inter Miami star Messi had netted the opener from the penalty spot and set up Julian Alvarez for the third goal, Television Publica reporter Martinez praised him on guiding the nation to a World Cup final.

As the interview concluded, the journalist ended with a heartfelt message for Messi. "I just want to tell you that no matter the results, there's something that no one can take from you, and it's the fact you resonated with Argentinians, every single one," she said. "I'm being serious. There's no kid who doesn't have your team shirt, no matter if it's a fake, real or a made up one. Truly, you made your mark in everyone's life. And that, to me, is beyond winning any World Cup. No one can take that from you and this is my gratitude, for the amount of happiness you bring to a lot of people."

upporters initially applauded the reporter's candour as the interview went viral. However, the widespread coverage also prompted some onlookers to mischaracterise the relationship between the footballer and the journalist.

Martinez has since disclosed that she received a message from Messi's wife Antonela after inadvertently finding herself thrust into the limelight. The reporter was battling to handle the speculation when Antonela made contact, demonstrating her compassionate nature.

During a recent appearance on the A Punto show for Pisco TV, Martinez recalled: "There was no need for her to message me. But out of the blue, she messaged me saying: 'Sofi, don't worry, don't listen to that nonsense.'

"I'm thankful because I wasn't having a great time with the whole situation. People were making things up or creating situations with no basis in reality. It was very unfair. And the fact that she sent me that message... It was reassuring."

Sharing her thoughts on Antonela, Martinez added: "I admire her. I'd love to be able to interview her at some point in the future."

Messi and Antonela have been a couple since 2008 and tied the knot in their hometown of Rosario in June 2017. They welcomed their first son Thiago in 2012, followed by Mateo in 2015, and their youngest child Ciro in 2018.

Meanwhile, Martinez previously disclosed the strain that the speculation had placed upon her and her family. In December 2023, she stated on PH Podemos Hablar: "A lot of the time when your exposure increases, it brings things that aren't so good and my family suffers a lot.

"This year, people began to talk more and more about, 'What's up with the way he looks at you', things like this, and I was caught in the middle of something that made me feel ridiculous to have to clarify."

Nearly four years after the viral interview, Messi will be hoping to guide his nation to World Cup triumph once more this summer. The 38 year old has scored 116 goals in his 198 appearances for Argentina, including seven at the Qatar tournament in 2022.