Boricua artists Marc Anthony and Yandel will be recognized as Agents of Change at Premios Juventud 2026, honoring their commitment to philanthropy, education, and community initiatives that have positively impacted future generations.
The distinction will be presented during the 2026 edition of the awards, which is making history by taking place in Europe for the first time. The awards show will be held on Sept. 3 at the Starlite Auditorium in Marbella, Spain, as part of PJ Fest, a new weeklong celebration of Latin music and culture.
Marc Anthony is being honored for his long-standing humanitarian work through the Maestro Cares Foundation, the nonprofit organization he co-founded in 2012 to support children and underserved communities across Latin America and the United States. The foundation has helped develop more than 35 projects focused on education, housing, and social services.
This year, the singer has also played a leading role in "Unidos por Venezuela," a benefit concert and international telethon supporting relief, recovery, and reconstruction efforts following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this year. His philanthropic work recently earned him a place on the TIME100 Philanthropy 2026 list.
Yandel will receive the honor for his ongoing support of educational and community programs, as well as his advocacy for mental health awareness within the music industry. The Puerto Rican artist has also dedicated significant efforts to mentoring emerging musicians and creating opportunities for young Latino talent.
One of the initiatives highlighted by Premios Juventud is Yandel's 'Yandel Sinfónico Tour', which has spent nearly two years combining reggaeton with live symphony orchestras. According to organizers, the project has generated employment and performance opportunities for more than 250 classical musicians while encouraging collaborations between professional orchestras and music students in cities around the world.
In addition to receiving the Agent of Change recognition, both artists are also among this year's nominees. Marc Anthony earned three nominations for Premios Juventud 2026, while Yandel received two.
Fans can vote for winners across 50 award categories through Aug. 10 at the official Premios Juventud website.
Premios Juventud 2026 will air live on Thursday, Sept. 3, on Univision, UNIMÁS, Galavisión, ViX, and YouTube across the United States beginning at 7 p.m. ET, with a simultaneous broadcast in Mexico on Canal 5 at 5 p.m.
Additional presenters and performers for this year's ceremony are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
