MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced today that award‑winning singer‑songwriter, activist, and actress Ximena Sariñana will receive the Hispanic Heritage Award for Music at the 39th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards on September 10, 2026, at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, with a national PBS broadcast during Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Awards will be moving out of Washington, DC, for the first time in their history to pay tribute to The People of The Twin Cities along with Sariñana and other Honorees to be announced over the summer. (See HERE for a visual presentation.) Sponsorship opportunities are available to support the Awards and HHF’s mission.
“I’m truly honored to receive this recognition from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to tell stories through music that connect with people across cultures and generations,” said Ximena Sariñana. “I accept this honor with immense gratitude and as a reminder of the responsibility we all have to continue creating, uplifting one another, and celebrating the richness of our Hispanic community.”
Ximena is one of the most versatile and influential voices in Spanish‑language alternative pop. With more than two decades of artistic trajectory, she has built a dedicated audience across Mexico, Latin America, and the United States, defined by her distinctive sound and consistent presence on major international stages.
“Ximena Sariñana’s impact shows up in so many ways,” said Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of HHF. “As a young actress in Mexico to an innovative singer-songwriter seamlessly blending genres to earn Latin Grammys to globally as an activist including her work with the United Nations. Ximena is an embodiment of the leadership our community and the world needs. Bravo Ximena!”
Her debut album Mediocre earned four stars from Rolling Stone and is considered a landmark in Mexican alternative pop. She has since released a celebrated catalog, including Ximena Sariñana, No todo lo puedes dar, ¿Dónde bailarán las niñas? Amor adolescente, and her latest project, Existencia Kamikaze.
Ximena Sariñana has performed at leading festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza (ARG/CL/USA), Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, SXSW, Vive Latino, Estéreo Picnic, Pal Norte, and Cordillera. In Mexico City, she has sold out Teatro Metropólitan (2022 & 2025) and Lunario del Auditorio Nacional (four times). In 2024, she performed alongside Los Ángeles Azules at the 37th Hispanic Heritage Awards. She is also the co‑founder and headliner of Festival HERA, a platform elevating women in music.
She is also a respected activist and speaker, followed by more than 23 million people across her social platforms. Her career has earned nominations from the Latin Grammy Awards, MTV Awards (USA & Europe), and GQ Awards.
Her screen work includes Amarte Duele, Efectos Secundarios, and the Apple TV+ series Las Azules (Season 2, 2026).
The Hispanic Heritage Awards are considered among the highest honors for Latinos by Latinos and have traditionally been broadcast and streamed on PBS. (Watch highlights from last year’s awards HERE.) The Awards were established by the White House in 1988 to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month in America and are recognized as “America’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration” and supported by more than 40 national, Latino-serving institutions.
Past Awardees have included: Rita Moreno, Gloria Estefan, Bad Bunny, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Ricky Martin, Fania All-Stars, Junot Diaz, José Feliciano, Isabel Allende, Carolina Herrera, Jose Andres, Carlos Vives, Alejandro Sanz, Juanes, Antonio Banderas, Juan Luis Guerra, Anthony Quinn, J Balvin, Zoe Saldaña, Los Tigres Del Norte, Oscar de la Hoya, America Ferrera, Pedro Martinez, Astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Gael Garcia Bernal, Carlos Santana, Salma Hayek, Linda Ronstadt, Richard “Crazy Legs” Colon, and many others. Find all past HHA Honorees HERE.
About the Hispanic Heritage Awards
The Hispanic Heritage Awards serve as a launch of HHF’s year-round mission, focused on economic mobility, stronger communities, positive narratives and cultural pride through education, workforce development, societal impact, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Visit https://hhflink.org/WeAreHere for a video highlighting HHF’s award winning programs and visit the website at www.HispanicHeritage.org. Follow HHF on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok. Listen to the HHF podcast Fritanga on your favorite streaming service and HHF YouTube channel.
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For more information on the 39th Hispanic Heritage Awards, please contact John Reilly, [email protected] or Nicolás Peña, [email protected]
For Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Jessica Herrera [email protected]
