The Las Culturistas Culture Awards, now in their fifth year, will honor Latinx excellence in film, music, and digital media on June 19 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with performances by Bad Bunny, Rosalía, and Selena Gomez. The ceremony, produced by Univision and Telemundo, will stream live on Peacock and Paramount+, marking the first time the awards expand beyond their traditional Spanish-language broadcast to a major English-language platform.
Bad Bunny’s Hosting Debut and the Awards’ Evolving Role in Hollywood
This year’s ceremony arrives amid a cultural reckoning for Latinx representation in Hollywood. The awards, which debuted in 2022 as a response to the underrepresentation of Latinx creators in major industry accolades, have grown into a must-watch event—drawing over 3.2 million viewers in 2025, according to Nielsen ratings data.
- Bad Bunny’s hosting debut: The Puerto Rican superstar, who has avoided awards shows for years, will emcee alongside Eiza González, signaling a new era of crossover appeal.
- Awards expansion: Categories now include Digital Creator of the Year and Streaming Series of the Year, reflecting the rise of Latinx influence on platforms like YouTube and Netflix.
- Industry pushback: While the awards celebrate Latinx culture, some critics argue they risk becoming a "feel-good" event without tangible industry change. "The problem isn’t just awards—it’s who gets greenlit, funded, and distributed," said Ana Castillo, president of Latinx in Media, in a recent interview with Variety.
The ceremony will also spotlight Selena Quintanilla’s posthumous legacy, with a tribute performance by Selena Gomez, who is producing the show alongside Univision CEO Miguel Vias.
June 2026 TV and Film Premieres Featuring Latinx Creators and Collaborations
1. El Rey (HBO Max) – Season 2 Premieres June 20
The Peabody-winning drama about Salvador Dalí’s rise in 1920s Paris returns with Javier Bardem reprising his role as the artist. Season 2, directed by Pedro Almodóvar, explores Dalí’s early collaborations with Luis Buñuel and Federico García Lorca.
Why it’s worth watching: The show’s lush visuals and historical depth have drawn comparisons to The Crown, but with a distinctly Latinx perspective. "It’s not just about Dalí—it’s about Spain’s cultural revolution," said Almodóvar in a Deadline interview.
2. One Day (Netflix) – Final Season Drops June 18
The Emma Thompson–Daisy Ridley rom-com adaptation concludes its three-season run with a 2026 setting, exploring how the characters’ 1988 bond holds up in an era of climate anxiety and political division.
Key twist: The finale features a cameo by Idris Elba as a fictionalized version of Alok Sharma, the UK’s former COP26 president. Netflix reports the season has already surpassed 100 million hours viewed in its first 48 hours.
3. The Bear (FX) – Staffers Reveal Behind-the-Scenes Chaos
While the show isn’t new, leaked footage from the The Bear table read has reignited fan speculation about a potential spin-off centered on Sydney Sweeney’s character, Natalie. Creator Christopher Storer has not confirmed plans, but FX executives told The Hollywood Reporter they are "exploring standalone projects" in the franchise.
4. Daisy Jones & The Six (Prime Video) – Live Concert Film Premieres June 22
The 2019 novel adaptation, starring Riley Keough and Sam Claflin, will debut as a live concert film, shot at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl. The project, produced by Amazon Studios and Universal Music, aims to capture the 1970s rock revival aesthetic.
Industry buzz: Reports suggest Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks will make a cameo, though neither party has confirmed.
5. The Last of Us (HBO) – Season 2 Part 2: The Final Chapters
The Peacock/HBO series concludes its second season on June 19, wrapping up Joel and Ellie’s story after a three-year hiatus. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey will return for the finale, with Kaitlyn Dever reprising her role as Sarah.
Leaked details: Sources tell Deadline that the season will explore Ellie’s journey to adulthood and a shocking reveal about Joel’s past. "This is the emotional climax of the series," said showrunner Craig Mazin.
6. Extraordinary (Apple TV+) – The New X-Men Spin-Off
A new Marvel series set in the X-Men universe, Extraordinary follows a young mutant (played by Mckenna Grace) navigating her powers in 1980s New York. The show, produced by Marvel Studios and ABC Signature, has been delayed multiple times but will finally premiere June 21.
Why it’s a sleeper hit: Unlike X-Men ’97 or Legion, this series focuses on everyday mutants, not supervillains. "We’re telling a story about belonging, not just powers," said showrunner Michelle Paradise in a Variety interview.
Critics Debate Whether Latinx Awards Shows Drive Real Industry Change
- Streaming’s Latinx boom: Netflix’s El Reino (2024) and Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building spin-off Only Murders in the Sky (starring Selena Gomez) have proven Latinx-led content can cross over.
- Awards fatigue: While events like Las Culturistas celebrate culture, some creators argue they lack real industry impact. "We need more than trophies—we need contracts, budgets, and distribution deals," said Lin-Manuel Miranda in a recent Los Angeles Times op-ed.
- The Writers Guild of America’s Latinx Caucus is pushing for mandated diversity quotas in Hollywood writing rooms.
- Univision’s acquisition by AT&T (now Warner Bros. Discovery) could reshape how Latinx content is produced and distributed.
Transmedia Projects and the Future of Latinx Storytelling Beyond Awards Shows
Final Note: For fans of Latinx storytelling, the next frontier lies in transmedia projects—think interactive experiences, podcasts, and gaming—where creators like Bad Bunny (with his Un Verano Sin Ti universe) and Eiza González (producing The Last of Us spin-offs) are already leading the charge. The Las Culturistas Awards may be the ceremony, but the real work is just beginning.
Find more reporting in our Entertainment section.
