Peruvian singer Tefi Valenzuela, formerly known as Stephanie Valenzuela and a onetime cast member of the Peruvian reality show 'Combate,' has received her first international award nomination at the Premios Juventud 2026.
Organizers announced the nominees for all 50 categories of this year's awards on their official social media accounts. Carín León, Beéle, Kany García and Rauw Alejandro lead the nominations. The ceremony will take place on September 3 at Starlite Marbella in Andalusia, Spain.
Valenzuela is nominated in the Creator of the Year category, one of two Peruvians in that group. She said she would never tire of telling her followers to leave everything in God's hands, to trust and to focus because everything is possible, adding that she loved them and thanked them for their daily support.
Tears over the nomination
Valenzuela shared a video on TikTok showing her moved to tears by the news. She said she had been crying in the video because she learned she had been nominated for a Premios Juventud award, and that it was the first time she had received an international award nomination. She noted the award is not one artists can apply for, since nominees are chosen instead.
The Peruvian artist, who was previously linked to Mario Irivarren, said she did not know what criteria were used to nominate her. She asked Peruvians to vote for her so she could win her first international trophy. Voting closes on September 10.
Valenzuela will compete in the Creator of the Year category against Ibai Llanos, Rocío López, Stefanny Loaiza and fellow Peruvian Diego Rodríguez.
The Arequipa-born singer said she only knew that nothing was impossible for God. She recalled mentioning in a March interview that she wanted to win a Premios Juventud award, saying look how life turns out. She added that every time she takes the stage outside her country, she represents not just herself but all of Peru.
