ANNOUNCING THE 2026 CELESTIAL RISING AWARD HONOREE-PAULINA CHÁVEZ
WIFT TEXAS ANNOUNCES PAULINA CHÁVEZ AS THE 2026 “CELESTIAL RISING™” AWARD HONOREE
Actress Paulina Chávez Will Be Honored at The Celestial Awards™ Show On January 17th At The World-Class Tobin Center In Downtown San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO, June 24, 2025 –Today, Women in Film & Television Texas (WIFT Texas) announced El Paso-born San Antonio-raised actress Paulina Chávez as the 2026 inaugural “Celestial Rising™” Award Honoree. At age 23, the proud Mexican-American actress already has significant film, music, theatre, and television credits and, Chávez is currently in Taylor Sheridan’s 101 Studios’ “Landman” which quickly became one of Paramount+’s most-watched series. Starring alongside heavyweights like Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Hamm, and Demi Moore, Paulina Chávez has claimed her space as a must-watch cast member and continues to deliver stellar perfomances as Ariana Medina, a resilient young widow navigating life and loss in the oil boomtowns of Texas.
“I’m so honored (and honestly, a little emotional!) to be receiving the ‘Celestial Rising’ Award in my hometown, San Antonio. As an artist, this moment means a lot, especially getting to stand on the stage at the Tobin Center, where so much talent has passed through. I’m incredibly grateful to Women in Film & Television Texas for this recognition, and I’m really looking forward to a beautiful night surrounded by inspiring people,” said Paulina Chávez.
The Celestial Awards™ honor trailblazing women of achievement in the Media & Entertainment industry celebrating all verticals of the industry. The awards show will take place on Saturday, January 17th, at The Tobin Center’s world-class H-E-B Performance Hall in downtown San Antonio, following the Texas Media+Entertainment Summit™ on January 15th and 16th, also located at The Tobin Center. The highly produced and entertaining awards show will be hosted by actress and producer Renae Treviño, who was honored with the organization’s Theatrical & Comedy award in November 2024 at the Majestic & Empire Theatres.
“I am beyond thrilled that actress Paulina Chávez has accepted our invitation to be honored with the inaugural ‘Celestial Rising’ Award presented by Women in Film & Television Texas. This young woman of achievement has set the bar high thus far in her career and is already a tour de force delivering memorable and impactful performances across multiple formats,” continued Ceslie Armstrong, WIFT Texas Board of Directors Chairwoman and Executive Producer of the Texas Media+Entertainment Summit and The Celestial Awards™, “Paulina has captured audiences globally through stellar performances while maintaining her Texas pride and celebrating her Mexican-American heritage. I know the participants of the Celestial Rising Program will strive to achieve success, looking to Paulina Chávez as a soaring example of what is possible for young women through hard work, dedication, and perseverance.”
“We can’t wait to celebrate Paulina Chávez on January 17th at the beautiful Tobin Center in downtown San Antonio amongst industry professionals from across the USA, fans, supporters of WIFT Texas and our remarkable members,” said Eileen Kret, Women in Film & Television Texas Board of Directors Vice President and Co-Executive Producer of the Texas Media+Entertainment Summit™ and The Celestial Awards™.
At just 23, Paulina Chávez is a rising talent with a strong cultural voice who embodies professionalism and purpose. Women in Film & Television Texas is proud to honor her with the 2026 “Celestial Rising Award” at The Celestial Awards™ on January 17th at The Tobin Center in downtown San Antonio, Texas.
ABOUT “CELESTIAL RISING™” AWARD HONOREE PAULINA CHÁVEZ
Actress • Singer • Advocate
Paulina Chávez is making waves as one of the breakout stars of “Landman,” the hit Paramount+ series created by Taylor Sheridan’s 101 Studios (“Yellowstone,” “Lioness,” “1923,” and more). Set in the high-stakes world of West Texas oil, “Landman” debuted to audience and critical acclaim in late 2024 and quickly became one of Paramount+’s most-watched series. Starring alongside heavyweights like Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Hamm, and Demi Moore, Paulina shines as Ariana Medina, a resilient young widow navigating life and loss in the oil boomtowns of Texas. Her layered performance has earned praise for its emotional depth and authenticity, marking a powerful next chapter in the rise of this formidable young talent.
A proud Mexican-American born in El Paso and raised in San Antonio, Paulina began performing in local theater at just seven years old. She quickly moved from community stages to national screens, gaining early recognition in Netflix’s “The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia,” where she made history as the first Latina lead in a multi-camera Netflix comedy. She later starred as fan-favorite ‘Flora’ in “Fate: The Winx Saga” and captivated audiences again in Disney+’s 2025 feature “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip” opposite Texas-native Eva Longoria and Cheech Marin.
Her feature film work includes the award-winning theatrical release of “The Long Game” (Mucho Mas Media) in 2023, starring native Texan Dennis Quaid, based on a Del Rio-based 1950s era true story. This critically acclaimed film’s production and festival success, premiering at SXSW, made a cultural and cinematic impact, with Paulina’s performance as Daniela Torres solidifying Chávez’s presence on the big screen.
Her additional credits include voicing characters in “The Casagrandes Movie” (Nickelodeon), portraying Young Kim Kardashian in “Scandal Made Me Famous,” and appearances in short films and regional television. Beyond the screen, Paulina Chávez was also a vocalist and former mariachi violinist, with deep musical roots inspired by artists like Juan Gabriel, Shakira, Selena Quintanilla, and Shania Twain. She remains proudly connected to her heritage and hometown of San Antonio, often speaking about the role her South Texas upbringing has played in shaping her values and career.
Off-camera, Paulina Chávez is a passionate advocate for the Latinx community. In partnership with The Salvation Army in San Antonio, she founded the “Be Your Own Kind of Genius” scholarship to uplift and inspire young creatives in her hometown.
ABOUT WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION TEXAS
Women in Film & Television Texas is the leading nonprofit membership organization chartered in 2023 for people working in the media and entertainment industry throughout Texas including members located throughout the United States and globally and advocates of the organization. The WIFT Texas mission and programming is dedicated to promoting equity for women in the Media & Entertainment industry at all stages of their careers, including students.
We are proudly an official chapter of Women in Film & Television International “WIFTI” which is a global network of more than 13,000 members and 70 partners and chapters located on six continents that for more than 50 years has been dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of media and entertainment.
WIFT Texas members represent a broad range of professions spanning the entire Media & Entertainment industry. From producers and directors to accountants and lawyers, above the line and below, in front of the camera or behind it, WIFT Texas is dedicated to helping women reach their highest level of achievement in media and entertainment. Memberships are also available for people who want to advocate, align with, and support the nonprofit organization. College students from across the state, individuals with an interest in learning about the industry, partner organizations, and corporate members are welcome. WIFT Texas’ mission includes building community across the industry while collaborating with other WIFTI chapters and partners and organizations in the region we serve.
Based in downtown San Antonio, Texas, Women in Film & Television Texas was founded by native San Antonian and Media & Entertainment veteran Ceslie Armstrong on November 11, 2023, at the invitation of the global organization.
To learn more about becoming a member, supporter, partner, and the programming slate including The Celestial Awards™, visit WIFTTEXAS.ORG or email hello@wifttexas.org
To Contact our CEO Ceslie Armstrong directly: ceslie@ceslie.com
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Media Contact, The Celestial Awards™:
Mary Moore: editorial@wifttexas.org