Two Latin Music Couples Talk Family, Touring and Working Together in Miami
Jay Wheeler, Zhamira, Jessi Uribe and Paola Jara spoke on a panel about balancing love and music on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Billboard Latin Music Week. The session, called "Love and Music" and presented by Walmart, was moderated by Billboard writer Sigal Ratner-Arias. Billboard reported on the conversation.
The panel covered life on the road. Zhamira said her mother toured with her, and her mother-in-law came along too. She and Jay Wheeler bring their baby daughter, Aiunii, on tour. Paola Jara brought her own daughter, Emilia, to Miami, where she stayed with her two aunts and her mother.
Working together brought its own challenges. Jessi Uribe said the hardest part of making music with Paola is that the two work very differently. He studies songs for the intention behind them, he said, while Paola does not study songs, despite her voice.
Jay Wheeler and Zhamira, who describe themselves as best friends, also spoke about creative disagreements. He said they sometimes disagree when making music but always find a middle ground. He also spoke about his parents' divorce, which he said was hard for him. He said he makes a point of being present for his daughter.
The panel grew out of a theme Billboard had already explored. Earlier in October, the outlet published a feature titled "How Two Latin Power Couples Make It Work," about how the two pairs balance their marriages with their careers.
Wheeler has a busy calendar. He announced his La Voz Favorita World Tour in early October, and he also announced a live performance at the Wynwood Marketplace in Miami on October 21, as part of the conference. Billboard first reported the tour.
Latin Music Week runs from October 19 to 22, 2026. The week's next big moment is the Billboard Latin Music Awards, scheduled to broadcast live on October 22 on Telemundo, the Spanish-language TV network, and Peacock, the streaming service. The show will come from the James L. Knight Center in downtown Miami.
