Ricardo Farias was born in the United States. He has spent 26 years giving his career to the Portuguese community. Ricardo built the bridge and stayed on his side. Not because he had to. Because he chose to.

“When I don't feel nervous, I get nervous” he says to Tony Gonçalves, a day before stepping on the stage of the IPMA, his 11th time hosting the International Portuguese Music Awards. Eleven times on that stage and he still feels the weight of it. That is not anxiety. That is respect for the room.

His inspirations are Walt Disney and Fred Rogers. Not names you'd expect from a Portuguese community TV host and MC, but when you think about what both men did, creating connection, building trust, treating an audience like they matter, it is exactly right. “He showed care and compassion at the same time he was teaching them” Ricardo said about Rogers. “That human approach to this type of work was fantastic.” That is also what Ricardo does. For 26 years and counting.