3 weeks ago
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MIAMI (AP):
His presence had remained a mystery, but Bad Bunny was there in person Thursday night to receive all the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards that were given to him, including the special Billboard Top Latin Artiste of the 21st Century Award.
Puerto Rican star Rita Moreno presented him with the accolade, and flirtatiously noted that the reggaeton singer is “good” and “whole”. Then, in a more serious tone, she told him that she identified with him.
“Today I see an artiste who takes the whole world,” Moreno said of Bad Bunny. “That same strength, that same passion, that helped me to never give up.”
Taking the stage to his song BAILE INoLVIDABLE, Bad Bunny, 31, danced a bit of salsa with Moreno, 93.
“Thank you very much, you are whole too,” he told the Oscar- and Tony-winning actress.
Bad Bunny was announced as winner of the Billboard Top Latin Artiste of the 21st Century Award but didn’t show up at the red carpet. He had previously skipped other major ceremonies, so this presence remained a mystery that ended when he showed up at the beginning of the night to pick up the Top Latin Album of the Year.
He had broken a record by being a finalist for 27 categories of the Latin Billboards 2025, and became the top winner of the night with 11 awards, including Artiste of the Year; Global 200 Latin Artiste of the Year; and ‘Hot Latin Songs’ Male Artiste of the Year.
“I am grateful for these awards, but at the same time I recognise that, just as I deserve it, Rauw, Fuerza Regida, Peso, Karol could win it. I think we are all doing something incredible in music; our music is reaching more and more places,” he said upon receiving the Artiste of the Year award from Olga Tañón.
Bad Bunny’s hit DtMF won three awards, including Streaming Song of the Year. His album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, was recognised as Top Latin Album of the year.
Karol G was the biggest female winner of the awards broadcast live on Telemundo from the James L. Knight Center in Miami, receiving six awards, including Hot Latin Songs Female Artiste of the Year. Her song Si Antes te Hubiera Conocido swept four awards: Global 200 Latin Song of the Year; Latin Airplay Song of the Year; Sales Song of the Year and Tropical Song of the Year.
Fuerza Regida won five awards, including Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Duo or Group. Their hit, Tu boda, with Óscar Maydon was recognised as Regional Mexican Song of the Year, and Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event. Laura Pausini received the Billboard Icon Award for her outstanding international career.
In his long-awaited return to the stage, Daddy Yankee premièred Sonríele worldwide. At the end of his presentation, he said that he had a new mission: “To tell the world that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.”
English (US) ·