11 of the Most Iconic Latin Grammys Moments Ever

Mar. 15, 2025

Celia Cruz, Ricky Martin and Gloria Estefan perform together at the inaugural Latin Grammy Awards.Photo:Frank Micelotta/Getty

Frank Micelotta/Getty

The Latin Grammys are back!The awards ceremony, now in its 25th year, will take place on November 14 in Miami, with artists includingBad Bunny,Anitta,Karol GandShakiravying for one of the year’s gramophones. Over the years, the award show has been the site of numerous big moments including star-studded tributes, milestone makers and even — at least once — a sweet smooch between exes.Ahead of this year’s big event, here’s a look back atsome of the most iconic momentsto take place at the Latin Grammys.

The Latin Grammys are back!

The awards ceremony, now in its 25th year, will take place on November 14 in Miami, with artists includingBad Bunny,Anitta,Karol GandShakiravying for one of the year’s gramophones. Over the years, the award show has been the site of numerous big moments including star-studded tributes, milestone makers and even — at least once — a sweet smooch between exes.

Ahead of this year’s big event, here’s a look back atsome of the most iconic momentsto take place at the Latin Grammys.

01of 11Shakira Cleans Up at the First Ever CeremonyShakira in 2000.Vinnie Zuffante/GettyAt the first ever Latin Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Shakira not only took home two awards for both female pop vocal performance and female rock vocal performance, she performed her award winning song “Ojos Así” complete with her famous belly dancing.

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Shakira Cleans Up at the First Ever Ceremony

Shakira in 2000.Vinnie Zuffante/Getty

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty

At the first ever Latin Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Shakira not only took home two awards for both female pop vocal performance and female rock vocal performance, she performed her award winning song “Ojos Así” complete with her famous belly dancing.

02of 11Christina Aguilera Performs at 2000 CeremonyChristina Aguilera in 2000.HECTOR MATA/AFP via GettyChristina Aguilerawas also nominated at the inaugural event for her song “Genio Atrapado.” While she lost to Shakira, the following year she took home an award for her albumMi Reflejoandmore than 20 years later, won the award for best traditional pop vocal album forAguilera.

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Christina Aguilera Performs at 2000 Ceremony

Christina Aguilera in 2000.HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty

HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty

Christina Aguilerawas also nominated at the inaugural event for her song “Genio Atrapado.” While she lost to Shakira, the following year she took home an award for her albumMi Reflejoandmore than 20 years later, won the award for best traditional pop vocal album forAguilera.

03of 11Juanes Wins Best New ArtistJuanes.M. Caulfield/WireImageJuaneshas brought home 25 Latin Grammy Awards since the ceremony began, but it all started in 2001 when he took home the trophy for best new artist (along with two others for rock solo vocal album and rock song).Because that year’s ceremony was set to take place on Sept. 11, recipients received their awardsat a press conferencelater on.

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Juanes Wins Best New Artist

Juanes.M. Caulfield/WireImage

M. Caulfield/WireImage

Juaneshas brought home 25 Latin Grammy Awards since the ceremony began, but it all started in 2001 when he took home the trophy for best new artist (along with two others for rock solo vocal album and rock song).

Because that year’s ceremony was set to take place on Sept. 11, recipients received their awardsat a press conferencelater on.

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Celia Cruz, Ricky Martin and Gloria Estefan Pay Tribute to Tito Puente

Celia Cruz, Ricky Martin and Gloria Estefan in 2000.Frank Micelotta/Getty

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Celia Cruz Wins Best Salsa Album for ‘La Negra Tiene Tumbao’

Celia Cruz in 2002.Frederick M. Brown/Getty

Frederick M. Brown/Getty

Cruz died the following year, the age of 77.

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An A-List Group Honors Celia Cruz

A tribute to Celia Cruz.M. Caulfield/WireImage

07of 11Ricky Martin Wins Person of the YearRicky Martin.Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImageWith 24 nominations over the course of the ceremony’s history, it’s no surpriseRicky Martinhas taken home the Latin Grammy’s Person of the Year Award. As is the tradition with the honor, Martin took the stage to perform, first singing his song “Tu recuerdo” and later getting up from his seat, taking off his coat, and showing off his dance moves as he sang “Pégate.”

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Ricky Martin Wins Person of the Year

Ricky Martin.Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

With 24 nominations over the course of the ceremony’s history, it’s no surpriseRicky Martinhas taken home the Latin Grammy’s Person of the Year Award. As is the tradition with the honor, Martin took the stage to perform, first singing his song “Tu recuerdo” and later getting up from his seat, taking off his coat, and showing off his dance moves as he sang “Pégate.”

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Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony in 2016.Michael Tran/FilmMagic

Michael Tran/FilmMagic

In 2016, Marc Anthony received the Person of the Year award — and despite having split years prior, Jennifer Lopez reunited with her ex-husband to bothperform a duet and present him with the award.

“You are giving us classics that will remain in us forever,” Lopez said in Spanish in her speech to Anthony. “You will always be many things in my life — a mentor, a soulmate, a father. He is not only a Person of the Year, he is a living legend.”

As the crowd began to chant “kiss” — the former couple responded witha quick and sweet smooch.

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Alejandro Sanz Welcomes Dreamers to the Stage

Alejandro Sanz performs in 2017.Michael Tran/FilmMagic

10of 11Bad Bunny, Marc Anthony and Will Smith Hit the StageBad Bunny, Marc Anthony and Will Smith in 2018.Ethan Miller/GettyThis dynamic trio opened up the 2018 awards toperform their song “Esta Rico."“Will and I have always wanted to work on a musical collaboration,” Anthony said of the song in a press release viaBillboard. “This song seems perfect for this moment we’re both experiencing creatively. Working with Bad Bunny for the first time has been a great surprise. We all had a magnificent chemistry, and that energy is palpable in both the music and the video.”

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Bad Bunny, Marc Anthony and Will Smith Hit the Stage

Bad Bunny, Marc Anthony and Will Smith in 2018.Ethan Miller/Getty

Ethan Miller/Getty

This dynamic trio opened up the 2018 awards toperform their song “Esta Rico."

“Will and I have always wanted to work on a musical collaboration,” Anthony said of the song in a press release viaBillboard. “This song seems perfect for this moment we’re both experiencing creatively. Working with Bad Bunny for the first time has been a great surprise. We all had a magnificent chemistry, and that energy is palpable in both the music and the video.”

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Maluma and Susana Gomez Celebrate Their Growing Family

Maluma and Susana Gomez.Patricia J. Garcinuno/WireImage

Patricia J. Garcinuno/WireImage

The couple’s first child wasborn in March 2024.

source: people.com