The 2025 Premio Lo Nuestro, held live from Miami’s Kaseya Center on Thursday (Feb. 20), was full of glitz and glam, memorable moments, and exciting wins and performances.
Shakira was the evening’s top winner with six Premio Lo Nuestro awards, including the coveted Album of the Year for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. She also nabbed pop female artist of the year; pop-urban album of the year; pop-urban collaboration of the year and crossover collaboration of the year (both of those for “Puntería” with Cardi B); and Mexican Music Collaboration of the Year (for “(Entre Paréntesis)” with Grupo Frontera).
“It is very moving for me to receive the album of the year award, it means a lot,” she expressed to fans in a video message live from her tour stop in Colombia. “This is an album that has cost me sweat, tears, many experiences, and more than two years of work, so I appreciate this recognition very much.”
The Colombian sensation was followed by Carín León who took home five trophies: Mexican music male artist of the year; Mexican music song of the year for “Primera Cita”; Mexican music album of the year for Boca Chueca, Vol. 1; and his collaboration with Camilo on “Una Vida Pasada” won both the perfect mix of the year and tropical song of the year.
Additionally, Alejandro Fernández, La India, and Manuel Alejandro were recognized with special awards and each gave show-stopping performances that spotlighted their prolific years and contributions to Latin music. Pepe, Ángela and Leonardo Aguilar also had an emotional performance on stage, tributing the late Mexican icon Paquita la del Barrio, who passed away on Feb. 17.
Meanwhile, as viewers watched back home on television, Billboard was catching all the action backstage—at the magenta carpet and the media center.
Below, check out some highlights you didn’t see on TV.
Becky G Cries Backstage
Becky G walked away with the award for mariachi/ranchera song of the year for “Por El Contrario” with Ángela and Leonardo Aguilar, part of her all-música Mexicana album Esquinas. Backstage, while taking photos with her Premio Lo Nuestro trophy, she gave an elaborate acceptance speech.
“Esquinas was an opportunity to show something bigger than myself,” she said, clearly getting emotional. “Mexican music is part of my childhood, the music my grandparents played. I am the granddaughter of immigrants, all the opportunities, the reason I am here, fighting for my dreams for many years, is thanks to my grandparents, their sacrifices and the example they are for me… It is a pride to be a Chicana, born in Inglewood. Yes, I am from here and there. Mexicans ain’t going anywhere!”
Remembering Paquita
During the Billboard livestream, we also spoke to Majo Aguilar, who recalled the late Paquita la del Barrio. “I will admire Paquita because she was a woman who stood up very firmly for her ideals, and that she was not ‘made less than’ that is something very important and, well, ‘Ratas de dos Patas’ is an anthem, no? Of karaoke, of having a few tequilas,” said Aguilar, who won her first-ever career award for Mexican music female artist of the year.
First-Time Winners
Aguilar was one of many first-time winners at the 2025 Premio Lo Nuestro. Backstage, at the media center, Dominican newcomer and former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise, Lomiiel, was surprised with the news that he won the inaugural best dembow song award for his viral hit “Hay Lupita.” Breakthrough Colombian act, Kapo, also got the news backstage that he was the winner for pop-rock/urban male new artist of the Year. “To all those new artists, don’t stop dreaming,” he said to the press.
Bad Gyal’s Playlist
Bad Gyal, who won the inaugural best Eurosong award for “Chulo Pt. 2,” her fiery collaboration with Young Miko and Tokischa, stopped by Billboard’s carpet livestream to share her excitement, but also what she’s currently listening to in her playlist. “Once I’m all glammed up, I like to look at myself in the mirror, put on a song that I like and dance a little,” she said, noting that she’s currently listening to Brazilian funk, reggaetón, and Cuban reparto (a fusion of traditional Cuban music with urban). “I love reparto!” she exclaimed.
La India Praises Ángela Aguilar
After being honored on television with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and performing a medley of salsa hits that included “Ese Hombre,” “Dicen Que Soy” and “Mi Mayor Venganza,” with Sergio George on the piano, La India went backstage to take photos and talk to the press. But before she hit the spotlight, the Puerto Rican salsa artist was stopped on her tracks by the closing performance of Ángela Aguilar and Arthur Hanlon’s “Bala Perdida.” “Wow, that girl can sing! She can sing!” she said as she watched the talented pair on a small TV backstage.
