5 Things You Didn’t See on TV at Premio Lo Nuestro 2025

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!”

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.

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, 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.

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.