Latin AMAs debut sets great precedent for future shows

Artist Nicky Jam took home three awards, shared with Enrique Iglesias, for song “El Perdón.” Photo courtesy of Iñaki Salazar, WIkipedia

The first annual Latin American Music Awards took place in Los Angeles on Oct. 8. The big winners of the night were Enrique Iglesias and Nicky Jam. As a Latino, I absolutely love the fact that Latino artists are being honored for their musical talents.

The red carpet was star-studded. Lucero Leon, the host, had a shiny LaBourjoisie black dress on with a hood. She looked gorgeous. However, I personally found Gloria Trevi, the Pelo Suelto singer, to be the best dressed of the night. Chiquis Rivera, the daughter of the late pop star Jenni Rivera, was also present and discussed the upcoming movie about her mother. She said to Latina.com, “I’d love to be the one to play the part but I also want to be behind the cameras.” She also wishes that whoever plays the part of her mother Jenni Rivera does it with a lot of passion and love just as Jennifer Lopez did for Selena Quintanilla after her sudden death.

My favorite part of the night was the tribute to salsa icon Celia Cruz with a medley by Aymee Nuviola, who will be portraying the singer in the upcoming Telemundo series Celia about the iconic singer who began her career during the Cuban Revolution. She catapulted to stardom at a time when women had no stage on which to perform. I am overjoyed that a singer who represented the latino culture so well is being honored. Other performances included Daddy Yankee, Paulina Rubio, Lil Jon and Shaggy.

Gloria Trevi also told Latina.com exactly what I feel about this new awards show: “I think Los Angeles is the second Mexico. It’s the best place they can make this event. I’m so happy because we are going to have a place to show what we can do.”

I hope this is the beginning of many more years for the Latin AMAs!

This is the complete list of winners.

Artist of the Year: Enrique Iglesias

New Artist of the Year: J Balvin

Song of the Year: “El Perdón,” Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias

Album of the Year: “A Quien Quiera Escuchar,” Ricky Martin

Favorite Female Artist: Gloria Trevi

Favorite Male Artist- Pop/Rock: Enrique Iglesias

Favorite Song- Urban: “Sígueme y Te Sigo,” Daddy Yankee

Favorite Artist- Tropical: Romeo Santos

Favorite Collaboration: “El Perdón,” Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias

Favorite Duo or Group: Camila

Favorite Song- Pop/Rock: “La Mordidita,” Ricky Martin feat. Yandel

Favorite Male Artist- Regional Mexican: Louis Coronel

Favorite Duo or Group- Regional Mexican: Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda

Favorite Song- Regional Mexican: “Y Así Fue,” Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda

Favorite Male Artist- Urban: Daddy Yankee

Favorite Song-Urban: “Sígueme y te Sigo,” Daddy Yankee

Favorite Crossover Artist: Demi Lovato

Favorite Song-Tropical: “La Gozadera,” Gente de Zona feat. Marc Anthony

Favorite Dance Song: “I Want You To Know,” Zedd feat. Selena Gomez

Favorite Streaming Song: “El Perdón,” Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias

Favorite Duo or Group- Urban: Gente de Zona

Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that Jennifer Rivera portrayed Selena Quintanilla. Jennifer Lopez portrayed Selena Quintanilla in the 1997 film Selena. The Daily Trojan regrets this error.