Laura Pausini chatted with Billboard’s Isabela Raygoza on the winner’s walk of the 2025 Billboard’s Latin Music Awards.
Laura Pausini was recognized with the Billboard Icon Award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday (Oct. 23), airing live on Telemundo. The Italian superstar received her trophy from Puerto Rican singer Ozuna.
“Thank you so much, Billboard, for this important recognition,” explained Pausini, elegant in a long black lace and beaded dress, evidently moved. “The fact that you consider me an icon makes me feel like a rare gem. It fills me with pride that after more than 30 years of career, I have the good fortune to be here, in front of all of you.”
“I’ve always said it: being from Italy and at the same time feeling so Latina is an enormous privilege that you have allowed. You have adopted me since I was a teenager,” she continued, adding that this time she would do something she had never done before: “I’m going to thank this hardworking Laura who hasn’t given up when she’s been told no, which has been many times, by the way.” And she went on to perform a cappella part of her hit “Víveme.”
Finally, she dedicated it to her family and her team, to God, and to the songwriters who’ve always inspired her. Moments before, Pausini performed her take of Gianluca Grignani‘s classic “Mi Historia Entre Tus Dedos” on a simple stage decorated with fog and white orbs of light.
The Billboard Icon Award honors artists whose careers have not only remained relevant over the years, but also those who have established themselves as some of the most distinguished artists in their genres, celebrated globally for achieving both musical and commercial success.
With over 75 million records sold and 6 billion combined streams throughout her 30-year-plus career, Pausini is the most internationally-recognized Italian voice and a global pop icon. Among other recent achievements, last November she earned her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 with a version of her 1990s hit “Se Fue” featuring Rauw Alejandro. In 2023, she was honored as the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year.
Her latest releases are “Mi Historia Entre Tus Dedos” and Bad Bunny’s “Turista,” both to be included in her upcoming covers album Yo Canto 2, while she recently announced a new world tour for 2026.
Additionally, Pausini participated in Billboard Latin Music Week in a highly anticipated “Icon Q&A” session, where she delighted fans with her charm, sang “Turista” and offered details about her upcoming releases.
Grupo Frontera chatted with Billboard’s Griselda Flores & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of 2025 Billboard’s Latin Music Awards.
Fuerza Regida chatted with Billboard’s Griselda Flores & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of 2025 Billboard’s Latin Music Awards.
Óscar Maydon chatted with Billboard’s Griselda Flores & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of 2025 Billboard’s Latin Music Awards.
Kapo chatted with Billboard’s Griselda Flores & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of 2025 Billboard’s Latin Music Awards.
Leila Cobo chatted with Billboard’s Griselda Flores & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of 2025 Billboard’s Latin Music Awards.
Netón Vega chatted with Billboard’s Griselda Flores & Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of 2025 Billboard’s Latin Music Awards.
Elvis Crespo was honored with the special Hall of Fame award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday night (Oct. 23).
“I thank God for allowing me to live this unique and different moment,” Crespo said during his speech. “When I decided to get into music, I never thought I’d experience a moment like this. I dedicate this award to my first manager, my mother, Irene, who gave me $5 to take my singing lessons every day in Rio Piedra. To Diómedes, to my father, who recently had corneal surgery, who can’t see me but is listening. Daddy, thank you because the Crespos gave me the ability to make music. To my children who are with me tonight. To the entire industry […] you make lifelong friends here. To the audience, thank you for believing in me.”
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Crespo was honored for his 30-year career that includes his timeless hits “Suavemente,” which topped Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart for six weeks in 1998, and “Tu Sonrisa,” which peaked at No. 1 for two weeks that same year.
The Billboard Hall of Fame Award celebrates a career that extends beyond musical performance and takes into account the incredible influence the recipient enjoys as an artist globally in multiple fields, according to a press release. Previous winners include Vicente Fernández, Rocío Dúrcal, Marco Antonio Solís, Joan Sebastian and Marc Anthony, among others.
The 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards coincided with the Billboard Latin Music Week that ran from Oct. 20 to 24 and featured star-studded speakers including Daddy Yankee, Laura Pausini, Kali Uchis, Gloria Estefan, Carín León, and many more.
Another day, another flood of music industry deals. How does one keep track? In an effort to provide an overview of the latest acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, licensing agreements and more, Billboard publishes a list of all of the latest pacts that have hit our radar every other Thursday.
Legacy management and creative development company Iconoclast struck a partnership with AI licensing and protection platform Vermillio applicable to the name, image and likeness (NIL) rights for Tony Bennett. Through the deal, Iconoclast will protect Bennett’s legacy from unauthorized use and license his voice and image in generative AI applications using Vermilion’s TraceID platform. TraceID will monitor the web and generative AI models for unauthorized uses of Benett’s NIL data.
“Partnering with Vermillio allows us to navigate the evolving technological landscape, preserving Tony’s artistic identity while embracing new, responsible and creative ways to extend his reach,” said Olivier Chastan, founder of Iconoclast, in a statement. “This collaboration sets a precedent for how we can protect and cultivate historically important artists in the digital age.”
Primary Wave Music partnered with guitarist, composer and bandleader Pat Metheny. Under the deal, Primary Wave will partner with Metheny on his music publishing catalog and recordings. Additionally, Metheny will launch his own label, Uniquity Music, in partnership with Green Hill Music, which falls under Primary Wave’s Sun Label Group umbrella. The deal encompasses Metheny’s more than 50 studio albums, including Still Life (Talking), Letter From Home and Secret Story, as well as songs including “Last Train Home,” “Always & Forever,” “Bright Size Life” and “Better Days Ahead.” All of Metheny’s future releases will go through Green Hill Music, which will provide marketing support and more. Metheny’s first release under the deal, Side-Eye, is slated for release next year.
See below for more of the latest music business deals.
