Mexican star Peso Pluma accepted the first-ever Billboard Vanguard Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2025. There to present him with the special honor was girlfriend Kenia Os, who spoke about Peso Pluma’s achievements. Minutes later, the corridos hitmaker took the stage to not only accept the honor but to share a passionate kiss with Kenia.

“I didn’t know she was going to give me the award,” Peso said, almost blushing but visibly excited about receiving it from her hands. “I am extremely happy and proud of this remarkable woman,” Peso remarked. “I am delighted that you have given this to me. Thank you to those who support me. Long live corridos!”

Peso Pluma also performed during the awards ceremony. Accompanied by 12 dancers, he sang “Apaga La Luz,” his collaboration with Mexican DJ and producer duo RØZ.

The “Rubicón” singer spoke to Billboard on the red carpet and teased upcoming new music. ” I am working hard, so stay tuned for upcoming announcements,” he noted. “Something special is coming with Tito [Double P]. I am very pleased and excited about the surprises coming next year as I work to release music that everyone is waiting for.”

Hailing from Jalisco, Mexico, and known for hits like “Por Las Noches,” “PRC” and “AMG,” Peso Pluma has notched 25 top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, 33 titles on the Billboard Hot 100, and landed at No. 3 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Artists of 2024.

Most recently, Peso Pluma made history as the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s (CFDA) first Mexican ambassador for New York Fashion Week. 

Hosted by Goyo and Javier Poza and broadcasted live from Miami’s James L. Knight Center on Telemundo, the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2025 can also be streamed live on the Telemundo app, Peacock and Telemundo Internacional across Latin America and the Caribbean.

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.