Buzziest moments from Latin Grammy Awards past

By Cara Sprunk 9:02am PST, Nov 15, 2017

In the 17 years since the Latin Grammy Awards began, there have been many buzzworthy moments — ranging from political statements to head-turning fashion to, of course, epic performances. We've rounded up the top 20 moments from 2000 to now starting with a jaw-dropping kiss. Exes Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony locked lips on stage at the 2016 show. The two performed the 1984 Spanish hit "Olvidame y Pega la Vuelta" and then J.Lo presented her ex-husband with the Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year Award. "You are giving us classics that will remain in us forever," she said in Spanish. "You will always be many things in my life — a mentor, a soulmate, a father. He is not only a person of the year, he is a living legend." The audience responded by chanting "kiss!" and then the parents of twins Max and Emme did exactly what the audience wanted.

Cringe! At the 2016 show, Juan Gabriel posthumously won his first Latin Grammy for traditional pop vocal album. "He's not here," presenter Andres Ceballos of the group Dvicio said after making the announcement. "The Academy will make sure he receives this award." But Juan had died in August, three months before the show. That night, he also won album of the year, and that presenter was well-aware the legend had passed away over the summer at the age of 66.

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Big Willie Style came back big-time, joining Colombian group Bomba Estereo to perform a remix of their song "Fiesta" in 2015. For his first song in a decade, Will Smith appropriately rapped in a mix of Spanish and English about trying to "find his Sofia Vergara."

At the 2007 show, Ricky Martin joined the Blue Man Group for a lively performance. While on stage, Ricky took a break from singing for a moment and joined the group for one of their signature moves, drumming on barrels with paint — a colorful and visually appealing aspect of the show.

In 2014, Univision made the headline-grabbing decision to delay the show to air then-President Barack Obama's speech on immigration live. The decision was even more notable as ABC, CBS and NBC decided not to air Obama's Nov. 20 announcement, during which he discussed his executive action to protect many undocumented immigrants from deportation. After his speech, Latin Grammys host Eugenio Derbez declared, "We Latinos are already part of this country."

In 2008, Gloria Estefan took home the Person of the Year Award, becoming the first woman to ever have done so. "The only thing left for me to do is to sing in a free Cuba," she said. In addition to receiving the award, she also sang a medley of her songs including "Mi Tierra" and "Oye Mi Canto" with Carlos Santana and José Feliciano.

In 2011, Marc Anthony and Pitbull performed their song, "Rain Over Me," in an incredible way that was perfect for the show's venue in Las Vegas. Pitbull first floated onto the stage in a see-through white globe and moments later, Marc appeared with lingerie-clad dancers who balanced in chairs — all very Cirque du Soleil. If that wasn't enough, they sprayed water all across the stage to enhance their performance.

Shakira's show-stopping gown at the 2011 Latin Grammy Awards was one for the books. That year's winner of the Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year Award topped all the best dressed lists with her sparkly, gold gown — perfect for a superstar.

At the 2004 show, Los Lonely Boys and Carlos Santana teamed up to pay tribute to Richie Valens, a forefather of the Chicano rock movement who died in 1959 at the age of 17. The group performed his 1958 hit "La Bamba" and the crowd went absolutely wild for it.

At the 2011 show, pop star Demi Lovato teamed up with Pablo Alborán to sing "Solamente Tú." In the lead-up to the performance, Pablo won over Demi, who tweeted, "Everybody go follow my new friend @pabloalboran! Such a sweet guy, and SO unbelievably talented!!!"

Prince Royce shot to fame in 2010 with his bachata cover of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me." Later that year, the two got to perform the classic 1961 hit together on stage. The performance stayed with Prince for years, as after Ben passed away in 2015, Prince said, "I feel blessed to have known, worked and performed with him — he made me feel like a friend. Ben will always be in my heart as my mentor and my role model and someone who inspired me and opened the door for me in my career."

At the 2004 show, the Black Eyed Peas teamed up with Juanes to perform "La Paga" and "Latin Girls." "La Paga" is Juanes' song, but it also appeared, remixed, on the Peas' classic album "Elephunk."

At the first Latin Grammy Awards in 2000, superstars Celia Cruz, Ricky Martin and Gloria Estefan teamed up to honor icon Tito Puente. The trio performed his 1963 classic "Oye Como Va," which was the perfect way to celebrate the legend who had died just four months earlier at the age of 77.

At the 2003 awards, protestors stood outside holding anti-Fidel Castro signs. Inside, the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences handed out awards to resident and expatriate Cubans. However, there was controversy, as host George Lopez wore a shirt that said, "Cuba B.C." — as in before Castro. But he was also a unifier at the event, proclaiming, "Tonight, everyone is Latino."

In 2013, Leslie Grace performed "Be My Baby," which was spectacular in sound and visuals. She flawlessly transitioned back and forth from English to Spanish as she sang and was supported by the cast of the Cirque du Soleil show, Zarkana, throughout her dazzling time on stage.

In 2004, Soraya won her first Latin Grammy for best singer-songwriter album. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, she was in remission when she accepted the award. Unfortunately, the first Latina spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation passed away in May 2006 at the age of 37, having relapsed earlier that year. Before she died, she wrote to her fans: "I have not lost this battle, because I know the fight was not in vain," she wrote. "Instead, it will help end a larger battle, which is early detection to prevent this terrible disease."

In 2006, the Latin Grammy Awards were held in New York City. Naturally, the city's then-mayor, Michael Bloomberg, made an appearance, greeting the audience with "hasta la vista" (seemingly unaware that this was more fitting for a departure than an entrance).

Mexican rockers Maná were joined by the legendary Los Tigres del Norte for a performance of the immigrant anthem "Somos Más Americanos" ("We Are More American") in 2015. At the end of the performance, they held up a sign that read, "Latinos unidos no voten por los racistas" ("Latinos united, don't vote for racists"). Maná lead singer Fher Olvera explained, "We wanted to send a proactive message. And the message for Latinos — of which there are 50 million in the United States, in the No. 2 Spanish-speaking country in the world — was to send the message: Register, go out and vote, and vote for the candidate that will do positive things for Latinos."

In 2012, Pitbull got on stage with Sensato to perform the song "Crazy People." In a spectacular move, he had his backup dancers, who started out wearing a sexy version of straight jackets, strip down into pink bodysuits.

In 2008, Mexican pop-rock singer Alejandra Guzman made headlines for her wild dress on the red carpet. She went all out with feathers and tulle to make this unique — and memorable — look happen.