Bad Bunny Wins Artist of the Year Award | By Angelica Cheyenne, The Mirror US | Latin legend Rita Moreno almost brought viewers to “tears” when she presented beloved fellow Puerto Rican entertainer, Bad Bunny, with the Artist of the Year award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards. Rita, who had a starring role in the original iconic musical film version of West Side Story (1961) and is now 93, sweetly embraced Bad Bunny, 31, when he came to the stage after she introduced him. As she took the stage, Rita said, “It makes me emotional, from my heart, Benito, to hand you this award. Billboard’s 21st Century Latin Artist Bad Bunny!”
The La Romana performer seemed to welcome Rita, appearing honored to have such a trailblazer, especially in the Latin community, present him with one of the most coveted awards of the ceremony. The Grammy-winner, who MAGA members have been slamming since it was announced he’d headline the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show, had many emotional over his on-stage interaction with Rita.
On X, formerly Twitter, one wrote, “Rita Moreno presenting bad bunny his award makes me tear up omggg,” as another added, “Rita morena presenting bad bunny’s award i could cry a million tears.”
Bad Bunny’s acceptance speech was also very tear-inducing as he earnestly thanked his fans and acknowledged those striving to make a career in music.
“This award is also for you guys because I will always identify with the youth and the artists who are also growing in their career and dreaming,” he said in Spanish. “I’m always going to identify with those artists because I consider myself the same – a young man that keeps dreaming with a lot of goals.”
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https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/billboard-latin-music-awards-fans-could-cry-as-legend-presents-bad-bunny-artist-of-the-year/
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Gloria Estefan & Emilio Estefan on Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Controversy: ‘We Must Have Opportunities in Different Languages’
By Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard
Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan headlined an “Icon Q&A” panel on Wednesday (Oct. 22) at Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 in Miami, where they reminisced about their beginnings in the industry, reflected on some of their major achievements and shared their views on topics such as the conservative backlash to Bad Bunny’s selection for the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show and the strict immigration policies of the Trump administration.
Presented by BMI, the panel was moderated by Jesús González, vice president, creative, Latin, at the music rights organization, who introduced the power couple as the artists who achieved “truly the first Latin crossover” and “the pillars that this industry has been built upon” after revolutionizing pop music in the ’80s with their Miami Sound Machine.
“I have worked on three Super Bowl Halftime Shows, three Olympic games and produced for six U.S. presidents with 48 events at the White House,” said the No. 1 Latin music producer, noting that he is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. “But … we need to have opportunities. For example, Bad Bunny, who has incredible success and was already part of the Super Bowl with Shakira and Jennifer [Lopez in 2020], has been the subject of major news coverage. I’m very happy with what he has done for Puerto Rico, for his country [with his recent residency at the Coliseo]. And we must have opportunities in different languages. It’s a normal thing.”
“The most important thing for me is that people see the value of Latinos who came here to contribute, to work, and the gratitude we have for being in the best country in the world,” he added, as a Cuban immigrant who truly achieved the American Dream. “I don’t want a child to think they don’t have opportunities in this great country.”
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Read the full story here including Mr. & Mrs. Estafan’s comments:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/gloria-estefan-emilio-estefan-on-bad-bunny-s-super-bowl-controversy-we-must-have-opportunities-in-different-languages/
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Rock Musicians Who Openly Support Bad Bunny Performing During Super Bowl Halftime
By Rob Carroll, LoudWire
The list of rock artists supporting Bad Bunny‘s Super Bowl halftime performance next year continues to grow.
The announcement that the rapper/singer had been selected to perform at the NFL’s biggest game of the season was met with a divided response for several reasons. Bad Bunny has also become a political talking point for those who want to push for other artists to get the spotlight.
According to Entertainment Weekly, a petition is being circulated in favor of having 73-year-old country artist George Strait get the nod over Bad Bunny.
Don’t expect the NFL to go back on its decision anytime soon, Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters this week the league is “confident” in its choice of Bad Bunny playing the Super Bowl halftime show.
Here is a look at which rockers have come out in support of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl selection.
Ken Casey (Dropkick Murphys)
David Draiman (Disturbed)
Jelly Roll
Carlos Santana
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https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/rock-musicians-who-openly-support-bad-bunny-performing-during-super-bowl-halftime/