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The Best, Worst, and Most Surprising Moments of the Latin Grammys
The 2026 Latin Grammys brought long-awaited recognition to artists from different genres and regions, while also drawing criticism over award decisions. First-time winner Anitta used her acceptance speech to stress that Latin America includes Brazil and its Portuguese-speaking culture, giving her win significance beyond her own career.
Daddy Yankee delivered a hit-filled performance for his Person of the Year honour, joined by guests including LL Cool J, French Montana and Feid; Janet Jackson later presented him with the award. Anitta won Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album after 12 nominations, while 20-year-old Milo J collected his first trophies. Pablo Alborán, despite reaching his 30th nomination, again went without a win as his album lost to Alejandro Sanz’s deluxe edition.
In short
- Anitta won her first Latin Grammy after 12 nominations.
- Daddy Yankee brought out a star-studded lineup for his performance.
- Pablo Alborán reached 30 nominations without a win.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The awards can be seen as recognising Latin music’s breadth: Anitta’s win and speech brought Portuguese-speaking Brazil into focus, while honours for artists across genres and generations reflected a diverse field. Celebratory performances and first wins also gave the ceremony moments of overdue recognition.
The case against
Award outcomes can reasonably be questioned when respected, repeatedly nominated artists such as Pablo Alborán leave without a win, while a deluxe reissue takes the prize over another album. The ceremony’s choices may therefore feel uneven to listeners who value the original work or favour different artistic achievements, even as individual winners deserve recognition.