Bad Bunny scored the most Billboard Latin Music Award trophies on Thursday night (Sept. 23), taking home 10 wins, including artist of the year and top Latin albums artist of the year, male.
“Thank you for always supporting my music,” the Puerto Rican artist said when he received the award for his Billboard 200 chart-topping album, YHLQMDLG. “I dedicate this award to all the people who are making music and don’t have the same exposure. It was the same for me, nobody knew of me at the beginning. I respect you and thank you for making great music.”
A big night for El Conejo Malo indeed, Bad Bunny — a 22-time finalist — arrived on the red carpet with his girlfriend Gabriela Berlingeri for the first time.
This wasn’t the only surprise of the night. Check out the rest of Bad Bunny’s highlights at the Billboard Latin Music Awards below.
Red Carpet Debut
Bad Bunny and girlfriend Gabriela Berlingeri made their red carpet debut after four years of dating. Not only did they strut the carpet and pose for photos together, but they also shared adorable moments while sitting in the front row in the audience.
😜 Let’s talk about Bad Bunny’s silly faces.
¿Cuántos notaron los gestos que hizo el ‘conejo malo’ durante la noche los #Billboards2021?
¡Te pillamos @sanbenito! 😂 pic.twitter.com/f3o0BnYl2u
— Premios Billboard (@LatinBillboards) September 24, 2021
Dancing All Night
One of those moments happened when Daddy Yankee jumped on stage to perform his latest single, “Métele Al Perreo.” from his upcoming album. In the audience, Bunny and Berlingeri perreando to the infectious beat. Bad Bunny was also bopping his head with a smile from ear to ear as he watched Tokischa and Rosalía’s “Linda” performance.
His Paquita Moment
One of the most talked about moments of the night was when he escorted Mexican singer Paquita la del Barrio on stage to receive the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award and held her mic while she gave her speech. “Thank you for taking me into consideration and for distinguishing me with this honor,” she told the audience, who celebrated her with a standing ovation. “I have so many things I could say but I prefer to simply thank you for the love.” Paquita was honored for her enduring career in ranchera and bolero.
🎩 Such a gentleman!
Este fue el momento en que @sanbenito subió al escenario y sostuvo el micrófono a @paquitaoficialb, quien recibió el Premio Billboard Trayectoria Artística en los #Billboards2021.
👏🏻👏🏻 ¡Bravo, #BadBunny! pic.twitter.com/Qz4y9E45rT
— Premios Billboard (@LatinBillboards) September 24, 2021
An a Cappella
Before the televised awards show wrapped, Bad Bunny hopped on stage to receive his 10 trophies, including artist of the year. Ahead of making his speech, Bunny crooned to the audience with an a cappella version of his song “Safaera.”
🇵🇷 ¡Talento boricua que quema con @sanbenito! #BadBunny arrasando en los #Billboards2021 al llevarse el premio Artista del Año.
Dímelo Benito 🕺🏻 pic.twitter.com/rcKKYeF7E0
— Premios Billboard (@LatinBillboards) September 24, 2021
Considered the longest running awards show in Latin music, the Billboard Latin Music Awards — which aired on Telemundo live from Miami’s Watsco Center — is the only awards show to honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music as determined by the sales, streaming radio airplay and social data that informs Billboard‘s weekly charts during a one-year period.
