Even if you watched the Latin Grammys, here are 10 things you didn’t see on TV:
Enrique Iglesias, Calle 13 & More Win Early Latin Grammys
1. The surprise winner in the all-important Album of the year category was flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía, who died earlier this year, with his Canción Andaluza. But in a downer moment, no one accepted the award for him. Turns out, widow Gabriela Canseco was in the arena but wasn’t given the opportunity to pick up the award. “We were sitting in the rafters,” she said backstage. “And suddenly, he was called.” Recording Academy President Neil Portnow told Billboard later that only the award winner can pick up the trophy.
2. President Obama‘s immigration address dominated national attention and delayed the start of the telecast by 13 minutes. Backstage, it was a steady topic of questions for acts coming to the press room.
Latin Grammys 2014: See All the Photos
3. And on the topic of the Obama immigration plan, after two artists were peppered with questions about its impact in the press room, a Latin Grammy rep went up and asked journalists to limit their immigration questions. The 100-plus journalists in attendance stopped short of booing the suggestion. Regardless, the answer was a resounding “no.”
4. Yep, it’s true: Carlos Vives, Daddy Yankee and Wisin are recording a track together for Wisin’s album. The track is almost done and will be released to radio early next year.
5. This year’s mainstream performer at the Latin Grammys was Magic!, who performed a bilingual version of their song “Rude” with Marc Anthony. A recorded Spanish-language version of the track is in the works, says Magic! lead singer Nasri.
6. J Balvin has been touring with Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull since September. Next up, he says, is recording a track with both acts. The song is already in the works, but not clear yet what artist it will be released under.
7. Rene Perez of Calle 13 wore a black T-shirt with the words “Ayotzinapa, 43 missing,” an allusion to the 43 students missing from Ayotzinapa, Mexico. “I was asked not to speak about this,” Perez said backstage. “But I don’t have to be a politician to speak out. Part of our jobs as artists is to speak out.”
8. Inquiring minds wanted to know why Miguel Bose was greeted at the door of his Vegas flight with a wheelchair. “Because I hate those long airport walks and it’s the only way to avoid them,” sighed Bosé. “And now, you’ve wrecked it because everybody is going to want to do the same thing.”
9. Singer/model/actress Roselyn Sanchez wore a rather revealing dress onstage: A sheer, nude-colored sequined affair that left little to the imagination and was worn with nude panties underneath. “When the model was wearing it, it didn’t look so risqué,” she said backstage with a laugh. “But no worries, I have tape on. Nothing is going to come out.”
10. Pepe Aguilar spent a lot of time dwelling on how to change from his ranchero outfit to his pop garb before pairing up with Bosé for the second half of his medley. Tear-off pants (the kind exotic male dancers wear) were considered. In the end, it only took two separate stages.