Rita Moreno presented the history-making honor to the Puerto Rican superstar during an emotional moment on stage.
Bad Bunny has officially secured his place in music history.
The Puerto Rican superstar was named Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century during the 2025 Latin Billboard Music Awards, in a heartwarming presentation led by legendary actress Rita Moreno.
The 93-year-old icon, who is also Puerto Rican, surprised Bad Bunny on stage and shared a touching reflection about her journey as a Latina in the entertainment industry. “When I started my career, being Latino in the United States meant facing barriers. Opportunities were few, almost non-existent,” Moreno said. She then praised the reggaeton star for representing Latin culture with “strength and passion.”
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, joined Moreno on stage with a huge smile, breaking into a few salsa steps as the crowd cheered. The pair shared a warm hug and even danced briefly before the singer took the mic to deliver his emotional acceptance speech.
“For me, it’s an honor to receive this award from your hands,” he told Moreno. “I respect and admire you so much.” He went on to thank his fans and fellow Latin artists, saying he didn’t know why he had been chosen for the title. “Anyone of my colleagues could have received this. I know how much I’ve worked — and my team too — but I’m aware we’re all part of this movement.”
Bad Bunny was crowned “Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century” at the 2025 Latin Billboard Music Awards — and the honor was presented by the legendary Rita Moreno.
— Top Three US (@topthreeus) October 24, 2025
Read more: https://t.co/BK0aoWBpB2 pic.twitter.com/W2dPzmAKdh
The singer-songwriter, who led the night with a record-breaking 27 nominations, also took home several other honors, including Artist of the Year.
Fans wondered whether Bad Bunny would address the buzz surrounding his upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show, but he avoided any political or social comments. His February performance will reportedly be entirely in Spanish, marking a groundbreaking moment for Latin representation on one of the world’s biggest stages.
Recently, the artist announced that he’ll perform only one U.S. date next year, expressing concerns for his fans’ safety after suggesting that ICE agents might target stadium shows. His “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” Tour kicks off in November in the Dominican Republic.
With this milestone, Bad Bunny cements his legacy as not just a chart-topper, but a cultural force — one who’s reshaping what it means to be a global Latin superstar.
