Premio Lo Nuestro may serve to spotlight the best of the year’s Latin music but on Thursday night it was the artists who used the limelight to show their solidarity for Venezuela.
Amid messages of hope and encouragement for the South American country currently undergoing violent political unrest, the show went on as planned. Golden statuettes were presented and the stage was dominated by this year’s biggest stars, including Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull, Marco Antonio Solís and more.
The show began to the beat of Víctor Manuelle’s salsa before the evenings hosts, William Levy and Ninel Conde, made their way to the stage. After some very flirty banter, Levy took a moment to ask for peace in Venezuela.
The first award of the night was video of the year, which the ‘King of Bachata’ Romeo Santos took home for his “Propuesta Indecente” music video. Afterward, Enrique Iglesias took the stage first with Mexican crooner Marco Antonio Solís for their single “El Perdedor” then the Spanish singer flipped the switch with Pitbull and their raunchy tune “I’m A Freak.”
Venezuelan actress and model Marjorie de Sousa presented the award for Tropical Song of the Year, which went to Puerto Rican salsero Marc Anthony for his hit “Vivir Mi Vida.” As he received the award, Anthony took some time to express support for the situation in Venezuela.
“Thank you to Univision, my work team but more importantly I want to take a moment to recognize my Venezuelan brethren, you’re not alone, stay strong my people! Don’t lose hope, may God bless you all," Anthony said as the crowd applauded and cheered.
Singer and actor Jencarlos Canela took the stage with his anti-bullying anthem “Irreparable.” At the end of his performance the star gave a shout out the South American country: “Venezuela, I’m fighting for your peace and freedom, the world is with you.”
The outpouring of support for Venezuela continued when Marco Antonio Solís received his award for Male Artist of the Year.
“Thank you to the audience that is is watching us on television and supports our music, I want to dedicate this award to support Venezuela, with all my respect and to send a hug to my Mexico,” the crooner said.
Before the night’s main event, the red carpet glittered with stars who also used the cameras to show their support for the people of Venezuela.
Several Venezuelan stars carried their homeland’s flag with them:
While being interviewed on the red carpet and holding her country’s flag, Venezuelan actress Marjorie De Sousa teared up as she sent a message of solidarity to her people.
“Today I can’t say I’m celebrating, today I use your cameras to plead for my country," Sousa told Raul de Molina, as shown in the video above. "Today more than ever I am Venezuelan and I'm very proud of it. I’m asking for all of the people in this war. It's very sad to see your friends and your family dying... It's very sad because these are friends, family. There is no law, we don’t have a voice.”
Check out the full list of winners and the fashion from the Premio Lo Nuestro 2014 red carpet below:
GENERAL
Premio Lo Nuestro Artist of the Year: Prince Royce
Collaboration of the Year: "Por qué les mientes" - Tito El Bambino & Marc Anthony
Video of The Year: "Propuesta indecente" - Romeo Santos
POP
Pop Album of the Year Álbum: "Habítame siempre" - Thalía
Pop Song of the Year: "Detrás de mi ventana" - Jenni Rivera
Male Pop Artist of the Year: Marco Antonio Solís
Female Pop Artist of the Year: Jenni Rivera
Group or Duo of the Year: Jesse & Joy
Solo Artist of the Year: América Sierra
TROPICAL
Tropical Album of the Year: "3.0" - Marc Anthony
Tropical Song of the Year: "Vivir mi vida" - Marc Anthony
Male Artist of the Year: Prince Royce
Female Artist of the Year: Olga Tañón
Group or Duo of the Year: Chino y Nacho
Merengue Artist of the Year: Olga Tañón
Salsa Artist of the Year: Marc Anthony
Contemporary Tropical Artist of the Year: Prince Royce
Solo Artist of the Year: Alex Matos
REGIONAL MEXICAN
Regional Mexican Album of the Year: "En peligro de extinción" - Intocable
Male Regional Mexican Artist of the Year: Gerardo Ortiz
Female Regional Mexican Artist of the Year: Jenni Rivera
Regional Mexican Song of the Year: "Sólo vine a despedirme" - Gerardo Ortiz
Regional Mexican Group or Duo of the Year: Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga
Banda Artist of the Year: Roberto Tapia
Duranguense Artist of the Year: Grupo Montez of Durango
Grupero Artist of the Year: Los Temerarios
Norteño Artist of the Year: Gerardo Ortiz
Ranchero Artist of the Year: Vicente Fernández
Tribal Artist of the Year: 3BallMTY
Regional Mexican Solo Artist of the Year: El Dasa
URBAN
Urban Album of the Year: "Invicto" - Tito El Bambino
Urban Song of the Year: "Echa pa'llá (Manos pa'arriba)" - Pitbull
Urban Artist of the Year: Pitbull
Before You Go
