There were plenty of smiles and even tears of joy as stars clutched their Latin GRAMMY awards tightly during Latin music’s biggest night.
The Latin Grammys ceremony was broadcast live Thursday night at the Mandalay Bay resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Dominican singer and producer Juan Luis Guerra says he was humbled by his wins as producer of the year and album of the year for his work on Juanes’ “MTV Unplugged” album.
Guerra was nominated for six GRAMMY awards but only won in two categories, both for producing music. But he said he was content with his wins.
“I feel very comfortable with the two awards I won,” Guerra told reporters backstage minutes after his win. “They are very special awards because they are for producing.”
“I had the privilege to have all of the responsibility in making this album and I felt really comfortable with it. It is what I went to school for actually, but it is a lot of work,” he said.
The merengue/bachata singer said the key to producing an award-winning album is “having a good relationship with the artist you are producing for.”
“With Juanes, it was perfect,” said Guerra.
Brazilian pop star Michel Telo was delighted that his song “Ai se eu te pego [If I could squeeze you]” has become an international success.
“To have a Brazilian like myself singing a song in Portuguese where everyone was dancing and singing the words, that is very special,” Telo told Fox News Latino in a mix of Spanish and Portuguese.
“All of this success is a gift from God,” he added, describing the difficulty of Brazilian songs going mainstream and become hits in other places other than Brazil, Portugal and certain Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa.
“Now ‘Ai se eu te pego’ is heard throughout Europe, Latin America and the world,” Telo continued. “It’s about opening doors for other artists.”
Members of Mexican band 3BallMTY, who won for best new artist, says they are ready to celebrate their Latin GRAMMY win back home.
“I know I cried,” said one of the members of 3BallMTY. “But, this means a lot to us.”
The group, who performed with LMFAO’s Sky Blu during the Latin GRAMMYs ceremony, said they couldn't wait to celebrate back home.
“Here in Vegas, we will be celebrating in a (wholesome) way because we are minors,” said 3BallMTY. “But, just wait until we get to Mexico!”