Latin Grammys 2026: Janet Jackson Surprise, Anitta’s First Win
Anitta won her first Latin Grammy after 12 nominations, Milo J took his first trophies at 20, and Janet Jackson surprised Daddy Yankee onstage. Pablo Alborán, with 30 nominations, again went home empty-handed.
The 2026 Latin Grammys produced some of the best, worst and most surprising moments in years, from Anitta's first win to Janet Jackson's unannounced appearance onstage to honor Daddy Yankee.
Long-awaited recognition ran through the night. Rosalía also made history, collecting a third best album award, according to coverage of the ceremony.
First-time winners
Anitta had been nominated 12 times and had performed at the ceremony over the years, but never won. This year she took Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album.
Earlier, she ran through "Choka Choka," "Desgraça," "Meia Noite" and "Ouro" from her album EQUILIBRIVM. She dedicated the trophy to Brazil.
"This is the first time a Brazilian category is being televised," she said. "It's very important that you know that Latin America includes all the countries in Latin America, not just the Spanish-speaking one."
Milo J, just 20, won his first trophies for the folk-driven album La Vida Era Más Corta. He used the moment to celebrate Argentina.
Daddy Yankee's night
Daddy Yankee, honored as Person of the Year, played one of the most talked-about sets of the night. He worked through classics including "Ella Me Levantó," "Lo Que Pasó, Pasó," "Rompe" and "Gasolina."
That was a surprise. He has avoided his earlier, party-forward songs since becoming a devout Christian.
Guests joined him: LL Cool J, French Montana, Diljit Dosanjh, Feid, Bizarrap and Bad Gyal. He wore a single white-studded glove, which appeared to nod to Michael Jackson.
Then Janet Jackson walked out to present him with the award. Daddy Yankee looked shocked. The two worked together on her 2018 song "Made For Now."
"I want to thank you for being here and I respect you a lot," he told her.
A miss for Pablo Alborán
Not every result landed well. Pablo Alborán earned a 30th Grammy nomination, making him the third most-nominated Spanish artist in Latin Grammy history, behind Rosalía and Alejandro Sanz.
He has never won. His album KM0 lost to a deluxe edition of Sanz's ¿Y Ahora Qué?, whose original version won the same category last year.
After 15 years of Latin Grammy nominations, Alborán's wait continues.
