MTV recognized Ricky Martin, already a Latin music icon, with its inaugural Latin Icon Award at the 2025 Video Music Awards on Sunday night. The artist celebrated the honor with a bon-bon–shaking medley of hits and a speech thanking fans who have stood by him for the past four decades, since he was a breakout star with Menudo.
After plaudits from J Balvin, Martin descended from the rafters of the UBS Arena as dancers wiggled and writhed to the horns and percussion of “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” With a Cheshire smile beaming over what looked like a black leather bandana and big pants right out of 1999, he sang his breakout solo hit like it was fresh. With as many costume changes as he mustered in music videos from the TV channel’s heyday, Martin zipped through snippets of “Pégate,” “Shake Your Bon-Bon,” “Vente Pa’ Ca,” “María,” and “The Cup of Life” before Jessica Simpson introduced his acceptance speech.
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“Thank you so much, because it’s been 40 years,” he told the crowd. “I started when I was a baby working [in Menudo], and we’re still here. We just want to unite countries. We just want to break boundaries, and we just want to keep music alive.”
It’s been 26 years since Martin won a VMA, and all for his massive hit “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” which took home a whopping five MoonPerson trophies in 1999. That year, the Martin classic won Best Pop Video, Best Dance Video, and a trio of International Viewers’ Choice trophies.
Martin has not released new music in two years since he collaborated with Christian Nodal on “Fuego de Noche, Nieve de Día” and joined Residente for “Quiero Ser Baladista” in 2023. His last project, Play, dropped in 2022.
Also performing at the VMAs this year are Lady Gaga, Conan Gray, Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, and J Balvin. Mariah Carey will perform as she earns the Video Vanguard Award and Busta Rhymes will receive the Rock the Bells Visionary trophy.
This year’s MTV VMAs, hosted by LL Cool J, are airing live for the first time on CBS.
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