Pitbull gives Enrique Iglesias honor at Latin Billboard Awards
We’re all a little emotional right now.
Civil unrest, the presidential election, the endless pandemic.
Enrique Iglesias showed how human he is Wednesday night during a Telemundo broadcast of the Billboard Latin Music Awards at the BB&T Center.
The 45-year-old pop singer was presented with Top Latin Artist of All Time by colega/ frequent collaborator Pitbull whom he thanked in his acceptance speech.
“He’s a writer, composer, singer, performer,” Iglesias said of the iconic rapper. “He’s a living legend and it’s a true honor to call him my friend and my dog. He is music.”
The Madrid native, surrounded by a (mostly) mask-wearing audience, welled up during his speech, which he said he did not prepare beforehand. In his adorable Castilian accent, Iglesias spoke from his heart. event,” McLauchlin wrote. “Once they pay for the nightly fees and parking, they end up losing money on the festival.”
The city also will hand out eight parking permits to performers to help them cut costs, plus add large signs near Mallory Square to promote the event.
Linda McCall, who sells personalized name shells, started at Sunset eight years ago. She said the festival has been shrinking over the years when it comes to vendors and performers.
“It’s gotten much smaller,” McCall said. “It comes down to the high cost of housing. If you want to make a living, it’s really hard to do it as an artist.”
COVID-19 has only made things worse, she said.
The city shut down Mallory Square in March due to the pandemic, canceling Sunset Celebration for 11
“I want everyone who is here tonight to have a good time. I also want to tell all of my fans thank you for everything in the passage of my career,” said the father of two, wearing his signature cap. “I miss you so much, and to all of you who are watching from home, take care.”
Mr. 305 smiled from a distance; there was no hugging or high-fiving as in raucous years past. Surreal, to say the least.
While this was one of the more tear-inducing moments of the evening, other highlights inweeks. March was high season for Sunset Celebration, McCall said.
“We lost a lot of revenue this year,” McCall said. “A lot of us were really struggling.”
Elise Parsons, who makes fused glass pendants, is a 12-year veteran of Sunset Celebration. She counted about 14 vendors set up on a recent Thursday evening.
“We’re really resilient,” Parsons said of the people who work at Mallory.
“We’re probably a little more than half tonight,” Parsons said. “I remember the days when I first got here we were almost full. And I think we had 60 spots. Full like I was worried I’d be sent home because I was the new person. We’d have 50 plus.”
Ryan Stimers, who makes wire art, has traveled the world to sell in different markets. But he chose to call Key West cluded Ozuna appearing with his two small kids and Maluma belting out “Gracias” from atop a piano.
Biggest winner of the night? Daddy Yankee, who went home with a whopping seven awards. The reggaeton star also presented local crooner Luis Fonsi with the Song of the Decade for (you guessed it) “Despacito.”
From a distance, of course.
For the complete list of winners, go to Telemundo.com. home.
Times are rough at Mallory, he said.
“At this point there’s not a lot of money to give to the city,” Stimers said. “We need to get to next year to get going again. I can’t imagine Key West without Sunset Celebration. I think a lot of people feel that way. We’re working very hard to keep this place together.”
And Sunset Celebration is looking for vendors who make their own wares.
“We are happy and eager to bring in new artists to work down here,” Stimers said. “We have openings. We want to help you and we want to work with you.”