Latin Grammys 2009

Alicia Keys

November 5, 2009

Held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, the 10th annual Latin Grammy Awards were a flashier affair than usual, thanks to several appearances by dancers and acrobats from Cirque du Soleil's "Mystère" and over-the-top performances by the likes of Mexican ranchera star Pepe Aguilar, Mexican crooner (and Latin Grammy Person of the Year award recipient) Juan Gabriel, and reggaeton duo Calle 13, who won all five awards for which they were nominated, including Record of the Year and Album of the Year. Among the show's tamer moments: a duet between Alicia Keys and Spanish pop star Alejandro Sanz. Yes, even Alicia is no match for the awesome showmanship of Juan Gabriel, who is sort of Latin music's answer to Neil Diamond, Tom Jones and Liberace all in one.

Among the other big names gracing the awards show and red—er, sorry, green carpet: Eva Longoria Parker, Enrique Iglesias, former Yankee baseball star Bernie Williams and a who's who of Latin music and entertainment luminaries. No Shakira, though—guess they'll have to nominate her for something to get her to show up next year.