Ricky Martin’s 2025 MTV VMAs Performance Proved Why He Deserved the Latin Icon Award
ELMONT, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Ricky Martin performs during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV)
Ricky Martin made history at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards tonight (Sept. 7). The Puerto Rican legend received the first-ever Latin Icon award. He also performed a career-spanning set of his classics in Spanish and English.
During the Latine pop explosion of the late 90s, Ricky Martin was a leader of the movement. After scoring the English-language smash “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” he proudly represented Latine and Puerto Rican artists at mainstream events like the MTV Video Music Awards in 1999. At that ceremony, he took home Best Pop Video and Best Dance Video. Because of the groundwork he laid for Latine artists with his crossover, the world became more accustomed to voices in Spanish. Acts like Calle 13’s Residente, Bad Bunny, and Maluma — who have all collaborated with Ricky — didn’t have to sing in English anymore to get their start in the U.S. Moreover, since coming out as gay in 2010, Ricky has also become an empowering voice for the Latine LGBTQ+ community.
J Balvin, another star who has benefited from Ricky Martin’s crossover, introduced his show-stopping medley of greatest hits at the 2025 MTV VMAs. Ricky brought down the house at the UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. He kicked off his set with a wild performance of “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” Though Ricky could’ve opted to sing his English hits for the MTV crowd, he used the opportunity to mix in his Spanish classics. He surprised many of his Latine fans watching the awards with his inclusion of the very Boricua “Pégate” and “Vente Pa’ Ca.” Showing that his music has impacted many generations of fans, Ariana Grande was spotted singing along to “The Cup of Life.” At 53-years-old and moving like he’s still in Menudo, Ricky proved that he was more than worthy of the first Latin Icon award.
During his speech for the Latin Icon award, Ricky Martin took a moment to shout out his four children. After acknowledging his 40 years in the industry, he said, “We just want to unite countries. We just want to break boundaries, and we just want to keep music alive.” Ricky’s triumphant return to the MTV VMAs added to his legacy of putting Latine talent on top.
