Colombia’s pop princess Shakira received a Person of the Year award at the Latin Grammys 12th annual Tribute Gala, which was so packed full of surprises that it brought her to tears of joy.
Shakira is the youngest artist to ever receive the award, and the ceremony went all out in celebration of her numerous achievements. Held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the gala featured a VIP dinner, various concerts, and special tributes to Shakira from friends and family.
“It is truly an honor to be in the company of some of the greatest artists and legends of Latin Music,” Shakira said regarding the award and ceremony.
Kicking things off with musical performances by Alejandra Guzman and Natalia of La 5a Estacion, Cristina Castro, and Franco de Vita, Shakira quickly got emotional watching her peers perform in tribute to her.
There was no holding back her crocodile tears when Shakira’s dad William Mebark appeared as a surprise and showed the crowd baby pictures and old family photos to honor his little girl.
Shakira officially received the Person of the Year award at the end of the ceremony, when she thanked to her massive network of supporters, and finished things off by singing the anthem from her home town of Barranquilla.
“I am elated on behalf of the Latin Recording Academy and its Board of trustees that the much admired Shakira, whose incredible talent and artistic integrity are equaled only by her commitment and dedication to philanthropy and selflessly helping those in need, has been elected the 2011 Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year,” said President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy Gabriel Abaroa Jr.
The honorable award puts Shakira’s name next to other famous Latin artists such as Carlos Santana, Gilberto Gil, Ricky Martin, Celia Cruz, and Gloria Estefan.
