3rd Annual ‘Premios Juventud’ Awards on Univision: - Reggaeton News

By NYSE: UVN)

July 16, 2006

With a dazzling set featuring underwater portholes, aquariums, and a giant on-stage slide, the third edition of Univision’s “Premios Juventud” youth awards show presented a virtual tidal wave of the biggest stars of Latin entertainment LIVE from the University of Miami at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (7:00 p.m. CT).

The first awards show on Spanish-language television that celebrates the preferences of this country’s young Hispanics, “Premios Juventud 2006” gave awards in 28 unconventional categories. Among the night’s biggest winners were international pop mega-sensation RBD, with 12 statuettes including “I Hear Them Everywhere,” “Catchiest Tune,” “CD to Die For,” “My Favorite Concert,” “Best Ballad,” “Favorite Pop Artist,” “My Idol Is…,” “Paparazzi’s Favorite Target,” and individual awards for members Alfonso Herrera (“He’s Got Style” and “What a Hottie!”) and Dulce Maria (“She’s Got Style”). Other winners included Colombian singer/songwriter Shakira, who received two awards (“Best Moves,” and “Favorite Rock Artist”), popular group Intocable (“Favorite Regional Mexican Artist”) and Puerto Rican reggaetón superstar Daddy Yankee (“Favorite Urban Artist”). In Sports, famous baseball shortstop Alex Rodríguez (“Most Electrifying Male Athlete”) and Mexican track and field phenom Ana Guevara (“Most Electrifying Female Athlete”) each received statuettes.

In keeping with tradition, the show’s opening was a major production that culminated in revealing the identities of the show’s hosts, a closely guarded secret right up until showtime. When the luxury yacht of reggaetón impresarios Luny Tunes runs out of gas, the show’s top secret musical CD they are delivering must be picked up by a helicopter piloted by co-host Chilean actor Cristián de la Fuente. Unfortunately, the case falls into the ocean and two scuba divers descend to retrieve it. Swimming through shark infested waters, they arrive to the event and enter the stage through an airlock and deliver the CD as they reveal themselves as popular Mexican television personalities Alessandra Rosaldo and Jan. They are later joined by co-hosts de la Fuente and actress/singer Ninel Conde.

The show then kicked off with an elaborate production number featuring the Kumbia Kings performing their hit “Pachuco” with an explosive display of pyrotechnics and lights that brought the sold-out arena crowd to their feet. Later, in a nod to the often elaborate entrances staged by other artists, the lead singer of Puerto Rican urban group Calle 13 descended onto the stage from the rafters riding a bicycle while throwing newspapers to the appreciative fans below while performing their hit “Atrevete-te.” Other musical highlights included a duet of Mexican superstar Thalía and Aventura lead singer Anthony that featured a chorus line of Thalía look-alikes on stage, a rare live performance by super-group Maná debuting their newest single “Labios Compartidos” (and who later received the coveted “Supernova” award), an emotionally-charged performance by reggaetón artist Don Omar of his AIDS-awareness themed “Angelito,” and a much anticipated medley of hits by Miami rockers Bacilos.

In what was unquestionably the biggest surprise of the evening, both to the audience as well as the artist, Puerto Rican reggaetón star Ivy Queen was honored with a video montage of her meteoric career and presented the first ever “Diva Award.”

Following another “Premios Juventud” tradition, three scholarships were presented to deserving Hispanic youths by Univision news anchor Jorge Ramos (Academics), Univision personality Giselle Blondet (Music), and racecar driver Milka Duno (Sports).

Preceding the event, a star-studded “ocean blue carpet” arrival show was kicked-off by chart-topping Puerto Rican recording artist Chelo performing his current catchy hit “Cha Cha.” Among the many Hispanic stars arriving to walk down the “Premios Juventud” blue carpet were: RBD, Marlene Favela, Lili Estefan, Wisin y Yandel, Ana María Canseco, La Secta Allstar, Raúl de Molina, Sherlyn, Carmen Dominicci, Adrian Alonso, Felipe Viel, Luny Tunes, Ana Layevska, Fernando Arau, Eduardo Cruz, Raúl González, Adriana Fonseca, Verónica del Castillo, Alexis y Fido, Marisa del Portillo, and Ana Carolina among others. The “Blue Carpet” portion of the show aired one hour before the awards ceremony as a special titled “Noche de Estrellas” (Night of Stars).

All of the night’s winners were chosen by enthusiastic fans voting on Univision.com, the exclusive home of “Premios Juventud” online. Fans logged onto Univision.com to follow the action and get the inside scoop. Univision.com post coverage will include winner profiles, behind-the-scenes photos, celebrity gossip, and an up-close look at who ruled the “blue carpet.”