Rosalía borrowed a viral line from Spanish-language television to celebrate Latin music Thursday, channeling Dr. Ana María Polo during a four-award night at the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards in Miami.
The Spanish singer's appearances at the James L. Knight Center moved from a playful reference to Caso Cerrado to heartfelt tributes to Juan Luis Guerra, Latinoamérica and the artists who helped make her career possible. Returning to the stage after a win for "La Perla," she thanked collaborator Yahritza, from Yahritza y Su Esencia, and celebrated how "the music unites us in this divided world."
Her four honors included the Billboard Hall of Fame Award, Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Solo, Top Latin Pop Album of the Year for LUX, and the recognition for "La Perla," her collaboration with Yahritza y Su Esencia.
While accepting the album award, Rosalía reached for a line familiar to viewers of Telemundo's courtroom show.
"No, ningún 'afternoon' ni ningún 'hello': aquí tú hablas español," she said, telling the room there would be no English greetings: "Here, you speak Spanish."
The reference comes from a viral Caso Cerrado clip in which Cuban-American attorney and television host Ana María Polo interrupts a participant greeting her in English and insists she speak Spanish. The exchange became an internet meme, with Polo's delivery circulating well beyond the original episode.
Rosalía followed the joke with a statement about her own work.
"I don't know if LUX is a pop album. I hope so, but what I do know is that I'm from Barcelona and I make music in Spanish," she said.
LUX includes songs in 13 languages. Its multilingual scope also figures in her next awards-season chapter: seven nominations at the 2026 Latin Grammys.
The Latin Recording Academy lists LUX (Complete Works) for Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album. "La Perla" earned nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Song. Her remaining nods are Best Short Form Music Video for "Sauvignon Blanc" and Best Portuguese Language Song as a songwriter on "Memória."Rosalía is also confirmed to perform at the November 12 ceremony at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena, hosted by Roselyn Sánchez.
Before her Dr. Polo reference, the singer accepted the Billboard Hall of Fame Award from Guerra, addressing the Dominican songwriter as an artist whose music had shaped her life.
"You, a master among masters, have made me cry, dance and feel alive through your songs," she told him. "I'm in shock, and I don't think I'll ever forget this moment or receiving this award from you."
— debate.do (@midebate) October 23, 2026El cantautor dominicano Juan Luis Guerra protagonizó uno de los momentos más destacados de los Premios Billboard de la Música Latina 2026 al entregar a la artista española Rosalía el Premio Billboard Salón de la Fama durante la ceremonia celebrada este jueves en Miami.
Video:… pic.twitter.com/STXyAeTZc3
She was the only woman among the evening's four special honorees. Rubén Blades received the Billboard Icon Award, Cristian Castro the Lifetime Achievement Award and Fuerza Regida the Vanguard Award.
Rosalía used her acceptance speech to acknowledge the generations behind her, naming previous Hall of Fame recipients Celia Cruz, Rocío Dúrcal, Vicente Fernández and Daddy Yankee.
"I wouldn't be able to do what I do if it weren't for the artists who came before me and paved the way," she said.
Her closing thanks went to Latin America. "Thank you for giving me the place you have given me, for all these years of inspiration and lessons," she said. "I hope to keep finding ways to give back all the love and generosity you have shown me."
Her later return for "La Perla" brought the focus back to collaboration, with thanks to Yahritza and a message of unity that extended beyond the night's trophies.
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