Cristian Castro Receives Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award in Miami
Cristian Castro accepted the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday, Oct. 22, in Miami. Billboard gave the honour for a career that spans more than three decades.
The Mexican singer received the award from actress Jacqueline Bracamontes at the James L. Knight Center. The ceremony was broadcast live on Telemundo and Peacock, starting at 8 p.m. ET. Billboard had announced Castro as the recipient on Oct. 13.
In his speech, Castro said he accepted the award in the name of romantic love and in the name of poetry. Billboard reported that he had sold more than 12 million albums.
The evening also included a live first. Castro performed "Antes Que Te Cases" with the duo Ha*Ash, the first time the two had sung the collaboration live together. Telemundo had said before the show that Castro would sing live during the ceremony.
Castro's presence on Billboard's charts goes back to 1992, when "No Podras" reached No. 3 on Hot Latin Songs. That is the Billboard ranking of Spanish-language songs, built from radio airplay, streaming and sales. He has since reached No. 1 on that chart six times.
Other honours at the ceremony went to Ruben Blades, who received the Billboard Icon Award, and to Rosalia, who was given the Billboard Hall of Fame Award. Fuerza Regida took home the Billboard Vanguard Award.
For readers new to the awards, Billboard's lifetime honour recognises a body of work rather than a single release. The award is presented by the magazine and its Latin music team, and it sits alongside the other honours given on the same night.
