Lucero to Host First Latin American Music Awards This Month

The first Latin American Music Awards are right around the corner and it was just announced that Lucero will host the big event this month. Taking a cue from the American Music Awards, this marks the first time a Dick Clark Productions awards show is recast in a Spanish language version.

As noted by Billboard, Lucero already has a slew of hosting gigs under her belt including eight runs at the Latin Grammy Awards, in addition to presenting the Mexican Telethon since 1997. She's also hosted telethon editions in Chile, Guatemala, El Salvador and U.S. and even coached contestants on the first season of La Voz México.

The star-studded show will include performances from artists in and outside the Latin music world. Yandel, Lil Jon, Natalie La Rose, Jencarlos Canela, Shaggy, Luis Coronel, Gloria Trevi, Daddy Yankee, Gerardo Ortiz and Il Volo are set to take the stage. CD9, a five-member boy band from Mexico will make its U.S. debut.

The Latin American Music Awards will also feature a musical tribute to the late queen of salsa, Celia Cruz. Produced by salsa veteran Sergio George, the tribute will include contributions from Maluma, India, Yuri and singer/actress Aymée Nuviola, who portrays Cruz in Telemundo's upcoming series Celia.

Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesias lead the pack with eleven nominations between the two. Jam received six nominations including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Favorite Streaming Song for his hit “El Perdón,” which features Iglesias. Trailing closely behind, Iglesias received five nods, three of which are for “El Perdón."

Newcomer J Balvin is nominated in five categories as well counting New Artist of the Year and Favorite Male Artist – Urban. Balvin also received nominations recognizing his smash “Ay Vamos.”

The Latin American Music Awards will air on Oct. 8 at 9 p.m. EST. The show will broadcast live simultaneously on Telemundo and NBC Universo with a red carpet pre-show special at 8 p.m. EST.