Laura Pausini‘s career began in 1993 after winning the famous Sanremo Music Festival in her native Italy. She won with the song “La Solitudine,” which quickly lead her to international fame. Soon, she became a household name in Spain and throughout Latin America. Since then, Pausini has delighted fans for the past three decades with her music and career.
Now with 30 years under her belt, Pausini is being honored by the Latin Grammys as 2023’s Person of the Year. She is officially the third woman recognized by the Latin Recording Academy as Person of the Year, following Gloria Estefan and Shakira, and the first winner of non-Latino or Spanish heritage.
“While only three women have this award, I feel an immense honor being a part of this trio of talented colleagues and women,” she shared to Celeb Secrets reporter Lupe LLerenas at the press conference in Seville, Spain, earlier today (November 14).
The Italian singer doubted receiving this award because she is not of Latin descent, however, she defines herself as the most Latin Italian in the world and expressed how she won’t ever stop being thankful to Latin music for her success.
“I always say I’m the most Latin Italian you’ll find in this world,” she said. “If I don’t sing in Spanish, I am not complete. I am false… that is why I will never give up singing in Spanish,” she said.
“I have spoken many languages, but above all I have spoken in Spanish and I have even dreamed in Spanish, which is the moment when I realized that finally that was also not my second language, but my other language,” she continued.
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Behind closed doors, she’s fought her own battles. She’s dealt with low self-esteem, doubts, and negative thoughts.
When asked about her contribution to this music world, she responded with, “since I was little, I didn’t have much self-esteem and although many wonderful things happen to me, I always feel more responsibility because I always want to improve, but I don’t know which is the right direction to be better.”
On many occasions, she’s used music as her safe zone despite having such a powerful voice and an untouchable presence on stage.
“There have been moments of great insecurity, fear, doubts, thinking about the future in general as a woman, mother, and, of course, as a singer,” says Pausini. “I have felt baffled. I was blocked. I felt safe only when I was at home, not when I went outside.”
Despite it all, Pausini is hopeful for it all. Every day, she works to better herself as a daughter, sister, mom, wife, and overall, the singer that she is. She’s proud of her audience, of those who have followed her trajectory these last 30 years.
She said, “I’m thankful for my fans and those who have been with me throughout this journey. I have an immense love and respect for my Latin fans who have accepted me like I am.”
You can catch the Biggest Night in Latin Music® will be broadcast from the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Sevilla (Andalucía), Spain, this Thursday, November 16th @ 8PM ET on Univision, UniMás and Galavisión in the U.S., and at 10:30PM CET on Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) in Spain. It will also air on cable channel TNT at 19:30 (MEX) / 20:30 (PAN-COL) / 21:30 (VEN) / 22:30 (ARG/CHI).
For more coverage from the 2023 Latin Grammys, click here.
