Rosalía Showed Signs of ‘Tension’ While Pitbull Was ‘Daydreaming’ During the Billboard Latin Music Awards
The stars were out for the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards, and one of the big winners of the night was Rosalía.
The recording artist took home three awards for Solo Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Top Latin Pop Album of the Year for LUX, and the Billboard Hall of Fame Award. But before the ceremony even got underway, Rosalía displayed “tension.” And according to an expert, that didn’t subside when she received her hardware and gave her acceptance speeches.
Inbaal Honigman is a body language expert. She has appeared in the media for more than two decades, offering her expertise and perspectives on several pop culture figures for Big Brother’s Little Brother, Elle Magazine, and talkSPORT radio, to name a few.
Speaking on behalf of Casino.org US, Honigman told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “The Spanish singer-songwriter chooses an interesting red-carpet pose, which sees her reclining slightly to the back, as if she’s chilling, and then she cocks one hip to the side. This hip-shift sends the message that she is entirely at ease.
“Rosalia tries to project confidence, even dominance, with her open and casual red carpet stance. This strong pose spells confidence, security and serenity, but it is a pre-planned pose. It means that Rosalia is going for a calm red-carpet look. It doesn’t mean that she feels calm about the upcoming ceremony.”
Honigman continued, “Rosalia’s red carpet interview features some signs of tension, as she rubs her hands and wrings her fingers together. The hand-rubbing can be seen as a sign of covetousness, as if Rosalia can’t wait to get her hands on some awards.
“Completely at odds with her red-carpet planned pose for the photographers, when Rosalia moves around freely and answers questions from the interviewers, her palms are sweaty. Those moist palms tell a very different story and reveal that she is nervous.”
As for her behavior and demeanor during the award ceremony, Honigman noticed, “Receiving her Pop Album of the Year award for LUX, Rosalia tries to keep it light-hearted with a cheeky half-smile throughout, but in fact she is overcome with gratitude. Her big emotions peek through her professional composure. Throughout her speech, the celebrated artist leans towards the microphone as if bowing. This forward bend is like a curtsy, showing that she feels in awe of the occasion, in awe of the fans.
“There are a lot of signs of nerves observed, from tugging at her strapless dress to trying to adjust the mic and breathing heavily. The constant moving and fidgeting are clear markers of tension and discomfort, as Rosalia feels a little undeserving of such honor.”
Hongiman added that while “Rosalia is elated, smiling brightly, she doesn’t feel like she necessarily deserves the award. During Rosalia’s acceptance speech, she feels humble and a little overcome. Her eyes are lowered with humility, and she embraces the statuette with care and gratitude. Holding the trophy like a baby is a very telling move. It shows that Rosalia feels as if she’s birthed this career, as if she’s worked so hard for this award, and now here it is.”
The expert also analyzed Pitbull’s appearance at the show and noted that he appeared to be daydreaming when video of him backstage was shown, saying, “When Pitbull announces his world tour, his eyes mist when he lists Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Mexico. He gazes upwards, dreamily, which shows that he’s daydreaming about his time in Latin America.
“Then, his eyes become moist as tears gather in his eyes, indicating how emotional he feels about taking his tour to this region. For Pitbull, performing in the Latin countries isn’t just another tour. It is an emotional, personal undertaking.”
Showbiz Cheat Sheet acknowledges that conditions and cultures can impact body language and is sensitive to all backgrounds.
