Watch: Ricky Martin makes history as first Latin Icon Award recipient; returns to VMAs after 26 years with hit medley performance

Ricky Martin made VMAs history on Sunday night, September 7, as the first-ever recipient of MTV’s Latin Icon Award. The honor, presented by Jessica Simpson, who recalled opening for Martin in the ’90s at the start of her own career, celebrated the global superstar’s four decades in music.

Martin marked the milestone with a high-energy medley of his greatest hits before delivering a heartfelt speech, thanking fans who have supported him since his breakout days with Menudo.

Before accepting his Latin Icon Award, he made a dramatic entrance, descending from the rafters of UBS Arena, and kicked things off with “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” dressed in a black leather bandana and baggy pants that nodded to his late-’90s heyday, as Rolling Stone reports. Backed by dancers and booming horns, Martin powered through snippets of fan favorites including “Pégate,” “Shake Your Bon-Bon,” “Vente Pa’ Ca,” “María,” and “The Cup of Life,” before Jessica Simpson took the stage to present him with the award.


"I am addicted to your applause. That's why I keep coming back," Martin told the crowd. "It's you, not only here in America, but all over the world."

He continued, "It's been 40 years. I started when I was a baby, and we're still here. We just want to reunite countries. We just want to break boundaries. We just want to keep music alive." Martin dedicated the award to his four children and his team. "That's it! I love you!" he roared before leaving the stage.

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Martin hasn't won a VMA in 26 years, and that was for his huge hit song "Livin' La Vida Loca," which won an incredible five MoonPerson awards in 1999. According to Rolling Stone, the Martin classic took home three International Viewers' Choice awards that year, along with Best Pop Video and Best Dance Video.

This year’s MTV VMAs, hosted by LL Cool J, are airing live for the first time on CBS.