The eighteenth edition of Premios Juventud was held on the night of July 22 at the Watsco Center in Miami, Florida, and the ceremony was full of color, musical premieres and emotional moments.

In one instance, the ceremony celebrated the return to music of Chyno Miranda after a difficult year following his COVID-19 infection. Daddy Yankee was also chosen as "agent of change" of the year for his work against child hunger, and his help provided to families affected by the passage of Hurricane Maria; and was a window for many artists to make a call for the freedom of Cuba. 

To the shout of "Viva Cuba libre," Emilio Estefan and Pitbull, opened a segment in which Joncien, Lena, Malena Burke and Yailenys Perez performed "Libertad," while Gente de Zona and Yotuel presented a special version of "Patria y vida" — the anthem for those calling for the fall of the Castro regime.

For her part, Cuban artist Camila Cabello also sent a message to U.S. and Latin American youth to support those protesting on the island.

"I feel very proud of my Cuban blood and even more proud of those who have taken to the streets to lead the change, despite the repression, despite the fear. Let's join our voices with theirs, 'Patria y vida,'" said the singer.

However, the most emotional moment of the night was when the audience received Venezuelan artist Chyno Miranda with a standing ovation. Miranda made his first television appearance after a year of struggling with health problems following a harrowing infection with COVID-19. Chyno and Nacho returned to the stage and performed a medley of their best-known songs.

Among the night's big winners were Colombia's Karol G and Puerto Rico's Bad Bunny.

La "Bichota" won six Premios Juventud out of the 12 nominations she received. Among her awards, she won the statuettes for "Female Youth Artist", "Catchiest" and "Trendiest". Benito left the gala with five awards, including "Album of the Year" and "Song of the Year." Grupo Firme won four awards, Natti Natasha received three, and Becky G and Los Dos Carnales won two awards each.