THIS year’s Latin Grammy Awards will include Spanish pop legends such as Alejandro Sanz and David Bisbal.

The prizegiving ceremony started on Thursday in Las Vegas in the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

It was opened by Italian pop sensation Laura Pausini – who frequently sings in Spanish as well as her native language, and duetted with James Blunt earlier this year – singing En Cambio No.

Artists such as Alejandro Sanz – who duetted with Shakira earlier this year and is best-known for his 1998 hit, Corazón partío – together with Alicia Keys, Luis Fonsi, David Bisbal and Enrique Iglesias – son of legendary crooner Julio – will all perform during the award ceremony.

Other famous faces will include Eva Longoria, and the Venezuelan-Galician Miss Universe 2009, Stefanía Fernández.

Favourites so far for the Best Album and Best Alternative Song awards are the reggae artists René Pérez and Eduardo Cabra, who form the group Calle 13.