Maluma brought something unexpected to Billboard Latin Music Week on Oct. 21: total honesty. During a BetterHelp-presented session with Billboard’s Leila Cobo and bilingual therapist Patricia Arrieta, the Colombian star opened up about anxiety, therapy, and how fatherhood reshaped his priorities. His definition of therapy might surprise you — being quiet, meditating, and learning to love discomfort.
Balance came up a lot. Maluma credited his second child, Orion, with bringing him calm and clarity, and he didn’t shy away from the practical stuff either. After dealing with tension headaches, he used ChatGPT to reorganize his schedule from the ground up. His takeaway was blunt:“If you love yourself, you make good decisions. My health is not negotiable.”For anyone juggling a demanding job and family life, that hits close to home.
The week also delivered musical moments worth replaying. Pablo Alborán and RIZA performed“Deditos Cruzados”at the Billboard Latin Music Awards — a collab that actually started as a conversation on a Latin Music Week panel. And Nanpa Básico and Nella performed“Todo Cambia”as a tribute to earthquake victims in Colombia and Venezuela, a reminder that music can carry grief and hope at the same time. It was a week where mental health, technology, and live music all shared the spotlight.
What’s the one thing in your life you’d change to protect your peace? Tell us in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.