In a move that no one saw coming, but everyone instantly loved, Dua Lipa pulled off one of the most heartwarming surprises of her "Radical Optimism World Tour" so far. On Sunday night (May 11), at the sold-out Movistar Arena in Madrid, the British pop star hit pause on her usual setlist to deliver a jaw-dropping Spanish-language cover of "Héroe" by none other than Enrique Iglesias.
Dua Lipa didn't just sing "Héroe." She embodied it. Her performance was raw, elegant, and emotional, complete with crystal-clear Spanish pronunciation that left her Spanish fans floored and flattered.
© Getty ImagesAs soon as she crooned the first lines of the 2001 ballad, the entire arena burst into applause, phones flying up into the air to capture the moment. You could practically hear the goosebumps forming when she reached the chorus.
After finishing the song, Dua smiled widely and offered a sincere "muchas gracias," proving that the quickest way to a fan's heart is through their language and a little nostalgia.
Why "Héroe" Hit So Hard
Enrique Iglesias' "Héroe" is an early 2000s Latin pop anthem that still holds emotional weight. Released on his 2001 album "Escape," the English version ("Hero") climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the chart for a massive 34 weeks. Meanwhile, the Spanish version briefly but memorably hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart.
© Scott DudelsonBy covering this particular song, Dua wasn't just nodding to Spanish music; she was tipping her hat to a crossover classic that helped bridge the Latin and global pop scenes.
Dua's Ongoing Spanish Era?
Believe it or not, this isn't Dua Lipa's first Spanish-language flex. Just last year, she appeared on the "Talk Talk" remix by Charli XCX and Troye Sivan with a cheeky intro entirely in Spanish: "Hay una fiesta en mi casa, vengan. Será muy divertido." ("There's a party at my house, come over. It's going to be a lot of fun.”)
She's clearly no stranger to connecting with fans across language barriers, and she's getting good at it.
© Getty ImagesWhat's Next on Tour?
Madrid isn't done with Dua just yet. She's sticking around for a second sold-out show before hopping over to France, where she'll hit Lyon for two back-to-back performances on May 15 and 16.
Then, this summer, she's circling back to her roots. On August 1, Dua is heading to Pristina, Kosovo, her family's hometown, to headline her Sunny Hill Festival.
Clips of Dua's "Héroe" performance are already making the rounds online (and racking up views fast), so if you haven't watched it yet, stop what you're doing and hit play. It's not every day you see one of pop's most prominent global stars pay tribute to a Latin pop legend in his language.
Catch the video below.
