Laura Pausini

When she was just 18, this young singing sensation wowed audiences at the Italian Song Festival. She ended up winning the audience award, and her career was born. Like many Italian artists, Pausini records in both Italian and Spanish so she can reach the vast Latin American market. The strategy has paid off: Phil Collins has written songs for her, she won a Lo Nuestro award as Most Promising Latin Artist, and she was nominated for four Latin Grammy awards in 2001.