Dua Lipa Sings ‘Bésame Mucho’ During Radical Optimism Tour Stop in Mexico: ‘It’s the Cherry on Top’

British star Dua Lipa kicked off the countdown to the end of her year-long Radical Optimism Tour on Monday (Dec. 1) with the first of three concerts scheduled this week in Mexico City. She did so by adding the “cherry on top” with a cover of the iconic song “Bésame Mucho” by Mexican pianist and composer Consuelito Velázquez.

With the version recorded by Mexican superstar Luis Miguel in 1997, Lipa fulfilled her promise to pay tribute to each country she visits with a cover of a song by a local artist. The choice surprised many of the 65,000 people (according to figures from OCESA) who packed the GNP Seguros Stadium in the Mexican capital, after days spent speculating about which Mexican song the artist would perform.

“Today I want to pay tribute to a great Mexican composer, Consuelo Velázquez, whose song is linked to the hearts of so many people around the world,” the singer said in perfect Spanish as an introduction. “I love this song because the story goes that she had never been kissed when she wrote it. And I believe that songwriters write their dreams to make them come true.”

“Bésame Mucho” is one of the most covered songs in history. It has been performed by everyone from Luis Miguel and Andrea Bocelli to Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dalida and The Beatles.

The iconic bolero joins a list of covers that Dua Lipa has performed by Ibero-American solo artists and groups since May. In Madrid, she surprised the audience with “Héroe” by Enrique Iglesias, and in Argentina, she sang “De Música Ligera” by Soda Stereo. In Chile, she performed “Tu Falta de Querer” by Mon Laferte and “El Duelo” by La Ley. In Brazil, she thrilled the audience with “Magalenha” by Sergio Mendes, which she sang alongside Brazilian singer Carlinhos Brown. In Peru, she danced to “Cariñito” in a duet with Mauricio Mesones, and in Colombia, she captivated the audience with Shakira’s “Antología.”

Lipa surprised everyone with several words in Spanish during Monday’s show. With her strong, sensual accent, she thanked the Mexican audience for “taking care of her” and making her feel “at home.”

“I’ve been dreaming about this night since I started the tour, and about how it would feel to be back here,” she said. “These concerts are so exciting for me because they’re the last three of my Radical Optimism tour. I feel so grateful; I can’t stop thinking about all the incredible memories I’ve made this year. Being with you tonight is the icing on the cake, the only way I wanted to close this tour.”

The tour’s final two shows are slated for tonight (Dec. 2) and Friday night (Dec. 5).