Toronto [Canada], June 12: After grabbing global headlines with his cultural Met Gala debut, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh continues to make history—this time, by becoming the first Indian artist to speak at the prestigious Billboard Summit in Canada.
Diljit took center stage at the NXNE music festival on June 11, 2025, hosted at Toronto’s TIFF Lightbox, where he was a special guest in a panel conversation with Panos A Panay, President of the Recording Academy—the body that runs the Grammy Awards.
The two discussed the global evolution of music and Diljit’s rising influence on international charts. Panos playfully brought up Diljit’s Met Gala viral moment, when the singer was seen sharing a luxury car ride with music icons Shakira and Nicole Scherzinger. “Rumour has it you carpooled with Shakira,” Panos teased.
Diljit responded with his signature charm, “Hips don’t lie, sir…” earning laughs and applause from the audience. He then revealed, “She invited me on her tour and suggested I do an Indian version of ‘Hips Don’t Lie’. It’s going to be tricky, but I’m sure I’ll find it.”
In a video shared by his team, Diljit also reflected on the importance of staying rooted. “I feel blessed to represent Punjabi culture globally. Every culture has its own fragrance, and if you want to stand out, carry that fragrance with pride,” he said, urging young artists to embrace their roots.
Earlier this year, Diljit made waves with his Met Gala debut in traditional Indian attire—turban, kurta, and tehmat—designed by Prabal Gurung. His look was widely praised for its elegance and powerful cultural message.
A behind-the-scenes clip from that evening, shared by his team, showed Diljit in a candid car ride with Shakira and Nicole Scherzinger. Shakira excitedly introduced him to fans, shouting “Diljit! Diljit!” as he responded with a respectful namaste. She then turned to the camera and said, “Hi to India,” further amplifying the moment’s global appeal.
Later that evening, Diljit joined Shakira and Scherzinger at an exclusive dinner hosted by Vogue’s Anna Wintour, with photos of the trio lighting up social media.
With international collabs, Met Gala moments, and Grammy-level recognition now part of his journey, Diljit continues to bridge the East and West in style.