IVAN CORNEJO @ KIA FORUM

“It’s been a long time since I performed in Los Angeles… The last time I played in Los Angeles I was at the Roxy Theater with 500 people. Now I’m here selling out the Kia Forum,” said Ivan Cornejo to a roaring crowd during the second sold-out night of his Mirada Tour Parte 2 at the Kia Forum. To be just 21 years old and selling out arenas across North America is already something unbelievable—but what truly blew my mind was how every single fan in the building knew every lyric to every song. Ivan Cornejo’s fans didn’t just show up for one night, they showed out for two—singing their hearts out to songs from his latest album MIRADA, as well as some of his earliest tracks from when he first started his music journey. The Interscope artist put on a show for his home state, and all of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire pulled up early to secure good seats and clear out the merch stands. From beginning to end, this entire show was an experience unlike anything I’d seen before—an unforgettable night that Ivan’s fans knew to come prepared for.

As I made my way toward the Kia Forum, traffic was at an all-time high. Multiple concerts were taking place across Inglewood, and with Ivan’s sold-out night, the streets were packed for miles. Fans could be seen walking in their tour merch or in astronaut-themed costumes. Personally, I had never seen Ivan perform live before, and I’m not used to attending slower-paced concerts, so I had no idea what I was about to witness. As I entered the arena, all I could see was every seat filled—from the floor to the nosebleeds—with fans already chanting Ivan’s name and singing along to the DJ. Once the lights went out, a massive horizontal screen on stage began changing colors and slowly made its way down to the stage floor. As the iconic guitar riffs picked up, Ivan emerged. Wearing a jean jacket, white jeans, and his signature boots, he grabbed the mic—and the entire stadium erupted. You could feel the floor shake as fans screamed in excitement.

“Te miré y no pude preguntar por tu nombre” were the first words out of Ivan’s mouth, kicking off the night with his hit song Atención. A fan-favorite and emotional anthem, it was the perfect way to set the tone. As the song continued, the huge LED screen behind him lifted to reveal his band, who were locked in and performing live. Ivan might not have intricate choreography or wild stage antics, but his presence alone commands attention. He walked the stage designed to connect with his fans, touching hands, blowing kisses, waving hello—and just as importantly, he took time to introduce his band members one by one, giving them their moment to shine on the big stage.

As the night carried on, so did the music. Ivan performed favorites like Sale Para Ser Feliz, Hasta La Muerte, Mirada, Tatuajes, Dónde Estás, and of course, his latest single Me Prometí. It was perhaps the most intimate arena concert I’ve ever witnessed. Ivan isn’t known for high-energy dance tracks—instead, his music is slow, emotional, and heartfelt, touching the souls of fans who are either in love or healing from heartbreak. He gave the city of Inglewood a superstar performance with a discography that speaks to the deepest parts of people. His gift for singing and songwriting is truly unmatched, with every song telling a story that resonates across all generations.

Ivan Cornejo is now wrapping up his North American leg of the Mirada Parte 2 tour, after selling out venues across both the west and east coasts. He’ll soon take the final stretch of the tour to Mexico, something deeply meaningful to him and his fans on the other side of the border. Recently, Ivan announced that proceeds from his merch sales, along with raised funds, will be donated to CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights), one of his favorite nonprofits. At a time when many Latin artists choose to stay silent, Ivan is using his voice and platform to take real action—not just for his culture, but for fans who relate to him far beyond the music. Ivan Cornejo continues to cement his legacy every day, and we can’t wait to follow him every step of the way.

Written by Joseph Hernandez Torrejon Photos provided by Kia Forum