José Andrés to be Honored During National Portrait Gallery’s Portrait of a Nation Awards

Posted on August 27, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

José Andrés is being honored for his transformative contributions…

The 53-year-old Spanish chef, philanthropist and activist will be honored at the National Portrait Gallery’s Portrait of a Nation Awards on November 12.

Andres will be honored alongside Clive Davis, Ava DuVernay, Marian Wright Edelman, Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Serena Williams and Venus Williams.

The event, which launched in 2015, “honor[s] extraordinary individuals who have made transformative contributions to the United States and its people across all fields of endeavor from the arts and sciences,” according to the Smithsonian gallery.

Andres is the founder of World Central Kitchen, a non-profit devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. It has provided aid and meals in the United States and Puerto Rico and has helped during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

He is often credited with bringing the small plates dining concept to America.

An exhibition featuring portraits of the honorees will open at the museum on November 10.

Baratunde Thurston will host the event, with Laurene Powell Jobs presenting to Andres; Alicia Keys to Davis; Isabel Wilkerson to DuVernay; Hillary Clinton to Edelman; David M. Rubenstein to Fauci; Mellody Hobson to Serena Williams and Sonya Haffey and Isha Price to Venus Williams.

Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Galley, said in a statement, “It is important to honor and celebrate the people who are making a difference and inspiring others. The presenters, each of whom have a special relationship with the honorees, help us to offer meaningful thanks to this year’s awardees for their significant contributions to our nation.”

Reik & Sech Team Up for Heartbreak Anthem “5 Estrellas”

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a five-star collaboration for Reik…

The Mexican pop rock band has joined voices with the 28-year-old Panamanian singer Sech to release the new single “5 Estrellas.”

The heartbreak anthem, which features the intensity and passion that people have come to expect from both acts, has been released via Sony Music Latin.

The pop gem puts at the forefront Reik’s romanticism, the type that isn’t overbearing, and Sech’s raw and honest poetry that give life to this exchange of verses between two heartbroken men.

CNCO Releases Final Album “XOXO”

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a last love letter to fans for CNCO…

The Latin boy band has released XOXO, the album that will mark CNCO’s last album after seven years together.

The upbeat pop album with heartfelt ballads, is a combination of melancholic pop powered by thumping beat tracks.

“No Se Va,” a groovy tune about memories that stay with us after a relationship reaches its end, is one of those tracks and so is the sensual “Sábanas Mojadas.” Then there’s the infectious party anthem “Party, Humo y Alcohol.”

Composed by an all-star team of songwriters, the album’s focus track “Miami” features emerging act Beele and perfectly encapsulates the eclectic energy that gives life to the entire set.

Ricky Martin Earns 18th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Reik-Collab “A Veces Bien y A Veces Mal”

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ricky Martin has made his triumphant return to the top of the charts…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and actor has returned to the No. 1 spot for the first time in over four years on a Billboard airplay chart as “A Veces Bien y A Veces Mal” with Reik rises from No. 7 to lead the Latin Airplay ranking dated August 27.

Martin & Reik’s first collaboration lands at the summit in its 17th week boosted by a 43% gain in audience impressions to 9.1 million earned in the U.S. in the week ending August 21, according to Luminate.

With the biggest percentage gain of the week in terms of audience, it ejects Bad Bunny and Chencho Corleone’s “Me Porto Bonito” from its one week in charge. It falls to No. 2 on the current chart.

“A Veces Bien y A Veces Mal” marks the 18th ruler for Martin and first since his one-week champ “Fiebre,” featuring Wisin & Yandel, in May 2018. With the new champ, the pop star enters a tie with Bad Bunny for the eighth-most among all acts, both with 18 wins.

Plus, he continues to hold the second-most victories among Latin pop acts, trailing only Enrique Iglesias (32 leaders). Overall, J Balvin continues at the helm with 35 No. 1s.

Here’s a look at the male-dominated scoreboard:

35, J Balvin
32, Enrique Iglesias
28, Ozuna
26, Daddy Yankee
22, Wisin
21, Maluma
19, Romeo Santos
18, Bad Bunny
18, Ricky Martin
16, Carlos Vives
16, Nicky Jam
16, Shakira

For Reik, “A Veces Bien y A Veces Mal” provides the Mexican trio their fourth No. 1 and first since “Si Me Dices Que Sí,” with Farruko and Camilo, reigned for one week in June 2020.

In addition to the song’s Latin Airplay domination, Martin and Reik celebrate their Latin Pop Airplay coronation, as the track climbs 4-1 with the Greatest Gainer honors of the week.

Further, the track debuts at No. 50 on the all-metric Hot Latin Songs chart.

Bad Bunny Earns 18th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart with Chencho Corleone-Collab “Me Porto Bonito”

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny continues his chart-topping ways…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer’s collaboration with Chencho Corleone, “Me Porto Bonito,” leads another Billboard Latin chart as the track ascends from No. 9 to lead the Latin Airplay ranking dated August 20.

It comes just three weeks after Bad Bunny topped the list with “Moscow Mule,” which jumped 11-1 on the July 30 chart (it’s No. 4 on the new chart).

“Me Porto Bonito” rallies 9-1 on Latin Airplay in its fifth week, the fastest trek to the top between Bad Bunny’s collection of 18 No. 1s among 36 career appearances.

On the tracking week ending in Aug. 14, “Me Porto Bonito” earned 9 million in audience impressions, up 35%.

With 18 leaders on his account, Bad Bunny breaks a tie with Ricky Martin as the act with the eighth-most No. 1s on Latin Airplay.

Here’s the scoreboard:

35, J Balvin
32, Enrique Iglesias
28, Ozuna
26, Daddy Yankee
22, Wisin
21, Maluma
19, Romeo Santos
18, Bad Bunny
17, Ricky Martin

The song concurrently takes over Latin Rhythm Airplay with a 7-1 lift in its eighth week.

The new leader gifts Bad Bunny his 18th No. 1 on both surveys. Meanwhile, Chencho Corleone scores his second Latin Airplay ruler and third on Latin Rhythm Airplay, dating back to his first offering, the five-week ruler which arrived through his featured role in Tito El Bambino’s “A Que No te Atreves,” in 2014.

In addition to the new chart-topper, Bad Bunny also ranks in the top 10 with one more song. Former champ “Moscow Mule” darts 5-4 after a 9% drop in weekly audience impressions.

“Me Porto Bonito’s” Latin Airplay coronation arrives 13 weeks after the song conquered the No. 1 spot on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart, which blends airplay, streaming data, and digital sales. The song has since held steady atop the tally thanks to its continued streaming success. In the tracking week ending Aug. 11, the song generated 20.22 million U.S. streams, a 1% decline from the week prior, according to Luminate.

Despite its 1% streaming decline, “Me Porto Bonito” remains strong atop Latin Streaming Songs also for a 13th week (and counting). Further, it dips 2-3 on the overall Streaming Songs, after its two-week coronation for Bad Bunny’s first and only champ on that survey.

HBO Releases First Footage of Pedro Pascal’s New Series “The Last of Us”

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s game on (screen) for Pedro Pascal…

HBO has released the first footage of its new series The Last of Us, starring the 47-year-old Chilean actor.

The HBO original series is based on the video games developed by Naughty Dog for the PlayStation platforms.

The teaser shows Joel (Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they cross a snowy bridge with the latter’s voiceover saying, “Everybody I’ve cared for has either died or left me.”

“You have no idea what loss is,” Joel responds.

The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.

The series also stars Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett, Nick Offerman, Jeffrey Pierce and Anna Torv.

The Last Of Us is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television.

PlayStation Productions, Word Games, The Mighty Mint and Naughty Dog produce.

Caroline Garcia Defeats Petra Kvitova to Claim Western & Southern Open Title

Posted on August 21, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Caroline Garcia has completed a historic run…

The 28-year-old part-Spanish French tennis player has generated momentum going into next week’s US Open by winning the Western & Southern Open women’s tennis championship with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Petra Kvitova on Sunday.

Garcia, already the first qualifier to reach the tournament final, clinched the victory when Kvitova sent a second-serve return into the net. Garcia dropped to her knees and lay on her back on the court after the final point.

“It’s hard to believe I’m standing here today,” Garcia said in her postmatch speech to the crowd. “It’s been such a week.”

Garcia went into Sunday’s match with a WTA Tour-leading 25 wins since June.

“Every single win is important. Every single title is very special,” Garcia said. “It’s always very hard to describe it. It’s not happening so often, and you have to really like enjoy it. I’m really grateful for this great week of tennis, and to win another title, it’s very special.”

The 28th-ranked Kvitova and 35th-ranked Garcia both shook off first-round losses the previous week in Toronto to make their first appearances in a Cincinnati final.

“Definitely not the result I wanted, but … I have to take it like this and see the positive things,” Kvitova said. “I know it’s hurting right now, but on the other side, I have to see it like overall and be proud on my 40th final of my career.”

Garcia broke her Czech opponent in the first game and raced to a 4-0 lead. Garcia also gained an early edge with a first-game break in the second set.

“It’s been such a crazy road the last couple of weeks, but I’ve really enjoyed it,” Garcia said. “[Let’s] keep it going.”

Kvitova left the court for treatment of an injury after falling behind 2-0 in the second set. She looked sharper after returning but couldn’t overcome the early break.

Oscar Isaac Earns HCA TV Awards Prize from Hollywood Critics Association

Posted on August 14, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Oscar Isaac is a (Hollywood) critics’ choice…

The Hollywood Critics Association has announced the winners of the 2nd Annual HCA TV Awards, with the 43-year-old Cuban-Guatemalan actor earning a prize.

Isaac claimed the award for Best Actor in a Broadcast or Cable Limited, Anthology Series, or TV Movie for his work on HBO’s Scenes from a Marriage.

Hosted by Dulcé Sloan from Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, the HCA TV Awards – Broadcast Network & Cable ceremony was held Saturday evening at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA.

Additionally, the HCA bestowed Honorary Awards including the “TV Breakout Star Award” presented to Quinta Brunson, the “TV Icon Award” presented to Giancarlo Esposito, and the “Virtuoso Award” presented to Mandy Moore.

Here’s the full list of the award winners:

Best Game Show
Celebrity Family Feud (ABC)

Best Broadcast Network Reality Show or Competition Series
Lego Masters (FOX)

Best Broadcast Network or Cable Live-Action TV Movie
The Survivor (HBO)

Best Writing in a Broadcast or Cable Limited, Anthology Series, or Movie
Mike White, The White Lotus “Mysterious Monkeys” (HBO)

Best Directing in a Broadcast or Cable Limited, Anthology Series, or Movie
Mike White, The White Lotus “Mysterious Monkeys” (HBO)

Best Directing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy
Bill Hader, Barry – “701N” (HBO)

Best Broadcast Network or Cable Docuseries or Non-Fiction Series
We Need to Talk About Cosby (Showtime)

Best Broadcast Network or Cable Documentary TV Movie
End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock (Fuse)

Best Broadcast Network or Cable Animated Series or TV Movie
Rick and Morty (Adult Swim)

Best Cable Reality Show or Competition Series
RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)

Best Broadcast Network or Cable Variety Sketch Series or Talk Series
A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)

Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast or Cable Limited, Anthology Series, or Movie
Murray Bartlett, The White Lotus (HBO)

Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast or Cable Limited, Anthology Series, or Movie
Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus (HBO)

Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama
Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul (AMC)

Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama
Rhea Seehorn, Better Call Saul (AMC)

Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy
Henry Winkler, Barry (HBO)

Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy
Janelle James, Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Best Directing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama
Karyn Kusama, Yellowjackets – “Pilot” (Showtime)

Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama
Dan Fogelman, This is Us “The Train” (NBC)

Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary “Pilot” (ABC)

Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul (AMC)

Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama
Melanie Lynskey, Yellowjackets (Showtime)

Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy
Bill Hader, Barry (HBO)

Best Actor in a Broadcast or Cable Limited, Anthology Series, or TV Movie
Oscar Isaac, Scenes from a Marriage (HBO)

Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series, Anthology Series, or TV Movie
Sarah Paulson, Impeachment: American Crime Story (FX)

Best Cable Series, Drama
*Tie* Better Call Saul (AMC) & Succession (HBO)

Best Cable Series, Comedy
What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Best Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series
The White Lotus (HBO)

Best Broadcast Network Series, Comedy
Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Best Broadcast Network Series, Drama
This is Us (NBC)

Special Honorary Awards
TV Breakout Star – Quinta Brunson
TV Icon Award – Giancarlo Esposito
Virtuoso Award – Mandy Moore

Gravitas Ventures Acquires Rights to Brian Moreno’ “Dreamland: A Storming Area 51 Story”

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Brian Moreno is storming into alien territory…

Gravitas Ventures has acquired rights to the 35-year-old Colombian director and comedian Dreamland: A Storming Area 51 Story.

The film, slated for domestic release later this year, watches as the life-long alien enthusiast and comedian Moreno hires a wild crew to follow him on his extra-terrestrial fact-finding adventure to the viral “Storming Area 51” event.

While nothing turns out as planned, the adventure is certainly one of a kind.

Comedians Andy Kozel, Natasha Pearl Hansen, David Murphy and Griff Pippin also appear in the comedic adventure pic from producers Geoffrey McNeil, Jed Rhein and Brian Schlesinger. Moreno served as EP, with Roberto Ahumada and Anton Fair as co-producers.

Gravitas Ventures’ Manager of Acquisitions Brett Rogalsky negotiated the deal for Dreamland with Moreno and to the 35-year-old Colombian director and comedian on behalf of the filmmakers.

Eva Longoria to Star in & Executive Produce Dramedy “Land of Women”

Posted on August 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria has landed a new project…

Apple TV+ has ordered the six-episode series Land of Women, a dramedy starring the 47-year-old Mexican American actress,

Inspired by Sandra Barneda’s best-selling novel, Longoria will executive producer and star on the project. Carmen Maura is set to co-star.]

Created and written by Ramón Campos and Gema R. Neira, Land of Women tells the story of Gala (Longoria), a New York empty nester forced to flee her home after her husband implicates the family in financial improprieties. Joining her on the journey are her aging mother Julia (Maura) and her college-age daughter.

The three women escape the criminals her now-vanished husband is indebted to by moving to the same charming wine town in Northern Spain that Gala’s mother fled 50 years ago, vowing never to return. Starting over with new identities proves complicated while living in a small town where secrets tend to unravel quite easily.

Land of Women will be directed by Carlos Sedes.

The series is produced for Apple TV+ by Bambu Studios and will be shot in both English and Spanish and made available to watch in each language. Pre-production is currently underway in Spain.

Showrunner Campos will executive produce alongside Teresa Fernández-Valdés), Ben Spector and Longoria via her production company UnbeliEVAble Entertainment.

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