Rodriguez Wins Cine Latino Pride in Hollywood Award at Premios Tu Mundo

Michelle Rodriguez is the pride of Latino Hollywood…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress earned the Fandango Cine Latino Pride in Hollywood award this week at the Premios Tu Mundo, held at Miami’s American Airlines Arena.

Michelle Rodriguez

Rodriguez, who won the award for her role in Fast & Furious 6, beat out Filly Brown’s Jenni RiveraEpic’s Pitbull and Star Trek Into Darkness’ Zoe Saldaña.

Meanwhile, La Patrona was named Novela of the Year, while acting awards were given to cast members Aracely Arambula, Christian Bach, Gonzalo Garcia Vivanco and Jorge Luis Pila. The telenovela even won the award for Best Bad Luck Moment.

Other novela winners included one award each for El Rostro de la VenganzaPasion Prohibida and El Señor de los Cielos.

In music, Prince Royce’s “Incondicional” won “Most Popular Song of the Year,” and Invencible by Alerta Zero received the mun2 presents Best Music Video prize.

TV personalities Maria Celeste Arraras and Ana Maria Polo were also honored, for Best Social Fan Club and Best Reality Moment for Caso Cerrado respectively. Gaby Espino just host the event; she also earned the I’m Sexy and I Know It award.

Best Athlete of the Year went to Argentine soccer star Leo Messi.

Special awards were given to Eva Longoria, who took homed the ALMA de Tu Mundo Awards, while Musical Powerhouse honors went to Daddy Yankee, who also performed.

Winners were chosen through fan voting on web, mobile and social media platforms; Telemundo viewers chose winners from 20 competing categories.

Click here for the full list of winners.

Prince Royce: The Big Winner at the Premios Juventud Awards

Prince Royce has a handful of reasons to celebrate…

The 24-year-old Dominican American singer and La Voz Kids coach was the big winner at the 10th annual Premios Juventud, taking home five awards.

Prince Royce

It’s the second year in a row that the Royce has led the pack of winners at the awards show. Last year, he won eight awards, including Voz del momento.

This time around, Royce won in five of the 10 categories where he was nominated, including Red Hot Artist, Catchiest Tune, and My Favorite Video.

Meanwhile, the late Jenni Rivera, who died in a plane crash in December, posthumously earned four awards, including My Regional Mexican Artist and My Ringtone.

Meanwhile Bruno Mars and Mexican duo Jesse & Joy each took home two statuettes from the gala held at Miami’s BankUnited Center.

The show opened on a high note as two-time winner Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull sang a medley of their massive hits including new single “Live It Up” in a performance that ended with the two singers diving into an onstage swimming pool.

Other winners include Sebastián Rulli, Blanca Soto, Shakira and Vicente Fernandez.

Launched 10 years ago as a fan show that aimed at a younger audience, Premios Juventud presents awards in 27 categories in music, film soap operas, sports and pop culture. Winners are decided by popular vote over the Internet.

Click here to see the complete list of winners.

Five of Rivera’s Works Rank Among The Top-Selling Latin Albums in 2013 So Far

The late Jenni Rivera‘s presence is still being felt on the Billboard charts…

The Mexican American singer death in a plane crash last December has had a huge impact on this year’s Latin music sales. At the mid-way point (through the week ending June 30, 2012), Rivera registers five of the top 10 biggest-selling Latin albums in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Jenni Rivera

In fact, the top four selling Latin albums in 2013 are all by La Diva de la Banda.

Rivera’s La Misma Gran Señora is the top-selling Latin set of 2013 so far, selling 103,000 copies, rising 13% over last year’s top mid-year seller, Romeo SantosFormula: Vol. 1., which had sold 91,000 by the mid-year point of 2012.

Rivera’s Joyas Prestadas: Pop comes in at No. 2 on the 2 list with 100,000 sold so far. Both titles cross the 100,00 threshold, the first Billboard has had two Latin albums sell in excess of 100,000 at the mid-way point of the year since 2011.

Sales of the top ten mid-year Latin albums saw a 17% increase from last year’s top ten.  At this point in 2012, the ten best selling Latin albums had moved a combined 467,000, whereas this year sales exceed 545,000.

Contributing to the sales growth was Draco Rosa, whose duets project Vida lands at the No. 8 position on the mid-year list with 29,000 sold. Vicente Fernandez rounds out the list at No. 10 with El Hijo Del Pueblo, selling 28,000.

On the Latin digital song sales chart, Marc Anthony‘s “Vivir Mi Vida” at No. 5 is the highest-ranked new song on the best-selling Latin songs list. It’s the year’s No. 5 best-seller, having moved 83,000 downloads thus far.

In 2013 so far, five Latin songs have sold more than 100,000 digital downloads, matching the amount that did so at this point a year ago.  Shakira‘s “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” both remain in the mid-year’s top five for the fourth year in a row (Nos. 2 and 4, respectively). Don Omar’s “Danza Kuduro” (No. 1) continues in its third year among the mid-year top 10.

Overall Latin album sales stand at 4.31 million this year — down 14% compared to a year ago (5.02 million). Latin digital song sales are at 11.13 million for 2013 thus far — down 5.3% versus a year ago (11.75 million). To compare, overall album sales are down by 6%, while overall song sales slide by 2%.

Rivera Wins Two Billboard Music Awards…

The late Jenni Rivera has proven to be La Gran Señora at this year’s Billboard Music Awards

The late Mexican American singer, who passed away in a Mexican plane crash last December, was named the winner in two categories in ceremonies held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Jenni Rivera

Rivera was named Top Latin Artist, while her album La Misma Gran Señora was named the Top Latin Album during the three-hour show, which was broadcast on ABC.

Meanwhile, Michel Teló’s highly successful single “Ai Se Eu Te Pego” was named Top Latin Song.

In all, awards were handed out in 45 categories, 10 of them on the ABC telecast that featured 16 performances, including the TV premiere of the new single from Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull, “Live It Up.” Bruno Mars and his band, decked out in matching crimson suits and black shirts, opened the show with his new single, “Treasure.”

Here’s a look at the complete winner’s list:

Top Artist
Taylor Swift

Top New Artist
One Direction

Top Male Artist
Justin Bieber

Top Female Artist
Taylor Swift

Top Duo/Group
One Direction

Top Billboard 200 Artist
Taylor Swift

Top Hot 100 Artist
Maroon 5

Top Rap Artist
Nicki Minaj

Top Digital Songs Artist (tie)

Carly Rae Jepsen
Taylor Swift

Top Radio Songs Artist
Rihanna

Top Touring Artist
Madonna

Top Social Artist

Justin Bieber

Top Streaming Artist
Nicki Minaj

Top Pop Artist
One Direction

Top R&B Artist
Rihanna

Top Country Artist
Taylor Swift

Top Rock Artist

fun.

Top Latin Artist
Jenni Rivera

Top Dance Artist
Madonna

Top EDM Artist
David Guetta

Top Christian Artist

tobyMac

Top Billboard 200 Album
Taylor Swift – “Red”

Top Pop Album
Adele – “21″

Top R&B Album
Rihanna – “Unapologetic”

Top Rap Album
Nicki Minaj – “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded”

Top Country Album
Taylor Swift -”Red”

Top Rock Album
Mumford & Sons – “Babel”

Top Latin Album

Jenni Rivera – “La Misma Gran Senora”

Top Dance Album
Madonna – “MDNA”

Top EDM Album
Skrillex – “Bangarang”

Top Christian Album
tobyMac – “Eye On It”

Top Hot 100 Song
Gotye Featuring Kimbra – “Somebody That I Used To Know”

Top Digital Song
Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe”

Top Radio Song
Gotye Featuring Kimbra – “Somebody That I Used To Know”

Top Streaming Song (Audio)
Gotye Featuring Kimbra – “Somebody That I Used To Know”

Top Streaming Song (Video)

PSY – “Gangnam Style”

Top Pop Song
Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe”

Top R&B Song
Rihanna – “Diamonds”

Top Rap Song
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz – “Thrift Shop”

Top Country Song
Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”

Top Rock Song
Gotye Featuring Kimbra – “Somebody That I Used To Know” 

Top Latin Song
Michel Telo – “Ai Se Eu Te Pego”

Top Dance Song
Baauer – “Harlem Shake”

Top EDM Song
Baauer – “Harlem Shake”

Top Christian Song
Matt Redman – “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)”

mun2 to Air Footage of Rivera’s Last Concert on “I Love Jenni”

Here’s your chance to catch a glimpse of footage from the late Jenni Rivera’s last concert.

This Sunday, May 19, mun2 will broadcast the concert the late Mexican American singer gave just before getting on the plane that crashed shortly after takeoff, taking the lives of the artist and another six people, as part of the final season of the network’s hit series I Love Jenni.

Jenni Rivera

Rivera’s show in Monterrey, Mexico, included songs that she dedicated to her fans and to her daughter Chiquis.

Along with the concert footage, the episode will feature backstage shots of the singer and businesswoman celebrating the show’s success with her crew.

In addition, the episode includes pictures of how the family took the news of the deadly plane crash in northern Mexico.

The singer had filmed five of the scheduled 17 episodes for the third season of the I Love Jenni series, which debuted in March 2011 and in which the artist shared with fans details of her family life and artistic career.

Rivera’s Family Launches Label Inspired by the Late Singer

The family of Jenni Rivera plans to keep the late singer’s memory alive through music…

The Rivera family has announced plans to launch a new label inspired by la Diva de la Banda, who died in a Mexican plane crash in December.

Jenni Rivera

Rivera had personally wanted to support and launch aspiring Latino singers, according to family spokesperson.

JRE/Divina Music, based in Los Angeles, was in the works in 2010 by Rivera who was already eyeing talent for the label. The label eventually signed bilingual singer Monica Padilla.

The label will also include a project by sibling Juan Rivera in addition to a Christian themed album by Rivera’s daughter Jacqie, who performed at her mother’s memorial.

The songstress’ sister Rosie Rivera, the administrator of Rivera’s estate, said in a statement that her sister “had many expectations of this project as a label… we are putting a lot of energy to complete her dreams.”

Padilla’s album, Contra la Pared, is scheduled for release later in 2013. Not only was Rivera part of the creative team that made the album a reality, she also promoted Padilla during an L.A concert.

Distribution details for JRE/Divina Music were not immediately available.

The Late Rivera Wins Six Trophies at the Billboard Latin Music Awards

She may be gone… But Jenni Rivera has not been forgotten.

The late Mexican American singer, known as la Diva de la Banda, proved to be one of the big winners at the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Jenni Rivera

Rivera, whose influence and sales rose in the wake of her tragic death last December in a plane crash in Mexico, won six awards, including Artist of the Year and Regional Mexican Album of the Year for La Gran Señora, which was coincidentally released the week after her death.

Edward James Olmos, Rivera’s Filly Brown co-star, introduced a tribute segment to the singer, pointing out that just a year before, she had herself performed live on the awards stage.

“We want to remember her a little bit differently — as the woman, the friend, the mother, the daughter,” he said, before a video montage focusing mainly on Rivera’s family life and humanitarian work.

Her parents, Pedro Rivera and Rosa Saavedra, and two eldest  daughters, Janney “Chiquis” Marín and Jacqueline Marín, accepted her posthumous awards.

Meanwhile, Don Omar – who performed his current hit, “Zumba” at the show – had garnered 18 finalist nods — a record tied only by Tito El Bambino in 2010 — and took home 10. They include Songs Artist of the Year, Male and Airplay Song of the year for “Dutty Love,” featuring Natty Natasha.  Don Omar also won Streaming Artist of the Year and Streaming Song of the Year for “Danza Kuduro,” featuring Lucenzo.

Prince Royce, the young urban/bachata singer and soon-to-be La Voz Kids coach who has dominated the charts since his debut in 2011, won four awards, including Albums Artist of the Year, Male.

Romeo Santos, Shakira and La Arrolladora Banda el Limón de René Camacho won three awards each, as did Natty Natasha, who is featured in Don Omar’s “Dutty Love.” Teary-eyed, she dedicated her last win to “all Latinos — those who leave their homelands to pursue their dreams.”

This year’s awards featured a series of premiere performances, including Carlos Vives with Michel Teló (who won Song of the Year for his global hit  “Ai Se Eu Te Pego“).

Mexican rockers Maná, who won Albums Artist of the Year, duo or Group and Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group, also received the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award for the philanthropic work of their Selva Negra Foundation, which has worked in environmental causes for nearly 20 years.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards honors the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music, as determined by the actual sales, radio airplay, streaming and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts.

The awards were broadcast live on Telemundo from the BankUnited Center in Miami.

Click here to see the full list of winners.

Rivera’s “Filly Brown” Earns $1.36 Million In Its Debut Weekend

Jenni Rivera’s first and, sadly, last big screen acting debut is reporting strong numbers…

The late Mexican American singer’s music drama Filly Brown earned a hefty $1.36 million at the box office in only 188 theaters this weekend.

Jenni-Rivera-Filly-Brown

“The Filly fans really came out this weekend,” said Indomina Production exec Rob Williams. “We’re very happy with the per screen average and looking to expand the film into more markets this weekend. Sales were especially strong in Southwestern states.”

The film grossed $673K Friday but dropped to $405K Saturday. Women were far and away the big draw comprising 71% of the audience, and 41% were under 25.

The film’s $7,250 average is the highest PSA of any Pantelion release to date, the distributor pointed out. And the film landed #1 at 20 locations where it outgrossed the weekend’s number one film in the overall box office, Oblivion.

The screenings were followed by a live Q&A with Edward James Olmos and other members of the cast that were streamed to all locations.

Rivera, who died in a plane crash in Mexico last December, portrays the drug-addicted and incarcerated mother of the film’s main character, portrayed by Gina Rodriguez.

Rivera’s Feature Film Debut in “Filly Brown” to Entertain Theater Audiences This Weekend

Jenni Rivera’s first and only big screen acting role will finally see the light at box offices nationwide…

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival hit Filly Brown will open in theaters on Friday amid great anticipation over seeing the late Mexican American singer’s acting debut.

Jenni-Rivera-Filly-Brown

Filly Brown centers on aspiring hip hop artist Majo Tonorio (portrayed by Gina Rodriguez) to establish a career and make enough money to get her drug-addicted mom (Rivera) out of jail.

Although Rivera appears in only four scenes, the film has generated great interest among the Latino community by becoming the posthumous work of the popular singer.

Rivera’s co-star Edward James Olmos told Efe that sharing the stage with her was an “incredible” experience.

“Working with her was a dream because it was the first time that she had done dramatic acting and she was incredible. We were very happy to work together,” he said.

Sharing that opinion is Rodriguez, who added: “Everyone who loves and adores Jenni Rivera has been able to see who she was. Working with her was a blessing. Each day I have to give thanks for having worked with her.”

Rivera, known as “La Diva de la Banda,” died in a plane crash in Mexico last December. She had the chance to see Filly Brown during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

New Jenni Rivera Biography Due in Late April

La Diva de la Banda may be gone too soon… But Jenni Rivera’s legacy will live on in another biography…

Leila Cobo, the executive director of Latin content and programming for Billboard, has written a biography of the late Mexican American singer.

Jenni Rivera Book

The book, which is titled Jenni Rivera: The Incredible Story of a Warrior Butterfly, is heralded as an “intimate portrait of the difficult, successful life” of Rivera.

Her life was cut tragically short in a plane crash on December 9, right as Rivera’s fame was reaching new heights. Along with being a top-selling artist in her musical genre and the star of a highly successful reality TV show on mun2, she earned rave reviews for her acting debut in Filly Brown and had just signed on a deal to develop a comedy series for ABC. She also had her own lines of makeup and fashion, and even set up a not-for-profit foundation.

In the biography, Cobo notes that she had an indomitable determination.

Rivera was born in the Los Angeles area, the first girl among four brothers. She grew up like a princess – but also like a warrior, because she soon learned to stand up for herself among men.

Rivera, a good-grade earning student, got pregnant at the age of 15. But she never gave up her studies, thanks to support and encouragement from her teachers.

Rivera’s life as a young mom wasn’t easy, mainly because her man abused her.

Years after the couple separated, the book says, Rivera learned that her daughter and her sister had been abused by the same man. She was determined that justice be done and eventually got even.

She recorded her first album in 1993 as a gift for her dad, an album of traditional songs that didn’t attract much attention. Every year afterwards she recorded another for her father – because she wanted to do it and because it made her happy.

By the start of the last decade she had climbed the heights of stardom, traveling, recording, and forging very close ties with her many fans.

The book will be released on April 24.