Mr. Pauer Signs with Sony Music Latin’s Electronic Label, Orianna

Mr. Pauer has a new deal…

The 48-year-old Venezuelan Latin Grammy nominated artist/producer/DJ is teaming up with Orianna, Sony Music Latin’s electronic label, for the release of his upcoming studio album, Inevitable.

 

The set—marking Pauer’s fourth album following Soundtrack (2014), Orange (2015) and Fiera (2022) — is slated for release in the first quarter of 2024 as the first album to be launched under the Orianna banner.

Earlier this year, Orianna and Pauer launched “Pa’Onde Vamos” in collaboration with David Tort, Markem and Rayo.

“For me it’s a great step in my career to be able to work with a Latin electronic label like Orianna under the Sony Spain umbrella,” the Miami-based, Venezuelan DJ and producer tells Billboard. “This is the first time in my career that I have released an album with a label. I like independence but at this point in my career, I like to work more as a team and grow together with the same intention.”

The first single off Inevitable, a collaboration with Colombian artist Goyo called “Química,” which drops on Friday, November 3.

“We’ve known each other for over 20 years, even before ChocQuibTown was created. We’ve always had great respect for each other and the timing was right for our first collaboration,” Pauer says of his relationship with the 2023 Billboard Latin Women in Music Agent of Change recipient.

Created in the summer, “Química” is a dance-ready track that perfectly laces Goyo’s powerhouse vocals and Pauer’s tropi-pop fusions that include Venezuelan cumaco (drums), Colombian tambor alegre, and electronic beats.

“I am excited to have a team that supports, understands and dances to the rhythm of Mr. Pauer,” he notes. “Latin electronic music is in a good moment and it’s dominating globally.”

Isabella Ferreira Signs With Innovative Artists

Isabella Ferreira is officially innovating

The 20-year-old Latina actress, one of the young stars of Hulu’s teen dramedy Love, Victor, has signed with Innovative Artists for representation.

Isabella FerreiraSet in the same universe as the hit 20th Century Fox film Love, Simon, based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky AlbertalliLove, Victor wrapped up a three-season run on the streamer last summer. Created by Love, Simon scribes Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, who also served as showrunners, the show follows the journey of Victor, a high school student coming to terms with his sexuality while navigating the ups and downs of love, family, and friendships.

Starring alongside Michael Cimino as Victor, as well as Ana Ortiz, James Martinez, Rachel Naomi Hilson and others, Ferreira played the role of Pilar, Victor’s sullen younger sister in the throws of teenage angst.

The Philadelphia native also recently starred alongside Rowan Blanchard and Auli’i Cravalho in Crush, the coming-of-age rom-com marking the directorial debut of Sammi Cohen, which was produced for Hulu by companies including American High. In the film released in April of last year, a young aspiring artist is forced to join her high school track team, using it as an opportunity to pursue the girl she’s been harboring a long-time crush on. But she soon finds herself falling for an unexpected teammate and discovers what real love feels like.

Ferreira previously appeared in Jenji Kohan’s Emmy-winning series Orange Is the New Black, as well as the pandemic-inspired anthology series Social Distance, on which Kohan was an EP, both of which were for Netflix.

She’ll next be seen starring alongside Kaitlin Olson, Bobby Cannavale, Scott MacArthur, Mason Thames and more in the upcoming Spyglass film Incoming, a comedy from filmmakers John and Dave Chernin that watches as four freshmen navigate the terrors of adolescence at their first-ever high school party.

Melissa Navia Signs with Innovative Artists 

Melissa Navia has new representation…

The 39-year-old Latinx actor and writer has signed with Innovative Artists .

Melissa NaviaNavia can currently be seen starring in the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The series, a spinoff of Star Trek: Discovery and a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, follows Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and the crew of the USS Enterprise as they explore new worlds around the galaxy. Navia stars as ‘Lieutenant Erica Ortegas,’ the charismatic helmsman of the USS Enterprise. Season 2 premiered on June 15 and has already been renewed for a third season.

Additionally, Navia previously recurred on the CBS series Bull and AMC’s Dietland. She also guest starred on NBC’s New Amsterdam and Billions and Homeland for Showtime.

On the big screen, she has appeared in a variety of indie films and shorts.

In 2013, she won the award for Best Actress at the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival for her leading role as ‘Dawn’ in The Paragon Cortex.

Her additional film credits include Sleeping with the FishesBel CantoThe ChosenHymns and What It Was.

In March 2020, she made her Off Broadway debut in the world premiere of Bundle of Sticks from J. Julian Christopher.

Eva Longoria Teams Up with Cris Abrego to Launch Hyphenate Media Group

Eva Longoria is proving to be a real (multi)hyphenate

The 48-year-old Mexican American actress, director and producer and Cris Abrego, two of the most high-profile Latinos in Hollywood, have joined forces.

Eva Longoria & Cris Abrego Longoria and Abrego have launched Hyphenate Media Group, a new Banijay-backed venture that will develop and produce its own slate as well as invest in creator-led companies.

The company, which has been in the works for months, was announced during a keynote with the duo, who have been friends for years, at Mipcom.

Abrego will serve as the CEO of the company, and Longoria will serve as its Chief Creative Officer.

As part of its launch, Hyphenate has acquired the full slate of Longoria’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, which has been behind series such as NBC’s Telenovela, ABC’s Grand Hotel and CNN’s Searching for Mexico.

As such, Hyphenate will take on Apple TV+’s Land of Women, a six-part series starring and exec produced by the Desperate Housewives star that will launch in 2024.

The company will develop and produce both scripted and unscripted series and both of them will produce for the business with all television projects directed by Longoria also coming under the new banner, which is set to firm up its leadership team later this year.

Abrego, who founded Below Deck producer 51 Minds Entertainment in 2003, will remain Chairman of Americas for Banijay and he also serves as Chair of the Television Academy Foundation and a member of the Executive Committee for the Television Academy.

The move marks Banijay’s first investment into the scripted space in the U.S.

Speaking at Mipcom, Abrego spotlighted the decision-making behind launching a diverse content company, as he quoted research that found 50% of American under-18s are not white.

“Supporting creatives in their vision is what we will do,” he added. “The train has left the station and the content has to reflect that.”

He cited influential and talented diverse creatives such as Jordan Peele and Ali Wong, whose work “used to be niche but is now the center.”

Reflecting on the company’s name and MO, Longoria said people had always mistaken her for an actor-turned-producer but she is in fact a “producer-director that fell into acting.”

“That multi-hyphenate is not surviving in Hollywood because the industry wants you to stay in your lane, particularly women,” she explained. “So it was my frustration and Cris’s ambition a couple of years ago after I realized it’s not just me who feels this way. I know creators who are being suffocated by the system so Hyphenate will create the ultimate model.”

Longoria added that the current U.S. labor action is “a direct result of creators taking control back.”

Mauricio Ochmann Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Mauricio Ochmann has new representation…

The Mexican actor and Spanish-language star, best known for his roles in telenovelas like Amarte Asi, has signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME) for representation in all areas.

Mauricio OchmannOchmann’s credits include El Señor de los Cielos and its spinoff El Chema (Telemundo Network’s highest-rated show),

Ochmann’s feature Friends Till Death (Amigos Hasta La Muerte), in which he starred and produced, debuted this past August in the top 10 on Amazon in the U.S. and was #1 in 30 countries worldwide.

Earlier this year, his film All the Places (A Todas Partes), produced by Sony for Netflix, was #6 among all movies on Netflix U.S. and debuted at #1 across Latin America.

Ochmann recently wrapped season two of the TV show Las Bravas F.C. for HBO Max.

Feature film credits include Y Como Es El, the top-grossing Mexican film of 2022, and Hazlo Como Hombre and Ya Veremos, which also were hits in Mexico.

As a producer, Ochmann has a first-look deal with streamer VIX+, a joint venture between Mexican media giant Televisa and US-based network Univision.

Next up, Ochmann is attached to star in action-comedy Operation Mother’s Day. Ochmann and Larry Robinson are producing with Argentinian director Ariel Winograd attached.

El Alfa Signs Deal with Royalty-Financing Company Sound Royalties

El Alfa has a new deal…

The 32-year-old Dominican rapper, known as “The King of Dembow,” has signed an eight-figure deal with royalty-financing company Sound Royalties.

El AlfaThe announcement comes ahead of his forthcoming album, El Rey Del Dembow, as well as a multi-city tour slated for this fall.

“This multi-million-dollar funding will be instrumental in continuing to build my legacy and cement my influence in the Latin music space,” said El Alfa in a statement. “Beyond that, it is foundational for promoting and marketing my music, launching new career opportunities, and releasing more work through my own music label, El Jefe Records.”

El Alfa is known for his sensual voice and initial afro hairstyle, which led him to popularity in the early 2010s through songs like “Tarzan“, “Coche Bomba” and “Muevete Jevi“.

Yng Lvcas Signs Alliance with OCESA Seitrack, in partnership with Laele Records, for Global Management

Yng Lvcas is shoring up his alliances…

The 23-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter and rapper has signed an alliance with OCESA Seitrack, in partnership with Laele Records, to manage his career worldwide.

Yng Lvcas,The rising Mexican artist, known for his breakthrough track “La Bebe (Remix)” in collaboration with Peso Pluma, was a six-time finalist at the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards. He was up for artist of the year, new; Global 200 Latin song of the year; Hot Latin Song of the year; Hot Latin Song of the year, vocal event; Streaming Song of the year; and Latin Rhythm Song of the year.

Yng Lvcas artist and Peso Peso also shared center stage at the awards ceremony on Thursday in Miami to perform their smash hit, “La Bebe,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, peaked No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and peaked at No. 2 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts, earlier this year.

“I’ve collaborated with emerging artists because I have to help other artists, we’re Mexican and we may not be best friends but coming together makes us stronger,” the Guadalajara-born artist expressed during the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week, where he formed part of the The New Mexican Revolution panel alongside Peso Pluma and Grupo Frontera.

In May, Yng Lvcas — a leader of the Mexican reggaeton movement — unleashed his second all-reggaetón album Six Jewels 23, which captured the singer-songwriter his second top 10 entry on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart when it debuted at No. 5 on the June 10-dated ranking.

The following month, he signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Mexico, and up next, he will perform at the coveted Flow Fest on November 25 in Mexico.

Scheana Shay Signs Deal for Representation with Independent Artist Group

Scheana Shay has new representation…

The 38-year-old half-Mexican American television personality, actress, singer and Vanderpump Rules star has inked a deal with Independent Artist Group.

Scheana Shay

The announcement comes on the heels of the show’s Season 11 renewal.

Shay has been with the Emmy-nominated Bravo reality series since its 2013 debut season and earlier this year won an MTV Movie & TV Award alongside her female castmates for Best Reality On-Screen Team.

The show was the first spin-off of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and charts the personal and professional experiences of the staff at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurants and bars in West Hollywood, California, including SUR Restaurant & Lounge, Pump Restaurant and Tom Tom Restaurant & Bar.

Shay came to the series as a server at SUR, who was building a career as an actress and singer. The SoCal native began her entertainment career with appearances on popular series including Jonas (Disney Channel), 90210 (The CW), Greek (ABC Family), Victorious (Nickelodeon) and Entourage (HBO), and has also been seen in numerous national commercials.

She’s also known for hosting and regular commentator appearances for programs like Steve Harvey and hosts the popular podcast Scheananigans with Scheana Shay, which has a consistent presence across the global charts and over a million monthly downloads. “Good As Gold,” one of Shay’s recent singles as a recording artist, was reconfigured into an Uber One commercial that has gone viral on social media platforms this year.

Lindsay Mendez’s Broadway Revival of “Merrily We Roll Along” Breaks House Record at Hudson Theater

Lindsay Mendez’s latest production is breaking records…

Broadway‘s starry Merrily We Roll Along revival, starring the 40-year-old Mexican American Broadway singer/actress, has reported another strong run of previews last week, grossing a hefty $1,471,644 and setting another house record at the Hudson Theatre.

Lindsay Mendez, Merrily We Roll AlongThe Stephen SondheimGeorge Furth musical starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Mendez topped the venue’s previous seven-performance record of $1,431,543, held by David Byrne’s American Utopia.

Merrily We Roll Along was the only show on the boards officially filling all its seats for the week ending October 1.

Hamilton was a virtual sell out, with 99.7% of seats filled (and a gross of $1,776,084), and The Lion King was at 99.4% of capacity at the Minskoff (grossing $1,923,263, even with a TDF reduced-rate Sensory Friendly matinee on October 1).

Two productions opened last week: Purlie Victorious, grossing $358,336 at the Music Box, and Melissa Etheridge: My Window taking $179,113 at Circle in the Square. Press and opening night comps no doubt took a bite into receipts.

In all, the 26 Broadway productions took in $23,116,749 for the week, a small 3% increase over the previous week. Attendance for the week held steady at 199,458. Average ticket price was $115.90.

Season to date, Broadway has grossed $543,413,435 with total attendance of 4,477,657 at 88% of capacity.

All figures courtesy of The Broadway League.

Sarah Shahi Signs with Independent Artist Group & Untitled Entertainment 

Sarah Shahi is under new representation (and management).

The 43-year-old part-Spanish actress has signed with agency Independent Artist Group while inking a deal with Untitled Entertainment for management at the same time.

Sarah ShahiShahi, who most recently starred in the hit Amazon Prime Video film Red, White & Royal Blue, is perhaps best known for leading Stacy Rukeyser’s show Sex/Life. She portrayed Billie Connelly, a Connecticut mother of two suffering a midlife crisis, whose wild child past winds up on a collision course with her very married present.

Inspired by BB Easton’s novel 44 Chapters About 4 Men, the drama wrapped up a two-season run in March.

Shahi’s Red, White & Royal Blue, based on Casey McQuiston’s bestseller, debuted as the streamer’s No. 1 movie globally in August and ultimately became one of its three most-watched rom-coms of all time.

Directed by Matthew Lopez, the film examines the complications that ensue when a romance blossoms between the son of the U.S. President (Taylor Zakhar Perez) and a British prince (Nicholas Galitzine). Shahi portrays Zahra Bankston, the deputy chief of staff for POTUS Ellen Claremont (Uma Thurman).

Last fall, Shahi last starred opposite Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam, which came in at No. 1 at the domestic box office for three straight weeks. In the superhero flick, which grossed close to $400 million globally, she portrayed Adriana, a university professor and freedom fighter who fights alongside Black Adam to restore freedom to her country.

She also received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Rachel Behnam, a street-smart investigator for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, in Showtime’s City on a Hill.

Her additional credits include series like The RookieChicago FirePerson of Interest and The L Word, along with the films For Your Consideration and Old School.

Shahi continues to be represented by attorney Lev Ginsburg of Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.