Martin: A Gleeful Maestro?

Here’s something to be gleeful about… Ricky Martin could be appearing on Glee in the near future.

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican pop star is reportedly in negotiations to guest star on Fox’s musical dramedy early next year, according to TVLine.

Ricky Martin to appear on Glee

Martin will play “the hottest Spanish teacher ever in the history of Ohio,” according to sources close to the hit show.

Make that a hot Spanish teacher with the voice of an angel!

Martin’s character will allegedly headline two big musical numbers in the episode, which is scheduled to air in late January.

After wrapping up his quick stint on Glee, Martin will head to New York to begin rehearsals for his role as Che in the Broadway revival of Evita, which is set to open in April 2012.

Martin’s Glee gig will be his most high profile acting gig since his two-year run on General Hospital in the mid-’90s.

Bichir’s Got “Spirit”…

Demián Bichir is reaping the recognition after starring in critically acclaimed film about an East L.A. illegal immigrant gardener.

Demian Bichir A Better Life Spirit Award Nomination

The 48-year-old Mexican actor has received a Spirit Award nomination in the Best Male Lead category for his star-making role in A Better Life, a poignant film about a father’s love and the lengths he’ll go to give his child the opportunities he never had.

Bichir—who depicted Fidel Castro in Steven Soderbergh’s Che and had a recurring role on Showtime’s Weeds—will face off against Hollywood heavyweights Ryan Gosling (Drive) and Woody Harrelson (Rampart), as well as Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
and Michael Shannon (Take Shelter).

But Bichir isn’t the only Hispanic actor getting some Spirit love…

Transgender actress Harmony Santana has received a Best Supporting Female nomination for playing Michael/Vanessa in the coming out drama Gun Hill Road, the same role that landed her a Gotham Award nomination for Breakthrough Actor. She’s up against Jessica Chastain (Take Shelter),
 Anjelica Huston (50/50),
Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs) and Shailene Woodley (The Descendants).

With five nods each, The Artist and Take Shelter lead this year’s nominations for the Spirit Awards, which honor films made outside of the Hollywood studio system.

Winners will be announced at the 27th annual Spirit Awards daytime ceremony on Saturday, February 25 that will be broadcast later in the evening on the IFC channel.

The Spirit Awards are produced by Film Independent—the non-profit arts organization that also puts on the Los Angeles Film Festival.