Karol G Wins Big at Latin American Music Awards with Six Trophies

Karol G is this year’s Latin AMAs darling…

The 31-year-old Colombian singer proved to be the biggest winner at the seventh annual Latin American Music Awards, earning six awards at the ceremony that celebrates the best of Latin music.

Karol GKarol G took home the most coveted award of the night, Artist of the Year. She also prevailed as Female Artist of the Year and Favorite Urban Artist.

Her third studio album, KG0516, was voted Album of the Year and Favorite Urban Album, and she picked up a Favorite Collaboration Award for her track “Makinón,” with Miami native Mariah Angelique.

Bad Bunny, who came into the ceremony as the most-nominated artist, followed close behind with five awards.

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican artist’s five awards included Song of the Year, Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Urban Song for his multiplatinum single “Dákiti,” with Jhay Cortez.

He also nabbed the award for Favorite Tropical Song “Volví,” and Viral Song of the Year for “AM.”

Argentine singer María Becerra, whose debut album Animal was released last summer, won Best New Artist.

This year’s Latin AMAs were hosted by Jacqueline Bracamontes, Rafael Amaya and Cristián de la Fuente and broadcast on Telemundo from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Latin AMAs voting is fan-driven with nominations based on streaming, sales, airplay and social activity tracked by Billboard from February 6, 2021 through January 29, 2022.

Here’s the full list of Latin AMA 2022 winners:

Artista del Año: Karol G
Nuevo Artista del Año: María Becerra
Sencillo del Año: Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez — “Dákiti”
Álbum del Año: Karol G — “KG0516”
Artista Favorita Femenina: Karol G
Artista Favorito Masculino: Bad Bunny
Dúo o Grupo Favorito: Aventura
Artista Favorito Pop: Selena Gomez
Álbum Favorito Pop: CNCO — “Déjà Vu”
Canción Favorita Pop: Sebastián Yatra & Myke Towers — “Pareja Del Año”
Artista Favorito Solo Regional Mexicano: Christian Nodal
Dúo o Grupo Favorito Regional Mexicano: Grupo Firme
Álbum Favorito Regional Mexicano: Christian Nodal — “Ahora”
Canción Favorita Regional Mexicano: Gera MX & Christian Nodal — “Botella Tras
Artista Favorito Urbano: Karol G
Álbum Favorito Urbano: Karol G — “KG0516”
Canción Favorita Urbano: Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez — “Dákiti”
Artista Favorito Tropical: Romeo Santos
Álbum Favorito Tropical: El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico — ‘”En Cuarentena”
Canción Favorita Tropical: Aventura & Bad Bunny — “Volví”
Artista Favorito Crossover: The Weeknd
Colaboración del Año: Karol G & Mariah Angeliq — “El Makinon”
Canción Viral del Año: Nio Garcia, J Balvin & Bad Bunny — “AM”
Gira del Año: Enrique Iglesias & Ricky Martin
Video Favorito: Anitta — “Girl From Rio”
Artista Social Favorito: Pabllo Vittar

Cristián de la Fuente to Star in the Indie Rom-Com “Switch Up”

Cristián de la Fuente is switching things up…

The 47-year-old Chilean actor, model and presenter will star in Switch Up, an indie romantic comedy that will serve as the feature directing debut of Tara Pirnia.

Cristián de la Fuente de la Fuente will star opposite Julieth RestrepoJeff Fahey and Sal Velez Jr. in the film, which is expected to begin production in Texas this coming January.

Written by Pamela Beach and Felice Heather Monteith from Pirnia’s original story, the film centers on popular Miami talk show host Ricardo De La Cruz (de la Fuente), whose world gets turned upside down when a scheming rival sets him up for a scandalous fall. Destitute, Ricardo finds himself stranded at a homeless shelter he once featured on his show, where he meets a young widow (Restrepo) who finds it hard to move on. As Ricardo begins to fall in love, he comes to understand how helping others is the true path to finding happiness.

“This story sheds light on the issue of homelessness which is often overlooked,” Pirnia said. “We are hoping to remind audiences that homelessness is still happening and how some people try to cope, in an entertaining manner.”

Elizabeth Avellán, Marcela Ronquillo Hinojosa, de la Fuente, Melissa Bickerton, Angela Blair, Peter Bandera and Pirnia are producing the film, which will shoot in Brownsville and South Padre Island.

Richard Garza, Steve Owens, Susan Michaels, Larry Krask, Andrea Marquez, Pedro Armando Gutierrez and Pierre Romain are executive producers. Tina Randolph Contogenis of Eris Entertainment is as an executive consultant in conjunction with Golden Apple Productions.

De La Fuente’s previous credits include In Plain Sight, Devious Maids and Driven.

Alejandra Guzman to Star on Season 2 of Pantaya’s Spanish-Language Series “El Juego de Las Llaves”

Alejandra Guzman is gearing up for some el juego…

The 52-year-old Mexican Latin Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and actress has joined the Season 2 cast of Pantaya’s hit Spanish-language scripted series El Juego de Las Llaves.

Alejandra Guzmán 

Guzman joins a roster of cast newcomers that includes Laura Leon and Cristián de la Fuente.

Also joining the ensemble cast are Barbara Lopez, Michelle Rodriguez and Gustavo Egelhaaf.

El Juego de las Llaves streams on Pantaya, a Lionsgate and Hemisphere Media Group joint venture, in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and internationally via Amazon Prime Video.

El Juego de las Llaves is a provocative half-hour Spanish-language scripted series that follows four long-lasting couples and friends who decide to swing, and are left to face the impact of their decisions in the comedic aftermath.

The all-star cast includes Maite Perroni, Sebastián Zurita, Marimar Vega, Horacio Pancheri, Humberto Busto, Hugo Catalan, Ela Velden and Fabiola Campomanes.

Guzman, known for her television role in Una familia con suerte, most recently served as a coach on La Voz… Mexico and La Voz in the U.S., the Spanish-language versions of the singing competition The Voice.

Leon has appeared in telenovela hits like Dos mujeres un camino, El premio mayor and Mujeres engañadas, whose theme songs she also sang and have become classics of Latinx pop culture.

de la Fuente has had leading roles in Amor bravio, Quiero amarte and Sueño de amor. He has also appeared in a number of English-language film and television series including In Plain Sight, Driven, Basic and CSI: Miami.

El Juego de Las Llaves was created by Marisa Quiroga and developed by Patrick McGinley, Veronica Bellver and Corazon FilmsSandro Halphen, alongside Amazon Prime Video and Pantaya.

Directors on season 2 include Kenya Marquez, Javier Colinas and Roberto Fiesco.

The series is produced by Pantaya and Corazón Films.

Jesse & Joy Win Big at the Latin Grammys…

There’s plenty of joy in Jesse & Joy’s world this week…

The Mexican pop/rock duo proved to be the ultimate victor at Thursday night’s Latin Grammy Awards show.

Jesse & Joy

The 29-year-old Jesse Huerta and his 26-year-old hermanita Joy Huerta picked up four awards during the show, including best record, song and contemporary pop vocal album.

“Thanks to the best fans in the world,” said Jesse, who with his sister picked up the Best New Artist award at the 2007 Latin Grammys. “It feels incredible. We’ve not been at the Latin Grammys since 2007, so this feels like a great comeback.”

Jesse & Joy, who recently released the music video for the duo’s latest single “¿Con Quién Se Queda El Perro?, also won the award for best short form music video for their single “Me Voy.”

Meanwhile, Colombian pop-rock singer Juanes, who will launch a tour next May, took home two awards for his MTV Unplugged set, including album of the year and best short form music video. When asked if he gets nervous before an awards show, he said that he definitely thinks about the entire process.

“I don’t suffer,” said Juanes. “You think maybe it’s there, maybe it’s not. These wins are much more than I imaged.”

Cuban jazz trumpeter, pianist and composer Arturo Sandoval won two trophies for best Latin jazz album (“Dear Diz – Every Day I Think of You“) and best tango album (“Tango – Como Yo Te Siento“).

“I’d like to dedicate this award to my father who turned me on to the tango,” said Sandoval as he received his award. “He was a mechanic, but when he spoke about the tango he knew all of the melodies.”

Mexico’s Carla Morrison, one of the year’s most celebrated indie pop acts, took the prize for best alternative song for her emotionally-driven “Déjenme Llorar,” a song about breaking up, which has helped the singer/songwriter become a YouTube sensation. Later she also won for best alternative music album.

“This is also for all the kids who have broken hearts,” Morrison said.

Mexico’s DJ collective 3BallMTY won the best new artist trophy in an acceptance speech that left the teen act in tears.

“We’re very happy and we really wanted this,” said a tearful Albert Presenda, aka DJ Otto. “We especially want to thank our families who have put up with so much of our traveling.”

Other winners included Pepe Aguilar for best ranchero album, Milly Quezada for best contemporary tropical album for “Aqui Estoy Yo,” Fonseca‘s Ilusion+ for best tropical fusion album — beating out Prince Royce — and Tucanes de Tijuana‘s 365 Dias for best norteño album.

Hosted by actress/singer Lucero and actor Cristian de la Fuente, the first round of awards included a prize for Spanish pop singer David Bisbal, who won for best pop traditional vocal album.

Earlier in the day during the Latin Grammy pre-telecast, more than 30 awards were given in a ceremony at the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, including producer of the year to Juan Luis Guerra.

For a complete list of winners, go to latingrammy.com.

Shakira Tops A Stellar Latin Grammys Lineup…

This year’s Latin Grammy Awards show is shaping up to be a star-studded event with high-octane performances by Puerto Rican superstar act Calle 13, Mexican crooner Marco Antonio Solis and international singing sensation Shakira, who will receive 2011 Person of the Year honors during the telecast.

Calle 13, comprised of Eduardo Cabra and Rene Perez, received a record 10 nominations this year, including nods for Album of the Year for “Entren Los Que Quieren” and Record of the Year for “Latinoamerica.” Solis’ “A Donde Vamos a Parar” is up for Song of the Year, while Shakira’s “Sale el Sol” is nominated for Album of the Year.

But those aren’t the only top-notch acts taking the stage…

The Latin Recording Academy has locked in a duet with Venezuelan troubadour Franco de Vita and Mexican rockera Alejandra Guzman; a special performance by Mexican rock group Mana of the remake of the band’s current singe, “El Verdadero Amor Perdona” with rising star Prince Royce; and a performance newcomer Sie7e.

Meanwhile, Hollywood actress Zoe Saldana and telenovela star Adamari Lopez have been added to the list of award presenters.

The Latin Grammys will be hosted by Mexican singer/actress Lucero and Chilean actor Cristian De la Fuente.

Univision will broadcast the awards show live from Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center on November 10.