Miss Chile Sofia Depassier Named Miss Congeniality at Miss Universe Pageant

Sofia Depassier has made a lasting impression…

The 24-year-old Chilean beauty queen and current Miss Chile may not have made the Top 16 at this year’s Miss Universe pageant, but she didn’t leave home empty-handed.

Sofia Depassier, Miss ChileDepassier was named Miss Congeniality during the pageant, which took place in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel was named the new Miss Universe. Second runner-up went to Andreina Martinez Founier of the Dominican Republic and the first runner-up was Amanda Dudamel of Venezuela.

Gabriel is the first Filipino-American to win Miss USA and according to her official bio, her “mission is for women and young girls to see themselves in her, and feel inspired to conquer their goals by owning who they are.”

The night started off with the Top 16 contestants being revealed following a preliminary competition.

Top 16: Ashley Cariño (Puerto Rico), Mideline Phelizor (Haiti), Monique Riley (Australia), Andreina Martinez Founier (Dominican Republic), Payengxa Lor (Laos), Ndavi Nokeri (South Africa), Telma Madeira (Portugal), Amelia Tu (Canada), Alessia Rovegno (Perú), Tya Jané Ramey (Trinidad & Tobago), Gabriëla Dos Santos (Curacao), Divita Rai (India), Amanda Dudamel (Venezuela), Alicia Faubel (Spain), R’Bonney Gabriel (USA) and María Fernanda Aristizábal (Colombia).

Following the competition of the beauty queens in evening gowns and bathing suits, the Top 5 were revealed to be the following: Amanda Dudamel (Venezuela), R’Bonney Gabriel (USA), Ashley Cariño (Puerto Rico), Gabriëla Dos Santos (Curacao) and Andreina Martinez Founier (Dominican Republic).

After a question round the Top 3 were revealed to be Andreina Martinez Founier (Dominican Republic), R’Bonney Gabriel (USA) and Amanda Dudamel (Venezuela).

The Social Impact Award went to Anna Sueangam-iam of Thailand and Viktoria Apanasenko of Ukraine received the Spirit of Carnival Award.

It was also announced that the next edition of the Miss Universe pageant will take place in El Salvador.

Sanchez Believes Latinos Can Stop Donald Trump From Being Elected President

Roselyn Sanchez is speaking out against presidential hopeful Donald Trump

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress, who will serve as a co-host at Sunday’s Miss Universe pageant, says Hispanics have the power to prevent Trump from being elected president.

Roselyn Sanchez

“I refuse to believe it. I don’t think it’s possible,” said Sanchez when asked by EFE whether the business mogul and Republican candidate could win the 2016 election.

“Hispanics have the power to prevent it,” she said.

Sanchez, an advocate for the Latino community, bowed out as co-host of the 2015 Miss USA pageant, of which Trump had been part owner, saying that incendiary remarks by Trump about Mexican immigrants were degrading.

“He said what he said and never apologized,” Sanchez recalled, adding that hearing Trump’s views on Latinos was “devastating” and “sad.”

Trump, a former reality television star who has performed well in early polling ahead of the first Republican primaries, generated controversy when he said most Mexican immigrants crossing the border were a scourge on U.S. society.

“They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people,” Trump said in launching his candidacy in June.

The magnate sold the Miss Universe Organization to the WME/IMG agency in September after a legal spat with NBC Universal, which along with Univision refused to broadcast the Miss USA pageant, held in July, due to Trump’s remarks.

The Miss Universe Organization runs both the Miss USA and Miss Universe competitions.

Sanchez, known for her roles in the film Rush Hour 2 and the television series Without a Trace and Devious Maids, said Hispanics were doing “incredible things” in fields as diverse as entertainment, science, politics and business.

In that regard, she said she hoped Latinos would “be able to make their voice heard” in the future no matter who is elected as the next U.S. president.

The actress said she agreed to co-host this year’s edition along with comedian Steve Harvey because there were new owners and new people behind this event, which will be held Sunday at the AXIS Theater in Las Vegas and televised by Fox.

Sanchez to Co-Host This Year’s Miss Universe Pageant

Roselyn Sanchez has landed a universal role…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress, singer and Devious Maids star will co-host this year’s Miss Universe pageant.

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Sanchez, who recently co-hosted this year’s Latin Grammys, will report live from the show and backstage.

Sanchez made headlines around the world when she walked out of Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s Miss USA Pageant as co-host after his remarks about Mexican immigrants in the Unites States.

Trump sold his interest in the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants after the controversy that erupted in remarks in his bid for the presidency. Univision and NBC severed their relationship with the real estate mogul, and Sanchez, whose credits include Without a Trace, walked away from the pageant broadcast in protest.

At the time, Roselyn wrote on her Facebook page: “As a Latino, proud of my roots, culture and all that we have contributed to this nation, I decided to cancel my participation in the Miss USA Pageant.

“I cannot tolerate the disrespectful and hurtful words out of the mouth of Mr. Trump. Mexicans, like all Latinos, contribute positively to this great nation. We are the force that keeps the country afloat.”

Hosted by Emmy winner Steve Harvey, the annual broadcast will feature performances from Seal, Charlie Puth and The Band Perry.

The 2015 Miss Universe telecast will air live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Sunday, Decenber 20, at 7:00 pm ET on Fox.

Sanchez to Co-Host This Year’s Latin Grammy Awards Show

Roselyn Sanchez will have a big night at this year’s Latin Grammys

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer and Devious Maids star will co-host the upcoming 16th annual edition of the awards show together with Mexican actress and model Jacqueline Bracamontes, according to the Latin Recording Academy and Univision.

Roselyn Sanchez

Sanchez, who plays aspiring singer Carmen Luna on Lifetime’s Devious Maids, is no stranger to music.

She released her debut album, Borinqueña, in September 2003. The first single from the album, “Amor Amor,” was nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Music Video.

Sanchez recently made headlines when she bowed out as co-host of the Miss USA pageant, citing Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant remarks as the reason. She has since spoken out about immigration reform.

On November 19, Sanchez will join Bracamontes, a former beauty queen and actress well-known to Univision audiences, on the stage of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for the awards show, to be broadcast live on the Spanish-language network.

Last year, Bracamontes hosted the show with Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez.

J Balvin Releases Video for New Single “Ginza”

J Balvin is taking risks with his latest single…

The 30-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer has released the official video for “Ginza,” the new track he recently performed at the Premios Juventud.

J Balvin

J Balvin adds a bit of soca to his familiar reggaeton sound on the blazing dance track, to equally contagious effect.

“With ‘GInza’ I wanted to go beyond my comfort zone,” he said in a statement, “take a risk and bring a new sound to my music. I want to continually explore new and original ideas for Latin music…Cowards rarely make history.”

J Balvin has a jam-packed summer/fall ahead of him. After having turned down an invitation to perform at Donald Trump‘s Miss USA pageant following the presidential hopeful’s controversial remarks about Latinos, he’s instead performing at the July 25 opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, joining First Lady Michelle Obama, Eva Longoria, and fellow headliners Stevie Wonder and Avril Lavigne.

Then, starting in September, he’ll head out on his La Familia tour with Becky G. The tour kicks off September 23 in Miami and wraps October 25 in San Diego, California.

Becky G Releases “We Are Mexico” In Response to Donald Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Remarks

Becky G is celebrating her roots while taking a stand against Donald Trump

The 18-year-old Mexican-American star has joined the growing list of Latino artists/celebrities standing in solidarity with Mexicans in response to Donald Trump’s recent anti-immigrant remarks.

Becky G

Becky G debuted a new track titled “We Are Mexico” on, saying she was moved by the fact that the song’s title was trending on Twitter.

#WeAreMexico‪ just started trending. I’m honestly almost in tears. This song means so much to me. It’s for us,” tweeted Becky G to her followers, later adding, “When I say us I don’t just mean the Latin community. I did this for everyone who came to this country for a better life.”

“Hard work, double time, overtime, two jobs, working till our heads hurt, but we ain’t never late to pay the bills,” sings Becky G, whose grandparents came from Mexico and settled in southern California. “Mother said, ‘Always follow your heart, make sure you keep your head above the water,’ and I promised her I always will.”

The track will be included in her forthcoming album, due later this year.

Up next, Becky will perform at a tribute concert in Long Beach, California, on July 2 honoring the late Jenni Rivera.

And starting this fall, she’ll embark on a tour with J Balvin, who also became a target in Trump’s Latin lash-out, after canceling his performance in the upcoming Miss USA pageant (an event tied to the Trump Organization).

 

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J Balvin Cancels Miss USA Performance Following Donald Trump’s Comments About Mexicans & Latinos

This year’s Miss USA contestants won’t be serenaded by J Balvin, as originally planned…

The 30-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer was slated to perform on the upcoming Miss USA pageant, airing live July 12 on NBC.

J Balvin

But Balvin pulled out of the show, citing his discomfort following recent comments about Mexicans and Latinos from Donald Trump, who owns the Miss Universe Organization in a joint venture with NBCUniversal.

“It was going to be my first performance on national [mainstream] television,” Balvin told Billboard exclusively from his home in Medellín, Colombia. In fact, he says, repertoire had already been discussed.

“But we’re talking about our roots, our culture, our values,” he added. “This isn’t about being punitive, but about showing leadership through social responsibility. His comments weren’t just about Mexicans, but about all Latins in general.”

The comments that ruffled Balvin’s feathers were made just a few minutes into Trump’s speech announcing his presidential bid on June 16.

“When do we beat Mexico at the border?” asked Trump. “They’re laughing at us, at our stupidity. And now they are beating us economically. They are not our friend, believe me. But they’re killing us economically.

“The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else’s problems,” he continued. “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.

“It’s coming from more than Mexico,” Trump added. “It’s coming from all over South and Latin America, and it’s coming probably — probably — from the Middle East.”

Balvin didn’t immediately hear the speech, since he was in Colombia at the time, where he lives. He also didn’t associate Trump with Miss USA until a friend pointed out the connection.

When he listened to the speech, he was shocked.

“Mexico is a Latin powerhouse,” he said. “And Mexicans, they’re known as hard workers. Here in the U.S., not everybody wants to do those kinds of jobs. I’ve lived. I know what it feels like and what they go through and how families suffer. A comment like that is powerful.”

At that point, he says, he made a decision to pull out of the show — this, despite the fact that political commentary is something he typically shies away from.

“I think music is to have fun. It’s for people to have a good time with. I’m no savior and I’m no Robin Hood,” Balvin said. “But in this case, I feel totally comfortable and responsible with my decision.”

Balvin will still get his mainstream TV opportunity: On July 25, he’ll join Stevie WonderAvril LavigneCody Simpson and Nicole Scherzinger, among others, in headlining the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. The event will air on ESPN.

Vega, the Reigning Miss Colombia, Named Miss Universe

It’s a crowning achievement for Paulina Vega

The 22-year-old Colombian beauty queen representing her native land, has been crowned Miss Universe.

Miss Universe Paulina Vega

Vega, a relative pageant newcomer, beat out first runner-up Miss USA Nia Sanchez and contestants from more than 80 other countries at Sunday’s pageant in Miami.

Vega, a student of business administration from Barranquilla, Colombia, said she would wear the crown with “pride and excitement” as she heard the news that fans in Colombia had taken to the streets to celebrate.

Real estate mogul and reality television star Donald Trump, who owns the pageant, said many predicted Vega would take home the coveted crown a few weeks ago when contestants first arrived in Miami for the festivities.

“From the minute she walked in the building, people said, ‘She’s a star,'” Trump said.

Vega’s win keeps the title in the hands of another Latina — reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler is from Venezuela.

Pageants and performance run in Vega’s family. Her grandmother, Elvira Castillo, was Miss Atlántico 1953 (Colombia) and her grandfather is legendary tenor Gastón Vega.

But the contests leading up to Miss Universe were a first for Vega, who is one of eight children. She also said they would be her last, as she is eager to return to her business studies, saying: “It gives me independence. I want to have my own company.”

After Sanchez, the 24-year-old Miss USA from Las Vegas, Nevada, the second runner-up was Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha. Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell and Miss Netherlands Yasmin Verheijen were also among the top five, emerging from the field of 88 contestants.

As Miss Universe, Vega will receive an undisclosed salary, a luxury apartment in New York, a wardrobe and oodles of beauty products, and a one-year scholarship from the New York Film Academy.

“It will be a dream come true to represent the woman of today,” Vega said earlier in the week. “A woman that not only cares about being beautiful and being glamorous, but also cares about being a professional, intelligent, hard-working person.”

Sanchez Named Miss USA 2014

It’s a crowning achievement for Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez

The 24-year-old half-Mexican American beauty queen, a fourth-degree black belt in the Korean martial art of taekwondo, has been crowned Miss USA 2014, becoming the first woman from the state of Nevada to win the title.

Nia Sanchez

Sanchez, who once worked at Hong Kong Disneyland, beat out 50 other contestants Sunday night at the pageant in Louisiana.

First runner-up was Miss North Dakota Audra Mari.

Erin Brady, of South Glastonbury, Connecticut, the 2013 winner, handed over her crown to Sanchez after a three-hour telecast from the Baton Rouge Civic Center.

Other runner-ups were: home state beauty queen, Miss Louisiana Brittany Guidry; Miss Georgia Tiana Griggs, Miss Florida Brittany Oldehoff and Miss Iowa Carlyn Bradarich.

Bradarich got a second chance when the viewing audience gave her the most votes on Twitter.

Sanchez, the fourth Latina to win the title, will go on from the 63rd Miss USA to represent the U.S. at the Miss Universe competition later this year.

The other Latina Miss USAs are Laura Harring (1985), Lynnette Cole (2000), and Susie Castillo (2003).