Mj Rodriguez to Appear in HBO’s “Between the World and Me,” an Adaptation of the Apollo Theater Show Based on Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Novel

It’s a whole new World for Mj Rodriguez.

The 29-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer has been cast in Between the World and Me, HBO’s adaptation of the stage show based on Ta-Nehisi CoatesNew York Times bestseller.

MJ Rodriguez

Rodriguez joins a lineup of cast additions that includes Jharrel Jerome, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Janet Mock, Jason Moran, Wendell Pierce, Kendrick Sampson, Yara Shahidi and Michelle Wilson.

They join previously announced cast members Angela Bassett, Alicia Garza, Joe Morton, Phylicia Rashad, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, Courtney B. Vance, Pauletta Washington, Susan Kelechi Watson and Oprah Winfrey.

Originally adapted and staged by the Apollo Theater in 2018, the special will combine elements of that production, including readings from Coates’ book, and will again be directed by award-winning director and Apollo Theater executive producer Kamilah Forbes.

It will also incorporate documentary footage from the actors’ home life, archival footage and animation.

The book, first published in 2015 by One World, is written as a letter to Coates’ teenage son and recounts the author’s experiences growing up in Baltimore’s inner city and his growing fear of daily violence against the Black community. The narrative explores Coates’ notion that American society structurally supports white supremacy.

The special, which is currently in production under COVID-19 guidelines, debuts this fall on HBO and will also be available to stream on HBO Max.

Rodriguez rose to acclaim on FX’s series Pose. Her other credits include television appearances on Luke Cage, The Carrie Diaries and Nurse Jackie.

In November 2019, Rodriguez landed a contract with Olay Body, becoming the first Latina trans woman to enter a partnership with the company.

Martin Receives Star on Puerto Rico’s Paseo de la Fama

Ricky Martin’s star is shining bright in Puerto Rico…

The 44-year-old singer, actor and author has received a star on Puerto Rico’s Walk of Fame in San Juan, where actor Jose Ferrer and actresses Roselyn Sánchez and Míriam Cólon and singer Chayanne have already been honored on the Paseo de la Fama.

Ricky Martin

The main manager of the San Juan location, Santiago Villar, made the announcement in a press release, saying the event is aimed at “paying tribute to those figures who have made the name of our land known.”

“We’re very happy that Ricky Martin provides continuity to this project,” Villar said, “to complete our aim for the first phase … of presenting 40 stars.”

The “Perdoname” singer, who will perform at the Coliseum in San Juan from February 12-14 as part of his One World tour, is the Puerto Rican artist who is the most widely known internationally.

The former member of the boy band Menudo in the 1980s has won numerous prestigious awards, including several Grammys, and has set album sales records, all while participating in important television and theater productions.

San Juan’s Walk of Fame is a new cultural and tourist attraction that acknowledges the work of figures from the arts and sports worlds.

La Banda Winners CNCO Releases First Original Single “Tan Facil”

CNCO is ready to take the Latin music world by storm…

The musical group, the winners of Univision’s La Banda reality singing competition, have released “Tan Fácil,” CNCO’s first original single, a catchy up-tempo, urban track.

CNCO

The group, comprised of Christopher Velez, Erick Brian Colon, Joel Pimentel, Richard Camacho and Zabdiel de Jesus, not only signed a record deal with Sony Music Latin. They also performed at New York City’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve and will be opening up for Ricky Martin on his “One World Tour” in Latin America.

The fourth leg of the tour launches in February in Puerto Rico and will continue in Argentina and Chile.

Ha*Ash Named a Guest Act on Ricky Martin’s One World Tour

Ha*Ash will be livin’ la vida loca with Ricky Martin

The Mexican American pop duo, comprised of sisters Hanna Nicole Pérez Mosa and Ashley Grace Pérez Mosa, will serve as one of the guest acts on the U.S. leg of Martin’s One World Tour.

Ha*Ash

Beginning on September 15, the tour will feature 25 dates Stateside. 20 of those dates will feature either Ha*Ash or reggaeton star Wisin as guest acts.

Martin will play his initial two shows at the Axis at Planet Hollywood and the Grand Sierra Grand Theater in Reno on September 15 and 16, respectively. He’ll be joined by Ha*Ash opening night and then again beginning Sept. 17 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. The duo will open for Martin in 10 West Coast stops, including the Forum in Los Angeles and Viejas Arena in San Diego.

Then, on Oct. 1, Wisin will join Martin at Madison Square Garden and will also perform 10 dates with him, including Miami’s American Airlines Arena.

While having opening acts or guest acts in major tours is a normal part of doing business for mainstream acts, big Latin stars rarely tour with opening acts. One of the first to change that was Enrique Iglesias, who’s been touring with supporting acts for years and playing an instrumental role in catapulting them to success.

In Wisin’s case, he already is a major star who toured massive arenas as part of the duo Wisin y Yandel.

In this case, he says, touring with Martin was about “mutual respect.” Martin is featured in Wisin’s hit single “Adrenalina” (which also featured Jennifer Lopez) and will also sing on Wisin’s upcoming single, “Que se sienta el deseo.”

“Ever since we recorded ‘Adrenalina’ it’s clear to me that people enjoy hearing us together,” said Wisin.

“By the time I go on tour with him in October, the track should be strong in radio.”

On their end, Ha*Ash will perform an acoustic set with their group, which has been touring Mexico, Latin America and Spain. The duo just released their new single in the U.S., “Lo aprendí de tí.”

“We’re thrilled with the invitation,” said Hannah. “We love that Ricky is lending us his stage and his audience.”

Beyond Martin, more and more Latin acts are touring with opening acts. Juanes is currently on tour with alt chanteuse Ximena Sariñana. And J Balvin will go on tour with Becky G in September.

RICKY MARTIN ‘ONE WORLD’
Sept. 15 – Las Vegas – Axis at Planet Hollywood
Sept. 16 – Reno – Grand Sierra, Grand Theater
Sept. 17 – Oakland – Oracle Arena – Con Ha*Ash
Sept. 19 – Los Ángeles – The Forum – Con Ha*Ash
Sept. 20 – San Diego – Viejas Arena – Con Ha*Ash
Sept. 23 – Tucson – Anselmo Valencia Amp
Sept. 24 – Albuquerque – Sandia Casino
Sept. 26 – Phoenix – Comerica Theatre – Con Ha*Ash
Sept. 27 – El Paso – El Paso County Coliseum – Con Ha*Ash
Sept. 29 – Hidalgo – State Farm Arena – Con Ha*Ash
Sept. 30 – Houston – Toyota Center – Con Ha*Ash
Oct. 1 – Laredo – Laredo Energy Arena con Ha*Ash
Oct. 3 – San Antonio – Freeman Coliseum con Ha*Ash
Oct. 4 – Dallas – Gexa Energy Pavilion – con Ha*Ash
Oct. 8 – Nueva York – Madison Square Garden – con Wisin
Oct. 9 – Washington – Patriot Center – con Wisin
Oct. 11 – Chicago – Allstate Arena – con Wisin
Oct. 14 – Montreal (Canadá) Bell Centre – con Wisin
Oct. 15 – Toronto (Canadá) – Air Canada Center – con Wisin
Oct. 17 – Atlantic City – Boardwalk Hall – con Wisin
Oct. 18 – Uncasville – Mohegan Sun Arena – con Wisin
Oct. 21 – Durham – Durham Perf Arts Centre
Oct. 22 – Atlanta – Philips Arena con Wisin
Oct. 24 – Miami – American Airlines Arena – con Wisin
Oct. 25 – Orlando – Amway Center – con Wisin