Valentina to Co-Host the All-New “Drag Race México”

Posted on May 13, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Valentina is heading south of the border for a special assignment…

The 32-year-old Mexican American drag performer, actor, television personality and singer, whose real name is James Andrew Leyva, will serve as one of the hosts of the all-new “Drag Race México,” the latest series in the Drag Race franchise.

“With Drag Race Mexico, you’ll find the tenacity of the Mexican heart,” Valentina told Rolling Stone.

Valentina rose to acclaim as a fan favorite on Season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and later returned for Season 4 of the all-stars edition.

Valentina’s other credits include Drag Tots, Rent: Live, AJ and the Queen and La Casa de las Flores.

Valentina will be joined by Lolita Banana,

Lolita Banana was the first Mexican-born contestant to compete in a Drag Race series, and last year, starred in the first season of Drag Race France.

MTV, Paramount+ and World of Wonder announced the new hosts on Friday at DragCon Los Angeles.

Contestants for the season have yet to be released.

Valentina to Make Guest Appearance on Season 13 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Valentina is headed back to the Race…

The 29-year-old Mexican American drag performer, actor, television personality and singer will make a guest appearance on Season 13 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Valentina, who finished in 7th place on Season 9 of the acclaimed reality series and 7th place on the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, and fellow Miss Congeniality winners from past seasons Nina West and Heidi N Closet will appear in future episodes.

Cynthia Erivo, Nicole Byer, Loni Love, TS Madison and Jamal Sims are slated to join the RuPaul’s Drag Race judges panel this season alongside mainstays Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews and, Mama Ru (RuPaul Charles).

In addition, RuPaul’s Drag Race superfans Anne Hathaway and Scarlett Johansson will surprise queens later this season with interactive video master classes.

The 13 queens vying for the ultimate title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” this season include Denali (Chicago), Elliott with 2 Ts (Las Vegas), Gottmik (Los Angeles), Joey Jay (Phoenix), Kahmora Hall (Chicago), Kandy Muse (New York), LaLa Ri (Atlanta), Olivia Lux (New York), Rosé (New York), Symone (Los Angeles), Tamisha Iman (Atlanta), Tina Burner (New York), and Utica Queen (Minneapolis).

Valentina to ‘Drag Out the Vote’ at Variety Show “Divas For Democracy: United We Slay”

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Valentina’s prepared to drag out the vote…

The 29-year-old Mexican American drag performer and former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant will team up with some of her fellow queens and Broadway celebrities to get out the vote for November’s presidential election.

Valentina and divas from the drag world and icons of the stage will come together for Divas For Democracy: United We Slay, a one-night-only variety show extravaganza promoting voter participation and key issues relating to the LGBTQIA+ community in the upcoming 2020 election.

Presented by the nonprofit voter engagement organization Drag Out the Vote and hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race star Nina West and Entertainment Tonight‘s Keltie Knight, Divas for Democracy: United We Slay features scores of talent who’ll sing and lip-synch through dazzling performances of theater classics and pop songs.

Special segments will highlight LGBTQIA+ activists in a nonpartisan effort to shine a light on community participation in the political process, including celebrity appearances by Tony winner Cyndi Lauper, Drag Race panelist Michelle Visage, Harvey Fierstein, James Monroe Iglehart, Bianca Del Rio, Shangela, Cheyenne Jackson, Mila Jam, and Oscar-winning actress Allison Janney.

In addition to Valentina, other drag superstars slated to perform during the broadcast include Alaska, Jinkx Monsoon, Jujubee, Peppermint, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Shuga Cain, Honey Davenport, and Drag Out the Vote’s national co-chairs Brita Filter, Marti Gould Cummings, and Pixie Aventura.

Broadway figures set to appear include legendary three-time Tony-winning actress Chita Rivera, as well as Tony winners Stephanie J. Block, Lea Salonga, Nikki M. James, Beth Leavel and Annaleigh Ashford. Also joining the program are stage stars Shoshana Bean, Eden Espinosa, Jenn Collela, Chilina Kennedy, Keala Settle, Tamika Lawrence, L Morgan Lee, and Our Lady J.

The presentation will be directed by Josh Rhodes and Lee Wilkins, whose joint careers include work choreographing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, First Date, It Shoulda Been You, and Bright Star on Broadway. Tony winner Stephen Oremus will serve as music supervisor.

“One in five LGBTQIA+ people is not registered to vote, and 100 million people did not vote in the 2016 election. We must fix this,” said Drag Out the Vote founder Jackie Huba in a press statement. “We are excited to bring together the worlds of Broadway and drag to inspire voters to sashay their way to the polls or their mailboxes.”

Divas for Democracy: United We Slay airs October 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET exclusively on StageIt. Tickets — available on a “donate-what-you-can” basis — go on sale Thursday at 10:00 a.m. ET at divasfordemocracy.com.

Gloria Trevi Releases Steamy Video for New Single “Yo Soy Su Vida” Featuring Valentina

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Trevi’s triangulating…

The 51-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has released the music video for her latest single “Yo Soy Su Vida,” with Trevi at the center of a scandalous love triangle featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Valentina.

Sex and intrigue are served up alongside the dramatic power ballad as Trevi lusts after someone who isn’t her husband. She pines for another and pores over text messages as her husband dotes on her in the lavish home they, but she eventually she ditches their lifestyle of the rich and famous for the club — and that’s where she finds Valentina waiting for her.

Eventually, Trevi’s husband finds out where she is and interrupts their rendezvous, which leads to a moment on the sidewalk in front of the club where she’s being literally pushed and pulled between her husband and Valentina.

Valentina to Compete on the Fourth Season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars”

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

An (all-) star is born, and her name is Valentina…

The 27-year-old Mexican American drag performer and television personality, whose real name is James Andrew Leyva,will compete on the fourth seasonof RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.

Valentina competed on the ninth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.She placed seventh overall, and her elimination sparked some controversy online as she was popular with fans. She was later awarded the title of Miss Congenialityin the show’s reunion episode by vote, and titled “Fan Favorite” by her fellow castmates.

Outside of the show, Valentina appeared in the sixth episode of the twenty-fourth season of America’s Next Top Model.

In addition to Valentina, the lone Latina competitor, the new cast includes Monét X Change, Trinity Taylor, Farrah Moan,Monique Heart, Jasmine Masters, Naomi Smalls, and Gia Gunn, as well as Manila Luzon and Latrice Royale, who both competed on the first All Starsseason.

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars will have its big premiere on December 14 at 8:00 pm ET on VH1.

Also on tap to make spirits bright is RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular, which features a gaggle of drag sensations competing for the title of Xmas Queen.

It airs on December 7 at 8:00 pm ET on VH1, and features Eureka O’Hara, Jasmine Masters, Kim Chi, Latrice Royale, Mayhem Miller, Shangela, Sonique and Trixie Mattel.

Hayek Participates in Got Milk? Campaign for Third Straight Year

Posted on March 16, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek’s still got milk…

The 46-year-old Mexican actress is taking part in the Got Milk? campaign for the third straight year.

In Hayek’s latest ad to promote milk consumption, the Frida star serves breakfast to who appears to be her young daughter Valentina while wearing a bathrobe and curlers.

Hayek, the best-dressed Latina at this year’s Academy Awards, touts the nutritional value of milk and says it’s important that her family start the day with a good breakfast.

In a separate interview taped during the filming of the commercial, Hayek says that her multiple occupations and the fast pace of life make it difficult to serve a daily balanced breakfast.

So “one of the ways I make sure my family has a nutritious breakfast is including milk, especially for my little one,” added Hayek, who recently joined the Chime for Change women’s campaign.

Lima Gives Birth to Her Second Child…

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Victoria’s Secret Angel Adriana Lima has a new angel in her brood…

The 31-year-old Brazilian supermodel and her husband Marko Jaric welcomed daughter Sienna into the world on Wednesday in New York City.

It’s the second child for the happy couple, who are already parents to 2-year-old Valentina.

Lima announced the birth via Twitter, writing, “Marko and I are overjoyed to welcome Sienna into our family and Valentina is looking forward to becoming a big sister!”

So what’s next for Lima now that she’s given birth? Something on tap?

Six months into her pregnancy, Lima told People, “I’ve been craving beer. It’s very strange because I normally don’t like beer. Now I want some but I cannot drink it. It’s been very hard!”

But Lima will have to get back into model shape soon… She’s expected to hit the runway in oh-so-skimpy styles for The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show , which will air on CBS in December.

Lima Pregnant with Second Child…

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Adriana Lima’s runway days may be limited for the next few months…

The 30-year-old Brazilian model and her husband, former NBA player Marko Jaric, are expecting their second child. Lima and Jaric are already parents to two-year-old daughter Valentina.

Lima tells People that “the entire family is very excited, especially Valentina. She keeps blowing kisses to my belly and saying, ‘Kisses for the baby.’”

The couple wed on Valentine’s Day 2009 after meeting at a Los Angeles party in 2006.

Lima appeared in the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show in November, and again in two separate Super Bowl ads this year. She has continued to model for the lingerie company, but tells People that motherhood is her favoritegig.

“The best job in the world for me is being a mom,” she says. “I never thought I could love so much. I always thought, does unconditional love exist? Now I know it does because I feel it.”

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