Mj Rodriguez Wins Best Actress – Television Prize at the Imagen Awards

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Mj Rodriguez is celebrating her Imagen…

This year’s Imagen Awards were doled out over the weekend, with the 28-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress taking home one of the night’s awards.

Rodriguez was named Best Actress – Television for her role as Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista on the FX groundbreaking television drama Pose, which was named Best Primetime Program – Drama alongside CBS’ Magnum P.I.

Pose, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Afro-Latino television writer/producer Steven Canals, features the largest cast of transgender actors to be starring as series regulars in a scripted show. In addition to Rodriguez, the series also stars 23-year-old Dominican actor Angel Bismark Curiel.

Anthony Ramos won the Best Actor – Feature Film prize for his role in Monsters and Men, which was named Best Feature Film, while Isabela Moner was namedBest Actress – Feature Film for her role inInstant Family.

Jon Seda was named Best Actor – Television for his role in Chicago P.D., while Wilmer Valderrama was named Best Supporting Actor – Television
for his role on NCIS.

Rita Moreno was named Best Supporting Actress – Television
for One Day at a Time, while Anthony Gonzalez was named Best Young Actor – Television for HBO’s Icebox.

Held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the Imagen Awards were established in 1985 from a suggestion by veteran television producer Norman Lear to encourage and recognize the positive portrayals of Latinos in media. The winners were judged and selected in 18 categories by an independent panel of entertainment industry executives and Latinx community leaders.

The Imagen Foundation also honored Chairman of Endemol Shine Americasand CEO of Endemol Shine North America’s Cris Abregowith the prestigious Imagen President’s Awardand Luisa Leschinwith the Norman Lear Writer’s Award.

The complete list of winners can be read below.

Best Feature Film
Monsters and Men (NEON/Moviepass Films)

Best Director
Reinaldo Marcus Green, Monsters and Men (NEON/Moviepass Films)

Best Actor – Feature Film
Anthony Ramos, Monsters and Men (NEON/Moviepass Films)

Best Actress – Feature Film
Isabela Moner, Instant Family (Paramount Pictures)

Best Primetime Program – Drama (TIE)
Magnum P.I. (CBS; CBS Television Studios, Universal Television, Perfect Storm Entertainment, Davis Entertainment, 101st Street Productions)
Pose (FX Networks; Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions)

Best Primetime Program – Comedy
One Day at a Time (Netflix; Sony Pictures Television for Netflix)

Best Primetime Program – Specials, Movies & Limited Series
Icebox (HBO; HBO Films in association with Gracie Films and Endeavor Content)

Best Actor – Television
Jon Seda, Chicago P.D. (NBC; Wolf Entertainment in association with Universal Television)

Best Actress – Television
Mj Rodriguez, Pose (FX Networks; Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions)

Best Supporting Actor – Television
Wilmer Valderrama, NCIS (CBS; CBS Television Studios)

Best Supporting Actress – Television
Rita Moreno, One Day at a Time (Netflix; Sony Pictures Television for Netflix)

Best Young Actor – Television
Anthony Gonzalez, Icebox (HBO; HBO Films in association with Gracie Films and Endeavor Content)

Best Variety or Reality Show
Hip-Hop Houdini (Fuse; 7Beyond)

Best Children’s Programming
The Loud House (Nickelodeon)

Best Documentary – Great Performances
John Leguizamo’s Road to Broadway (PBS; NGL Studios & Diamante Content Production in association with THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC for WNET & Latino Public Broadcasting)

Best Informational Program
Breaking Big (PBS; Ozy Media)

Best Short-Form Non-Fiction Program
SC Featured – A Dreamer’s Path (ESPN Deportes)

Best On-Air Advertising
Sexism (Orci)

Wilmer Valderrama to Host This Year’s ALMA Awards

Posted on October 28, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Wilmer Valderrama is steppin’ up to the podium…

The 38-year-old Colombian and Venezuelan American actor will host next month’s ALMA Awards, which celebrate Latino achievements in American entertainment and media.

In a statement, Valderrama said Latino achievements and contributions need to be spotlighted more than ever at what he called a “critical” time.

The ALMAs — American Latino Media Arts Awards— are back after a three-year hiatus in time for the 50th anniversary of UnidosUS, previously known as the National Council of La Raza.

UnidosUS is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. In 1995 it created the ALMAsas a way to promote fair, accurate and balanced portrayals of Latinos in the entertainment industry.

Eva Longoriaand Gina Rodriguezwill be among the honorees at the awards show. Rodriguez, star of the CW’s Jane the Virgin, will share the awards spotlight with the show’s cast.

Activists Samantha Fuentesand Jamie Margolinwill also be honored. Fuentes survived the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, and Margolin founded the Zero Hourmovement to address climate change.

The November 4 ALMA ceremony is airing live at 8:00 pm ET on sibling TV channels Fuseand FM.

Former Fifth Harmonymember Ally Brooke Hernandezand singer Amara La Negrawill perform.

Fuse Mediamade a multi-year agreement to become the exclusive multiplatform media home of the ALMAs.

Wilmer Valderrama Signs First-Look Deal with CBS Television Studios

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Wilmer Valderrama has a new deal…

The 38-year-old Colombian and Venezuelan American actor’s production company, WV Entertainment, has signed a two-year first-look deal with CBS Television Studios.

WV Entertainment’s first-look agreement is for scripted and unscripted projects, with a strong emphasis on diversity.

“As someone who immigrated to the United States at 14 years old, I am immensely passionate about this opportunity to create engaging and culturally relevant projects with CBS Television Studios,” says Valderrama.

Valderrama’s production company has produced several projects, including The Hollywood Puppet Show, Handy Manny for Playhouse Disney, and Douglas Family Gold for Oxygen.

On the feature side he produced and is voicing the upcoming animated film Charming alongside John H. Williams, producer of the Shrek franchise.

Valderrama’s philanthropic endeavors include Harness, a group he launched recently with America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams, which is dedicated to connecting communities through conversation to inspire action and power change. Valderrama also serves on the board of Voto Latino and is co-chair of their artist coalition. He is also the spokesperson for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and is the founder of their Ready 2 Lead program, which educates and empowers Latino youth.

In 2013, Valderrama was honored with an ALMA Award for Outstanding Social Activism.

Wilmer Valderrama Acquires Rights to Dave Gutierrez’s WWII Book “Patriots from the Barrio”

Posted on September 30, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a Patriots mission for Wilmer Valderrama…

The 37-year-old Colombian and Venezuelan American actor/producer and former That ’70s Show star and his WV Entertainment have acquired film and television rights to Patriots from the Barrio, Dave Gutierrez’s 2014 book that delves into the history of a segregated U.S. Army combat unit comprised entirely of Mexican Americans from South Texas that was part of the first division to set foot in Europe in World War II.

Gutierrez’s book came about while he was researching a relative, Ramon G. Gutierrez, who during the war was captured and escaped twice, both times able to make it back across Allied lines. He later received the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts, and the Soviet Union gave him the Order of the Patriotic War. His Company E in the 36th Division fought in Italy at San Pietro in the Liri Valley, and in 1944 was nearly wiped out in the Battle of Ripaldo River, one of the U.S. Army’s biggest losses of WWII.

“During Hispanic Heritage Month, this story is especially timely, and I’m honored as a proud Latin American to amplify the courage and contributions of these incredible men,” Valderrama said.

Valderrama, who joined as a regular on CBS’ NCIS last year, also has the animated film Charming coming next year on which his WV Entertainment serves as a producer.

Maldonado & Her Pentatonix Groupmates to Salute the Bee Gees at Grammy Tribute

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Kirsitie Maldonado will be experiencing disco fever…

The 24-year-old half-Mexican and part-Spanish American singer and her fellow Pentatonix members will be helping commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack next month.

Maldonado’s a capella group will perform at Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees, which will premiere April 16 on CBS.

The event, led by the Recording Academy, AEG Ehrlich Ventures and CBS, will focus on improving music life and culture through the Bee Gees‘ legacy, celebrating the members of the five-time Grammy-winning group and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.

Barry Gibb, the Bee Gees’ co-founder and last surviving member, will make an appearance and perform classic hits from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.

In addition to Pentatonix, special tributes from musicians will include performances by Stevie Wonder, Keith Urban, John Legend, Nick Jonas, Tori Kelly, Celine Dion, Little Big Town, Thomas Rhett, Jason Derulo, Kelsea Ballerini, Andra Day, Ed Sheeran, DNCE and many more.

Other guest appearances to add to the lineup are John Travolta, Cynthia Erivo and Wilmer Valderrama.

Pentatonix, who earned a Grammy for their collaboration with country legend Dolly Parton on “Jolene,” recently released their cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” part of the group’s upcoming album.

Maldonado and the gang previously covered Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” performed a Star Wars-themed medley at the American Music Awards, and performed the Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira” at the CMA Awards.

Dawson Appears in Special #IAmAnImmigrant PSA

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Rosario Dawson is embracing her roots…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban American actress has joined several Hollywood stars in commemorating Immigrant Heritage Month with a new PSA in partnership with Welcome.us.

Dawson appears in the PSA that also features Bobby Cannavale, Lupita Nyong’o, Wilmer Valderrama, Rosie Perez and Harry Shum, Jr.

The ‪#IAmAnImmigrant clip aims to recognize the multiple and vibrant roles immigrants – whether forced or voluntarily – contributed in the creation of the United States.

“You can trace back from trains being built and cities and industries being developed because of different influxes of people who came in,” said Dawson, the daughter of a Puerto Rican and a Cuban immigrant. “It’s incredible to be a part of a culture that’s just still living. What we expect or think about what America is, it’s fluid.”

It’s this fluidity that most excites Kenyan-Mexican Nyong’o about the country. “What I think is so wonderful about America is the fact that it is a society of immigrants,” she said,

Miami-born Colombian-Venezuelan Valderrama agrees, saying “every time we get a chance to say out loud that we are an immigrant, I think it’s important that we embrace that opportunity.”

Rodriguez Raps Nostalgic on This Week’s Episode of “Lip Sync Battle”

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Gina Rodriguez is grillin’ like a villain…

Rocking dreadlocks and wearing a grill, the 31-year-old Puerto Rican actress and Jane the Virgin star takes to the stage in this week’s episode of Lip Sync Battle with an inspired take on Lil Wayne‘s 2008 hit “A Milli.”

The Golden Globe winner is anything but G-rated as she shows off her rapping chops and hip thrusts on stage, much to the astonishment of co-host Chrissy Teigen.

Rodriguez’s faced off against Wilmer Valderrama and his nostalgia-provoking take on the Backstreet Boys‘ “Everbody (Backstreet’s Back).”

Catch Rodriguez and Valderrama on Lip Sync Battle this Thursday, May 12 at 10:00 pm ET/PT on Spike.

Cruz Kanye to Star Opposite Wilmer Valderrama in Military Drama Pilot “Four Stars”

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Ana Cruz Kayne is seeing stars…

The Latina actress has been cast in Four Stars, a drama pilot from playwright/TV writer Becky Mode, CBS Television Studios, and studio-based Timberman/Beverly Productions.

Four Stars centers on two powerful rival families in the military community of Tampa, Florida who make decisions at the highest levels in the interest of national security.

Cruz Kayne will play Syd, the daughter of four-star General Rodriguez (not yet cast), who is a foreign policy wunderkind and hardcore policy wonk.

She joins Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Matt, Rodriguez’s son and a military rock star in his own right.

Cruz Kayne’s other television credits include appearances on Louie and Law & Order.

El Rey Network Renews Garcia’s “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” for Third Season

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jesse Garcia will see the dawn of another day…

El Rey Network has renewed From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, starring the 33-year-old Mexican/Spanish American actor, for a third season.

The announcements comes ahead of the show’s October 27 Season 2 finale.

A reimagining of Robert Rodriguez’s 1996 movie, which Miramax released theatrically at the time, the series expands on the supernatural crime saga revolving around brothers Seth and Richie Gecko.

Season 3 will continue their saga as they fight the culebra underworld.

D.J.Cotrona stars as Seth Gecko and Zane Holtz as Richie Gecko, along with Garcia, Eiza González, Wilmer Valderrama, Madison Davenport, Brandon Soo Hoo, Jake Busey, Danny Trejo, Esai Morales, Jeff Fahey and Briana Evigan.

Demi Lovato guest stars in the last two episodes of Season 2.

Season 2 was produced by Miramax in association with Rodriguez International Pictures, FactoryMade Ventures and Sugarcane Entertainment.

Valderrama to Voice the Male Lead in the Animated Musical “Charming”

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Wilmer Valderrama has landed a royal role…

The 35-year-old Colombian and Venezuelan American actor will voice the male lead in the animated musical Charming.

Valderrama, who stars in Fox’s new series Minority Report, joins a cast that includes Demi Lovato as Lenore, Ashley Tisdale as Cinderella, Avril Lavigne as Snow White and Chinese pop star G.E.M. as Sleeping Beauty in the pic from writer-director Ross Venokur.

“Wilmer had everything we were looking for while we were contemplating who to cast as this Prince Charming: irresistible charm, perfect comedic timing and a lot of heart,” said John H. Williams, who is producing the film with fellow 3QU Media co-founder Henry Skelsey. “We needed a Prince Charming who could convey the love of being a lover and someone who isn’t afraid of being absurd and over the top at times but also be deep and emotional when he actually meets his unexpected (not a princess) true love.”

Valderrama is a regular on Robert Rodriguez’s El Rey Network series From Dusk Till Dawn and voiced the title role on Disney’s toon series Handy Manny.

Other recent credits for the That 70’s Show alum include features The Adderall Diaries and To Whom It May Concern and TV’s Raising Hope and Awake.

“We’ve all been waiting so long to see a Latin princess represented in an animated fairy tale,” Valderrama said. “I’m grateful to the enlightened producer John Williams for anointing me as the first Latin prince.”

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