Roku Expands Slate of Spanish Originals with Six New Unscripted Series, Including Jennifer Lopez’s “Un Millón de Gracias”

Jennifer Lopez is ready to rok(u)…

Roku has expanded its slate of Spanish originals, adding six new unscripted series from Latino voices including the 53-year-old Puerto Rican superstar.

Jennifer LopezJ.Lo appears on the roster of new Spanish-language projects that includes Juanpa Zurita and Jaime Camil. 

Lopez’s project, Un Millón de Gracias, will feature several Latino stars, including Wilmer Valderrama, Belinda, Sofia Reyes and Michael Peña.

“The deep engagement we have seen within the Spanish-language content category on The Roku Channel in the U.S., as well as the exceptional growth of the service in Mexico, are all signs of the strong appetite for free ad-supported streaming amongst Spanish-speaking and bilingual audiences,” said David Eilenberg, head of content, Roku Media. “We’re committed to delivering high-quality, culturally relevant original programming to tens of millions of viewers, and we are thrilled to welcome such an exceptional new group of on-camera and off-camera creative voices to our Roku Originals lineup.”

In addition to J.Lo’s Un Millón de Gracias, the other five new original series include “Carpe DM with Juanpa,” “Desde la Raíz,” “Serenata De Las Estrellas,” “La Divina Comida” and “Batalla en Abuela’s Kitchen.”

Here’s Roku’s slate of Spanish originals:

“Un Millón de Gracias”
Executive produced by Jennifer Lopez, “Un Millón de Gracias’” third season will be shot entirely in Spanish for the first time. The series returns with 10 celebrities — Chiquis, Gina Torres, Camil, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, Lauren Jauregui, Peña, Michelle Rodriguez, Pau Gasol, Reyes, Valderrama — who will each give away $100,000 to someone who has inspired them. But the recipients must give half away to someone they’re grateful for, and continue the chain of kindness. The 10-episode series is executive produced by Lopez, Rhett Bachner, Brien Meagher, Aliyah Silverstein, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Larry Del Sant and showrunner Alex Davies. The series will air on August 11 on The Roku Channel in the U.S. and at a later date in Mexico.

“Carpe DM with Juanpa”
Mexican actor Juanpa Zurita invites audiences to join him as he faces challenges that push his body and mind to the limit as he steps outside of his comfort zone and treks across the U.S. The bilingual series will have six episodes. “Carpe DM with Juanpa” is executive produced by Eric Day, Mark Koops, Sarah Davies, Brenda Tubilla, Dave Lingwood and Zurita.

“Desde la Raíz”
In this four part docu-series, actor Jaime Camil (Jane the Virgin) will explore origins and meaning of Mexican products like coffee, chile, corn, and mezcal. Camil describes the series as “a love letter to México and some of the country’s richest heritage and legendary commodities.” “Desde la Raíz” is produced and directed by Paulina Gamiz and Gus Sánchez, with Ray Jimenez and Camil serving as executive producers.

“Serenata De Las Estrellas”
Hosted by Julissa Bermudez, Serenata De Las Estrellas enlists Latin musicians, Chiquis, Snow Tha Product, Los Lobos and Ozomatli to surprise participants with a performance and a life-changing gift. The four-episode series is executive produced by Greice Santo, RJ Cipriani, Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager, Jared Morell, Jordan Barrow and showrunner Gil Lopez.

“La Divina Comida”
“La Divina Comida” is a 16 episode series featuring Latin celebrities who open their homes to fellow celebrities and face off to prove who is the best dinner party host. The winner will be judged on their culinary skills as well as their hosting skills. Featured celebrity dinner party hosts include Alex Lora, Belinda, Carlos Gatica, Dulce María, Emmanuel, Erik Rubín, Faisy, Itatí Cantoral, José Ángel Bichir, Karol Sevilla, Manu Nna, Margarita The Cumbia Goddess, María León, Michelle Rodríguez, Rafa Márquez and Verónica Toussaint.

“Batalla en Abuela’s Kitchen”
Hosted by Colombian influencer Mario Ruiz, Batalla en Abuela’s Kitchen is a cooking competition show that challenges Gen-Z chefs to develop twist on traditional Latin dishes. In each episode, three young chefs face off against each other before the final two contestants compete against an experienced Abuela chef. The featured Abuela chefs include Carla Dawkins from Panama, Eneida Mascetti from Puerto Rico and Patty Lavalle from Mexico. The competing chefs are judged by Chef Margarita Bernal, Chef Adolfo Cavalie and Chef Octavio Ortega. Executive produced by Mari Urdaneta, Liliana Moyano, Luis Balaguer and showrunner Moira Noriega. The series will air on June 9 on The Roku Channel in both the U.S. and Mexico.

Annie Gonzalez to Star as the Late Jenni Rivera in Family-Authorized Biopic “Jenni”

Annie Gonzalez will be portraying a late banda legend…

The Latina actress will star in an authorized biopic about the life of Jenni Rivera has been greenlit at ViX.

Annie GonzalezIn addition to starring, Gonzalez will also executive produce the film.

Filming of Jenni (wt) is underway in Bogota, Colombia, and will be completed in Los Angeles.

The project is set to premiere exclusively via ViX and in select movie theaters in the United States and Mexico later this year.

Jenni (wt) will follow Rivera’s journey from her humble beginnings in Long Beach, California, to her meteoric rise to the top of the charts, and her final days before her tragic and unexpected death. The film will also share a look at the struggles she endured in her personal life and how she became the artist fans all know and love today, and how she persevered and found strength from within.

The streamer notes, Jenni is a story of resilience and bravery that shows the building blocks of what made Jenni Rivera—also known affectionately as “La Diva De La Banda”— who she was and the remarkable legacy she left behind.

“My siblings and I are very excited about this biopic and we know our mother’s story will impact generations to come,” Jacqie Rivera, daughter of Jenni Rivera and CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises said in a statement. “It has been an uphill battle, but we are happy to see one of our mom’s dreams come to fruition. Although we still haven’t gotten used to seeing someone portray our mother, we have faith Annie will do a great job.”

As a multiple award-winning artist—including multiple Billboard Music Awards, 22 Billboard Latin Music Awards, 18 Lo Nuestro Awards, and four Latin Grammy nominations— Rivera is not only known as one of the best-selling Regional Mexican artists of all time but also for her role in disrupting cultural precedent by crossing into banda, a male-dominated music genre and eventually into pop music, where her presence posthumously continues to shine. Rivera died in a plane crash in 2012.

“I am beyond honored to portray the essence of this phenomenal survivor that is Jenni Rivera who despite adversity at every turn was never a victim and showed her daughters, her family, and her audience what grace, forgiveness, and true authenticity is— liberating us all,” Gonzalez shared. “Jenni’s messages of feminism, civil rights, and nonconformity within her music were well before her time and made space for all of us to feel empowered. With the support of the Rivera family, I cannot wait to help tell the beautiful story and the impactful legacy of what Jenni means to me personally and what it will mean to women and Latinas everywhere.”

Manuel Uriza will star opposite Gonzalez in the role of Pedro Rivera, Jenni’s father, and Regional Mexican entrepreneur. The cast also includes Cinthya Carmona (East Los High) as Jenni Rivera’s eldest daughter, Chiquis Rivera, Jero Medina (Narcos: Mexico) and Miguel Angel Garcia (The Long Game) who will dually portray Trino Marín, Rivera’s first husband and father of her three eldest children at later and earlier stages in his life, respectively.

Additionally, Gabriela Reynoso (Si Nos Dejan) will be portraying Jenni’s mother Rosa Saavedra, J.R. Villarreal (Ultra Violet) will play Juan “Cinco” Lopez, Jenni’s late second husband, and newcomer Tatiana Juarez will portray Rivera during her early years.

“ViX is thrilled to be the official home and distributor of this powerful story about Jenni Rivera. Our commitment to this project is paramount and, along with a fantastic production team and director, we know we will have a film that will captivate our audiences,” stated Augusto Rovegno, Senior Vice President of Content ViX at TelevisaUnivision.

Gigi Saul Guerrero (Culture Shock) directs from a screenplay by Shane McKenzie (Bingo Hell).

Gonzalez is gearing up to promote Flamin’ Hot, the Eva Longoria-directed Searchlight Pictures film about how Frito Lay janitor Ricardo Montañez climbs the ranks at work and creates the spicy Cheeto snack. Flamin’ Hot premieres at SXSW on March 11 followed by a wide release via Hulu in June. The Chicana actress portrays the character of Judy, Montañez’s wife, opposite Jesse Garcia.

She also recently starred in Illegally Brown alongside Jessica Marie Garcia from filmmaker, Gabby Revilla Lugo, which is currently playing on the film festival circuit. Additionally, Gonzalez can next be seen in the upcoming independent thriller Body Language and an untitled Ethan Coen project.

Gonzalez is best known for her portrayal of Lidia Solis in the Netflix comedy series Gentefied and her guest roles in Apple’s Mr. Corman, Starz’s Vida, NBC’s Good Girls, Showtime’s Shameless, and FX’s American Horror Story, among other credits.

Chiquis Releases Mariachi Version of “Paloma Blanca” to Honor Late Mom Jenni Rivera

Chiquis is celebrating her late mother with a new version of her debut single…

The 37-year-old Mexican American singer has released a mariachi version of debut single “Paloma Blanca” to commemorate Jenni Rivera’s death 10 years ago, on December 9, 2012.

ChiquisThe new interpretation comes eight years after the original banda track debuted in 2014.

Accompanied by the all-female Mariachi Divas, Chiquis belts out a heartfelt love letter to La Diva de la Banda, expressing how much she misses her, what she would’ve changed about their mother-daughter relationship, and her biggest life lessons learned.

The song was produced by Cindy Shea, Ulises Lozano El Licenciado and Janney “Chiquis” Marin, and co-written by Marin and Claudia Brant.

“When ‘Paloma Blanca’ was originally released, I wasn’t entirely happy with the way it was recorded. I have always wanted to re-release it,” Chiquis said in a press statement. “My vocals and delivery have greatly evolved over these last eight years and I feel better than ever about my music so I decided to record it alongside Mariachi Divas. It will always be dedicated to my mom who passed away ten years ago but I also wanted to re-record it for her fans as well as mine.”

Bringing the emotional lyrics to life, a music video helmed by director Oscar Eden shows Chiquis performing the song dressed as an angel as well as never-before-seen footage of her mother.

The sweet tribute comes a month after Chiquis received her first-ever Grammy nomination for best regional Mexican album and her second Latin Grammy win in the best banda album category with Abeja Reina.

Karol G to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys Awards Show

Karol G is taking the stage at this year’s Latin Grammys

The 31-year-old Colombian singer and songwriter has joined the list of performers for the upcoming Latin Grammys awards show, according to the Latin Recording Academy.

Karol GThe “Provenza” singer appears on roster of new performers that includes Romeo Santos for the show, which will take place on November 17 at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation scholarship recipients Xavier Cintrón, Valentina Garcia, Nicolle Horbath and Sergio De Miguel Jorquera will also take the stage alongside previously announced performer, Nicky Jam.

Karol G is nominated in three categories including record of the year and song of the year for her and Ovy on the Drums’ “Provenza.”

Romeo Santos is a nominee in the best long-form music video category for his documentary “Romeo Santos: King of Bachata”; and as a member of Aventura, he is nominated for best urban fusion/performance.

They join previously announced artists Banda Los Recoditos, Camilo, Ángela Aguilar, Elvis Costello, Chiquis, Jorge Drexler, Silvana Estrada, Gente de Zona, Goyo, Jesse & Joy, John Legend, Carin León, Los Bukis, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández, Aymée Nuviola, Julio Reyes Copello, Sin Bandera, Carlos Vives, Sebastián Yatra, Nicole Zignago and the 2022 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Marco Antonio Solís.

The lineup also boasts Christina Aguilera, who is up for seven awards, Rauw Alejandro, Rosalía, Marc Anthony and Christian Nodal.

The night’s most-nominated artists are Bad Bunny, who has a total of 10 nods, and Mexican-American composer Edgar Barrera, who holds nine.

Additionally, the Academy shared its bill of presenters, which includes Maria Becerra, Becky G, Eden Muñoz and Farina, in addition to Macarena Achaga, Yalitza Aparicio, Cami, Miguel Angel Muñoz, Fonesca, Luis Figueroa, Kany García, Kurt, Ludmilla, Victor Manuelle, Fito Páez, Georgina Rodríguez, Alison Solís, Marla Solís, Luisa Sonza, Tainy and Adrián Uribe.

The 23rd Latin Grammys, which “celebrate the present and embrace the future of Latin music,” will be hosted by current nominee Anitta, Latin-Grammy winners Luis Fonsi and Laura Pausini, and by the Latin Recording Academy’s President’s Award recipient Thalia.

Latin Grammy winner Julio Reyes Copello will be the night’s musical director.

The telecast will air on Univision on November 17, at 8:00 pm ET/PT (7 p.m. CT), and will air on cable channel TNT at 7:00 pm (MEX) / 8:00 pm (PAN-COL) / 9:00 pm (VEN) / 10:00 pm (ARG/CHI/BRAZIL), and on Televisa on Channel 5. The show will also be available on HBO Max in Spanish only.

Rosalía to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys Awards Show

Rosalía is readying to take Latin music’s biggest stage…

The 30-year-old Spanish Grammy– and Latin Grammy-winning singer and songwriter has been added to the roster of artists set to take center stage at the 23rd annual Latin Grammys on November 17.

RosaliaRosalia is among a new wave of confirmed performers that includes Silvana Estrada, Gente de Zona, Goyo, Los Bukis, Aymée Nuviola, Julio Reyes Copello, Carlos Vives and Nicole Zignago.

Copello, a seven-time nominee, joins the event as musical director of the show’s house band.

At this year’s ceremony, eight-time nominee Rosalía is up for record of the year and album of the year; Vives, a five-time nominee, is up for record of the year and song of the year; Gente de Zona and Nuviola are nominated in the tropical categories; and both Estrada and Zignago, are up for the coveted best new artist.

The newly announced artists set to take the stage join previously announced performers such as Ángela Aguilar, Christina Aguilera, Rauw Alejandro, Marc Anthony, Banda Los Recoditos, Camilo, Elvis Costello, Chiquis, Jorge Drexler, Nicky Jam, Jesse & Joy, John Legend, Carin León, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández, Christian Nodal, Sin Bandera, Sebastián Yatra, and the 2022 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Marco Antonio Solís.

The Latin Grammy Awards — which “promise to honor the legacy, celebrate the present and embrace the future of Latin music, with deliberate consciousness, paying-it-forward to the next generations of music creators,” according to a press statement — will be held on November 17 at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and will air live on Univision beginning at 8:00 pm ET.

The Latin Grammy Premiere, a non-televised ceremony in which the winners in most categories are announced, will take place before the broadcast.

Christina Aguilera to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammys Awards Show

Christina Aguilera has a date with the Latin Grammys

The 41-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer, actress and television personality has been added to the performers list for this year’s Latin Grammys awards show.

Christina AguileraIn addition to Aguilera, the celebration of the best in Latin music will also feature appearances by new lineup additions Camilo, Elvis Costello, Jorge DrexlerJohn Legend, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández and Christian Nodal.

They have all been confirmed by the Latin Recording Academy to take the stage at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Thursday, November 17.

The musical acts joined previously announced stars like Ángela Aguilar, Rauw Alejandro, Marc Anthony, Banda Los Recoditos, Chiquis, Nicky Jam, Jesse & Joy, Carin León, Sin Bandera, Sebastián Yatra and the 2022 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Marco Antonio Solís.

The 23rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards promise to honor the legacy, celebrate the present and embrace the future of Latin music, with deliberate consciousness, paying it forward to the next generations of music creators.

Univision will air the ceremony on Thursday, November 17 starting at 8:00 pm ET with the red carpet coverage starting an hour earlier.

Bad Bunny leads the nominations list for the 2022 Latin Grammys scoring 10 mentions including Album of the Year for his chart-topping Un Verano Sin Ti. Edgar Barrera was the second most mentioned artist with 9 nods and Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro tied in third with eight nominations.

Carin León to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammy Awards Show

Carin León is preparing to take the Latin Grammys stage…

The Latin Recording Academy have revealed additional performers for the 23rd annual Latin Grammy Awards, with the 33-year-old Mexican singer making the list.

Carin LeonLeon is part of a roster of newly added performers that includes Ángela Aguilar, Marc Anthony, Banda Los Recoditos, Nicky Jam and Sin Bandera — all current nominees and past Latin Grammy winners.

Leon, a first-time Latin Grammy nominee, is nominated for best regional song for “Como Lo Hice Yo.”

Aguilar is nominated for best ranchero/mariachi album for Mexicana Enamorada and best regional song for “Ahí Donde Me Ven.” Marc Anthony is up for four awards including record of the year and album of the Year; previous Latin Grammy winners Banda Los Recoditos are up for best banda album with Me Siento A Todo Dar.

Meanwhile, Latin Grammy winner Nicky Jam is up for best urban song and best reggaeton performance and two-time Latin Grammy winners Sin Bandera are shortlisted for best traditional pop vocal album and best short form music video.

The newly-announced artists set to take the stage join previously announced performers such as Rauw AlejandroChiquisJesse & JoySebastián Yatra, and this year’s Latin Recording Academy Person of the YearMarco Antonio Solís.

The Latin Grammy Awards will be held November 17 at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and will air live on Univision beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

The Latin Grammy Premiere, a non-televised ceremony in which the winners in most categories are announced, will take place before the broadcast. Additional details about this ceremony will be announced soon.

Rauw Alejandro to Perform at This Year’s Latin Grammy Awards

Rauw Alejandro will be taking the Latin Grammys stage… 

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter will perform as part of this year’s Latin Grammy Awards show, the Latin Recording Academy.

Rauw AlejandroHe’s among the first batch of confirmed artists that includes Chiquis, Jesse & Joy and Sebastián Yatra.

In addition, the 2022 Person of the Year, Marco Antonio Solís, will also perform.

All are nominated for the 23rd annual Latin Grammy Awards, which will be held on November 17 at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Alejandro, who was a 2020 best new artist nominee and won his first golden gramophone last year, has eight nominations this year that include recording of the year and song of the year for “Te Felicito” with Shakira, and “Agua” with Daddy Yankee and Nile Rodgers, respectively.

Yatra, previously nominated for a Grammy and nine Latin Grammys, is a four-time nominee this year, including album of the year for Dharma and song of the year for “Tacones Rojos.”

Jesse & Joy, winners of the Grammy and six Latin Grammys, are nominated this time for best pop vocal album for Clichés; and Latin Grammy winner Chiquis is nominated for best banda music album for Abeja Reina.

Solís, meanwhile, has been honored with five Latin Grammys and nominated for six Grammys, and this year is recognized as Person of the Year 2022 by the Latin Recording Academy.

The 23rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards will air live on Univision on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, beginning at 8:00 pm ET.

The Latin Grammy Premiere, a non-televised ceremony in which the winners in most categories are announced, will take place before the broadcast. Additional details about this ceremony will be announced soon.

Kim Loaiza Among Artists Featured in Telemundo’s Summer Concert Series

Kim Loaiza is preparing for a special performance…

The 24-year-old Mexican pop star, YouTuber and influencer will perform a live concert via En Casa con Telemundo as part of the network’s “Summer Concerts in Telemundo, the Road to Billboard Latin Music Awards.”

Kim Loaiza Loaiza’s performance will take place at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, July 8.

The outdoor musical series kicked off Thursday, July 7 with a live performance on the daytime show hoyDía by Regional Mexican artist Larry Hernandez.

The “Road to Premios Billboard” series will air weekly on hoyDia (every Thursday) and En Casa con Telemundo (every Friday), featuring a wave of special guests including Chiquis, CNCO, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Lenny Tavárez, among others. (The air dates will be announced soon).

The news comes on the heels of Telemundo and Billboard unveiling the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, produced by MBS Special Events, set to take place on September 29 live on Telemundo from Miami’s Watsco Center.

Widely considered the standard-bearer in Latin music, this is the only awards show in the market that honors the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music as determined by the actual sales, streaming, radio airplay, and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts during a one-year period.

As has been the case for more than 20 years, the Billboard Latin Music Awards coincide with Billboard’s annual Latin Music Week, the single largest and most important gathering of the Latin music industry, taking place September 26-October 1.

Latin Music Week will feature panels, conversations, and workshops at the Faena Forum, and exclusive performances and fan experiences throughout the week in Miami.

For registration and information on Billboard Latin Music Week go to billboardlatinmusicweek.com.

Jenni Rivera’s Family to Release New, Never-Released Music by the Late Banda Queen

There’s new music by Jenni Rivera headed your way…

As the 10-year anniversary of the late Mexican American singer’s death in a plane crash over Mexico (in December, 2012) approaches, her family is planning to share new music with the world.

Jenni RiveraNever-released music she left recorded before her death will see the light of day, according to daughter Jacqie Rivera, who in January took over from her aunt Rosie Rivera as head of the Jenni Rivera estate.

“It’s definitely music in Spanish, it’s more than one song, and it’s regional Mexican,” Jacqie Rivera tells Billboard in her first interview since she took over her mother’s estate. “I think it’s very important that we tie in how she started, what [music] put her up there, and share that.”

The new tracks will be part of a full-fledged album of brand-new Rivera songs set for release before the end of the year. The set will include at least some of the 11 other unreleased songs that the Rivera estate found after Jenni Rivera’s passing, and will be released by Sony Music U.S. Latin. Several of the tracks will be produced by Sergio Lizárraga, the head of Banda MS and owner of Lizos Music.

Music in English is also on the way, although plans for those releases have yet to be finalized.

The music releases are the core of a series of actions that the estate is spearheading this year. Among them is a concert commemorating Rivera’s death — which will feature performances by her children, and which Jacqie Rivera describes as “a la Coachella” — and a long-planned biopic, which has long been discussed but is now firmly in the planning stages.

The moves signal a change of direction in the management of Jenni Rivera’s estate, which had been helmed by her sister, Rosie, since her death. Now, the reins have amicably passed to Jacqie, the second of Rivera’s five children. (The five are recording star Chiquis Rivera, Jacqie Rivera and Michael Marín from Rivera’s first marriage, and Jenicka and Johnny Angel, from her second marriage.)

All five siblings are now part of the estate’s advisory board and are actively involved in major decision-making, says Jacqie.

“The little decisions, I make them. For the big decisions, we all get together and we all vote,” she explains. “My little brother Johnny is working alongside with me, especially for the music. He’s always been involved in producing, and we’re working closely together. But we definitely need each other, all of us together, to really do it. There’s always meetings, phone calls, zooms. We’re all busy but we make it happen.”

When Rivera died in 2012, at 43 years old, she was the single most successful woman in regional Mexican on the Billboard charts — with over 26 entries on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart — and at the pinnacle of her career. But she was also on the verge of much more.

She was on the verge of a major crossover, having become the first Latina ever to sign a production deal to star in her own TV series on a major U.S. network and about to have her own residency in Las Vegas. On the verge of a cinematic career, Rivera played her first role in a major film, Filly Brown. On the verge of fulfilling her dream of becoming the “Latina Oprah,” with the continued success of her weekly radio show, Contacto Directo con Jenni Rivera. And on the verge of massive stardom in Mexico, following her stint as the most popular coach on season 2 of La Voz.

Perhaps most importantly to her, after years of being the sole provider for her family, she was finally finding the time to truly enjoy her children and her grandchildren. But her death left her children reeling. Only now, says Jacqie, does she feel ready to take control of her mother’s estate.

“My mom was such a big part…she was our everything,” says Rivera. “I don’t think any of us kids would have been ready to do this job because it’s a lot of work. For sure, I’m ready now.”

As part of the changes implemented since she took over, Rivera tapped Izabel Nicholas as general manager for Jenni Rivera Enterprises and Oswaldo Rossi has remained as the estate’s lawyer. Entotal Agency, the management firm headed by Jorge Sánchez and Tom Muzquiz with Pitbull as a partner is handling artist management.

“Being part of the Jenni Rivera team is an honor and a privilege,” says Sánchez, whose company started working with the estate in March, at the recommendation of BMI CCO Alex Flores. “Working with Jacqie and Jenni Rivera Enterprises represents a great experience due to her vision, respect and the enthusiasm. Jenni Rivera died in the prime of her life, and the music she left behind reflects this vitality. We have a great task ahead, with many and amazing releases plus other projects from one of the most important names and legacies in Latin music.”

It all amounts to an outpouring of material that would have made Jenni Rivera proud, says Jacqie, whose eyes brighten when asked what she thinks her mother would tell her if she could see her now.

“I think she would remind me of what my name means: Jacqueline is a form of Jacob, and Jacob is a go-getter,” she responds. “She would always remind me of what my name meant. [So I think she would say] ‘You got this, you can do this.’ And as a mom, she’d also tell me I’m doing a good job — because sometimes, you really don’t know.”