Rivera Biopic & Television Projects in the Works

Jenni Rivera’s legacy lives on…

Television projects and a biopic based on the life of the late Mexican-American singer, known as la Diva de la Banda, are currently in the works, her estate has announced.

Jenni Rivera

The projects are in early development and details will be announced later, but they include a music-based television series focused on the lives and stories of the Rivera family as a musical dynasty.

Rivera was one of the most successful regional Mexican musical artists of all time, selling more than 20 million records during her 20-year career.

She died in a 2012 plane crash in northern Mexico, in the midst of filming the third season of mun2 docu-reality series I Love Jenni, in which she starred. She also had just closed a deal to topline her own sitcom for ABC, Jenni.

Rivera’s estate includes several businesses, as well as a foundation named for the late singer that helps women and children facing abuse, and other charity endeavors.

Rivera’s Family Launches Label Inspired by the Late Singer

The family of Jenni Rivera plans to keep the late singer’s memory alive through music…

The Rivera family has announced plans to launch a new label inspired by la Diva de la Banda, who died in a Mexican plane crash in December.

Jenni Rivera

Rivera had personally wanted to support and launch aspiring Latino singers, according to family spokesperson.

JRE/Divina Music, based in Los Angeles, was in the works in 2010 by Rivera who was already eyeing talent for the label. The label eventually signed bilingual singer Monica Padilla.

The label will also include a project by sibling Juan Rivera in addition to a Christian themed album by Rivera’s daughter Jacqie, who performed at her mother’s memorial.

The songstress’ sister Rosie Rivera, the administrator of Rivera’s estate, said in a statement that her sister “had many expectations of this project as a label… we are putting a lot of energy to complete her dreams.”

Padilla’s album, Contra la Pared, is scheduled for release later in 2013. Not only was Rivera part of the creative team that made the album a reality, she also promoted Padilla during an L.A concert.

Distribution details for JRE/Divina Music were not immediately available.

The Late Rivera Wins Six Trophies at the Billboard Latin Music Awards

She may be gone… But Jenni Rivera has not been forgotten.

The late Mexican American singer, known as la Diva de la Banda, proved to be one of the big winners at the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Jenni Rivera

Rivera, whose influence and sales rose in the wake of her tragic death last December in a plane crash in Mexico, won six awards, including Artist of the Year and Regional Mexican Album of the Year for La Gran Señora, which was coincidentally released the week after her death.

Edward James Olmos, Rivera’s Filly Brown co-star, introduced a tribute segment to the singer, pointing out that just a year before, she had herself performed live on the awards stage.

“We want to remember her a little bit differently — as the woman, the friend, the mother, the daughter,” he said, before a video montage focusing mainly on Rivera’s family life and humanitarian work.

Her parents, Pedro Rivera and Rosa Saavedra, and two eldest  daughters, Janney “Chiquis” Marín and Jacqueline Marín, accepted her posthumous awards.

Meanwhile, Don Omar – who performed his current hit, “Zumba” at the show – had garnered 18 finalist nods — a record tied only by Tito El Bambino in 2010 — and took home 10. They include Songs Artist of the Year, Male and Airplay Song of the year for “Dutty Love,” featuring Natty Natasha.  Don Omar also won Streaming Artist of the Year and Streaming Song of the Year for “Danza Kuduro,” featuring Lucenzo.

Prince Royce, the young urban/bachata singer and soon-to-be La Voz Kids coach who has dominated the charts since his debut in 2011, won four awards, including Albums Artist of the Year, Male.

Romeo Santos, Shakira and La Arrolladora Banda el Limón de René Camacho won three awards each, as did Natty Natasha, who is featured in Don Omar’s “Dutty Love.” Teary-eyed, she dedicated her last win to “all Latinos — those who leave their homelands to pursue their dreams.”

This year’s awards featured a series of premiere performances, including Carlos Vives with Michel Teló (who won Song of the Year for his global hit  “Ai Se Eu Te Pego“).

Mexican rockers Maná, who won Albums Artist of the Year, duo or Group and Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group, also received the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award for the philanthropic work of their Selva Negra Foundation, which has worked in environmental causes for nearly 20 years.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards honors the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music, as determined by the actual sales, radio airplay, streaming and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts.

The awards were broadcast live on Telemundo from the BankUnited Center in Miami.

Click here to see the full list of winners.

New Jenni Rivera Biography Due in Late April

La Diva de la Banda may be gone too soon… But Jenni Rivera’s legacy will live on in another biography…

Leila Cobo, the executive director of Latin content and programming for Billboard, has written a biography of the late Mexican American singer.

Jenni Rivera Book

The book, which is titled Jenni Rivera: The Incredible Story of a Warrior Butterfly, is heralded as an “intimate portrait of the difficult, successful life” of Rivera.

Her life was cut tragically short in a plane crash on December 9, right as Rivera’s fame was reaching new heights. Along with being a top-selling artist in her musical genre and the star of a highly successful reality TV show on mun2, she earned rave reviews for her acting debut in Filly Brown and had just signed on a deal to develop a comedy series for ABC. She also had her own lines of makeup and fashion, and even set up a not-for-profit foundation.

In the biography, Cobo notes that she had an indomitable determination.

Rivera was born in the Los Angeles area, the first girl among four brothers. She grew up like a princess – but also like a warrior, because she soon learned to stand up for herself among men.

Rivera, a good-grade earning student, got pregnant at the age of 15. But she never gave up her studies, thanks to support and encouragement from her teachers.

Rivera’s life as a young mom wasn’t easy, mainly because her man abused her.

Years after the couple separated, the book says, Rivera learned that her daughter and her sister had been abused by the same man. She was determined that justice be done and eventually got even.

She recorded her first album in 1993 as a gift for her dad, an album of traditional songs that didn’t attract much attention. Every year afterwards she recorded another for her father – because she wanted to do it and because it made her happy.

By the start of the last decade she had climbed the heights of stardom, traveling, recording, and forging very close ties with her many fans.

The book will be released on April 24.

Lopez Among the Actresses in the Running to Portray Jenni Rivera

It looks like it’s a three-way race to find the actress to portray the late Jenni Rivera in a film about her life, with Jennifer Lopez in the hunt.

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican actress is reportedly being considered to play la Diva de la Banda, as well as Angélica Vale and Alicia Machado.

Jennifer Lopez

Rosie Rivera, sister of the banda/ranchera singer who died in an plane crash in Mexico last December, told Univision that plans to shoot the film about the I Love Jenni star are going forward as part of the family’s wish to make all her dreams come true.

Even though Rivera’s family hasn’t confirmed who’ll play her on screen, the press these days has tossed around a number of names, including Vale. The 37-year-old Mexican actress is best known for her starring role in the telenovela La Fea Mas Bella.

Also mentioned repeatedly is Machado, the singer and actress who was the fourth Venezuelan woman in history to win Miss Universe.

Both she and Vale have publicly expressed their admiration for Rivera, but have also said that neither has been formally offered a role in the film.

It’s also been speculated that Lopez’s company, Nuyorican Productions, could produce the film, although no news has been forthcoming about whether J.Lo intends to portray Rivera.

Lopez previously starred in the 1997 biopic about another Latina legend, the late Selena Quintanilla, who was murdered by the former president of her fan club.

For his part, film director Francisco Joel Mendoza also told Univision that he already has the permits to begin production on the film, saying shooting could begin in April.

Prince Royce Wins Six Premio Lo Nuestro Awards

Prince Royce has plenty of reason to celebrate…

The 23-year-old Dominican American singer proved to be the night’s big winner at the Premio Lo Nuestro awards ceremony, earning six awards.

Prince Royce

Prince Royce took home the awards for Tropical Album of the Year for his sophomore project Phase II, Tropical Song of the Year for his single “Incondicional”, Tropical Male Artist of the Year and Tropical Contemporary Artist of the Year.

He also won Collaboration of the Year for “El Verdadero Amor Perdona,” his duet with Mexican rockers Mana, as well as Rock/Alternative Song of the Year for that same track.

Meanwhile, the late Jenni Rivera, who died in a Northern Mexico plane crash in December at the age of 43, won five awards, including the night’s top prize… awards for Artist of the Year.

Rivera’s  other trophies include Pop Female Artist of the Year and Regional Mexican Female Artist of the Year, as well as the Pop Song of the Year and Pop Album of the Year for “A Cambio de Que” and “Joyas Prestadas,” respectively.

In one of the most touching moments of the night, Rivera’s daughters went on stage to receive her award for Pop Female Artist of the Year. One of them lifted the prize into the air to dedicate it to her mother, while the audience rose to their feet in tribute to the popular singer known as la Diva de la Banda.

The New Artist of the Year prize went to Mexican tribal house group 3Ball MTY, while Mexican pop-rock duo Jesse & Joy won Video of the Year for “Corre” and Pop Group/Duo of the Year.

The winners of the 2013 Primeo Lo Nuestro Awards are…

Pop Album of the Year: “Joyas Prestadas” by Jenni Rivera
Pop Song of the Year: “A Cambio de Que” by Jenni Rivera
Male Pop Artist of the Year: Alejandro Sanz
Female Pop Artist of the Year: Jenni Rivera
Duo or Group Pop Artist of the Year: Jesse & Joy
Rock or Alternative Album of the Year: “Exiliados en la Bahia: Lo Mejer de Mana” by Mana
Rock or Alternative Song of the Year: “El Verdadero Amor Perdona” by Mana and Prince Royce
Rock or Alternative Artist of the Year: Mana
Tropical Album of the Year: “Phase II” by Prince Royce
Tropical Song of the Year: “Incondicional” by Prince Royce
Male Tropical Artist of the Year: Prince Royce
Female Tropical Artist of the Year: Olga Tanon
Duo or Group Tropical Artist of the Year: Chino y Nacho
Tropical Merengue Artist of the Year: Juan Juis Juancho
Tropical Salsa Artist of the Year: Victor Manuelle
Contemporary Tropical Artist of the Year: Prince Royce
Regional Album of the Year: “Intentalo” by 3BallMTY
Regional Song of the Yea: “Amor Confuso” by Gerardo Oritz
Regional Male Artist of the Year: Espinoza Paz
Regional Female Artist of the Year: Jenni rivera
Regional Duo or Group Artist of the Year: La Arrolladora Banda El Limon de Rene Camacho
Banda Artist of the Year:
Banda El Recodo
Duranguense Artist of the Year: Grupo Montez de Durango
Grupero Artist of the Year: Grupo Bryndis
Norteno Artist of the Year: Gerardo Ortiz
Ranchero Artist of the Year: Vicente Fernandez
Urban Album of the Year: “Lideres” by Wisin y Yandel
Urban Song of the Year: “Lovumba” by Daddy Yankee
Urban Artist of the Year: Wisin y Yandel
Premio Lo Nuestro Artist of the Year: Jenni Rivera
Collaboration of the Year: “El Verdadero Amor Perdona” by Mana and Prince Royce
New Artist of the Year: 3BallMTY
Video of the Year: “Corre” by Jesse & Joy

Rivera’s Memoir, “Unbreakable,” to be Released in July

The late Jenni Rivera’s last words or wisdom will be revealed this summer…

A memoir from the late Mexican American singer, which she completed before her untimely death in a plane crash in Northern Mexico in December, will be published in July.

jenni-rivera

Entitled Unbreakable, the memoir will be published in English and Spanish by Simon & Schuster‘s Atria Books imprint, according to the Associated Press.

Rosie Rivera, the sister of la Diva de la Banda, said the memoir captures her sister’s determined spirit.

“I miss my sister every moment, but on days that I want to feel her close, I open her book written in her own words, and feel her right next to me,” she said in a statement from Atria.

Unbreakable will allow fans to “enjoy her as we have,” she added.

Atria said the book provides “an intimate look into the heart and soul of this self-made woman, who ascended to the top of the charts against all odds, becoming a legend in a completely male dominated music category.”

News of the book’s release comes on the heels of mun2’s announcement that the third season of Rivera’s highly popular I Love Jenni reality series will premiere in April.

Rivera’s English-Language Pop Album to Be Released

La Diva de la Banda’s crossover dreams are still alive despite her untimely passing…

Jenni Rivera‘s family members say they plan to release the late singer’s English-language pop album, which was recorded in 2004, according to MTV Tr3s.

jenni-rivera

The songs were submitted to her label and held for unknown releases, according to sources.

Rivera’s record sales have significantly increased since her tragic death last month in a plane crash in Mexico. Rivera’s albums sold 10 times more than the week before she passed away (a total of 64,000 albums sold in the United States alone), according to The New York Times.

In addition, her latest album La Misma Gran Señora, which was released only two days after her passing, debuted at No. 1 with 27,000 – the best sales week of the year for any Latin album – on the Billboard Latin Albums chart.

Her English album was one of many crossover projects Riverai had planned. Besides her portrayal of an incarcerated mother fighting to rebuild her relationship with her daughter in Filly Brown, she also planned on starring and producing in an ABC sitcom loosely based on her life.

Since her death, her sister Rosie Rivera has been left in charge of Jenni Enterprises, including ongoing business deals and album sales. Although a release date hasn’t been announced  yet, Rivera’s English-language pop album is expected to come out later this year.

Rivera Reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Social 50 Chart

Jenni Rivera has earned yet another posthumous honor…

The Mexican American banda singer, who died in a plane crash earlier this month at the age of 43, has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Social 50 chart this past week as predicted, due to a peak in online activity surrounding her untimely passing, particularly the including her public memorial on Wednesday.

jenni-rivera

La Diva de la Banda added a little over a million fans across her various online outlets, accumulating 560,000 to her official Twitter account and 435,000 new followers to her Facebook page, following a 485% rise in weekly conversation on the platform as measured by Facebook’s People Talking About This statistic. Her videos on her VEVO channel saw an increase as well, experiencing a 1,500% rise in plays over the previous week to reach 8.7 million views throughout the week.

The Social 50 chart ranks the most popular artists on YouTube, VEVO, Facebook, Twitter, SoundCloud, Wikipedia, MySpace and Instagram. The chart’s methodology blends weekly additions of friends/fans/followers along with artist page views, song plays and reactions.

Rivera’s No. 1 position on the Social 50 chart follows her No. 1 finish on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart.

Rivera’s Sales Increase by 1,014% on Billboard’s Latin Albums Chart

La Diva de la Banda may have had her celestial graduation this week, but Jenni Rivera‘s presence is still being felt on Billboard’s music charts this week.

With the most recent Nielsen SoundScan tracking week ending on Sunday, December 16, the new Billboard charts reflect the first full week since her passing in a plane crash on Sunday, December 9.

Jenni Rivera

On the Top Latin Albums chart, the late Mexican American banda singer holds the first three spots, with her new hits compilation La Misma Gran Señora debuting at No. 1 with 27,000 — the best sales week of the year for any Latin album. It surpasses the 23,000 racked by the bow of Prince Royce‘s Phase II in April. It’s also Rivera’s best sales frame for an album, beating the 16,000 racked up by Jenni in its debut week in 2008.

At Nos. 2 and 3 on the Latin Albums chart this week, Rivera’s two 2011 releases Joyas Prestadas: Pop and Joyas Prestadas: Banda sell 14,000 (up 532%) and 13,000 (up 578%), respectively. The albums were Nos. 2 and 4 last week.

La Misma Gran Señora is Rivera’s second No. 1 on the Latin Albums chart, following Jenni.

Rivera is only the third act to control the entire top three on the Latin Albums chart since it became a weekly, SoundScan-driven tally in 1993. She joins two other leading ladies, who also achieved the feat only in death: Celia Cruz and Selena. The last time it happened was on the Latin Albums chart dated August  23, 2003, when Cruz’s Regalo Del Alma, Exitos Eternos and Hits Mix were Nos. 1-3, respectively, following her death on July 16. Cruz controlled the top three in two separate weeks, while Selena did it in five frames in April and May of 1995.

On the Billboard 200 this week, La Misma Gran Señora bows at No. 38 — Rivera’s second-highest charting set. Only Jenni went higher, when it launched at No. 31.

Rivera’s overall catalog of albums sold 64,000 last week — up 1,014% from 6,000 the week previous.