“America’s Got Talent” Releases First Look Photo of Sofia Vergara at Judges Table

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergarahas taken her seat at the table…

America’s Got Talent has released a first look photo of the NBC talent competition show’s season 15 judges panel, with the 47-year-old Colombian actress as a new addition and the first ever Latin judge.

America's Got Talent - Season 15 Judges Table

In addition Vergara, the photo shows AGT creator and judge Simon Cowell, longtime judge Howie Mandel, returning panelist Heidi Klum and returning host Terry Crews.

The revamped panel comes after the NBC competition series filled its two vacant chairs last week, following the exits of Gabrielle Unionand Julianne Hough, who were let go in November after one season.

This will be Modern Family star’s first turn as a judge. Klum was a panelist on AGTfrom 2013-2018.

The first round of production for America’s Got Talent: Season 15 will take place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium throughout the month of March.

The series is co-produced by Fremantle and Syco Entertainment.

Sofia Vergara Named First Latin Judge on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara’s got talent… and a new job…

The 47-year-old Colombian actress and Modern Family star has been added to the judges panel of NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

Vergara, a four-time Emmy nominee, will appear alongside Heidi Klum, who was a judge on AGTfor six seasons, from 2013-2018.

They’ll be joined by returning judges Simon Cowell, AGT’s creator and executive producer, and Howie Mandel, as well as host Terry Crews.

“I’m so happy to join my new family onAGT,” said Vergara, who’ll be making AGThistory. “This is a new and exciting next chapter for me and I’m extremely proud to be the first Latin judge on the show. I can’t wait to watch all the talent and have fun with all you guys!”

Vergara and Klum succeed Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough, who were let go in November after one season on AGT. Union’s ouster sparked controversy and triggered an investigation over allegations of a hostile work environment on the reality show. Results of the investigation, which was supposed to wrap by the end of January, have yet to be made public.

Shortly after Union and Hough’s exit, Vergara emerged as NBC’s top choice for a replacement. She met with executives from NBC and AGTproducer Fremantlein mid-December to discuss the possibility. By mid-January, word started getting out that Klum would be back, retaking her seat.

Klum never left the AGTfranchise — she’s been a judge on spinoff America’s Got Talent: The Champions since its launch last season.

Vergara is coming off an 11-season run as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on ABC’s hit comedy Modern Family,a role that has earned her four Emmy nominations.

“Sofia’s infectious energy and sharp wit will blend perfectly with returning favorites Heidi, Simon, Howie, and Terry. As both a respected actress and successful entrepreneur, she embodies the American dream that is synonymous with AGT’s transformative stage,” said Meredith Ahr, President, Alternative & Reality Group, NBC Entertainment.

Sofia Vergara May Be Headed to the Judges’ Table on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara may be on the hunt for new talent…

The 47-year-old Colombian actress, currently in her final season on ABC’s Modern Family, may be the newest judge on NBC’s summer reality series America’s Got Talent.

Vergara reportedly met with top executives at the network yesterday. It was a broad, general meeting to discuss a number of possible projects and collaborations, including Vergara joining the America’s Got Talent judging panel.

According to TMZ, which first reported about the meeting, reps for AGTproducer Fremantlealso were present.

AGThas two vacancies after the reality hit created and executive produced by Simon Cowellopted not to bring back as judges Gabrielle Unionand Julianne Houghfollowing one-season stints.

The firings triggered a wave of controversy after it was revealed that Union had complained of a toxic work environment and racism before being let go. The backlash prompted NBC and Fremantle to launch an investigation, which is ongoing.

Vergara recently appeared in and executive produced 365 Days of Love, a daily docuseries for Facebook Watch. It came from Latino-focused entertainment company Raze, which Vergara co-founded with Emiliano Calemzuk and Luis Balaguer.

Vergara has earned four Emmyand four Golden Globe nominations for her role as Gloria on ABC’s Modern Family, now in its 11th and final season.

Disney Channel Reviving Alisa Reyes’ “The Proud Family” for Disney+

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

There could be more proudmoments in Alisa Reyes’ future…

Disney Channel’s popular animated series The Proud Family, which featured the 38-year-old Latina actress as part of its voice cats, is making a comeback.

Jo Marie Payton, who voiced Suga Mama in the series which aired for three seasons from 2001-2005, has confirmed that a revival is in the works at upcoming streaming service Disney+.

It came in an answer to a question from host Keke Palmer about Payton’s Suga Mama character. “Yeah, Suga’s large and in charge. That’s all I’ve got to say — except for Suga Mama will be doing some new episodes come February,” revealed Payton.

Word of a revival first surfaced in August when Tommy Davidson, who voiced Oscar Proud, told @WhereIsTheBuzzTV that the series would be revived on Disney+.

Payton’s confirmation was the first announcement on a Disney-owned network. GMA3, the third hour of Good Morning America, co-hosted by Michael Strahan, Sara Haines and Palmer, is on Disney-owned ABC.

Created by Bruce W. Smith, The Proud Family was one of very few animated series at the time to center around an African American family. It followed main character Penny Proud, voiced by Kyla Pratt, and the everyday rambunctiousness of her friends and family — with guest stars like Gabrielle Union, Kobe Bryant, and Mariah Carey.

Cast also included Paula Jai Parker as Trudy, Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez, Karen Malina White as Dijonay, Orlando Brownas Sticky Webb, Soleil Moon Fryeas Zoey and Tara Strongas twins Bebe/Cece and Puff the Poodle.

Spectrum to Premiere Jessica Alba’s Series “L.A.’s Finest” in May

Posted on February 8, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Jessica Albais ready for her Finesthour…

Spectrum will premiere of L.A.’s Finest, its anticipated first original series starring the 37-year-old half-Mexican American actress, on Monday, May 13, as revealed in a special video.

The original series marks the launch of Charter Communications’ premium content initiative Spectrum Originals.

The premiere date was announced on social media by Alba and Gabrielle Union, the series’ stars and executive producers ahead of the show’s presentation at TCA.

The first three installments in the 13-episode series will be exclusively available to Spectrum video subscribers free On Demand(and without ads) on May 13, after which new episodes will be released every Monday until the finale.

With elaborate action sequences, L.A.’s Finest was one of the highest-profile and most expensive pilots this season, with its budget said to be around $12 million. It is based upon the character Syd Burnett, originally created for Bad Boys II by Marianne and Cormac Wibberleyand Ron Sheltonand played by Union in the 2003 movie.

The series follows Syd Burnett (Union), last seen in Miami taking down a drug cartel, who has seemingly left her complicated past behind to become an LAPD detective. Paired with a new partner, Nancy McKenna (Alba), a working mom with an equally complex history, Syd is forced to confront how her unapologetic lifestyle may be masking a greater personal secret. Taking on the most dangerous criminals in Los Angeles while skirting the rules, and speed limits, Syd and Nancy become a force to be reckoned with – on the streets, and in each other’s lives.

The cast also includes Zack Gilford and Duane Martin as Ben Walker and Ben Baines, respectively, Ryan McPartlin as Patrick McKenna, Sophie Reynolds as Isabel “Izzy” McKenna, and Ernie Hudson as Joseph Vaughn.

L.A.’s Finest is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Television, and 2.0 Entertainmentin association with Sony Pictures Television.

Anton Cropperdirected the pilot.

David Fumero Lands Role on Spectrum’s “Bad Boys” Spinoff Series “L.A.’s Finest”

Posted on October 11, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a Finest hour for David Fumero…

The 45-year-old Cuban actor has landed a recurring roles on L.A.’s Finest, Spectrum’s 13-episode series starring Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba.

The spinoff from the Bad Boys movie franchise hails from writers Brandon Margolis and Brandon Sonnier, Sony Pictures Television, Jerry Bruckheimer Television and 2.0 Entertainment.

It follows Burnett (Union), who last was seen in Miami taking down a drug cartel. She now has left her complicated past behind to become an LAPD detective. Paired with a new partner, Nancy McKenna (Alba), a working mom with an equally complex past, Burnett is pushed to examine whether her unapologetic lifestyle might be masking a greater personal secret. These two women don’t agree on much, but they find common ground when it comes to taking on the most dangerous criminals in Los Angeles.

Fumero will play Lt. Jason Calloway, an LAPD lieutenant with the Narcotics Division. He and Syd had a one-night stand that colors their occasionally adversarial relationship around the office. A good cop and a total pro; not above arresting any cop who crosses the line.

Union and Alba executive produce alongside co-showrunners Margolis, Sonnier, and Pam Veasey.

Fumero was a series regular on the Starz drama Power.

Fumero, who first began as an international fashion model for such fashion powerhouses as Versace, Armani, John-Paul Gauthier, and Dior, rose to fame on the ABCsoap opera One Life to Live.

Gabrielle Union Secures Rights to Juleah Del Rosario’s Debut Novel “500 Words Or Less” for a Film Adaptation

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Juleah Del Rosario’s words (or less) are about to come to life…

Gabrielle Union has joined forces with Rebel Maverick and Amyale to secure the rights to the Latina author and librarian’s debut novel, 500 Words Or Less, a young adult fiction which will be adapted into a feature.

Union will produce the project under her I’ll Have Another Productions banner, with Holly Shakoor Fleischeroverseeing development on behalf of the company.

Written entirely in verse, the book, which was released last week via Simon Pulse, centers on Nic Chen, a Chinese-American high school senior who attempts to salvage her reputation among her Ivy League-obsessed classmates by writing their college admission essays and in the process learns big truths about herself.

“I am such a fan of young adult stories in general but this novel really got me. It is beautifully written entirely in verse and the exploration of identity and what that means to you and those around you is something that my production company is focused on exploring with all the stories we choose to tell. This one really hit home and I’m excited to be part of bringing it to life as accurately as we possibly can,” stated Union.

Del Rosario is currently working on her next novel, Turtle Under Ice, which should come out in Spring 2020.

Charter Communications Gives Straight-to-Series Order to Jessica Alba’s “LA’s Finest”

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Jessica Alba is officially one of LA’s Finest…

Charter Communications has given a 13-episode straight-to-series order to LA’s Finest, the drama pilot starring the 37-year-old half-Mexican American actress and Gabrielle Union.

From writers Brandon Margolis and Brandon Sonnier, Sony Pictures Television, Jerry Bruckheimer Television and 2.0 Entertainment, the series is set to premiere in 2019 exclusively on Charter’s Spectrum as the platform’s first major original series.

The series follows Burnett (Union), who last was seen in Miami taking down a drug cartel. She now has left her complicated past behind to become an LAPD detective. Paired with a new partner, Nancy McKenna (Alba), a working mom with an equally complex past, Burnett is pushed to examine whether her unapologetic lifestyle might be masking a greater personal secret. These two women don’t agree on much, but they find common ground when it comes to taking on the most dangerous criminals in Los Angeles.

The cast also includes Ernie Hudsonas Joseph Burnett, Zack Gilford and Duane Martin as Ben Walker and Ben Baines, and Ryan McPartlin as Patrick McKenna.

Sony Television took out the action pilot, a spinoff from the Bad Boys movie franchise, immediately after the project’s original network, NBC, passed on it.

Charter Communications quickly emerged as a likely potential home, starting talks with Sony just days later. With the deal in advanced stages, Sony Television has been selling LA’s Finest internationally.

“Charter has a strong passion for the project, and we could not be more excited,” ” said Jeff Frost, President of Sony Pictures Television. “Immediately we knew this innovative new platform was absolutely the right home for L.A.’s Finest.”

With its title recognition and A-list stars, L.A.’s Finest will be used as a key launching piece in Charter Communications’s recently announced strategy to introduce high-end original content on its Spectrum cable systems. The company signaled its entrance in the original scripted series arena by signing co-production deals with AMC Networks and Viacomand by hiring seasoned TV executive Katherine Pope to lead its original content efforts by securing rights on a cost-effective basis. Charter already produces programming via its regional sports networks and its exclusive Spectrum News services.

With elaborate action sequences, LA’s Finest was one of the highest-profile and most expensive pilots this season, with its budget said to be around $12 million. It is based upon the character Syd Burnett, originally created for Bad Boys II by Marianne and Cormac Wibberley and Ron Shelton and played by Union in the 2003 movie.

Union and Alba executive produce.

Richard Cabral to Star in the Action-Thriller “Peppermint”

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Richard Cabral has found a minty fresh role…

The Mexican American actor has landed a role in Peppermint, the Jennifer Garner starring action-thriller from Lakeshore Entertainment.

The film follows Riley North (Garner) who awakens from a coma after her husband and daughter are killed in a brutal attack on the family. When the system frustratingly shields the murderers from justice, Riley sets out to transform herself from citizen to urban guerilla. Channeling her frustration into personal motivation, she spends years in hiding honing her mind, body and spirit to become an unstoppable force – eluding the underworld, the LAPD and the FBI- as she methodically delivers her personal brand of justice.

Pierre Morel is at the helm, directing from a screenplay by Chad St. John. Filming begins next month.

Cabral, who earned acclaim for his role on the anthology series American Crime, will co-star in Kurt Sutter’s upcoming Mayans MC for FX. He’ll also star in Breaking In starring Gabrielle Union and Windows on the World with Edward James Olmos and Ryan Guzman.

BET to Air Second Half of Vidal’s “Being Mary Jane” in July

Posted on March 21, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

If you’re Jane-sing for more Lisa Vidal, don’t despair…

BET has set the premiere date for the 10-episode second half of fourth season of Being Mary Jane’s fourth season, starring Gabrielle Union and the 51-year-old Puerto Rican actress.

The Viacom-owned cable network will premiere the first of the remaining 10 episodes on July 18.

In the midseason finale airing this week, Mary Jane (Union) is all smiles as she approaches her 40th birthday. With a weekend getaway planned to Martha’s Vineyard, things seem to be looking up. But a brief romantic encounter with her old nemesis and now boss, Justin (Michael Ealy), has Mary Jane cloudy about what to do in her relationship and at her job. Meanwhile, Kara (Vidal) gets caught in the crossfire of Mary Jane’s ambition.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Gabrielle Union