José Feliciano Officially Honored with National Medal of Arts

José Feliciano is officially a medalist…

Following a delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 77-year-old Puerto Rican musician, singer and composer has finally received his 2021 National Medal of Arts prize.

Jose FelicianoPresident Joe Biden doled out medals to the National Medal of Arts recipients, as well as the 2021 National Humanities Medal honorees.

The White House hosted a livestreamed East Room ceremony on Tuesday for the recipients, who included Mindy KalingGladys KnightJulia Louis-DreyfusBruce Springsteen and fashion designer Vera Wang. Feliciano was unable to attend the event as he’s in Hawaii after performances on the West Coast.

Feliciano was born blind as a result of glaucoma. His family moved to New York City’s Spanish Harlem when he was five years old, and he fell in love with music and playing the accordion and the guitar. While in high school, he played as a regular at a Greenwich Village coffeehouse. He eventually dropped out of high school and moved to Detroit to take a more permanent singing gig, and soon after was signed with RCA Records. He is most known for his bilingual Christmas song, “Feliz Navidad” which has been named among the most popular holiday songs of all time.

According to Billboard, Feliciano has two top-10 hits in his career and 11 top-100 songs. Feliciano is also a seven-time Grammy award winner.

The NEA website writes the decision to honor Feliciano came from his tenure in the music industry, saying “Over 60 years, 60 albums, and 600 songs, Jose Feliciano has opened hearts and built bridges — overcoming obstacles, never losing faith, and enriching the goodness and greatness of the Nation.”

The honorees received their awards about two years late due to a backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

First lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also attended the ceremony, which Biden opened with a speech filled with quips about the honorees.

The recipients of the National Medals of Arts – the highest honor from the United States government for advancing the country’s arts – include actors, comedians and singers. Other recipients were artist-activist Judith Francisca Baca, philanthropist Fred Eychaner, Puerto Rican painter Antonio Martorell-Cardona and film producer Joan Shigekawa.

The Billie Holiday Theatre and The International Association of Blacks in Dance also received medals.

The National Humanities Medal honors those who have improved Americans’ understanding and engagement with history, literature, philosophy and more humanities subjects.

The 2021 recipients are poet Richard Blanco, anthropologist Johnnetta Betsch Cole, author Walter Isaacson, social historian Earl Lewis, Native American studies academic Henrietta Mann, novelist Ann Patchett, activist Bryan Stevenson, novelist Amy Tan, memoirist Tara Westover and novelist Colson Whitehead, as well as the organization Native America Calling.

Pedro Pascal to Serve as Presenter at This Year’s Academy Awards Show

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Pedro Pascal is headed to the Oscars

The 47-year-old Chilean actor appears on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ final list of names chosen as presenters for the 95th annual Academy Awards.

Pedro Pascal

In addition to Pascal, the latest round of stars set to present includes Eva Longoria, Halle Berry, Paul Dano, Cara Delevingne, Kate Hudson, Mindy Kaling, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Andie MacDowell, Elizabeth Olsen and John Travolta, executive producers and showrunners Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner and executive producer Molly McNearney have announced.

Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 12, at Ovation’s Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Previously announced Oscars presenters include Riz Ahmed, Halle Bailey, Antonio Banderas, Elizabeth Banks, Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain, John Cho, Glenn Close, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Andrew Garfield, Hugh Grant, Danai Gurira, Salma Hayek Pinault, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Nicole Kidman, Troy Kotsur, Jonathan Majors, Melissa McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Deepika Padukone, Florence Pugh, Questlove, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Donnie Yen.

La La Anthony to Star Opposite Jonah Hill in New Untitled Netflix Comedy Film

La La Anthony is preparing to bring the funny…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican television personality, author, businesswoman, producer and actress has been cast in a new untitled Netflix comedy starring Jonah Hill, with Kenya Barris directing.

La La Anthony

Anthony is among a list of new cast additions that includes Travis Bennett, Andrea Savage, Rhea Perlman and Deon Cole.

They join an ensemble that already includes Lauren London, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sam Jay, Molly Gordon, David Duchovny and Nia Long.

The film follows a new couple (Hill and London) and their families, who find themselves examining modern love and family dynamics amidst clashing cultures, societal expectations and generational differences.

Anthony’s previous credits include Two Can Play That GameYou Got Served, Think Like a Man and Think Like a Man 2.

Camila Cabello Among Celebrities Calling on Corporate America to Urge Congress to Support President Joe Biden’s Climate Plan

Camila Cabello is urging the U.S. Congress to support President Joe Biden’s climate change plan…

While Democratic leadership tries to unite its progressive and moderate wings, a group of 80-plus artists, celebrities and activists, including the 24-year-old Cuban/Mexican singer, are calling on the leaders of Google, Disney, Amazon, Fox, Facebook to join them in urging Congress to support Biden’s Build Back Better plan.

Camila Cabello

The effort was spearheaded by the National Resources Defense Council Action Fund and Cabello, who convinced the sizable group of A-listers to speak out, specifically about the need to address climate change.

In addition to Cabello, signatories to the group letter included J.J. Abrams, Greg Berlanti, Cate Blanchett, Jack Antonoff, Don Cheadle, Ellen DeGeneres, Selena Gomez, Shakira, Chris Evans, Jimmy Kimmel, Lady Gaga, John Legend, Chuck Lorre, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lin-Manuel MirandaSean Penn, Joaquin Phoenix, Billy Porter, Robert Redford, Ryan Reynolds, Shakira, Barbra Streisand, Wes Studi, Justin Timberlake, Kerry Washington and many more.

On Monday, a group of 17 Nobel Prize-winning economists also came out in support of Biden’s plan.

Manish Bapna, President and CEO of the NRDC Action Fund said, “These are the tastemakers of our time—and in moments like these they have an opportunity to be the changemakers, too. What started as an idea by Camila Cabello has exploded into a clarion call from entertainers overnight to take action. Congress holds in its hands our best chance at combating our biggest environmental challenge yet. We need all hands on deck to make sure they seize it, and these industry leaders can play a critical role in making sure that they do.”

In today’s initiative, the artists call out the following execs by name: Lincoln Benet at Access Industries (Warner Music Group), Sundar Pichai at Alphabet (Google, YouTube), Andy Jassy at Amazon, Tim Cook at Apple, John Stankey at AT&T (WarnerMedia), Brian Roberts at Comcast, David Zaslav at Discovery (and soon Warner Bros. Discovery), Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook, Lachlan Murdoch at Fox, Reed Hastings at Netflix, Kenichiro Yoshida at Sony, Robert Bakish at ViacomCBS, Arnaud de Puyfontaine at Vivendi (Universal Music Group) and Bob Chapek at Walt Disney.

“It’s no secret that climate change is here and is already affecting people’s lives across the globe,” wrote Cabello in her post on Instagram about the effort. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to act boldly to fight the climate crisis, so I am honored to join over 60 fellow artists to call on leaders of the entertainment industry to use their power and demand that Congress pass @potus’s #BuildBackBetter agenda this fall.”

Here’s the full text of the letter and a list of its signatories:

Dear Entertainment Industry Executives:

Climate change has arrived on our doorstep: California is on fire, record-breaking and deadly storms are flooding New York City, hurricanes are devastating the Gulf. This summer alone, nearly one in every three people in the United States experienced an extreme weather event.

Scientists warn that if we fail to act now, every single one of us will feel the impacts, a billion people will be displaced, and low-income people and communities of color will continue to be hit first and worst. Right now, we have a critical window of opportunity to do something about it. And we need all hands on deck to demand that our leaders protect the people we love and the places they live before it’s too late.

Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in a clean, just, and equitable future for all by passing the robust climate action that President Biden called for in his Build Back Better agenda. This legislation will create healthier communities, put millions to work in clean energy jobs, and free us from the fossil fuels that are driving climate change.

As the top leaders of the entertainment industry—one of the nation’s most powerful and influential business sectors—you are needed to lead our community’s call for action and embrace this vision for a better world. The entertainment community has a long, proud tradition of driving societal change. Our industry is already leading the charge toward more sustainable practices within our own businesses and productions. Now is the time to use your influence to shape our future.

Congress needs to hear you demand, unequivocally, that it put forward and pass the most ambitious climate change agenda in U.S. history.

The plan currently before Congress will protect people’s health and clean up our drinking water. It will create a just transition away from dirty fossil fuels and create millions of new jobs. It will protect communities from climate change through investments in clean energy, clean transportation, and infrastructure upgrades. And it will make sure we finally prioritize and invest in the low-income communities and communities of color that are hit hardest by both fossil fuel pollution and climate impacts.

This plan will create a stronger, brighter, and more just America—and we need you to help make this vision a reality.

At this pivotal moment, please lead the call. Demand publicly and loudly that our senators and representatives in Congress pass this critical legislation.

And we pledge to do our part as well. We will use our platforms to remind all Americans: Tell your senators and representatives in Congress that you demand climate action now. Advocate for Congress to take up the president’s climate agenda. And don’t stop there. Tweet. Post. E-mail. Call. Whatever it takes.

Sincerely,

J.J. Abrams
Anitta
Jack Antonoff
Troian Bellisario
Greg Berlanti
Cate Blanchett
Benny Blanco
Dave Burd aka “Lil Dicky”
Camila Cabello
Dove Cameron
Alessia Cara
Don Cheadle
Glenn Close
Coldplay
Jacob Collier
Lily Collins
James Corden
Ellen DeGeneres
Cara Delevingne
Leonardo DiCaprio
Zac Efron
Billie Eilish
Chris Evans
Jimmy Fallon
Finneas
Selena Gomez
Conan Gray
Grimes
Todrick Hall
Hugh Jackman
Jimmy Kimmel
Joey King
Liza Koshy
Lady Gaga
Cyndi Lauper
John Legend
Adam Levine
Kevin Liles
Dua Lipa
Lorde
Chuck Lorre
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Demi Lovato
Ziggy Marley
Shawn Mendes
Idina Menzel
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Sean Penn
Joaquin Phoenix
Billy Porter
Zachary Quinto
Addison Rae
Robert Redford
Ryan Reynolds
Mark Ronson
Kyra Sedgwick
Shakira
Lilly Singh
Troye Sivan
Barbra Streisand
Wes Studi
Ryan Tedder
Justin Timberlake
Kerry Washington
Sigourney Weaver
Shailene Woodley
Calum Worthy

Eva Longoria to Speak on Opening Night of the Democratic National Convention

Eva Longoria is taking the national stage once again…

The 45-year-old Mexican American actress, former Desperate Housewives star and activist has been added to the lineup of speakers for this week’s Democratic National Convention.

Eva Longoria

Longoria, who gave a spirited speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, joins a lineup of new additions to the roster that includes three other Hollywood figures who’ve long been active in party politics: Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Longoria, who also appeared at the 2012 DNC and later served on the Presidential Inaugural Committee, will appear on Monday. Ross will speak on Tuesday, Washington on Wednesday and Louis-Dreyfus on Thursday.

Monday’s lineup includes Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former First Lady Michelle Obama. The convention will run from 9:00 – 11:00 pm ET each night.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will speak on Tuesday.

The convention also will feature performances from Leon Bridges, The Chicks, Common, Billie Eilish, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Billy Porter, Maggie Rogers, Prince Royce and Stephen Stills.

In addition to the lineup of speakers, Democrats plan to feature testimonials from everyday Americans who will appear from locations across the country.

Convention organizers also announced that the keynote address, traditionally delivered by one up-and-coming party figure, will instead feature 17 different speakers.

Salma Hayek to Present at This Year’s Oscars

Salma Hayekwill be taking the Oscarsstage…

The 53-year-old Mexican actress and producer has been added to the list of presenters for the 92nd annual Academy Awards telecast on Sunday.

Salma Hayek

In addition to Hayek, who earned an Oscar nod for her portrayal of iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in the 2002 film Frida, the new additions include Utkarsh AmbudkarBrie LarsonSpike LeeRay Romano, and Rebel Wilson

Previously announced presenters include James CordenPenélope CruzBeanie FeldsteinZack GottsagenDiane KeatonShia LaBeouf, George MacKaySteve MartinKeanu Reeves, Maya Rudolph, Zazie BeetzTimothée ChalametWill FerrellGal GadotMindy KalingJulia Louis-Dreyfus, Lin-Manuel MirandaAnthony RamosMark RuffaloKelly Marie Tran, Kristen Wiig and Sigourney Weaver.

The 92nd annual Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC on February 9 from the Dolby Theatre

Penelope Cruz to Present at This Year’s Oscars

Penelope Cruzhas a date with Oscar

The 45-year-old Spanish actress and Oscar winner is set to present at the 92nd annual Academy Awardson ABC

Penelope Cruz

Cruz, a three-time nominee who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Woody Allen‘s Vicky Cristina Barcelona, joins a roster of new additions to the presenters roster that includes James CordenBeanie FeldsteinZack GottsagenDiane KeatonShia LaBeouf, George MacKaySteve MartinKeanu Reeves, Maya Rudolph and Sigourney Weaver.

Previously announced presenters include Zazie BeetzTimothée ChalametWill FerrellGal GadotMindy KalingJulia Louis-DreyfusLin-Manuel MirandaAnthony RamosMark RuffaloKelly Marie Tranand Kristen Wiig.

The Oscars will be televised live on February 9 from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Ferrera to Guest on Norman Lear’s New PodcastOne Podcast

It’s training day for America Ferrera

The 33-year-old Honduran American actress and former Ugly Betty star will serve as a celebrity guest on Norman Lear’s new weekly podcast on PodcastOne.

America Ferrera

The veteran writer, producer, director and creator of landmark sitcoms like All in the Family, Good Times, One Day at a Time, The Jeffersons and Maude will host the podcast, cover topics ranging from comedy to family, current events, music, politics and social issues featuring the unique perspectives of celebrities, politicians and everyday folk.

The conversation topic during Ferrera’s visit will be training for a triathlon.

Other early celebrity guests include Amy Poehler, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jerrod Carmichael.

“I have known and admired Norman for a very long time. Having his podcast on our PodcastOne network is gigantic, not to mention totally cool,” said Norman Pattiz, PodcastOne founder and executive chairman. “From one Norman to another, ‘Welcome aboard.’”

The podcast will debut May 1, with new episodes available every Monday on PodcastOne.com, the PodcastOne app and iTunes.

Rodriguez Earns TCA Award Nomination from the Television Critics Association

It’s another nomination for Gina Rodriguez

The Television Critics Association has announced the nominations for the 31st annual TCA Awards, with the 30-year-old Puerto Rican actress earning a nod.

Gina Rodriguez

Rodriguez, who won a Golden Globe for her starring role in Jane the Virgin, is nominated in the Individual Achievements in Comedy category.

The Jane the Virgin star is up against Veep’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Inside Amy Schumer’s Amy Schumer, Transparent’s Jeffrey Tambor and Fresh Off the Boat’s Constance Wu.

The 2015 TCA Awards recognize outstanding television programming in the 2014-2015 season, honoring actors, producers and programs in a variety of categories, including news and information, youth, reality, drama and comedy.

The winners of the 31st Annual TCA Awards will be announced at the invitation-only presentation on Saturday, August 8, 2015, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, as part of the group’s bi-annual industry conference, the summer press tour.

The Television Critics Association is a media organization with more than 200 professional TV critics and journalists from the United States and Canada.

Here’s a look at this year’s nominees:

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep,” HBO – (2014 Winner in Category)
Gina Rodriguez, “Jane The Virgin,” The CW
Amy Schumer, “Inside Amy Schumer,” Comedy Central
Jeffrey Tambor, “Transparent,” Amazon
Constance Wu, “Fresh Off the Boat,” ABC 

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
Viola Davis, “How to Get Away with Murder,” ABC
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men,” AMC
Taraji P. Henson, “Empire,” Fox
Matthew Rhys, “The Americans,” FX
Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul,” AMC 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS AND INFORMATION
“CBS Sunday Morning,” CBS
“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central
“Frontline,” PBS
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” HBO
“60 Minutes,” CBS 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY PROGRAMMING
“The Amazing Race,” CBS
“The Chair,” Starz
“Dancing with the Stars,” ABC
“RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Logo – (2014 Winner in Category)
“Shark Tank,” ABC 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” PBS
“The Fosters,” ABC Family – (2014 Winner in Category)
“The Legend of Korra,” Nickelodeon
“Sesame Street,” PBS
“Switched at Birth,” ABC Family

OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM
“Better Call Saul,” AMC
“Empire,” Fox
“The Flash,” The CW
“Jane the Virgin,” The CW
“Transparent,” Amazon 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINISERIES AND SPECIALS
“Bessie,” HBO
“The Honorable Woman,” SundanceTV
“The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,” HBO
“Olive Kitteridge,” HBO
“Wolf Hall,” PBS 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
“The Big Bang Theory,” CBS
“Inside Amy Schumer,” Comedy Central
“Jane the Virgin,” The CW
“Transparent,” Amazon
“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” Netflix 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
“The Americans,” FX
“Empire,” Fox
“Game of Thrones,” HBO
“Justified,” FX
“Mad Men,” AMC 

HERITAGE AWARD
“Friends,” NBC
“Late Show/Late Night with David Letterman,” CBS/NBC
“The Shield,” FX
“Star Trek,” NBC
“Twin Peaks,” ABC

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
“The Americans,” FX
“Empire,” Fox
“Game of Thrones,” HBO
“Mad Men,” AMC
“Transparent,” Amazon

Rodriguez Wins Her First-Ever Golden Globe for Her Starring Role on “Jane the Virgin”

Gina Rodriguez is officially a golden girl…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican actress took home the award for Best Actress, Television Comedy at this year’s Golden Globes.

Gina Rodriguez

Rodriguez, who was celebrating her first-ever Golden Globe nomination, won the award for her breakout starring role on the CW’s Jane the Virgin, beating out previous winner Lena Dunham (Girls), as well as seasoned veterans like Nurse Jackie’s Edie Falco and Veep’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

“This award is so much more than myself,” Rodriguez said as she tearfully accepted the award. “It represents a culture that wants to see itself as heroes.”

Backstage after picking up her Golden Globe, Rodriguez expanded on her speech.

“First and foremost, the nomination alone was a win for me because it allowed our culture, it allowed Latinos to see themselves in a beautiful light,” Rodriguez said. “For me, the win meant everything.”

“I’m definitely part of the testament that it’s changing. It’s not only something that I see, but something I experience everyday.”

Rodriguez also said her big win “…allowed [Latinos] to see themselves invited to the same party. We want to create the effect that shows Latinos as the investment bankers and the lawyers that exist in my own home.” Rodriguez was referring to her sisters, who she thanked in her speech for being role models. One is an investment banker; the other is a lawyer.

Rodriguez is the first Latina actress to take home the Best Actress in a TV comedy prize since Ugly Betty’s America Ferrera in 2007.

But Rodriguez isn’t the only Latino/a to pick up an award during Sunday night’s show…

Alejandro González Iñárritu took home the award for Best Screenplay for co-penning the script for his dark comedy Birdman, which Michael Keaton called an “unbelievably gutsy, polished look at human nature.”

González Iñárritu shares the prize with his fellow writers Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo.

The seven-time nominee previously won a Golden Globe in 2007 for Babel, picking the prize for Best Picture – Drama.

Here’s a look at the winners at the 72nd annual Golden Globe Awards:

FILM

Drama
Boyhood

Actor, Drama
Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

Actress, Drama
Julianne Moore, Still Alice

Comedy or Musical
The Grand Budapest Hotel

Actor, Comedy or Musical
Michael Keaton, Birdman

Actress, Comedy or Musical
Amy Adams, Big Eyes

Director
Richard Linklater, Boyhood

Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

Supporting Actor
J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

Animated Feature Film
How to Train Your Dragon 2

Screenplay
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo, Birdman

Original Song
John Legend, Common, Glory (Selma)

Original Score
Johann Johannsson, The Theory of Everything

Foreign Film
Leviathan

PRIME-TIME TELEVISION

Drama
The Affair

Actor, Drama Series
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

Actress, Drama Series
Ruth Wilson, The Affair

Comedy
Transparent

Actor, comedy series
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent

Actress, comedy series
Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin

Miniseries or TV movie
Fargo

Actor, Miniseries or TV Movie
Billy Bob Thornton, Fargo

Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or TV Movie
Matt Bomer, The Normal Heart

Actress, Miniseries or TV Movie
Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Honorable Woman

Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or TV Movie
Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey