Del Rio Joins the Cast of Fox’s Upcoming Musical “Grease: Live”

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Grease is the word for David Del Rio…

The 28-year-old Latino actor has joined the cast of Fox’s upcoming musical Grease: Live.

Del Rio, who starred in the Broadway musical In the Heights, will portray T-Birds’ Putzie in the live event.

Del Rio joins the ensemble cast that includes Julianne Hough (Sandy), Aaron Tveit (Danny), Vanessa Hudgens (Rizzo), Carlos PenaVega (Kenickie), Keke Palmer (Marty), Carly Rae Jepsen (Frenchy) and Kether Donohue (Jan).

Meanwhile singer, Jessie J, will open the live event with a new version of “Grease (Is the Word).” The Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb wrote the song, which originally was performed by Frankie Valli in the animated opening title sequence of the movie and went on top the pop charts.

Also joining the creative team is Glee and Annie choreographer Zach Woodlee. His credits also include the 100th episode of How I Met Your Mother and 2008’s MTV Movie Awards, as well as the films Eat Pray Love, Hairspray, 27 Dresses and 17 Again.

Thomas Kail and Alex Rudzinski are directing the production, which Fox airs on Sunday, January 31 — live in the East and delayed in the West.

Del Rio’s other credits include Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Troop, Pitch Perfect and Spare Parts.

Blacc to Serve as a Presenter at This Year’s American Music Awards

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Aloe Blacc is set to make a statement at this year’s American Music Awards.

The 35-year-old Panamanian American singer has been added to the list of presenters set to take the stage at the upcoming AMAs.

Blacc joins Orange Is the New Black stars Taylor Schilling and Uzo Aduba, along with reality siblings Kendall and Kylie Jenner, as the latest additions.

Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Foxx, Julianne Hough, Jessie J, Heidi Klum, Olivia Munn and Emmy Rossum also are set to present at the fan-voted awards show, which will air live on ABC starting at 8:00 pm ET on Sunday, November 23, from the Nokia Theater L.A. Live.

As previously announced, the show will feature performances by 5 Seconds of Summer, Iggy Azalea, Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Charli XCX, Fergie, Selena Gomez, Imagine Dragons, Lorde, One Direction, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift and Pitbull.

Pitbull will also serve as the event’s host. Voting is currently ongoing.

Herrera Honored by EIF’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

She may be a noted fashion designer, but Carolina Herrera is also an extremely charitable woman…

The 74-year-old Venezuelan-born designer was honored by the EIF Women’s Cancer Research Fund at an event hosted by Chelsea Handler.

Herrera, who received the Nat King Cole Award, was recognized for her contributions to philanthropic organizations. Meanwhile, the night’s other honoree Kylie Minogue accepted the Courage Award for her dedication to spreading awareness following her triumph over breast cancer.

The 16th annual event, held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel by Saks Fifth Avenue, benefited the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund in the campaign for finding a cure.

Attendees included Kobe Bryant, Angie Harmon, Mitch Glazer, Kelly Lynch, Julianne Hough and Amber Valletta. Honorary Chairs Rita Wilson and Kate Capshaw, and co-founders Kelly Meyer, Anne Douglas, Quinn Ezralow, Marion Laurie and Jaime Tisch, joined guests in an effort to garner continued support for innovative cancer research.

“I want us to find a cure for breast cancer,” Wilson told The Hollywood Reporter about her support for the organization. “I want there to be a blood test where you can easily find out if you’re at risk.”

The EIF’s WCRF also funds research conducted at the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-accredited medical institutions, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The evening closed with a musical performance by Bruno Mars.

Boneta Featured in First “Rock of Ages” Clip

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s no wonder Diego Boneta received CinemaCon’s Rising Star of 2012 Award, especially after the release of the first clip of his highly anticipated musical Rock of Ages…

Aimed at building buzz for the U.S. release of the film, Warner Bros. Pictures released the snippet, which shows the 21-year-old Mexican singer/actor and his co-star Julianne Hough shopping for vinyl at a record store before breaking into a head-banging rendition of Foreigner‘s “Jukebox Hero.”

Rock of Ages, an adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, centers on small town girl Sherrie (Hough) and city boy Drew (Boneta) ,who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Their rock ‘n’ roll romance is told through the classic hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake and more.

Along with Hough and Boneta, Rock of Ages stars Tom Cruise as rock star Stacee Jaxx, Sherrie and Drew’s idol. Other members of the ensemble include Malin Akerman, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin, Mary J. Blige, Paul Giamatti and Bryan Cranston.

Directed by Adam Shankman, Rock of Ages will open in theaters nationwide on June 15.

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

Boneta Rocks Out on “Rock of Ages” Soundtrack

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He may have boyish good looks… But, Diego Boneta can rock like nobody’s business…

The 21-year-old Mexican singer/actor—who will be making his big screen debut in the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages next month—lends his voice to several tracks on the film’s rocktastic soundtrack.

Boneta—who released his Spanish-language debut album Diego while starring on the hit Mexican telenovela Rebelde—performs classic ‘80s-era hard rock anthems like Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian,” Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock” and Foreigner’s “Waiting For A Girl Like You.”

In addition to Boneta’s stellar vocals, the 20-song soundtrack will feature tracks by the film’s A-list stars, including Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Here’s a complete look at the track list for the soundtrack, which will be available on June 5:

1. “Paradise City” – Tom Cruise
2. “Sister Christian” / “Just Like Paradis

e” / “Nothin’ But A Good Time” – Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin
3. “Juke Box Hero” / “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” – Diego Boneta, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Julianne Hough
4. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” – Catherine Zeta-Jones
5. “Waiting For A Girl Like You” – Diego Boneta, Julianne Hough
6. “More Than Words” / “Heaven” – Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta
7. “Wanted Dead Or Alive” – Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough
8. “I Want To Know What Love Is” – Tom Cruise, Malin Akerman
9. “I Wanna Rock” – Diego Boneta
10. “Pour Some Sugar On Me” – Tom Cruise
11. “Harden My Heart” – Julianne Hough, Mary J. Blige
12. “Shadows of the Night” / “Harden My Heart” – Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough
13. “Here I Go Again” – Diego Boneta, Paul Giamatti, Julianne Hough, Mary J. Blige, Tom Cruise,
14. “Can’t Fight This Feeling” – Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin
15. “Any Way You Want It” – Mary J. Blige, Constantine Maroulis, Julianne Hough
16. “Undercover Love” – Diego Boneta
17. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige
18. “Rock You Like A Hurricane” – Julianne Hough, Tom Cruise
19. “We Built This City” / “We’re Not Gonna Take It” – Russell Brand / Catherine Zeta-Jones
20. “Don’t Stop Believin’”- Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Mary J. Blige

Rivera: Proactiv’s New Spokesperson

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

She may play a fresh-faced high school cheerleader on Glee, but Naya Rivera admits to struggling with adult acne… And, she’s not afraid to share that secret with the world.

The 24-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress—who recently covered Rihanna’s hit song “We Found Love” for an upcoming episode of Fox’s musical series—is the new spokesperson for Proactiv acne products.

Rivera recently revealed that she suffered from bad breakouts earlier this year, making it uncomfortable to be on camera each week. But says Proactiv helped her get a handle on her skin.

“The makeup artist on the set of Glee gave it to me and I kept it using it because I knew it worked for other people,” says Rivera. “I really wanted to work with Proactiv because the products really helped me.”

Rivera joins a star-studded lineup of current Proactiv celebrity customers-turned-spokespeople, including Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne and Julianne Hough.

First Glimpse: Boneta’s Big Starring Role in “Rock of Ages”…

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Boneta is ready, ready, ready to rock ‘n’ roll his way into your heart…

The 21-year-old Mexican actor/singer is getting his big break by starring in Adam Shankman’s highly anticipated film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages.

Boneta—who rose to fame after appearing in the Mexican telenovela Rebelde—stars as Drew Boley, a young upstart who moves to Los Angeles in the late ’80s to become a rock star.

It’s the role that landed former American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis a Tony Award nomination, and it could make Boneta a household name. After all, Shankman called Boneta the “next big thing” after his inspired audition and compared him to Zac Efron, Channing Tatum and Liam Hemsworth.

One look at the film’s just-released trailer—featuring scenes of Boneta and his co-stars Julianne Hough, as well as Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Tom Cruise and Catherine Zeta-Jones—and you’ll quickly notice Boneta’s star power.

Rock of Ages is set to open in theaters nationwide on June 1, 2012.

Ziah Colon: “Footloose” & Fancy-Free…

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

There’s a little Latin flavor in the remake of the 1984 classic “Footloose,” which opens nationwide today… Her name is Ziah Colon.

The Puerto Rican actress landed the coveted role of high school student Rusty Rodriguez in the everybody-has-the-right-to-dance film—the role Sarah Jessica Parker played in the original—despite having zero formal dance training.

When asked if she had any dance experience, “I said ‘Yes!’” admits the actress, who is appearing in her first feature film “because that’s what actors do – we say ‘yes!’”

Luckily, the Atlanta-native only had to learn one choreographed number for the movie.

“I like to tell people that I have rhythm by default, just because I’m Hispanic,” says Colon, who began her professional acting career in 2001.

After her initial audition for the role, Colon was called back several times by director Craig Brewer who was convinced she was absolutely right for the part of Rusty.

“I thought she was a very simple girl. Seeing the original, that’s how she was,” Colon recently told MoviesOnline.com. “She was headstrong, confident in how she thought. I read the screenplay and I listened to Craig and decided to keep that timidness that she has in the original. I created her with what I had, not from the original. I used my own essence.”

It’s that essence that helps Colon shine in this dance-charged remake, as she steals the spotlight from the film’s stars Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough.

So what’s next for the actress who has appeared in Lifetime’s “Army Wives” and “Drop Dead Diva”?

“We’re considering certain options right now. We have some stuff, I haven’t attached to anything just yet,” says Colon. “I think the sky’s the limit. We’ll see what happens.”

“Footloose” is now showing at a theater near you. Click here to check local listings.

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