Keyla Monterroso Mejia to Star Opposite Keke Palmer & Sza in TriStar’s Untitled Buddy Comedy

Posted on July 29, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Keyla Monterroso Mejia has found her buddies…

The 26-year-old Guatemalan & Mexican American has joined the cast of TriStar’s untitled buddy comedy starring Keke Palmer and four-time Grammy-winning musician Sza.

Monterroso Mejia is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Lil Rel Howery, Janelle James, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Maude Apatow and Katt Williams.

Joshua Neal, Aziza Scott and Patrick Cage will also star.

The logline is being kept under wraps.

Lawrence Lamont is directing with the screenplay written by Syreeta Singleton.

The project came together from the CoCre lab at Sony Pictures, a previous pact between ColorCreative and Sony to source and incubate emerging, diverse screenwriters to develop and write their first studio feature based on original ideas.

Monterroso Mejia is best known for her character Maria Sofia Estrada on Season 11 of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Upcoming, Monterroso Mejia will star opposite Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon in You’re Cordially Invited for Amazon, written and directed by Nick Stoller.

She’ll star opposite Seth Rogen in The Studio, Apple TV+’s upcoming comedy series from Rogen’s Point Grey, and will also appear in Mindy Kaling’s pro basketball comedy series Running Point for Netflix.

Manuel Turizo to Perform During 91st Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Manuel Turizo is helping celebrate another holiday in the United States…

Following his debut appearance at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the 23-year-old Colombian singer will helping light the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City.

The popular Manhattan landmark will be hosting its 91st annual lighting ceremony on Wednesday, November 29 at 8:00 pm ET. The 2023 Christmas tree lighting ceremony is bound to get you in the holiday spirit with the help of a slew of guests and musical performances.

This year, Kelly Clarkson will be hosting the tree lighting ceremony and performing on the show that will feature appearances from Today’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin.

In addition to Turizo, you can also expect musical performances from Chloe Bailey, Adam Blackstone, Cher, David Foster, Liz Gillies, Darlene Love, Seth MacFarlane, Barry Manilow, Katharine McPhee, Keke Palmer, Carly Pearce, Radio City Rockettes and more.

The ceremony will air on NBC and Peacock.

Brandon Perea to Star in Upcoming “Twister” Sequel, “Twisters”

Posted on May 13, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Brandon Perea is getting twisted…

The 27-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor will star in the upcoming Twister sequel.

Perea, a standout in Jordan Peele’s Nope, joins Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos in Twisters, directed by Lee Isaac Chung from a script by writer Mark L. Smith.

The film, from Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. and Amblin Entertainment, is described as a “new chapter” of the 1996 movie, which followed a team of storm chasers as they hunted down the most powerful tornado in decades.

Plot details, including Perea’s role, are being kept under wraps.

Twisters is slated for release on July 19, 2024.

The original Twister was a massive hit, earning more than $494 million at the worldwide box office, which is often credited to the film’s groundbreaking special effects. Starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, the film was helmed by director Jan De Bont and executive produced by Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by Michael Crichton.

Before Nope, Perea was best known for his work in Netflix’s The OA, where he played Alfonso “French” Sosa for two seasons. Then, Perea auditioned for Peele, delivering such a compelling performance that the Oscar winner rewrote the part of Angel Torres to suit the actor, casting him alongside Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun and Michael Wincott.

“This is the greatest miracle to ever experience,” Perea told Variety on the red carpet at the film’s world premiere last July. “For Jordan to change the role for me is just truly a blessing. And I’m glad I just went with my gut feeling of, like, you know what, let me go do something different. I know Jordan is just full of surprises, so I was just like, ‘Let me surprise him.’ So I’m glad that I was able to.”

In another interview with Variety, Perea explained that Angel, who works as a tech expert at Fry’s Electronics, was written as more of a cheery, can-do guy, but Perea brought a more downbeat, angsty approach to the part.

Following his scene-stealing performance, Perea was selected as one of BAFTA’s Breakthrough Artists for 2022 and honored with the rising star award for film at the Critics Choice second annual Celebration of Latino Cinema and Television.

Disney+ Renews Alisa Reyes’ “Proud Family” Revival, “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,” for Second Season

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

There are more proud moments in Alisa Reyes’ future…

Disney+ has given The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, its Proud Family revival – featuring the 41-year-old Latina actress as part of the voice cast – a second season renewal.

The news comes only days before the first season’s upcoming finale on Wednesday, April 20. Season 2 has started production.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, from creator Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar, picks up the story of its central character, Penny Proud, and includes her madcap family: parents Oscar and Trudy, twin siblings BeBe and CeCe, and grandmother Suga Mama (and Puff).

Of course, it would not be The Proud Family without Penny’s loyal crew Dijonay Jones, LaCienega Boulevardez (Reyes) and Zoey Howzer, among others.

The series touts the voice talents of original cast members Kyla Pratt, Tommy Davidson, Paula Jai Parker, JoMarie Payton, Cedric the Entertainer, Karen Malina White, Soleil Moon Frye, Reyes, Carlos Mencia, Maria Canals-Barrera, Alvaro Gutierrez, Raquel Lee Bolleau and Marcus T. Paulk.

Set to return for Season 2 are Keke Palmer, Billy Porter, Zachary Quinto, EJ Johnson, Asante Blackk, Artist “A Boogie” Dubose, Bresha Webb and Aiden Dodson.

Disney+ also unveiled a buzzy lineup of Season 2 guest stars.

Set to appear are Chance the Rapper, Gabrielle Union, Normani, Leslie Odom Jr., Anthony Anderson, Dominique Dawes, Gabby Douglas, Latina Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez, Jane Lynch, Holly Robinson Peete, Maury Povich, Storm Reid, Courtney B. Vance and Spanish actress Liana Mendoza.

In addition to Smith and Farquhar, Calvin Brown, Jr. is co-executive producer and story editor, Jan Hirota is producer, Eastwood Wong is art director, and directors are Latoya Raveneau, Rudi Bloss and Tara Nicole Whitaker.

Rosie Perez Joins Voice Cast of Netflix’s Animated Workplace Series “Human Resources”

Posted on January 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rosie Perez is getting animated…

The 57-year-old Puerto Rican actress and activist has been added to the voice cast of Netflix‘s new animated workplace series Human Resources ahead of its March 18 premiere.

In addition to Perez, who most recently starred in The Flight Attendant, the new voice cast additions include Jemaine Clement, Thandiwe Newton, Bobby Cannavale, Henry Winkler, and Maria Bamford.

Perez portrays Petra the Ambition Gremlin, Clement portrays Simon Sex, Newton plays Mona the Hormone Monstress, Cannavale plays Gavin the Hormone Monster, Winkler plays Keith from Grief, and Bamford plays Tito the Anxiety Mosquito.

The Big Mouth spinoff pulls back the curtain on the daily lives of the creatures – Hormone Monsters, Depression Kitties, Shame Wizards, and many more – that help humans journey through every aspect of life from puberty to childbirth to the twilight years. It quickly becomes clear that though the creatures are the protagonists, they have a lot of humanity themselves.

Previously announced cast includes Nick Kroll, Maya Rudolph, Randall Park, Aidy Bryant, David Thewlis, Keke Palmer, Pamela Adlon, and Brandon Kyle Goodman.

The series is co-created and executive produced by Kelly Galuska, Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Jennifer Flackett, and Mark Levin. Human Resources is produced by Brutus Pink and Titmouse, Inc.

Ally Brooke to Perform During This Year’s “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”

Posted on November 12, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It’ll be an extra special Thanksgiving for Ally Brooke…

27-year-old Mexican American singer and former Fifth Harmony member will be performing as part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which may look different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Unlike other years, the decorated floats and helium-filled balloons will not be marching down the usual two-and-a-half-mile route starting at West 77th Street. The parade has shorted its route and will only be held (without an audience) in front of Macy’s famed flagship store on 34th Street for the national television special.

Ally Brooke joins a roster of performers that includes Lauren Alaina, Jimmie Allen and Noah Cyrus, Sofia Carson, CNCO, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, Karol G, Tori Kelly, Patti LaBelle, Ella Mai, Leslie Odom Jr., Keke Palmer, Dolly Parton, Pentatonix, Bebe Rexha, Jordin Sparks, Sebastián Yatra, Brett Young and more.

The casts of Hamilton, Mean Girls, Jagged Little Pill, and Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, all of which have not taken the live stage since March, are set to perform at the parade.

While the Broadway performances will be filmed ahead of time, they will air during the broadcast at 9:00 a.m. ET on NBC.

Maluma Wins His First-Ever Moon Person Prize at This Year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Maluma is officially over the Moon (person)…

The 26-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter, who recently released his surprise new album Papi Juancho, won his first-ever Moon Person trophy at Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards ceremony.

During this year’s socially distanced and COVID-19-compliant awards ceremony, Maluma and J Balvin picked up the Best Latin award for their hit collaboration “Que Pena.” It’s J Balvin’s fifth MTV VMAs trophy, and his third straight in the Best Latin category.

Maluma, who performed during this year’s VMAs ceremony, had previously been nominated three times in the Best Latin category.

But Maluma wasn’t the only Latinx act with reason to celebrate…

CNCO picked up their first MTV Video Music Awards prize.

The Latin boy band, a Push Artist of the Year nominee at last year’s ceremony, won in the Best Quarantine Performance category for their “MTV Unplugged at Home” at-home concert earlier this year. The performance featured the songs “De Cero” and “Honey Boo.”

Airing live on MTV and simulcast on The CW and other ViacomCBS brands, the 37th annual ceremony was hosted by Keke Palmer with performances by Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd and others. Shot in the various boroughs of New York City, the ceremony was an homage to the city and its resilience.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Video of the Year: The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights” – XO / Republic Records
Best Art Direction: Miley Cyrus – “Mother’s Daughter” – RCA Records – Art Direction by Christian Stone
Best Editing: Miley Cyrus – “Mother’s Daughter” – RCA Records – Edited by Alexandre Moors, Nuno Xico
Best Cinematography: Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain On Me” – Streamline / Interscope Records – Cinematography by Thomas Kloss
Best Quarantine Performance: CNCO – Unplugged At Home
Best Choreography: BTS – “On” – Big Hit Entertainment – Choreography by Son Sung Deuk, Lee Ga Hun, Lee Byung Eun
Best Visual Effects: Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain On Me” – Streamline / Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Ingenuity Studios
Best Rock: Coldplay – “Orphans” – Atlantic Records
Push Best New Artist: Doja Cat – Kemosabe / RCA Records
Best Hip-Hop: Megan Thee Stallion – “Savage” – 300 Entertainment
Tricon Award: Lady Gaga
Video for Good: H.E.R. – ”I Can’t Breathe” – MBK / RCA Records
Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga – Streamline / Interscope Records
Best R&B: The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights” – XO / Republic Records
Best Pop: BTS – “On” – Big Hit Entertainment
Best Music Video from Home: Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber – “Stuck with U” – Republic Records / Def Jam
Song of the Year: Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain On Me” – Streamline / Interscope Records
Best Latin: Maluma ft. J Balvin – “Qué Pena” – Sony Music Latin
Best Direction: Taylor Swift – “The Man” – Republic Records – Directed by Taylor Swift
Best Collaboration: Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber – “Stuck with U” – Republic Records / Def Jam
Best K-Pop: BTS – “On” – Big Hit Entertainment
Best Group: BTS
Best Alternative: Machine Gun Kelly – “Bloody Valentine” – Bad Boy / Interscope Records
Song of the Summer: BLACKPINK “How You Like That”

Anthony Ramos to Serve as a Presenter at This Weekend’s MTV Video Music Awards

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Anthony Ramos wants his MTV…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actor, who currently appears in the film version of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical Hamilton on Disney+, will participate in this weekend’s MTV Video Music Awards.

Ramos will serve a presenter during Sunday’s award show, which will be hosted by Keke Palmer. Other presenters include Nicole Richie, Drew Barrymore and Kelly Clarkson.

There will be several “first” moments during this year’s MTV VMAs, besides the fact that it’s being held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

BTS will make their first television performance of their English-language single “Dynamite,” while Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande will perform “Rain On Me” on stage for the first time on television since releasing their No. 1 hit. The two pop stars lead this year’s nominations with nine each. Maluma and CNCO are also confirmed to perform.

Taboo and his fellow Black Eyed Peas members, who performed “Where Is the Love?” on the VMAs pre-show 17 years ago, are making their way to the main stage for their first time ever to perform “Vida Loca,” from their eighth studio album Translation, for the first time.

But previously announced acts J Balvin and Roddy Ricch will no longer appear at the socially distanced ceremony.

Here’s a look at the presenters and performers for the 2020 MTV VMAs, which will broadcast live around various NYC locations at 8:00 pm ET:

Presenters:
Anthony Ramos
Bebe Rexha
Bella Hadid
Drew Barrymore
Jaden Smith
Joey King
Kelly Clarkson
Machine Gun Kelly
Madison Beer
Nicole Richie
Sofia Carson
Travis Barker

Pre-Show Performers:
Chloe x Halle
Jack Harlow
Lewis Capaldi
Machine Gun Kelly featuring Travis Barker and blackbear
Tate McRae

Performers:
Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga
Black Eyed Peas
BTS
CNCO
DaBaby
Doja Cat
Maluma
Miley Cyrus
The Weeknd

Maluma to Perform on This Year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Maluma is preparing for the big show…

The 26-year-old Colombia singer has been added to the performers list for the MTV Video Music Awards.

Maluma, nominated in the Best Latin category for his J Balvin collaboration “Que Pena,” joins a roster of additional performers that includes The Weeknd, Roddy Rich and Latin boy band CNCO, their first-ever time performing on the awards show.

It’ll be Maluma’s second time performing on the MTV VMAs. He performed “Felices los 4” on the 2018 show. It’ll be CNCO’s first performance on the show.

Maluma won a Latin Grammy for best contemporary pop vocal album in 2018 for F.A.M.E. He was nominated for a Grammy earlier this year for best Latin pop album for 11:11.

J Balvin, the most-nominated Latino this year, BTS and Doja Cat were announced as performers last week.

The August 30 show, to be hosted by Keke Palmer, will be held at various outdoor sites in New York, rather than at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, as originally planned. MTV is saying the show “will pay homage to New York with outdoor performances around the city.”

This will be the second year in a row that the VMAs will have multiple Latin performances. Last year, J Balvin teamed with Bad Bunny to perform “Qué Pretendes,” and Rosalía teamed with Ozuna to perform three songs — “A Ningún Hombre,” “Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi” and “Aute Cuture.” It’s a strong suggestion that Latin music is becoming a more

Additional performers to be announced soon.

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.

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