Lopez to Serve as Judge & Mentor on NBC’s Dance Competition Series “World of Dance”

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is in for a world of dance…

The 47-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer will serve as an onscreen judge and mentor on NBC’s new dance competition series World of Dance, a show she is also executive producing.

Additional judges have yet to be announced.

The previously announced 10-episode series, from Universal Television Alternative Studio and Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions, brings elite dancers from around the globe together to compete in battles of artistry, precision and athleticism. Solo artists will compete against duos and crews in an unlimited range of dance, including hip hop, krumping, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom, clogging, stomping and more.

Selected from qualifying events and online submissions, competitors are divided into three divisions: Junior (any size act under 16 years old), Upper (groups of 1- 4, over 16 years) and Team (groups of 5+, over 16 years). A panel of experts will score the acts using a point system developed by World of Dance that rates routine, execution, presentation and crowd appeal. The finale sees the winners from each division duke it out for $1 million and “Best in the World” title.

“I identify with the struggles, passion, discipline, competition and exhilaration of dance,” said Lopez. “I am excited that with this show we can skyrocket a dancer’s career and help guide them to success.”

HBO Developing Film About Drug Lord Griselda Blanco Starring Lopez

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a case of black & Blanco moment for Jennifer Lopez…

HBO is developing a film about notorious drug lord Griselda Blanco to be played by the 47-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer.

The film, from Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions and LBI Entertainment, focuses on the rise and fall of Blanco (Lopez), the drug lord known as “The Cocaine Godmother” who revolutionized the U.S. drug trade during the 1970s and 1980s and became the most powerful female cartel member of all time.

Lopez will executive produce with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas via Nuyorican Productions. Benny Medina also will executive produce with Julie Yorn and Rick Yorn for LBI Entertainment.

“I’ve been fascinated by the life of this corrupt and complicated woman for many years,” said Lopez. “The idea of teaming with HBO felt like the perfect fit for finally bringing Griselda’s story to life.”

Lopez stars in NBC’s drama Shades of Blue, recently renewed for a second season, which she executive produces with Goldsmith-Thomas and Medina.

Nuyorican Productions’ other credits include the Freeform series The Fosters and the Universal movie The Boy Next Door.

Lopez Partnering with NBC for Reality Competition Series “World of Dance”

Posted on July 20, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is heading back to (her old) life… And back to reality (television).

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer, who gained her first regular high-profile job as a Fly Girl dancer on In Living Color, is partnering with NBC to launch World of Dance, a reality competition series from Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions and the nascent Universal Television Alternative Studios that will offer a seven-figure grand prize.

The 10-episode series, in partnership with global dance brand World of Dance, will bring together elite dancers from around the globe to compete in battles of artistry, precision and athleticism. Solo artists will compete against duos and crews in an unlimited range of dance, including hip hop, krumping, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom, clogging, stomping and more, NBC said.

“This will be a fierce talent-heavy dance competition that embraces the raw emotion and excitement that dance represents,” said Lopez, who stars on the NBC cop drama Shades of Blue. “I am excited to work with World of Dance, an organization that has had an immeasurable impact on the dance community, to give all dancers an enormous platform where their dreams can be realized.”

Selected from qualifying events and online submissions, competitors are divided into three divisions: Junior (any size act under 16 years old), Upper (groups of one to four, over 16 years) and Team (groups of five or more, over 16 years). After an initial audition round, divisions face off in duels until only one of each is left standing. A panel of experts will score the acts using a point system developed by World of Dance that rates routine, execution, presentation and crowd appeal. The finale sees the winners from each division duke it out for $1 million.

The behind-the-scenes team also will feature Emmy-winning choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha D’umo, collectively known as Nappytabs.

Santos Lands Recurring Role on ABC Family’s “The Fosters”

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Bianca Santos is joining the (ABC) Family…

The Latina newcomer has joined the cast of ABC Family‘s The Fosters as a recurring player.

From executive producer Jennifer Lopez, the family drama follows two moms and their multi-ethnic family.

The Fosters is a big break for Santos, who will recur in the key role of Lexi, the best friend to fraternal twin Mariana Foster (Cierra Ramirez).

Production began on Friday in Burbank, with pilot director Tim Busfield helming.

Teri Polo, Sherri Saum, Jake T. Austin, Hayden Byerly, David Lambert, Maia Mitchell and Danny Nucci star in The Fosters.

Benny Medina, Joanna Johnson, Blaine Goldsmith Thomas, Elaine Goldsmith Thomas and Greg Gugliotta serve as executive producers along with Lopez on the Nuyorican Productions/Prodco series.

The Fosters will debut at 9:00 pm on June 3 on ABC Family.

Lopez Among the Actresses in the Running to Portray Jenni Rivera

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

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.

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.

Lopez Reportedly Looking to Produce Jenni Rivera Biopic

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

“Jenny from the Block” could be bringing another Jenni’s story to the big screen…

Jennifer Lopez is reportedly looking to produce a biopic about the late Jenni Rivera through her production company Nuyorican Productions, according to TV y Novelas.

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actress is looking to buy the rights to move forward to developing the biopic on la Diva de la Banda, who passed away in a plane crash in Northern Mexico last December.

Lopez has even taken the initiative and reached out to Rivera’s sister, Rosie, whom Rivera left in charge of her estate, finances and children, according to the publication.

“I didn’t know her personally but I knew of her,” said Lopez after news of Rivera’s death broke. “For me, just being on tour right now, you live the same type of life. You know what I mean? It’s traveling, it’s doing shows.”

“…I’m sure she was rushing to get home to her kids at that time so she took the flight at 3 in the morning. So you go like, wow, it’s just like a wake-up call for everybody. It’s tragic. She was so young, so young, and she had five kids. It just wasn’t her time, it feels like.”

TV Y Novelas reported that Lopez admires that the Mexican-American banda and ranchera singer had thick skin and a never-give-up attitude toward the obstacles she faced in life.

“Jennifer (Lopez) knows that she (Rivera) was very strong, a warrior,” said the source. “Just like the movie of Selena Quintanilla was a success for her career, she feels that Jenni deserves a movie with all the Hollywood glitz and glam.”

In the meantime, Rivera’s fans will have the chance to see the last images of their idol on mun2. The cable network has announced that the third season of her hit series I Love Jenni, which includes footage shot a month before her passing, will premiere in April.

Lopez Launching Amigas, Inc. on Tres: MTV, Musica y Mas

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She was named the world’s greatest musical comeback act in 2011… And, it looks like there’s no slowing down Jennifer Lopez in 2012.

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actress—currently appearing as a judge on Fox’s American Idol and preparing to launch her international Latin talent show Q’Viva: The Chosen later this month—has partnered with Tres: MTV, Musica y Mas to launch yet another television series.

Lopez, Simon Fields and Jane Startz will serve as executive producers of Amigas Inc., an aspirational eight-episode program that chronicles the lives of four entrepreneurial Miami teenagers who launch a party-planning business to throw their perfect Quinceneras.

Startz created the Amigas, Inc. book series and characters, which were inspired by Lopez.

The series, which will launch in the fall, comes from Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions and Jane Startz Productions, with United Entertainment also taking on a producing role.

“I’m so excited to bring the Amigas series to television and to share the rich cultural experiences of being a Latino that are universal to us all,” said Lopez. “I hope that this series will entertain audiences and inspire my fans to pursue their own dreams.”

It’s Lopez’s latest project targeting the Hispanic audience… She and Marc Anthony are the masterminds behind Univision‘s talent show Q’Viva, which will premiere on January 28.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Nuyorican Productions