Don Francisco to Receive an All-Star Send-Off as “Sabado Gigante” Ends Its Historic Run

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s an all-star send-off for Don Francisco…

The 74-year-old Chilean television host will have an A-List roster of talent on hand when his popular Univision program Sábado Gigante airs its final episode on September 19.

The longest-running variety show in history, created and hosted by television icon Mario Kreutzberger (more commonly known as Don Francisco), will draw to a clsoe after an unparalleled 53-year cycle.

The network confirmed to Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter exclusively that the lineup for the finale includes global superstar Shakira, Spanish heartthrob Enrique Iglesias, Colombian rocker Juanes, Mexican pop diva Paulina Rubio, Italian pop singer Laura Pausini, Latin urban king Daddy Yankee, salsa icon Marc Anthony, regional Mexican acts Espinoza Paz and Intocable, pop balladeer Luis Fonsi, bachata idol Prince Royce and the original crossover queen, Gloria Estefan.

Their participation will be a mix of live performances and other surprises, the details of which will be revealed by Univision in the coming days.

Many of those artists have a unique attachment to Don Francisco, who gave them a platform long before they became household names.

Upon hearing the news in April that the show was ending, many prominent members of the music community shared heartfelt messages on social media dedicated to Kreutzberger, who will continue his relationship with Univision by hosting specials.

At the time, Yankee told Billboard, “Don Francisco was the first person who gave me a shot on national television. I’ll always be indebted to him. His contribution to — and influence in — the Latino community has no limit. He is an example and a true leader.”

Likewise, Royce told Billboard, “Don Francisco and Sábado Gigante have been hugely important in my career. It was the first show where I performed on television even before I was known. Mario opened the doors to Chile for me by inviting me to be a part of his beloved telethon and I’ve joined him for two years in that beautiful labor of love which he puts on from the heart for the kids and families of his country. He has a giant heart and that’s why he’s so big, our dear Don Francisco.”

Iglesias, who first visited the show in 1995 when he was still a relative newcomer, reacted to the news by saying, “Fifty-three years on TV is easy to say, but it’s an incredible record. Don Francisco will always be unique and irreplaceable. I am so grateful because I started my career on the show and I’m sure a lot of my colleagues will agree with me that he has been like a father figure to all of us. Thank you Don Mario.”

Promos for the special “Sábado Gigante: Hasta Siempre” started airing on Univision on September 12 leading up to the grand finale.

Santiago Wins the Third Installment of Telemundo’s “La Voz Kids”

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jonael Santiago is the pint-sized voz of the season…

The 11-year-old Puerto Rican dynamo with an outsize personality was declared the winner of the third installment of La Voz Kids, the Spanish-language kiddie version of The Voice on the Telemundo network.

Santiago’s win — determined by audience voting from more than 1.2 million viewers — was not a slam dunk by any means. This third season boasted a particularly talented lineup of finalists, including 11-year-old Shanty Sumaya, a Mexican American from Texas who already plays gigs in her home state and is particularly good at grupero; and 14-year-old Franser Pazosa, a Cuban-born 14-year-old from Portland, Oregon, with a stunning, versatile voice.

Santiago, a diminutive boy who looks younger than his years, couldn’t match their vocals, but he made up for it with stage presence, attitude and dance moves that evoked Bruno Mars and Michael Jackson. His grand finale was Mars’ “Treasure,” a song chosen for him by coach Natalia Jimenez.

“He’s an amazing package,” Jimenez told Billboard after the win. “He can dance, he can sing, he can act. I wanted him to sing something he can move with. He’s really good at singing ballads, but the most impressive thing is seeing him dance and sing at the same time.”

Even Daddy Yankee, a competing coach, agreed. “It’s so entertaining to watch Jona onstage,” he said after Santiago’s final performance.

Santiago competed against contestants coached by Jimenez, ranchera singer Pedro Fernandez and reggaeton star Daddy Yankee, who shared the stage as coaches for the first time in this third season of La Voz. The show, whose previous coaches have included Paulina Rubio and Prince Royce, has become a ratings success for Telemundo.

La Voz Kids is a variation on The Voice’s format that features kids as contestants, major music stars as coaches and big-name guest performers. For the Sunday night finale, held — as the entire season was — at Universal Orlando, featured performers for the evening, beside the contestants, were Marc Anthony and Gente de Zona, Mexican singer Lucero and La Voz coach Fernandez.

The winner of La Voz Kids gets a $50,000 cash prize from AT&T that goes toward their education, and a recording contract from Universal Music Latino for the production of a song and video. That could go in different directions for Santiago, who moved from Puerto Rico to Miami two years ago to further his training in music and dance and sings equally well in both languages.

“I felt comfortable with ‘Treasure,’” he said of his final performance. His favorite acts, he says are “Demi Lovato — I love her — and Tori Kelly. I really want to record in the studio ‘All In My Head’ by Tori Kelly; she’s awesome.” However, he added, “Spanish is my first language and I came to Miami two years ago and I’m not perfect [in English yet]. I’m Puerto Rican and I always will be and I’ll talk Spanish forever.”

Sánchez to Produce Latina-Themed Talk Show for BMP Latin

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Lauren Sánchez could soon be bringing generations of Latina women to television…

The 44-year-old Latina news anchor and entertainment reporter has signed deal with Bunim/Murray Productions’ BMP Latin to executive-produce and host a syndicated talk show Generations (working title).

The former Extra correspondent star’s project will feature a multi-generational panel of Latin women discussing everything from personal issues to social and pop culture topics.

Sanchez has appeared as a contributor on Larry King Live, The Joy Behar Show, Showbiz Tonight and The View.

It’s one of the latest Latin-themed deals for the production company behind The Real World, Project Runway and Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

Along with signing a development deal with Adam Rodriguez, BMP Latin is currently producing Combate Americas, the first Spanish language Mixed Martial Arts competition reality series for mun2.

The company also has development deals with former The X Factor judge Paulina Rubio, multi-platinum reggaeton singer Daddy Yankee and the Leonardo Lopez family, a successful Mexican-American family living the dream in Encino, California.

Rodriguez Lands Development Deal with BMP Latin for Unscripted Projects

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Adam Rodriguez could be developing television content in the near future…

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican/Cuban-American actor has signed a development deal for unscripted projects with Bunim/Murray Productions’ BMP Latin.

The CSI: Miami and Magic Mike star has been slated to develop and executive-produce numerous unscripted series, some of which will highlight his personal interest in social and philanthropic issues.

BMP Latin is currently producing Combate Americas, the first Spanish language Mixed Martial Arts competition reality series for mun2.

Bunim/Murray produces The Real World, Project Runway and Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

Olivero Reaches the Finals on Fox’s “The X Factor”

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Carlito Olivero is thisclose to the winning the big shebang…

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American singer has reached the finals on the third season of Fox’s The X Factor after getting past two bottom-three eliminations unscathed to make it to the final stretch.

Olivero, from the Boys group mentored by Paulina Rubio, was the first contestant announced to be safe during the reality singing competition’s results show on Thursday.

Following a rocky moment last week, which saw him land in the bottom two, Olivero managed to turn things around during Wednesday’s performance show.

The former member of Menudo who took part in MTV‘s Making Menudo performed Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend,” Marc Anthony’s “I Need to Know” and Elvis Crespo’s “Suavemente” this week.

Olivero will face-off against frontrunners Alex & Sierra and rock-star-in-the-making Jeff Gutt in next week’s finals.

The Chicago-native tells Fox News Latino it’s been an amazing ride and wants people to vote.

“We need a Latino to win this!” he said.

The two-part finale of The X Factor season 3 will air on December 18 and 19.

Solis Named as a Coach on Televisa’s “La Voz… Mexico”

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

He may be known for his heart-piercing voz… But Marco Antonio Solis will soon be helping discover the next voice in music.

The 53-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter has been named as one of the four coaches for the third season of La Voz…Mexico, Televisa has revealed.

Solis, who is known as “El Buki,” is heralded as one of the most influential singer-songwriters of Latino music in the world.

Solis, whose musical career spanning more than 35 years, has received several Latin Grammys and was selected Latino Artist of the Decade by Billboard magazine.

In Mexico, he consistently fills the venues where he performs, but his popularity has spread to the United States, Central and South America and Spain, “always with overwhelming success,” says Televisa.

La Voz…Mexico is the Mexican adaptation of the successful Dutch show The Voice, which has been expanded into several other countries around the world, including NBC’s Shakira– and Christina Aguilera-coached The Voice.

Besides El Buki, the coaches for the new season will include Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel, Spanish singer David Bisbal and Mexican rocker Alejandra Guzman.

In previous seasons, artists like Alejandro Sanz, Paulina Rubio, Miguel Bose and Aleks Syntek have worked to discover Mexico’s best singers on the reality singing competition.

Rubio Takes Her Seat at “The X Factor” Judges’ Table

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Paulina Rubio has taken the hot (pink) seat on Fox’s The X Factor.

Following Monday’s announcement that the 41-year-old Mexican singer has joined the judges’ team on the network’s singing competition, Fox has issued the first photo of Rubio and her fellow judges.

Dressed in a hot pink Roland Mouret dress paired with Valentino shoes and Piumelli gloves, Rubio is seated in L.A. Reid‘s former chair. To her right, in Britney Spears‘ old spot, is Demi Lovato followed by former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and Simon Cowell.

For her part, Lovato dons a pair of Paige Jeans, Heather Lawton blouse, Jen Meyer jewelry and Yves Saint Laurent shoes.

The photo of the four judges was taken at The X Factor’s first round of auditions for its upcoming third season at the North Charleston Coliseum.

Meanwhile, sources say Rubio will be earning approximately $1.5 million for serving as a judge on The X Factor.

Rubio also earns a judge’s salary for La Voz Kids, a Spanish-language kids version of The Voice for Telemundo.

It’s believed Lovato asked for double her fee after her well-received debut on the show last season. She previously earned approximately $1 million.

It’s Confirmed: Rubio to Serve as “The X Factor” Judge

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s official… Paulina Rubio has the X factor…

As rumored, the 41-year-old Mexican singer has been named one of the new judges on Fox’s The X Factor, along with former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland.

Rubio and Rowland will join Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato at the judges’ table on the third season of the reality singing competition series.

“It’s taken more than a decade, but I’m delighted to finally be on a panel with three girls (I think!),” said Cowell. “Paulina and Kelly both have great taste and massive experience in the music industry, and together with Demi, this is going to be a fun panel. It just feels like the time to do something different.”

Rubio isn’t new to the role of judge… The Latin pop star, who has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, has served as a mentor on Mexico’s version of The Voice, La voz… Mexico. And she was recently named a coach on Telemundo’s La Voz Kids.

Rowland and Rubio replace the departing L.A. Reid, who had been with the show since its first season, and Britney Spears, who left The X-Factor after just one season.

Rubio In Talks to Serve as a Judge on “The X Factor”?

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

She’s already signed on to serve as a coach on Telemundo’s La Voz Kids… But Paulina Rubio may soon be judging talent on The X Factor alongside Demi Lovato.

The 41-year-old Mexican singer is reportedly in talks to take one of the open seats at the judges’ table on the Fox reality singing competition.

Rubio, who was once hailed as one of the 25 Sexiest Pop Divas by E! Entertainment and has sold more than 20 million albums around the world, would bring Latin Pop cred to the panel.

Should Rubio be added to the panel, she’d join Lovato and returning host Mario Lopez, as well as Simon Cowell.

Meanwhile, former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland, who has long been rumored as one of possible contenders for the gig, is thisclose to finalizing a deal to join the judging panel, according to Entertainment Weekly.

The X Factor is expected to announce the official judge line-up soon as the production on season three will begin on Tuesday, May 21.

The new judges will replace Britney Spears and L.A. Reid who left at the end of the second season.

MundoFox to Produce “El Factor X”

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Following impressive also-rans like Jennel Garcia and the Latina ladies of the all-girl group Fifth Harmony, there will finally be a Hispanic X Factor winner in North America…

MundoFox has announced plans to produce El Factor X, an original Spanish-language version of Fox’s singing competition The X Factor.

Produced by FremantleMedia Latin America for MundoFox, El Factor X will feature aspiring singers from 8 to 15 years old, both solo artists and vocal groups.

El Factor X joins Telemundo’s La Voz Kids, a Spanish-language version of NBC’s The Voice for kids, which will see coaching by Prince Royce, Paulina Rubio and Mexican singer Roberto Tapia.

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