McCreery Leads the Latweeno Pack of Billboard.com’s “21 Under 21” Honorees

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

He may only be a minor… But Scotty McCreery is a major player in the music industry…

The 19-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer and former American Idol champion has been named to Billboard.com’s 2013 list of 21 Under 21, a ranking of music’s most powerful minors.

Now that Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez have turned 21, McCreery now ranks as the top Latweeno on the list, coming in at No. 8.

McCreery, who ranked at No. 4 last year, will be celebrating his 20th birthday early next month somewhat differently than most people his age. Onlysix days after he exits his teens, McCreery will release See You Tonight, his sophomore follow-up to his platinum 2011 debut album Clear As Day.

McCreery continues his hot streak in 2013. The first single and title track from the new disc continues moving up the singles chart, and he also headlined his first tour this year. That, along with an endorsement deal with fried chicken chain Bojangles, makes him a shoe-in for this year’s list.

But McCreery isn’t the only Latino on the list…

Puerto Rican singer Miguelito comes in at No. 14 on the 21 Under 21 list. At 14 years old, he already boasts a Latin Grammy and a multi-million dollar branding business that includes “Miguelito” vitamins, clothing line, videogame, summer camp, party goods and a themed cruise.

According to his manager dad Wascar Valenzuela, Miguelito-branded products have sold more than $70 million to date.

With a newly minted representation deal with CAA and a new record deal with BlastMusic, Miguelito is poised to crossover early next year with new album, Here To Stay.

“People tell me I’m a 21 or 30-year-old mind inside a 14-year-old body,” says the reggaetón star.

Meanwhile, Fifth Harmony, with 20-year-old Allyson Brooke Hernandez, 17-year-old Lauren Jauregui and 16-year-old Camila Cabello come in at No. 21 on the list.

Formed by Simon Cowell on last year’s edition of The X Factor, Fifth Harmony’s brief career so far is on the fast track for success.

Their triumphant debut single “Miss Movin’ On,” produced by the Suspex (the duo behind Lovato’s “Heart Attack“), became the first track from an American The X Factor alumni to break Billboard’s Hot 100, peaking at No. 76.

The song samples a debut EP expected on October 22 via Epic Records/Syco Music.

In the meantime, the quintet is on tour with Cher Lloyd and was recently featured in Disney‘s “Next Big Thing” series.

Cabello, Hernandez & Jauregui’s Fifth Harmony Releases “Miss Movin’ On” Music Video

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It may be hard to move on from Fifth Harmony’s new music video for the all-girl group’s debut single…

Following the release of teaser video for the breakup anthem, Lauren Jauregui, Camila Cabello and Ally Brooke Hernandez and the rest of the ladies of Fifth Harmony have released the official video for “Miss Movin’ On.”

The video for the song from the Simon Cowell-created girl group, third place finishers on the The X Factor, takes place at an amusement park, with the best friends ceremoniously destroying all evidence of their past relationships.

Some of the music video highlights include the ladies having a blast on the ferris wheel; the ultimate text message kiss-off (he: “Come on, give me another chance.” she: “We’re done.”); huge teddy bears; and some awesome slow-motion photo ripping.

There’s even a scene of a few guys trying to get their game on with the 5H ladies towards the end of the video — but to no avail, as the girls stand strong together.

Fifth Harmony released “Miss Movin’ On” – the lead single to the group’s forthcoming debut album, which is due out this fall – on Monday.

The Epic Records quintet is currently on a mall tour that runs through Aug. 15.

Jauregui, Cabello & Hernandez’s Fifth Harmony Release “Miss Movin’ On” Video

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Lauren Jauregui, Camila Cabello and Ally Brooke Hernandez may not have come away the winners of Fox’s The X Factor, but they are movin’ on to bigger and better things…

The Latina singers, members of the Simon Cowell-created all-girl group, have released the Vine-style video for their debut single “Miss Movin’ On.”

The video – part sing-along party, part fun with markers – features the fresh-faced quintet holding up the colorfully written words to the kiss-off anthem. The girls are framed in a Vine-esque app, with the video’s quick edits in the style of the video service’s short shots.

The empowerment track fulfills the girl group’s promise to release “fun pop,” which the quintet made to Billboard at the Radio Disney Music Awards in April. The group was “really far along” with its debut album at that point, with a release anticipated this year on Epic Records.

Producers involved in Fifth Harmony’s debut album include Toby Gad and Julian Bunetta, with Fifth Harmony contributing songwriting as well.

Fifth Harmony finished in third place on the second season of The X Factor earlier this year.

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.

Jauregui, Cabello & Hernandez’s Fifth Harmony Hard at Work on Debut Album

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Lauren Jauregui, Camila Cabello, Ally Brooke Hernandez and the rest of the members of Fifth Harmony are thisclose to completing their first album.

The female pop quintet, which was formed by Simon Cowell during this year’s edition of The X Factor, is “really far along” with its debut album, which is due out later this year via Epic Records.

During the Radio Disney Music Awards this past weekend, the ladies of Fifth Harmony told Billboard.com that they are in the middle of “picking our single” and called the vibe of the album “fun pop” with a “little bit” of R&B.

The all-girl group, which finished in third place on the Fox reality singing competition, is working with producers like Toby Gad (Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez) and Julian Bunetta (One Direction, Kylie Minogue) on the album, which will also boast a lot of songwriting from Fifth Harmony itself.

Lopez to Return as Host for Season Three of “The X Factor”

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato isn’t the only Latin luminary returning to The X Factor next season…

Mario Lopez has signed on to host another season of Fox’s reality singing competition. But Khloe Kardashian, however, won’t be back.

“Khloe Kardashian will not be returning to co-host The X Factor. We really enjoyed working with her and wish her all the best in her future endeavors,” X Factor producers said.

Both the Extra host and the E! reality star were named as the new hosts of the competition series’ second season in October 2012.

As a seasoned host, Lopez easily fronted the show. But Kardashian seemed to struggle, earning the mockery of viewers.

In the announcement about Lopez’s return, X Factor’s head honcho made no mention of Kardashian’s departure.

“I’m thrilled Mario is back for season three of The X Factor. Hosting a live show and keeping the judges — especially Demi — in line, is not an easy job, but Mario is a pro and we are glad he’s coming back,” Simon Cowell said in statement.

Lovato Returning to Judges Table on Fox’s “The X Factor”

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s official… Demi Lovato still has the X-Factor…

Following speculation that she could return to Fox’s reality singing competition, the network is now confirming that the 20-year part-Mexican American singer will be returning to the judges panel for The X Factor’s third season in the fall.

“I couldn’t be happier that Demi wants to come back this year. She’s a superstar in her own right and was a fantastic mentor last year. Even though she can be really, really annoying – I truly enjoyed working with her and so did the artists. I’m especially pleased she’s back even during her world tour!,” said fellow judge and X-Factor creator Simon Cowell in a statement Thursday.

Lovato, who is preparing to release a new album soon, was a new addition to the competition series last season, along with Britney Spears, who exited the X-Factor officially in January after only one season.

Original judge LA Reid confirmed last year that he would not be returning for season three.

That leaves Cowell as the only remaining judge from the show’s first season.

No replacement has been announced for Spears or Reid.

Cowell Says Lovato Could Return to “The X Factor”

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Britney Spears isn’t returning to the judges table on The X Factor… But Demi Lovato might just be back next season.

The Fox reality singing competition’s executive producer Simon Cowell admitted to American Idol host and radio personality Ryan Seacrest that “we’d be crazy not to have her back” when discussing the 20-year-old part-Mexican singer/actress’ return to the show.

In an interview on Seacrest’s radio show, Cowell said that he “liked having Demi on the show” and that “she’s fun to work with.”

But Cowell did warn that “nothing is official” after talking about the “Heart Attack” singer’s possible return.

The third season of The X Factor is right around the corner, with the first round of auditions set to take place in Los Angeles on March 6.

So far, replacements haven’t been named for exiting judges L.A. Reid and Britney Spears, nor have co-hosts Mario Lopez or Khloe Kardashian been confirmed to return.

“We’re talking to people all the time and hopefully within a couple of weeks we might announce the first two,” said Cowell of the judges panel.

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