Ozuna Among the Los Angeles Performers for This Year’s Global Citizen Live Concert

Ozuna is preparing to go Global

Global Citizen Live has revealed the Los Angeles and London performer lineups, which includes the 29-year-old Puerto Rican singer, for its worldwide show on September 25.

Ozuna

Ozuna will play L.A.’s Greek Theatre as part of the multiple-network, 24-hour eventwhich will feature performances on six continents. His co-performers in the City of Angeles include Stevie WonderAdam Lambert, Chloe x HalleDemi Lovato, H.E.R., OneRepublic, The Lumineers and 5 Seconds of Summer. Wonder also played the 2017 Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park.

Across the pond, Duran Duran will headline the London show at a to-be-determined location, with Kylie Minogue, Måneskin, Nile Rodgers and Chic and Rag’n’Bone Man also set. See the full lineups for the main concerts in New York City, Paris and Lagos, Nigeria, here.

Broadcast and streaming partners for Global Citizen Live include ABC, ABC News Live, BBC, FX, iHeartRadio, Hulu, YouTube, Time and Twitter.

Global Citizen, the international advocacy group behind the Vax Live concert in Los Angeles on May 8, said this month’s event is aimed at defeating poverty, COVID-19 and climate change.

Global Citizen’s stated goal for the event is call on world leaders, major corporations and foundations to donate at least 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses to those most in need by September, help the 41 million people on the brink of famine by contributing enough meals to feed everyone for the next year and combat climate change by developing science-based targets to reach net-zero emissions.

Gloria Estefan to Perform at ‘Nurse Heroes Live’ Benefit Virtual Concert on Thanksgiving

Gloria Estefan is giving special thanks to some of our frontliners…

The 63-year-old Cuban singer will be among the entertainers honoring nurses in a star-studded benefit virtual concert on Thanksgiving.

Gloria Estefanria

Nurse Heroes has announced that the concert called Nurse Heroes Live will stream on the organization’s YouTube and Facebook pages along with LiveXLive on November 26 at 7:00 pm EST.

The benefit will provide money for a variety of programs including scholarships for nurses and their children.

Estefan joins a lineup of performers that include Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Black Eyed Peas, Pitbull, The Wailers, Carole King, Maluma and Andrea Bocelli.

Whoopi Goldberg will host the concert with special appearances by Oprah Winfrey and Billy Crystal.

Taylor Swift will donate a signed collectible edition “Folklore” guitar, which will be auctioned for the benefit of the Nurses Heroes Foundation.

The nurses of New York’s Northwell Health will be the first beneficiaries of the concert. The event will also showcase 50 nurses from the hospital in an ensemble performance with several celebrities.

The concert will be produced by Emilio Estefan and Times Square Live Media.

Apple TV+ Releases Trailer for Docuseries “Dear…” Featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda is a dear

Apple TV+ has released the trailer for Dear…, the new RJ Cutler-produced 10-episode documentary series that will feature the 40-year-old Puerto Rican Broadway superstar amd the mastermnd behind the Tony Award-winning musicals In The Heights and Hamiltion in one espisode.

Lin-Manuel Miranda 

Dear…will premiere on the streaming service on Friday, June 5.

Inspired by Apple’s “Dear Apple” advertising spots, Dear… uses letters written by those whose lives have been changed through their work to tell biographical stories of its subjects, who range in Season 1 from Oprah Winfrey and Gloria Steinem to Spike Lee, Miranda, Yara ShahidiStevie WonderAly RaismanMisty Copeland, Big Bird and more.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Among the High-Profile Guests on Apple’s New Biographical Docuseries “Dear….”

Lin-Manuel Mirandais a realDear

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican composer, lyricist, singer, actor, producer, and playwright will appear on Apple’s new biographical docuseries Dear….

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Dear…takes an inventive and cinematic approach to biographies of the most iconic figures in society today by using letters written by those whose lives have been changed through their work. 

In addition to Miranda, widely known for creating and starring in the the Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals In the Heights and Hamilton, the 10-episode series will profile internationally recognized leaders including Oprah WinfreyGloria SteinemSpike LeeYara Shahidi, Stevie WonderAly RaismanMisty Copeland, Big Bird and more.

The docuseries, inspired by Apple’s “Dear Apple” spots hails from Emmy and Peabody Award-winner RJ Cutler and Matador Content. The series will premiere globally this spring on Apple TV+.

The “Dear Apple” spots feature a mix of Apple Watch users who personally write a letter to thank the tech giant for the watch technology that has helped them live healthier lives. In one spot, a man notes how the watch’s SOS feature helped him call for help when he was injured in a car crash.

Demi Lovato to Serve as Co-Host at This Year’s Global Citizen Festival

Demi Lovato is celebrating her global citizenship…

Global Citizen has announced several guest appearances for its annual Global Citizen Festival on September 23, including the 25-year-old part-Mexican American actress/singer.

Demi Lovato

Lovato will serve as a co-host, alongside Aaron Paul, Priyanka Chopra, Kal PennLupita Nyong’o, Nashville‘s Connie Britton and many more.

Hugh Jackman and actor/producer Deborra-lee Furness will serve as lead hosts.

Dianna Agron, Freida Pinto, Wendy WilliamsMark CubanBridget MoynahanDaymond JohnCamren BicondovaElaine Welteroth, Erin Richards, Latina supermodel Joan Smalls, Malin Akerman, Rachel BrosnahanMichelle Monaghan and Serge Ibaka will also serve as hosts for this year’s festival, taking place in New York City’s Central Park.

The social advocacy group hosts the free festival each year to raise awareness of its goal to end extreme poverty by 2030.

Fans can earn their tickets by taking part in Action Journeys, a series of challenges designed to promote social activism.

This year’s headliners include Stevie Wonder, Green Day, The Killers and The Lumineers, with featured performances by The ChainsmokersPharrell Williams, Big SeanAndra Day and Alessia Cara.

The one-day festival will also be broadcast live from Central Park on YouTube, Twitter and MSNBC.

To hear more from this year’s hosts and learn more about the festival, visit Global Citizen’s official site.

First Trailer Released for Gina Rodriguez’s Animated Holiday Film “The Star”

Gina Rodriguez’s star is rising this holiday season…

The first trailer has been released for the 32-year-old Puerto Rican actress and Jane the Virgin star’s The Star, an animated holiday film in which the animals run the village.

Gina Rodriguez

Steven Yuen stars as Bo, a donkey who yearns for a life beyond his daily grind. When finally he summons the courage to break free, his adventure leads him to make friends with a flockless sheep (Aidy Bryant) and ambitious dove (Keegan-Michael Key). Little do they know, but they and a group of eccentric camels and stable animals are about to become unlikely heroes in the Greatest Story Ever Told.

Directed by Timothy Reckart from Carlos Kotkin’s script, the toon features a diverse, big-name voice cast that also includes Zachary Levi as Joseph and, Rodriguez as Mary.

Gina Rodriguez's Mary in The Star

Christopher Plummer plays the villainous King Herod. The animal characters include Kelly Clarkson, Patricia Heaton, Kristin Chenoweth, Anthony Anderson, Ving Rhames, Gabriel Iglesias.

Meanwhile Tyler Perry, Tracy Morgan and Oprah Winfrey voice the trio of wise-cracking camels.

The film from Sony Pictures Animation and Affirm Films in association with Walden Media features a new title song by Mariah Carey, and the trailer sports a contemporary take on Stevie Wonder’s yuletide classic “That’s What Christmas Means to Me.”

Columbia Pictures will release The Star on November 10.

Maldonado & Her Pentatonix Groupmates to Salute the Bee Gees at Grammy Tribute

Kirsitie Maldonado will be experiencing disco fever…

The 24-year-old half-Mexican and part-Spanish American singer and her fellow Pentatonix members will be helping commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack next month.

Pentatonix

Maldonado’s a capella group will perform at Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees, which will premiere April 16 on CBS.

The event, led by the Recording Academy, AEG Ehrlich Ventures and CBS, will focus on improving music life and culture through the Bee Gees‘ legacy, celebrating the members of the five-time Grammy-winning group and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.

Barry Gibb, the Bee Gees’ co-founder and last surviving member, will make an appearance and perform classic hits from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.

In addition to Pentatonix, special tributes from musicians will include performances by Stevie Wonder, Keith Urban, John Legend, Nick Jonas, Tori Kelly, Celine Dion, Little Big Town, Thomas Rhett, Jason Derulo, Kelsea Ballerini, Andra Day, Ed Sheeran, DNCE and many more.

Other guest appearances to add to the lineup are John Travolta, Cynthia Erivo and Wilmer Valderrama.

Pentatonix, who earned a Grammy for their collaboration with country legend Dolly Parton on “Jolene,” recently released their cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” part of the group’s upcoming album.

Maldonado and the gang previously covered Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” performed a Star Wars-themed medley at the American Music Awards, and performed the Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira at the CMA Awards.

Garcia to Perform at Prince’s Tribute Concert

Mayte Garcia will take the stage to honor her late ex-husband…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican belly dancer, actress, singer and choreographer has joined the lineup for this week’s tribute concert honoring the late Prince in St. Paul.

Mayte Garcia

Other recently announced performers include former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger; Portuguese fado singer Ana Moura, whom Prince would feature in international performances; and Prince’s former bandmate Andre Cymone.

Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Chaka Khan, John Mayer and Tori Kelly are among performers already lined up for Thursday’s concert that is sanctioned by Prince’s family.

Fans snapped up tickets for the Xcel Energy Center show when they went on sale on September 19.

Prince died of an accidental painkiller overdose at his Paisley Park recording complex in April.

On Valentine’s Day in 1996, Garcia, then 22, married Prince, then 37, in Minneapolis. In 1998, Prince announced the couple’s divorce, eventually filing an annulment in June 2000.

J Balvin Releases Video for New Single “Ginza”

J Balvin is taking risks with his latest single…

The 30-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer has released the official video for “Ginza,” the new track he recently performed at the Premios Juventud.

J Balvin

J Balvin adds a bit of soca to his familiar reggaeton sound on the blazing dance track, to equally contagious effect.

“With ‘GInza’ I wanted to go beyond my comfort zone,” he said in a statement, “take a risk and bring a new sound to my music. I want to continually explore new and original ideas for Latin music…Cowards rarely make history.”

J Balvin has a jam-packed summer/fall ahead of him. After having turned down an invitation to perform at Donald Trump‘s Miss USA pageant following the presidential hopeful’s controversial remarks about Latinos, he’s instead performing at the July 25 opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, joining First Lady Michelle Obama, Eva Longoria, and fellow headliners Stevie Wonder and Avril Lavigne.

Then, starting in September, he’ll head out on his La Familia tour with Becky G. The tour kicks off September 23 in Miami and wraps October 25 in San Diego, California.

J Balvin Cancels Miss USA Performance Following Donald Trump’s Comments About Mexicans & Latinos

This year’s Miss USA contestants won’t be serenaded by J Balvin, as originally planned…

The 30-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer was slated to perform on the upcoming Miss USA pageant, airing live July 12 on NBC.

J Balvin

But Balvin pulled out of the show, citing his discomfort following recent comments about Mexicans and Latinos from Donald Trump, who owns the Miss Universe Organization in a joint venture with NBCUniversal.

“It was going to be my first performance on national [mainstream] television,” Balvin told Billboard exclusively from his home in Medellín, Colombia. In fact, he says, repertoire had already been discussed.

“But we’re talking about our roots, our culture, our values,” he added. “This isn’t about being punitive, but about showing leadership through social responsibility. His comments weren’t just about Mexicans, but about all Latins in general.”

The comments that ruffled Balvin’s feathers were made just a few minutes into Trump’s speech announcing his presidential bid on June 16.

“When do we beat Mexico at the border?” asked Trump. “They’re laughing at us, at our stupidity. And now they are beating us economically. They are not our friend, believe me. But they’re killing us economically.

“The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else’s problems,” he continued. “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.

“It’s coming from more than Mexico,” Trump added. “It’s coming from all over South and Latin America, and it’s coming probably — probably — from the Middle East.”

Balvin didn’t immediately hear the speech, since he was in Colombia at the time, where he lives. He also didn’t associate Trump with Miss USA until a friend pointed out the connection.

When he listened to the speech, he was shocked.

“Mexico is a Latin powerhouse,” he said. “And Mexicans, they’re known as hard workers. Here in the U.S., not everybody wants to do those kinds of jobs. I’ve lived. I know what it feels like and what they go through and how families suffer. A comment like that is powerful.”

At that point, he says, he made a decision to pull out of the show — this, despite the fact that political commentary is something he typically shies away from.

“I think music is to have fun. It’s for people to have a good time with. I’m no savior and I’m no Robin Hood,” Balvin said. “But in this case, I feel totally comfortable and responsible with my decision.”

Balvin will still get his mainstream TV opportunity: On July 25, he’ll join Stevie WonderAvril LavigneCody Simpson and Nicole Scherzinger, among others, in headlining the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. The event will air on ESPN.