Lupita D’Alessio to Receive Legend Award at Latin American Music Awards

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Lupita D’Alessio is being feted for her legendary career…

The 68-year-old Mexican songstress and actress will receive the Legend Award during the seventh edition of the Latin American Music Awards.

The special honor is presented to artists who’ve endured the test of time and “who at the very mention of their name conjures a vivid and vibrant image,” according to a statement.

D’Alessio (born Guadalupe Contreras Ramos) has performed for audiences across the world for five decades with anthemic ballads like “Mudanzas,” “Acariciamo” and “Que Ganas de No Verte Nunca Más.”

Throughout her career, she’s landed five songs on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart including “Ni Guerra Ni Paz” and “El Que Juega Con Fuego,” which peaked at No. 5 in 1988.

D’Alessio will be awarded during the ceremony, set to take place on April 21 and broadcast live from the Michelob ULTRA Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas beginning at 7:00 pm ET.

D’Alessio began her professional career in 1971 at the Festival Internacional de la Canción Popular and, in 1978, won at the coveted OTI Festival. Overall, she’s recorded 60 live, studio and compilation albums, participated in 11 soap operas, and has sold over 40 million albums.

Currently, she’s on her Aquí Estoy Yo Tour, which launched in Mexico and with which she’ll soon visit the United States, with more than 12 shows confirmed for this year.

The forthcoming three-hour event will “pay tribute to today’s most influential and iconic Latin artists” in 26 categories, including favorite video and favorite social artist, selected by a committee of industry professionals who consider the quality, content, creativity and fan engagement.

This year’s list of nominees is led by 10-time-nominated Bad Bunny. El Conejo Malo is followed by Jhay Cortez with eight nominations, and Karol G, J Balvin and Rauw Alejandro with seven nods each.

The 2022 Latin AMAs will also stream live on Peacock and broadcast simultaneously on Spanish entertainment cable network, Universo and throughout the Americas on Telemundo Internacional.

Jhené Aiko to Perform “America the Beautiful” at Super Bowl LVI

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Jhené Aiko is preparing for a beautiful moment…

The 33-year-old part-Spanish and Dominican American Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter will perform “America the Beautiful” before the start of the game at Super Bowl LVI on February 13.

Country star Mickey Guyton will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game, while Sandra Mae Frank, who plays Dr. Wilder on NBC’s New Amsterdam, is set to perform both songs in American Sign Language on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf.

Also set to take the pregame stage is veteran gospel duo Mary Mary, who will accompanied by the LA Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra Los Angeles on “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Zedd will serve as the pregame DJ.

NBC will telecast the Big Game from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The NFL championship will pit the hometown Los Angeles Rams against the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.

The game will also air on Telemundo and stream live on Peacock.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The quintet, which never have appeared together onstage, have 43 Grammys and 22 No. 1 albums among them.

Cecilia Suarez to Narrate Telemundo & The Story Lab’s New Podcast “Fort Hood,” Spotlighting the Case of Slain Army Soldier Vanessa Guillén

Posted on October 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Cecilia Suarez is helping shine a light on the case of slain Army soldier Vanessa Guillén.

The 49-year-old Mexican actress and prominent activist will narrate Telemundo and The Story Lab’s new podcast Fort Hood, a seven-part limited series that launched this week.

The podcast, narrated in English and Spanish by Suarez, takes a probing look at the 20-year-old’s April 2020 murder at the hands of fellow Fort Hood soldier Aaron David Robinson.

All episodes are about 30 minutes in length and are now available.

Guillen’s case drew nationwide attention, with her family, public officials, lawmakers and celebrities demanding #JusticeForVanessaGuillen.

After disappearing from the base, Guillén’s remains were found two months later. Investigators say she was killed by Robinson, who later fatally shot himself as police tried to take him into custody.

Guillén’s family has raised allegations she was sexually harassed before she was killed.

In July, Robinson’s girlfriend Cecily Aguilar was indicted on 11 counts by a federal grand jury as an accessory for allegedly helping Robinson destroy and bury Guillén’s remains.

Fort Hood will also explore the role of the military in the investigation, which has been heavily criticized. It also delves into the case revealing a deeper, more complex story about a renowned U.S. military base with a long record of unreported sexual abuse, and highlights Guillén’s family, which refused to stay quiet as they pushed authorities for answers.

“This is a consequential story that touches on critical issues in our country,” Telemundo Network News president Luis Fernandez said. “It’s a revealing exposé and a necessary investigation. Noticias Telemundo, with The Story Lab, believe this important story deserved a deeper examination and this format allows us to do just that.”

Stephanie Beatriz Launches Fictional True Crime Podcast “Tejana,” Expanding Project for TV

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Stephanie Beatriz has found her range(r)

The 40-year-old Colombian-Bolivian Argentine actress has launched the fictional true-crime podcast Tejana in collaboration with Sonoro and Telemundo that will be adapted for television.

The 6-episode first season is available now across all podcast formats.

The drama tells the story of Eileen Castillo, a Texas Ranger who is the only Latina on the force and at the center of a web of lies. She is sharp on the field but struggles with navigating office politics. She’s still haunted by the serial killer that stalked her town two decades earlier, so when a copycat killer emerges in Austin, Eileen must deal with the difficult memories she’s tried to suppress her entire life.

“In true crime fashion, Tejana is an incredibly dense and complicated mystery that centers the character of Eileen as she that mystery apart while trying to figure it out,” Beatriz tells Deadline exclusively. “Inside of that overarching story, there are also a bunch of different crimes that she and the other Rangers are trying to solve.”

She adds, “The Rangers have historically been this storied arm of the law. There are all these cultural touchstones like Walker, Texas Ranger, and the Lone Ranger. They’re these rarified, fantastical heroes in our media culture. And this puts a Latina as the lead and as this story’s hero. She’s a hero but she’s also very relatable because she’s flawed. She wants to be the best on the field and she’s a rising star who often has trouble navigating office politics. She has a heart of gold but she often puts her foot in her mouth at work.”

Series costars include Gabriela Torres, Jonah Platt, Marlaina Sims Powell, and Phil Lewis.

Beatriz reveals that the plan is to have her bring Eileen to life in the small screen version which is currently in its gathering stages— they’re assembling their writing and producing team. The executive producers are working with Sonoro to “bring it to streaming” where viewers can “watch this serialized thing take place over time.”

Beatriz said goodbye last month to Brooklyn Nine-Nine after the show concluded after 8 seasons and to her character, Detective Rosa Diaz. As she continues to portray members of law enforcement, Beatriz can’t help but reflect on what she learned from Rosa that she’s taken with her on her new journey with Eileen.

“I think these characters are very similar in that they’re extremely grounded, no-nonsense, and very direct,” the new mom said. “I think Eileen has much more a sense of humor about things; Rosa was often the straight guy character for other people to bounce things off of. Eileen understands that she often makes herself the butt of the joke to sort of lighten the mood. But I think it’s that groundedness that is just playing out in a totally different fashion because this isn’t a comedy, it’s a totally different genre.”

Beyond their plans for TV, Beatriz and her partners will continue to expand Tejana with future seasons of the podcast and are interested in taking the Texas Ranger to the big screen.

“We’re interested in creating audio content that will have a life past podcasts. The stories we’re interested in creating, Sonoro has an end goal for them to franchise it out with people like us as the leads so they continue and grow,” Beatriz said. “The story is so good! There are so many possibilities as to where this can go.”

Bad Bunny Claims 10 Billboard Latin Music Awards Trophies, Including Artist of the Year

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a perfect 10 for Bad Bunny…

The 27-year-old Puerto Rican superstar scored 10 wins at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards, including the biggest award of the night… artist of the year.

Bad Bunny, a 22-time finalist, also won songwriter of the year; Hot Latin Songs artist of the year, male; Latin Rhythm artist of the year, solo; and Top Latin Albums Artist of the year, male.

His hit song “Dákiti” featuring Jhay Cortez, won Hot Latin Song of the year; Hot Latin Song of the year, vocal event; and streaming song of the year.

And in the coveted album of the year category, Bad Bunny’s hit album YHLQMDLG won in a triple competition against his own El Ultimo Tour del Mundo and Las Que No Iban a Salir.

Bunny picked up his awards during the live show, which aired from the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla., on the Telemundo network and featured performances and premieres by Daddy Yankee, Rosalía, Rauw Alejandro, Natti Natasha, Carlos Vives, Myke Towers, Jhay Cortez and Nicky Jam, among others.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards, given in 56 categories, honor the most popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music as determined by Billboard’s renowned weekly charts, during the period rom the rankings dated February 1, 2020, through this year’s August 7, 2021, charts, a longer than usual period due to the pandemic.

Following Bad Bunny in number of wins was Jhay Cortez — with three for “Dákiti” — and the Black Eyed Peas, whose hit “Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)” with J Balvin won sales song of the year, while their “Mamacita” with Ozuna and J. Rey Soul won Latin pop song of the year. The Peas were also the winners of the crossover artist of the year, thanks to their groundbreaking album Translation, where they paired up with multiple Latin acts.

Urban star Karol G swept the female awards, winning Hot Latin Songs artist of the year, female, and Top Latin Albums artist of the year, female. Fellow Colombian Maluma, along with The Weeknd, also took home two awards for “Hawái,” and Prince Royce, who continues to break ground in tropical music, won tropical song of the year with “Carita Inocente” and tropical album of the year for Alter Ego.

In the rapidly growing realm of regional Mexican music, stalwarts Band MS de Sergio Lizárraga won Hot Latin Songs artist of the year, duo or group and Regional Mexican artist, duo or group. In turn, newcomers Eslabón Armado won Top Latin Album artist of the year, duo or group, and Regional Mexican album of the year for Tu Veneno Mortal.

In a year that was full of new music, the versatile Myke Towers, who does both rap and reggaetón, won the new artist of the year award, buoyed by a string of successful hits and albums. And Tainy once again took home the producer of the year award.

The evening was punctuated by a slew of special moments. Daddy Yankee received the Billboard Hall of Fame award, becoming the first urban artist to receive the honor and underscoring nearly two decades of steady hitmaking. In turn, Yankee performed the television premiere of his new single, “Métele al Perreo.”

Rock legends Maná received the new Billboard Icon award, and premiered their new single, “Reloj Cucú,” alongside newcomer Mabel.

And regional Mexican grand dame Paquita la del Barrio’s 50-year storied career was recognized with Billboard’s Lifetime Achievement Award, accompanied by an attitude-filled performance of her vintage hit “Rata de dos patas” and “El Consejo” alongside Ana Bárbara.

Here are all the winners:

Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny
Artist of the Year, New:: Myke Towers
Crossover Artist of the Year: Black Eyed Peas

SONG CATEGORIES

Hot Latin Song of the Year: Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “Dákiti”
Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event: Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “Dákiti”
Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Male: Bad Bunny
Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Female: Karol G
Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
Hot Latin Songs Label of the Year: Rimas
Hot Latin Songs Imprint of the Year: Rimas
Latin Airplay Song of the Year: Maluma & The Weeknd, “Hawái”
Latín Airplay Label of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Latin Airplay Imprint of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Sales Song of the Year: Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin, “Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life)”
Streaming Streaming Song of the Year: Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “Dákiti”

ALBUM CATEGORIES

Top Latin Album of the Year: Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG
Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Male: Bad Bunny
Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Female: Karol G
Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Eslabon Armado
Top Latin Albums Label of the Year: Rimas
Top Latin Albums Imprint of the Year: Rimas

LATIN POP CATEGORIES

Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Solo: Shakira
Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Maná
Latin Pop Song of the Year: Black Eyed Peas, Ozuna & J.Rey Soul “Mamacita”
Latin Pop Airplay Label of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Latin Pop Airplay Imprint of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Latin Pop Album of the Year: Kali Uchis, Sin Miedo (Del Amor y Otros Demonios)
Latin Pop Albums Label of the Year: Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Latin Pop Albums Imprint of the Year: Universal Music Latino

TROPICAL CATEGORIES

Tropical Artist of the Year, Solo: Romeo Santos
Tropical Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Aventura
Tropical Song of the Year: Prince Royce, “Carita de Inocente”
Tropical Airplay Label of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Tropical Airplay Imprint of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Tropical Albums of the Year: Prince Royce, Alter Ego
Tropical Albums Label of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Tropical Albums Imprint of the Year: Sony Music Latin

REGIONAL MEXICAN CATEGORIES

Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Solo: Christian Nodal
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
Regional Mexican Song of the Year: Lenin Ramírez, featuring Grupo Firme, “Yo Ya No Vuelvo Contigo”
Regional Mexican Airplay Label of the Year: Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Regional Mexican Airplay Imprint of the Year: Fonovisa
Regional Mexican Album of the Year: Eslabon Armado, Tu Veneno Mortal
Regional Mexican Albums Label of the Year: Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Regional Mexican Albums Imprint of the Year: DEL

LATIN RHYTHM CATEGORIES

Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Solo: Bad Bunny
Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Duo or Group: Los Legendarios
Latin Rhythm Song of the Year: Maluma & The Weeknd, “Hawái”
Latin Rhythm Airplay Label of the Year: Sony Music Latin
Latin Rhythm Airplay Imprint of the Year: Universal Music Latino
Latin Rhythm Album of the Year: Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG
Latin Rhythm Albums Label of the Year: Rimas
Latin Rhythm Albums Imprint of the Year: Rimas

WRITERS/PRODUCERS/PUBLISHERS CATEGORIES

Songwriter of the Year: Bad Bunny
Publisher of the Year: RSM Publishing, ASCAP
Publishing Corporation of the Year: Sony Music Publishing
Producer of the Year: Tainy

Las Villa to Perform as Part of “The Rising Generation of Music” Showcase at Billboard Latin Music Week

Posted on September 14, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Las Villa are on the rise…

The Colombian sister duo is among a new wave of artists set to take the stage during the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Week, which returns to Miami from September 20 to 25 with a weeklong event that unites the top Latin hitmakers, influencers, and executives, and features live performances and conversations with superstars.

Las Villa, along with indie Dominican newcomer The Change and the innovative Venezuelan rapper Micro TDH, have all been confirmed to perform as part of “The Rising Generation of Music” showcase presented by Warner Music Latina.

Las Villa will also form part of the “Women on the Rise” panel to discuss their music careers.

Registrants and attendees will be able to enjoy the event during Latin Music Week, taking place at 6:00 pm ET on Tuesday, September 21, at the Faena Forum main stage.

Under the slogan “The Beat of Latin Music,” making its mark as the longest running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world, this year’s event will continue through the end of the week as Billboard launches its En Vivo concert series.

Latin Music Week coincides with the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will be broadcast live via Telemundo on September 23.

For more information, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

Daddy Yankee to Be Inducted Into Hall of Fame at 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Daddy Yankee is heading into the Hall (of Fame)…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and rapper, known as the “King of Reggaetón,” will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards, Billboard and Telemundo have announced.

Given to artists who have achieved worldwide recognition for their work, transcending musical genres and languages, the accolade will honor the “Con Calma” hitmaker for his fruitful career that spans over three decades as a pioneer and top exponent of reggaeton.

Daddy Yankee will receive the award during the ceremony set to take place Thursday, September 23, live from Miami where he will also perform his latest hit “Métele al Perreo” for the first time on television.

The chart-topping, global star — known for reggaeton anthems such as “Gasolina” and “Dura” — has sold more than 17 million albums and placed 84 entries on the Hot Latin Songs chart, with seven of those hitting No. 1 and 36 landing in the top 10.

On the Latin Airplay chart, he has logged a total of 73 titles, including 24 No. 1s and 42 top 10s.

On the social front, his philanthropic work through “Daddy’s House” has been recognized by Billboard with the spirit of hope award.

Past recipients of the Billboard hall of fame award include José José, Vicente Fernández, Rocío Durcal, Marco Antonio Solís, Joan Sebastian, Marc Anthony, Franco de Vita and Alejandro Fernández, among others.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards will be broadcast live on Telemundo, kicking off at 7:00 p.m. ET with the traditional red carpet special, followed by the awards show at 8:00 pm.

Joss Favela to Perform at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 11, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Joss Favela is ready to take the stage…

The 30-year-old Mexican award-winning songwriter and recording artist has been added to the lineup for the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will take place on Thursday, September 23.

Favela is among the new additions to the performers roster that includes Guadalupe Pineda, Lucy Vives, Mau y Ricky and Yuri.

They join previously announced performers Banda MS, Carlos Vives, Karol G, Marc Anthony, Nicky Jam and Jhay Cortez.

The chart-topping artists will take the stage at the annual awards show that will broadcast live on Telemundo beginning at 7:00 pm ET with the traditional red carpet special followed by the awards show at 8:00 pm ET.

Banda MS, Vives, Karol G, Anthony, Cortez and Mau y Ricky are all finalists vying for awards in categories such as tropical artist of the year, solo, hot Latin song of the year and airplay song of the year. Bad Bunny leads the list with 22 nods. Maluma follows with 11, J Balvin with nine, and Karol, Anuel AA and Black Eyed Peas with eight each.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards will also be simulcast on the Hispanic entertainment cable channel, Universo, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Carolina Miranda Signs with Hollywood Talent Agency Paradigm

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Carolina Miranda is ready to ramp up her Hollywood resume…

The 31-year-old Mexican actress and star of Netflix’s Mexican thriller series Who Killed Sara? has signed with Hollywood talent agency Paradigm.

The news comes as the series – which follows Manolo Cardona’s Alex Guzman, who is hellbent on finding out who killed his sister Sara after spending 18 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit and on getting revenge on the Lazcano family – is heading towards its third season.

The first season premiered in March 2021, quickly followed by the second season in May 2021. The streamer also revealed at the end credits of season two, that a new season would be on its way.

Miranda plays Elisa Lazcano, the youngest child and only daughter of César and Mariana Lazcano, who decides to help Alex find Sara’s true killer, even if she has to expose her family’s crimes, and falls in love with him in the interim.

Elsewhere, Miranda, from Guanajuato, Mexico, has starred in several series including Telemundo’s Señora Acero, which was one of the most-watched Spanish-speaking series in the United States, TV Azteca’s Las Bravo, Amazon’s Dany Who and feature films including Infelices Para Siempre.

She’s currently shooting the period drama Malverde, a story about the Mexican folk-lore hero robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. This series is a story based on his life and will premiere on Telemundo in the fall of 2021.

Miranda continues to be represented by Prensa Danna in Mexico for management.

José Díaz-Balart to Anchor New Morning Program on MSNBC

Posted on September 7, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

José Díaz-Balart is switching things up…

The 60-year-old Cuban-American journalist and television anchorman will host a new 10:00 AM ET show on MSNBC, with Hallie Jackson taking over an anchor slot later in the day at 3:00 PM ET.

Díaz-Balart will end his role as anchor of Telemundo’s nightly newscast Noticias Telemundo at the end of the month, but will still anchor monthly specials and breaking news events.

José Díaz-Balart Reports will premiere on September 27.

Díaz-Balart will continue to anchor NBC Nightly News Saturday.

When he began anchoring that newscast, he became the first journalist to anchor two different evening newscasts on separate broadcast networks in English and Spanish.

He’s won four Emmy awards, the George Foster Peabody Award and the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award.

“I look forward to this unique role where I can reach different audiences in English and Spanish across the NBCUniversal News Group,” he said in a statement.

Díaz-Balart previously served as an anchor on MSNBC from 2014 to 2016. He joined Noticias Telemundo in 2000, anchoring programs including Esta Mañana, Cada Día, and Enfoque con José Díaz-Balart. He took over as the main anchor for Noticias Telemundo in 2009.

A priority of MSNBC President Rashida Jones has been to more clearly distinguish between the dayside news programming and the nighttime “perspective” shows.

The network also noted that the addition of Díaz-Balart is part of NBCUniversal News Group efforts to bring in more diverse voices, as the division chairman Cesar Conde has set a goal of 50% of the workforce to people of color and 50% to be women. NBC News and MSNBC have nine Latino anchors across broadcast, cable and streaming.

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