Anthony Ramos is celebrating a massive box office performance…
Twisters, a sequel to the almost 30-year-old hit Twister, starring the 32-year-old Puerto Rican actor/singer, blew past expectations to gross $80.5 million in the third-best opening of the year at the box office.
Twisters was projected to rake in roughly $50 million at the box office in its opening weekend but topped that by more than 60%, putting it behind only Dune: Part Two and Inside Out 2 for the year’s biggest opening weekends.
The film, billed as a “stand-alone sequel” to its 1996 predecessor, was liked by 78% of critics and a whopping 92% of audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, earning praise as a “wonderfully mindless adventure” and “fun summer blockbuster.”
The impressive debut gives Twisters the largest opening weekend ever for a disaster movie in unadjusted terms, besting 2004’s The Day After Tomorrow ($68.4 million).
Twisters is helping the summer box office rebound from a lackluster start that threatened to pull down year-end box office projections beyond their already-diminished expectations, adding to a series of surprise summer successes that have so far included Bad Boys: Ride or Die and A Quiet Place: Day One.
In addition to Ramos, who portrays Javi in the film, the film also stars Glenn Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones.
The 31-year-old Colombian hitmaker has signed a record deal with 5020 Records.
Born Francisco David RoseroSerna, the singer-songwriter from Medellín, Colombia has made a name for himself due to his socially conscious, raw lyrics and a signature style that blends hip-hop with reggae and regional influences.
His latest album, HECHO M13RD4, includes collaborations with Ryan Castro, Gera MX and Santa Fe Klan.
“Joining 5020 Records is an important milestone in my career. This collaboration will allow me to reach even more fans and take my music to new heights,” Básico said in a statement. “I am excited about the future and the creative possibilities that this partnership brings.”
Sony Music recently launched 5020 Records out of Miami with a roster that includes Christina Aguilera, Kany García, Nathy Peluso and Residente.
Básico had previously been releasing his music via his own self-titled imprint.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nanpa Básico to the family,” added Rafa Arcaute, co-president of 5020 Records. “His unique voice and powerful storytelling resonate with audiences around the world, and we look forward to supporting his artistic vision and helping him achieve even greater success.”
“Having Nanpa Básico in our roster reinforces our mission to expand the possibilities for Latin music exponents who, like him, are committed to excellence and the values of our culture,” added Bruno Duarte, 5020 Records co-president.
News of the deal comes on the heels of Básico’s upcoming Duelo Tour, which includes stops throughout Mexico, including Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City.
The 28-year-old Guatemalan American actor has signed with Verve for representation.
Revolori made his breakthrough in Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. He has since reunited with Anderson in The French Dispatchand Asteroid City.
The Mexican act – consisting of brothers Milton, Emilio and Mike de la Rosa – has signed an exclusive record deal with Rimas Entertainment.
They join the label that’s home to Latin music stars Bad Bunny, Eladio Carrión and Arcángel, among others.
News of the group’s signing comes after they secured slots in global music festivals, including their U.S. debut at Coachella, Sueños in Chicago and Summerfest in Milwaukee.
As independent artists, Latin Mafia has grown a dedicated pool of fans with only an eclectic handful of singles that gained traction on Spotify, where they boast nearly seven million monthly listeners.
Based in Mexico, the trio’s sound ranges from R&B, reggaeton and trap, to indie, pop, afrobeats and EDM.
Latin Mafia tells Variety their debut album, which is said to be released later this year, will be “very different” than their previous releases.
“We’re experimenting a lot and changing even more,” the group said jointly. “We could say that on the album everything starts from contrast — of saturation and noise, with the non-existent and almost barely perceptible; of the simple and the exaggerated, as well as the reasonable and the irrelevant.”
The group described signing a deal with Rimas as “synergetic,” adding that “we feel Rimas is a record label with a very young mentality.” They continued, “[Rimas] understands this industry is always changing and that today, the music industry stands for something totally different than it did [before].”
Junior Carabano, vice president of Rimas, said the signing was a “testament to our expansion in Mexico,” adding that the deal took a year to complete. The deal was said to have involved multiple bids from other major labels.
“This amazing achievement is the result of a year of hard work, and I am incredibly grateful to have made it a reality,” said Carbano. “This has been my biggest priority over the past 12 months, and signing Latin Mafia means a lot to me personally. We’re honored to welcome them and appreciate their trust in our work. We’re excited to embark on this adventure, giving them our best to bring their music to expansive new audiences in Mexico and around the world. I can’t wait to write their next chapter together and make history.”
Latin Mafia’s biggest songs include “Patadas de Ahogado,” “Flores,” “Julietota,” “Se Fue La Luz,” and “No Digas Nada.”
The band has already completed dates at Lollapalooza Argentina, Lollapalooza Chile, Costa Rica’s Picnic Festival, Colombia’s Estereo Picnic, Guatemala’s Empire Music Festival, and Justas Festival in Puerto Rico. They’re set to perform for Mexico’s Baja Beach Fest on August 10.
Sony Pictures Television has extended the Latina comedy writer and showrunner’s overall deal, per Deadline.
Under the new two-year pact, Muñoz-Liebowitz will continue to develop scripted comedy series across cable and streaming as well as the possibility of exploring a drama, which is where she began her career.
Most recently, she served as showrunner of The Gordita Chronicles, created by Claudia Forestieri, which is currently streaming on Hulu and Tubi.
Before that, she was co-executive producer of the critically acclaimed comedy One Day at a Timefor Sony Pictures Television and co-executive producer on the Max comedy anthology series Love Life, starring Anna Kendrick and William Jackson Harper.
She recently wrote and directed the short film Some of US Watch The Sunset, Too.
Muñoz-Liebowitz started her career as a writer on the Fox/NBC series Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Her other TV credits include co-executive producer on the Disney+ comedy Diary of a Future Presidentfor CBS Studios, supervising producer on the NBC comedy Abby’sfor Universal Television, and supervising producer on TBS’People of Earth with Greg Daniels and Warner Horizon. She has also developed for Hulu with Berlanti Prods./WBTV and CBS/CBS Studios.
Muñoz-Liebowitz is a graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and has a Masters in Producing from Columbia University School of the Arts. At Columbia, she developed and produced the short film Cigarette Candy, which won the Grand Jury Prize at SXSW.
Rimas Sports — an agency partnership between Bad Bunny and executives Noah Assad and Jonathan Miranda — has signed the Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder who plays for the Atlanta Braves to an exclusive representation agreement.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Acuña family to Rimas Sports,” Miranda, CEO of Rimas Sports, said in a statement. “Ronald is a once-in-a-generation player, and we are confident that together we will take his extraordinary career to new heights. Acuña is aligned with Rimas Sports’ foundational principle of empowering the next generation of Latin American players by helping them build lasting legacies for themselves, their families, and their communities.”
The renowned athlete kicked off his career with Braves organization in 2014 and made his MLB debut in 2018 when he nabbed the Rookie of the Year title.
In 2023, the four-time MLB All-Star was named the 2023 National League Most Valuable Player in his sixth major-league season, marking the eighth time a Braves player has nabbed the title after Freddie Freeman (2020), Chipper Jones (1999), Terry Pendleton (1991), Dale Murphy (1982, 1983), Hank Aaron (1957), Robert Elliott (1947) and Johnny Evers (1914).
A press statement at the time noted that Acuña “was a unanimous selection, receiving 30 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. He finished with 420 points, 150 more than runner-up Mookie Betts.”
To celebrate his new MVP title, award-winning Mexican-American producer Samuel Ash dropped “La Bestia,” a catchy dembow song performed by Dominican artist Niko Eme.
“We wanted something that felt global and to do something we could put a chant to,” Ash previously told Billboard. “I know dembow is a Dominican genre but I felt that it could still feel global and resonate with him as a Venezuelan.”
The 41-year-old Chilean & Mexican musician, singer, composer and painter has signed a record deal with Sony Music Latin.
In this “new phase” of Mon Laferte’s career, Sony Music will continue to “enhance” her legacy and international visibility, according to the label. The Grammy-nominated artist is currently on her Live Nation-produced Autopoiética tour in the United States, taking its name from her 2023 album.
“Mon Laferte is a wonderful artist. We are thrilled that she has come to Sony Music, her home,” Afo Verde, chairman/CEO of Sony Music Latin-Iberia, said in a statement. “Composer, singer, and an exceptional performer, her excellence knows no limits. We are certain that Sony is the perfect place for her to begin the next chapter of her career. Welcome, dear Mon. May this new stage bring you much happiness and many achievements.”
Mon Laferte, who had been signed to Universal Music México since 2015, is known for her signature raspy, often dramatic vocals and use of classic Latin rhythms such as cumbia, bolero and alt folk. Her often personal and vulnerable lyrics have cemented her as one of the most consequential Latin acts of her generation.
“At Sony US Latin, we are very excited and more than ready to put all our resources and knowledge at the service of Mon Laferte’s extraordinary talent,” added Alex Gallardo, president of Sony Music U.S. Latin. “From the beginning of her career, she has been distinguished by her very personal voice and an incomparable strength to defend her art. We are confident that what we will achieve together will be unparalleled.”
Mon Laferte is set to embark on the European leg of her Autopoiética tour this summer. Additionally, a forthcoming documentary title Mon Laferte, Te Amo — which follows the artist during her 2021-2022 tour — will be released on Netflix in August.
Following the 43-year-old Cuban actor and telenovela star’s acclaimed role in ViX‘s Montecristo last year, the TelevisaUnivision streamer has signed Secuoya Studios and William Levy Entertainment to a production deal.
Together, the companies will develop two new projects – the series, Arcadia (w/t) and the film, Bajo Un Volcán(w/t) – both starring Levy, who will serve as an also executive produce.
Arcadia (w/t) tells the story of Pablo (Levy), a man who flees due to a broken heart and a violent past. Under a false identity, he starts a new life with his son in Arcadia, an idyllic town in the Canary Islands. Bajo Un Volcán (w/t), follows an ill-timed and forbidden love happening amid a natural catastrophe. Both projects are set to start production later in the year.
“I am thrilled to be teaming up with Secuoya and ViX again on two outstanding projects that I believe our audiences will love as much as I do. I can´t wait to return to Spain to start production”, Levy shares in a statement to Deadline.
“Following the success of Montecristo in 2023, we are excited to renew our collaboration with Secuoya Studios and the talented William Levy, bringing our growing audience two compelling productions that will enhance our content offering with powerful narratives and visuals that will resonate with our subscribers,” shared Augusto Rovegno, Senior Vice President ofContent of ViX at TelevisaUnivision.
Levy began his career in the Spanish-language market where he quickly catapulted to one of the most sought-after talents where he remains today. He expanded his reach with U.S. audiences in the 2000s with roles in Tyler Perry’s The Single Moms Club, Girls Trip opposite Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett-Smith, Resident Evil: The Final Chapterand most notably on the small screen as a regular in Lee Daniels’ Star from Fox.
“We are delighted to renew our magnificent relationship with ViX. Thanks to this agreement we will work together on two of Secuoya Studios’ most ambitious 2024 projects. Having William Levy again, in his dual role as protagonist and executive producer, in Arcadia and Under a Volcano, his first film in Spain, demonstrates the excellent professional harmony that was established in the development of Montecristo, the series that captivated audiences last year,” stated Sergio Pizzolante, Commercial & Distribution President, Secuoya Studios.
Television Academychair Cris Abrego has announced his appointees to the Television Academy Executive Committee for 2024, including the 55-year-old Cuban American film producer and businesswoman.
Garcia is the founder of GSTQ and the CEO and chair of The Garcia Companies overseeing a portfolio of brands in business, entertainment, and food, including Seven Bucks Productions, Teremana Tequila, Athleticon and the Project Rock Collection at Under Armour, VOSS, Atom Tickets, Salt & Straw, ZOA Energy, Acorns and the UFL.
In addition to Garcia, other appointees include returning members Pearlena Igbokwe and John Landgraf, along with Brandon Riegg, Paul Buccieri and Amy Reisenbach.
They will advise Abrego on the organization’s direction and its core initiatives and work with the Television Academy’s officers and the board of governors to guide the Academy throughout the year.
“I am thrilled to welcome these industry luminaries to the Academy’s Executive Committee and feel fortunate to be able to count on their counsel to drive the Academy forward and bolster its mission,” said Abrego. “Their partnership will be invaluable to the Academy, and to me personally, as we work together to lead this organization and the Emmys themselves into the future, ensuring both their relevance and impact.”
The Academy’s Board of Governors also has elected the following Peer Group Governors as their representatives on the executive committee for the 2024 term: Wendy Aylsworth (Science & Technology), Eddie Bonin (Special Visual Effects), Jo DiSante (Television Executives) and Larry Rosenthal (Stunts). Tina Perry, chair of the Television Academy Foundation, will also serve on the committee.
The 24-year-old Mexican singer and musician has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in all areas.
Peso Pluma’s debut album, Génesis, won the “Best Música Mexicana Album” award at the 2024 Grammys and landed No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking the highest-charting Mexican music album in the chart’s history.
The album has also garnered a variety of other awards this year, including four iHeartRadio Music Awards and two wins for “Best Album – Regional Mexican” and “Best Collaboration – Regional Mexican” at the 2024 Latin American Music Awards.
In the past year, Peso headed off on a sold-out global tour, became the first Mexican artist to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards and won the “Best New Act” category at the MTV Europe Music Awards last year.
In 2023, Peso’s hit single “Ella Baila Sola” broke records by securing the No. 10 spot on Billboard’s All-Genre Hot 100 list, amassing an impressive 1.2 billion streams.
He currently holds the title of the fifth most-streamed artist globally, boasting over 60 million monthly listeners on Spotify revealing his popularity beyond the Spanish-language market.
Following his performances at Coachella and for Sony Electronics, Peso is gearing up for his North American tour this summer and headlining major festivals such as the Governor’s Ball, Sueños and Baja Beach Fest.
Additionally, his second studio album, Éxodo, is set to release this spring.
Additional accolades include four 2024 Premio Lo Nuestro awards, including “New Artist Male” and “Música Mexicana – Album of the Year.” Further, there were eight triumphs at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, with Peso notably clinching titles like “Artist of the Year, New.” Additionally, he garnered five distinctions at the 2023 Premios Juventud, securing recognitions like “Next Generation Regional Mexican” and “Best Regional Mexican Album.”
Twisters was projected to rake in roughly $50 million at the box office in its opening weekend but topped that by more than 60%, putting it behind only Dune: Part Two and Inside Out 2 for the year’s biggest opening weekends.
