Pablo Larraín & His Brother’s Fabula Productions Renews First-Look Partnership with Freemantle

Pablo Larraín and his brother are extending their Freemantle deal…

The 47-year-old Chilean filmmaker and Juan de Dios Larraín’s Fabula Productions has renewed its their first-look partnership with Freemantle.

Pablo & Juan de Dios LarraínThe agreement will reportedly result in the Larrain brothers working even more closely to develop a fresh slate of original dramas and films.

Under the accord, Fremantle’s international sales wing, FMI, will distribute the drama projects worldwide.

Global production and distribution company Fremantle and the Larraín’s Santiago, Chile-based banner Fabula struck their original first-look deal in 2019.

Under the accord, Fabula has produced prize-winning series La Jauría and Señorita 89 as well as the upcoming Midnight Family for Apple TV+, a 10-episode medical drama inspired by the award-winning documentary of the same name.

On the feature film front, Fabula and Fremantle have just wrapped production on Sebastián Lelio’s film musical The Wave, in partnership with Participant Media.

The drama tells the story of the mass university rallies that took place during Chile’s so-called “Feminist May” in 2018.

Further upcoming feature collaborations include Pablo Larraín’s upcoming bio-film Maria starring Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas, produced alongside Komplizen Film.

The partners said in a statement that the Fabula team would continue to work closely with Fremantle’s CEO, Global Drama, Christian Vesper and Seb Shorr, COO, Global Drama.

“Pablo and Juan encapsulate the bold and inventive filmmaking we proudly support at Fremantle and I am delighted that that our renewed deal means working even closer with them. Fabula is such an exciting company creating original, passionate film and drama titles, and we are thrilled to have them as our valued partners,” said Vesper.

Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín, CCO and CEO of Fabula respectively said the past five years had been a period of “great collaboration” and “mutual growth on many levels.”

“Fremantle has given us many tools to understand the industry and how to move forward. They have been wonderful travel companions with fantastic taste. We are more than happy to go deeper into our partnership with them in the upcoming years.”

Julien’s Auctions Sells Belongings of the Late Raquel Welch for $1 Million-Plus

The late Raquel Welch’s belongings have made bank …

Julien’s Auctions has revealed that it has sold all of the items in its special auction of memorabilia owned by the Bolivian American actress, who passed away in February 2023 at the age of 82.

Raquel_WelchBombshell: The Raquel Welch Collection had nearly 500 items owned by the legendary beauty.

The auction concluded on Friday in Los Angeles and online.

Costumes, accessories, awards, memorabilia and a 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 Convertible from the sex symbol were up for bids.

The auction achieved a total sale of $1.08 million, three and a half times the high estimate.

Welch was known for her iconic roles in the films Fantastic Voyage, Myra Breckinridge, The Three Musketeers and One Million Years B.C.

Her 1975 Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her role in The Three Musketeers realized a price of $26,000, eight and half times the original estimate of $3,000.

A two-piece bikini-style costume worn by Welch when she portrayed Lillian Lust in the 1967 comedy Bedazzled sold for $22,750, forty-five and half times its estimate of $500. The top and bottom are covered in clear plastic sequins and the bottom front features long strands of clear plastic beads.

The most iconic image of Welch’s career was her One Million Years B.C. style suede and faux fur bikini, worn by Welch in her stage show and on her 1974 television special Really, Raquel, which sold for $13,000, 26x the original estimate of $500.

A personally-owned framed photo of Raquel Welch wearing the doe skin bikini from the prehistoric epic film also sold for $4,550, forty-five times the original estimate of $100.

Other highlights included: a La Jolla High School 1958 Diploma of Graduation, granted to Jo-Raquel Tejada (Welch) accompanied by her senior year report card sold for $3,250, over sixteen times its estimate of $200.

Frankie Quiñones Signs with United Talent Agency (UTA)

Frankie Quiñones has new representation…

The 40-year-old Mexican American stand-up comedian and actor has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for for representation in all areas.

Frankie QuiñonesQuiñones is perhaps best known for starring as Luis, former gang member turned Hugs Not Thugs program participant, on Hulu’s critically acclaimed series This Fool, having been nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the Independent Spirit Awards last year.

He also has a recurring role on FX’s acclaimed vampire comedy series What We Do in the Shadows, as well as Fired on Mars and Victor & Valentino on Max.

His additional acting credits include Mr. Mayor (NBC), Feliz Navidad (Lifetime), The Dress Up Gang (TBS), Papi Chulo (Blue Fox Entertainment) and AMC’s spin-off miniseries The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, to name a few.

Most recently, Quiñones wrapped a pilot for his own sketch show at Hulu titled Get Frankie, with more details forthcoming.

Launched in 2021, his podcast The Frankie Quiñones Show, produced by Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players Network and iHeart Radio, features sketches of colorful characters based on the friends and family that helped shape him into the comedian he is today.

Shakira Barrera Signs with Innovative Artists for Representation

Shakira Barrera is ready to innovate…

The 34-year-old Nicaraguan American actress has signed with Innovative Artists for representation.

Shakira BarreraThe actress, dancer, producer and humanitarian is best known for her breakout role in Netflix’s G.L.O.W. as Yolanda Rivas, a lady wrestler.

Most recently, she starred as First Officer Jensen Corbyt in Star Wars: Ahsoka opposite Rosario Dawson and in the series regular role of Gloria, a college-educated scam artist who discovered her love for conning people at a young age, in Greg Garcia’s Sprung from Prime Video alongside Garret Dillahunt and Martha Plimpton.

Her upcoming projects include a guest-starring role on HBO’s Hacks and a series regular role on Marvel’s Ironheart starring Dominique Thorne and Anthony Ramos.

Her additional TV credits include Showtime’s Shameless, TNT’s Animal Kingdom, Netflix’s It’s Bruno! and OWN’s All Rise for Season 3.

Most recently, Barrera has been producing and creating projects of her own.

In addition to acting and producing, she is a global ambassador for the Nicaraguan Human Rights Alliance, helping immigrants coming from Central America and is also an ambassador for the non-profit, “Project SchoolHouse,” building permanent water structures in Nicaragua.

Taylor Zakhar Perez Signs with Paradigm

Taylor Zakhar Perez has new representation…

The 32-year-old part-Mexican American actor and breakout star of Amazon’s hit rom-com Red, White & Royal Blue, has signed with Paradigm for representation.

Taylor Zakhar PerezIn the film from director Matthew Lopez, which adapts the New York Times bestselling novel from Casey McQuiston, Perez plays Alex Claremont-Diaz, son of the American President (Uma Thurman), whose feud with a British prince (Nicholas Galitzine) threatens to drive a wedge in U.S./British relations. Subsequently, the pair are forced into a staged truce that sparks something deeper.

Produced by Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schecter, the film premiered in August 2023 and became the No. 1 movie globally on Prime Video in its premiere weekend, remaining the platform’s most-watched film worldwide for the first three weeks after its release.

Touted by Amazon as spurring “a huge surge in new Prime membership signups,” the film is also now among Prime Video’s top three most-watched romantic comedies of all time.

Previously, Perez caught attention when he joined Netflix’s hugely popular YA film series The Kissing Booth, based on the novels by Beth Reekles, for its second and third installments. Additionally, he was featured in the first season of Max’s critically acclaimed series Minx, opposite Ophelia Lovibond, as well as Buzzfeed Studios’ 1UP, available on Prime Video.

He was recently named a SAG Awards Ambassador for the 30th annual SAG Awards, an appointment given to actors exemplifying the utmost values of the profession,

Carlos Eric Lopez Signs with Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Carlos Eric Lopez has new representation…

The Mexican-American personality, founder, photographer, creative director and cultural curator with more than a decade of experience in the entertainment and lifestyle industry has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Carlos Eric LopezLopez is behind the yearly Dia de Muertos celebration that brings together prominent figures from the Latino community, uniting hundreds of artists, tastemakers, executives, musicians, grassroots organizers and celebrities.

Last year’s celebration honored Gael García Bernal with the Life & Legacy award. He’s also the founder of Cura Lita, a beverage company that celebrates and honors the Latino community and its rich heritage.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to bring my culture, ancestry, and other Latinos with me on this new adventure,” Lopez said in a statement to Deadline. “Together, we’ll write a new chapter of success and empowerment for Latinos everywhere, because when one of us grows, we all grow.”

Last year, CAA launched of CAA Latino, an initiative to drive new opportunities to its Latino and Hispanic clients including Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez, Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, Angel Manuel Soto and Ana de Armas, while also expanding their roster with new talent.

In addition to Carlos Eric Lopez, On My Block star Jessica Marie Garcia recently joined the agency.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher Launches Production Banner THP Entertainment

JoAnna Garcia Swisher is hoping to bring more joy to the world…

The 44-year-old half-Cuban and part-Spanish American actress, producer, television host and entrepreneur is expanding her lifestyle platform The Happy Place with the launch of her production banner THP Entertainment, which she will co-run alongside longtime business partner and co-founder, Kate Gordon.

Joanna Garcia SwisherGarcia Swisher is known for her roles on Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias, ABC’s Once Upon a Time and Reba McEntire’s eponymous comedy series for the CW. Gordon is an entrepreneur with extensive experience in talent management, sports/media production, digital content creation and e-commerce product development.

Garcia Swisher and Gordon launched The Happy Place as a lifestyle digital and social media platform that celebrates the spaces, places and moments that bring joy and a sense of community to all visitors.

The site has reached close to a million subscribers and their social media accounts have reached over 4.8M in the last month alone, according to THP. The production banner is an expansion of the site’s book club THP Reads that will focus on bringing select stories to life through TV and film.

First up on the scripted slate is THP Reads March 2022 pick, Ladies of the House, produced with Black Label Media. The romantic drama will re-team Garcia Swisher with Sheryl J. Anderson, the creator/showrunner of Sweet Magnolias. Based on the novel by Lauren Edmonson, the series follows the wife and adult daughters of a Senator as they navigate the treacherous balance of personal and public lives after the Senator dies in compromising circumstances.

“The Happy Place is a destination where you come to be inspired and to feel connected through our mutual life experiences. We are constantly in awe of this inclusive community that embraces our desire to celebrate life’s moments, both big and small.” Garcia Swisher and Gordon said in a joint statement to Deadline. “THP Reads has become something that we enjoy together, month after month. It felt like a natural extension to bring this collective excitement surrounding books we read to life on screen in a way we can all be proud of and excited about.”

Swisher currently stars in Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias as ‘Maddie Townsend.’ The show is in production on its fourth season, and she will also return as the host of The Ultimatum: Queer Love. In film, she most recently starred in Vince Vaughn’s Christmas with the Campbells.

Karol G Continues Breaking Records with Mañana Será Bonito Tour

Karol G continues breaking records…

The 33-year-old Colombian Grammy-winning singer has broken records in Costa Rica while on the Latin American leg of her Mañana Será Bonito Tour.

Karol GKarol G sold nearly 105,000 tickets between her two sold-out shows in San José (March 9-10), becoming the highest ticket sales ever for a concert in the Central American country.

The record was previously held by Coldplay in 2022.

Additionally, as the trek moves to Europe, the “Bichota” singer also achieved a groundbreaking feat by becoming the first artist to sell out four shows at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, where she’ll perform from July 20 to 23.

Trueno Signs Record Deal with Sony Music Latin

Trueno has a new record deal…

The 21-year-old Argentine rapper and singer has signed a deal with Sony Music Latin.

TruenoTrueno, known for his socially conscious lyrics, is a leading force in the hip-hop scene of Latin America.

“Joining Sony Music US Latin is a big step in my career! I am very excited to be able to share with this great team my next album, an album that is very special to me,” said Trueno, who had been releasing music via indie label Sur Capital Records, in a statement.

Trueno (real name Mateo Palacios Corazzina) first gained momentum in 2019 after being crowned champion of the Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos and the Freestyle Master Series (FMS), and has since dropped two studio albums, Atrevido (2020) and Bien o Mal (2022).

He’s so far scored three entries on the Billboard Global 200, and landed at No. 10 on Billboard‘s 50 Best Spanish-Language Rappers of All Time.

“Trueno is the new head of Latin American Hip Hop,” expressed Sony Music Latin president Alex Gallardo. “Growing up in an environment where the art and culture of Hip Hop predominated, Trueno developed as an artist at a very young age. At only 21 years old he is ready to establish himself as the leader of this genre in Spanish and from Sony US Latin we welcome him and want to offer him the platform to continue to grow and take his music to the whole world.”

“From the day I heard him for the first time when he was just 18 years old, I knew he would be the Argentine artist who would achieve greater transcendence in the world, not only for his music, but for his message, his ethics and his values,” added Damian Amato, president of Sony Music Hispanic South America. “Trueno is a complete artist, owner of a unique talent, incomparable lyrics, an overwhelming live show and above all, a future that I believe has no limits for his growth. I am very happy to have him join the Sony US Latin family and I am always grateful for the trust that Trueno has placed in my team all these years.”

Marcello Hernandez Signs with LBI Entertainment

Marcello Hernandez has new representation…

The 26-year-old Cuban & Dominican American stand-up comedian, writer and actor has signed with LBI Entertainment.

Marcello HernandezHernanadez currently performs as a featured player on Saturday Night Live.

On SNL, he has been featured on Weekend Update and appeared in some of the more memorable recent sketches with Pedro Pascal, Bad Bunny, Ana de Armas and Jason Momoa, among others.

Performing stand-up since the age of 18, Hernandez has opened for headliners such as Jo Koy, Dave Chappelle, Tim Dillon, Mark Viera and Gilbert Gottfried.

In 2020, he became a host and creative director for @onlyindade, a Miami-based account with over one million followers.

In 2022 he was selected as a Just For Laughs New Face of Comedy.

Starting in 2023 he can be seen in commercial campaigns for T-Mobile and Nissan.