Ashanti to Perform on ABC’s “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest” Program

Posted on December 31, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Ashanti is changing up her New Year’s Eve plans…

The 41-year-old half-Afro-Dominican singer/actress and Ja Rule will join Journey as headliners for ABC’s Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest in Times Square. Ashanti’s last minute addition comes as Karol G, who originally had been scheduled, canceled her performance.

The changes are the latest for the New Year’s Eve special, after LL Cool J announced yesterday he had tested positive for COVID-19 and would not be performing as scheduled, and R&B singer Chlöe also had dropped out.

Other A-list stars and performers still scheduled for Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest include Pose alum Billy Porter, who co-hosts in New Orleans, Daddy Yankee in Puerto Rico and a Los Angeles bill that includes Ciara, Avril Lavigne & Travis Barker, Big Boi, OneRepublic and French Montana.

There have been concerns about proceeding with New Year’s Eve events in New York as the city has seen infection rates skyrocket due to the highly contagious Omicron variant.

NY Mayor Bill de Blasio last week had announced that the city would be proceeding with the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop but with fewer revelers and tighter rules, including masks and social distancing. In light of the decision by the city to keep the celebration on, ABC is proceeding with Rockin’ Eve 2022 while adhering to CDC/local protocols regarding audience attendees in Times Square.

Fox last week canceled its New Year’s Eve special – Fox’s New Year’s Eve Toast & Roast 2022 – as a result of the rising spread of the Omicron variant in New York. The special also was set to be produced in Times Square.

Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest kicks off at 8:00 pm ET on ABC.

Karol G to Perform During ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest”

Posted on December 18, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Karol G will be ringing in the New Year in the Big Apple…

The 30-year-old Colombian singer is set to perform at this year’s 50th anniversary edition of ABC’s holiday staple Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

Karol G will perform from Manhattan, alongside new additions to the bill Rock Hall of Famers Journey and R&B singer Chlöe.

LL Cool J will play a pre-midnight set in Times Square, and Emmy-winning Pose alum Billy Porter with perform a medley aboard the riverboat Louis Armstrong on the Mississippi River as part of the annual NYE show.

They join previously announced performers including Daddy Yankee in Puerto Rico and a Los Angeles bill that includes Ciara, Avril Lavigne & Travis Barker, Big Boi, OneRepublic and French Montana.

Ryan Seacrest will host New Year’s Rockin’ Eve for a 17th year from Times Square, joined by rookie co-hosts Porter from New Orleans, Liza Koshy in NYC and Roselyn Sanchez in Puerto Rico — the inaugural destination for the show’s first Spanish-language countdown.

ABC’s 50th annual Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest starts at 8:00 pm on December 31.

Gomez’s “Hands to Myself” Reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs Chart, Landing Her in Elite Company

Posted on April 3, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez’s latest album is turning out to be Pop gold…

The 23-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress has earned her third No. 1 on Billboard‘s Pop Songs radio airplay chart (dated April 16), as her latest single “Hands to Myself” lifts 2-1.

The song follows leaders “Good for You,” featuring A$AP Rocky, and “Same Old Love,” each of which led for two weeks beginning in September and January, respectively.

With all three songs from her latest album Revival, Gomez becomes just the sixth woman to score at least a trio of Pop Songs No. 1s from a single set (dating to the chart’s 1992 launch).

Here is the elite club and the albums and songs that gained them entrance:

Alanis Morissette, Jagged Little Pill: “Ironic,” “You Learn,” “Head Over Feet” (1996)

Avril Lavigne, Let Go: “Complicated,” “Sk8er Boi,” “I’m With You” (2002-03)

Lady Gaga, The Fame, “Just Dance” (featuring Colby O’Donis), “Poker Face,” “LoveGame,” “Paparazzi” (2009)

Katy Perry, Teenage Dream: “California Gurls” (featuring Snoop Dogg), “Teenage Dream,” “Firework,” “E.T.” (featuring Kanye West), “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.),” “The One That Got Away” (2010-12)

Taylor Swift, 1989: “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” “Style,” “Bad Blood” (featuring Kendrick Lamar), “Wildest Dreams” (2014-15)

Selena Gomez, Revival: “Good for You” (featuring A$AP Rocky), “Same Old Love,” “Hands to Myself” (2015-16)

Valderrama to Voice the Male Lead in the Animated Musical “Charming”

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Wilmer Valderrama has landed a royal role…

The 35-year-old Colombian and Venezuelan American actor will voice the male lead in the animated musical Charming.

Valderrama, who stars in Fox’s new series Minority Report, joins a cast that includes Demi Lovato as Lenore, Ashley Tisdale as Cinderella, Avril Lavigne as Snow White and Chinese pop star G.E.M. as Sleeping Beauty in the pic from writer-director Ross Venokur.

“Wilmer had everything we were looking for while we were contemplating who to cast as this Prince Charming: irresistible charm, perfect comedic timing and a lot of heart,” said John H. Williams, who is producing the film with fellow 3QU Media co-founder Henry Skelsey. “We needed a Prince Charming who could convey the love of being a lover and someone who isn’t afraid of being absurd and over the top at times but also be deep and emotional when he actually meets his unexpected (not a princess) true love.”

Valderrama is a regular on Robert Rodriguez’s El Rey Network series From Dusk Till Dawn and voiced the title role on Disney’s toon series Handy Manny.

Other recent credits for the That 70’s Show alum include features The Adderall Diaries and To Whom It May Concern and TV’s Raising Hope and Awake.

“We’ve all been waiting so long to see a Latin princess represented in an animated fairy tale,” Valderrama said. “I’m grateful to the enlightened producer John Williams for anointing me as the first Latin prince.”

J Balvin Releases Video for New Single “Ginza”

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

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 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

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

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.

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 Wonder, Avril Lavigne, Cody 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.

Dorough and the Backstreet Boys to Tour with Avril Lavigne This Summer

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Howie Dorough’s back, alright…

The 40-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer and his fellow Backstreet Boys will join forces with Avril Lavigne for a North American amphitheaters tour this summer.

Dorough and his bandmates announced the dates during a recent appearance on Good Morning America.

The Backstreet Boys have been on the road supporting their new album In a World Like This since last August, receiving support from artists like Jesse McCartney, DJ Pauly D and B5.

The trek kicks off on May 3 in Canada.

Here’s a look at the full concert schedule:

May 3 – Moncton Coliseum Arena – Moncton, NB
May 4 – Halifax Metro Centre – Halifax, NS
May 6 – Rogers K-Rock Centre – Kingston, ON
May 7 – Budweiser Gardens – London, ON
May 8 – Frist Ontario Centre – Hamilton, ON
May 11 – MTS Centre – Winnipeg, MB
May 13 – Mosaic Place – Moose Jaw, SK
May 14 – Enmax Centre – Lethbridge, AB
May 16 – Scotiabank Saddledome – Calgary, AB
May 17 – Rexall Place – Edmonton, AB
May 18 – EnCana Events Centre – Dawson Creek, BC
May 20 – Rogers Arena – Vancouver, BC
May 22 – WaMu Theater, Seattle, Wash.
May 24 – Sleep Train Amphitheatre – Sacramento, CA.
May 25 – Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA
May 28 – Viejas Arena, San Diego – CA
May 29 – The Forum, Los Angeles – CA
May 30-31 – Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
June 2- Isleta Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM
June 4 – American Bank Center Arena – Corpus Christi, TX
June 5 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Houston, TX
June 6 – Chesapeake Energy Arena – Oklahoma City, OK
June 7 – Starlight Theatre, Kansas City – MO
June 9 – CenturyLink Center Omaha – Omaha, NE
June 10 – Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul – MN
June 11 – FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island – Chicago, IL
June 13 – Klipsch Music Center – Indianapolis, IN
June 14 – First Niagara Pavilion – Pittsburgh, PA
June 15 – Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, OH
June 17 – DTE Energy Music Theatre – Detroit, MI
June 18 – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center – Darien Lake, NY
June 20 – Xfinity Center – Boston, MA
June 21 – Susquehanna Bank Center – Philadelphia, PA
June 22 – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY

Mars’ iHeartRadio Music Festival Performance to Air on the CW

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars will be rockin’ the CW this fall…

The CW has announced plans to broadcast performances from this year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, which will feature a live performance by the 27-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer.

The CW will use the concert special to kick off its official television season.

The network will broadcast the fesival as a four-hour special over two nights, September 30 and October1.

The special will focus on Clear Channel’s two-day concert event, which will take place on the weekend of September 20 and 21.

Along with Mars, this year’s festival will include performances by Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, J. Cole, Elton John, Muse, Keith Urban, fun., Miguel, Maroon 5, Tim McGraw, Miley Cyrus, The Wanted, Avril Lavigne, Ke$ha and others who are still to be determined.

Mars to Perform at This Year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars will be singing his heart out this September…

The 27-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer will perform at this year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.

Now in its third year, the festival has quickly become a home to a who’s who of artists across all radio formats.

Mars, currently on a world tour to promote his sophomore album, joins a lineup that includes Miguel, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Elton John and a special pairing of Queen with Adam Lambert.

The two-day festival will be held on September 20 and 21 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Arena, with a first-time Fan Village set to run during the day at a 15-acre parking lot adjacent to the arena. That space will be free to ticketholders and will feature performances from Miley Cyrus, Avril Lavigne, AWOLNATION and Jason Derulo.

The main festival lineup was announced Monday morning in a press conference hosted by Ryan Seacrest.

The 2012 iHeartRadio played host to several impromptu duets and collaborations, including a kickoff performance of No Doubt joined by P!nk for “Just A Girl” and more.

Here is the lineup for the 2013 iHeartRadio Music Festival:

Justin Timberlake
Katy Perry
Elton John
Muse
Tiësto
Chris Brown
Keith Urban
J. Cole
fun.
Bruno Mars
Phoenix
Zedd
Maroon 5
Miguel
Tim McGraw
Ke$ha
Thirty Seconds to Mars
Benny Benassi
Special live appearance by Queen and Adam Lambert

Lineup for iHeartRadio Music Festival Village (multiple stages):

Miley Cyrus
Avril Lavigne
AWOLNATION
Pete Tong
Twenty One Pilots
Jason Derulo

Mars Earns Fifth No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs Chart

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars has reached a new milestone on the Billboard charts…

The 27-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer’s “Locked Out of Heaven,” which recently reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 last week, has reached No. 1 on the Pop Songs airplay chart.

“Locked Out of Heaven” becomes Mars’ fifth Pop Songs No. 1, tying him with Nelly and Justin Timberlake for the most leaders among solo males.

Here’s a look at the male soloists with the most No. 1s, dating to the Pop Songs chart’s launch the week of October 3, 1992:

5, Bruno Mars
5, Nelly
5, Justin Timberlake
4, Flo Rida
3, Chris Brown
3, Eminem
3, Ludacris
3, Timbaland
3, Kanye West

Katy Perry and Rihanna lead all artists with nine Pop Songs No. 1s apiece. Five other women have totaled between eight and six leaders each: P!nk (eight), Lady Gaga, Britney Spears (seven each) Beyonce and Mariah Carey (six each). Christina Aguilera and Avril Lavigne, as well as Maroon 5, have also managed five No. 1s each

Mars first ruled Pop Songs as a guest on B.o.B‘s “Nothin’ on You,” which earned the No. 1 ranking on the May 22, 2010 chart. His debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, yielded Mars his first two Pop Songs No. 1s as a lead artist: “Just the Way You Are” and follow-up “Grenade.” He had last led with “It Will Rain,” from the soundtrack to The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1, the week of February 4.

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