Genesis Rodriguez to Star Opposite Zoe Saldaña in Paramount+’s “Lioness” for Season Two

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Genesis Rodriguez is ready to roar…

The 36-year-old Cuban-Venezuelan actress has joined the Season 2 cast of Taylor Sheridan’s Lioness.

Rodriguez will portray Captain Josephina Carrillo, a dedicated soldier and skilled helicopter pilot with a fierce personality.

Starring Zoe Saldaña and Laysla De Oliveira, the drama was renewed for a second season by Paramount+ earlier this month. Season 1 is available to stream in its entirety via P+.

Lioness is based on a real-life CIA program and follows Cruz Manuelos (De Oliveira), a rough-around-the-edges but passionate young Marine recruited to join the CIA’s Lioness Engagement Team to help bring down a terrorist organization from within.

Saldaña plays Joe, the station chief of the Lioness program tasked with training, managing and leading her female undercover operatives.

The series also stars Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton and Hannah Love Lanier.

Rodriguez most recently wrapped production on Kevin Smith’s The 4:30 Movie, in which she stars alongside Justin Long, Jason Lee and Rachel Dratch.

She recently starred in the series Neon, executive produced by Daddy Yankee, and can also be seen in Season 3 of the hit series The Umbrella Academy.

Additional film credits include Tusk, Big Hero 6, Casa De Mi Padre, Man On A Ledge, Identity Thief and Run All Night.

She can also be seen in the independent films Centigrade and Fixation.

Rodriguez previously shot a leading role opposite Kiefer Sutherland and Boyd Holbrook for the series The Fugitive.

Lin Manuel Miranda Challenges TV Industry to Create All-Inclusive Environment in New #SeeAll PSA

Posted on September 19, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Lin Manuel Miranda is stressing the importance of diversity on the small screen…

During Sunday night’s Primetime Emmy Awards, a powerful PSA that challenges the television industry to do more to create an all-inclusive environment will air, featuring the 40-year-old Puerto Rican composer, lyricist, actor, singer, rapper, producer, and playwright.

Miranda, who created the Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton, appears alongside Billy Porter, Isis King, Daniel Dae Kim, Jamie Chung and others, in the 60-second PSA, titled “See All.”

The PSA, created by the Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing (AIMM), a division of the New York-based Association of National Advertisers, features the actors alternating lines of the script, which opens with the appeal, “We appreciate the dialogue. We see the effort from Hollywood. But we need more.”

In the spot’s midsection, the voices raise important questions. “Do you see me in this industry? You act as if bias doesn’t exist. Would you rather breathe life into stereotypes or stand up against them? Because what I know of my culture isn’t who you portray me to be.”

The comments become more pointed as the spot progresses. “We are more than a splash of color on your white canvas. We’re not your quota. We are quotable. So show me — me. Not your me. Me.”

A social movement to #SEEALL will follow.

The actors epitomize the success in recent years of more diverse performers. Miranda, who has Puerto Rican roots, is just an Oscar away from becoming an EGOT. Porter, the star of Poseand Kinky Boots, is among today’s most high-profile LGBTQ performers. King, the first trans woman to compete on America’s Next Top Model, is one of the most visible transgender people on television. Kim, who was born in South Korea, has appeared in Lost, Hawaii Five-O and Angel. Chung, a second-generation Korean-American, has appeared in the films The Hangover Part II, Sucker Punch and Big Hero 6.

AIMM describes itself as “a coalition of entities from the entire marketing ecosystem, representing the Hispanic, African-American, Asian, and LGBTQ+ markets. AIMM members are focused on re-prioritizing multicultural and inclusive marketing to help companies maximize their growth potential. AIMM has been the catalyst for unprecedented industry research examining multicultural marketing opportunities and the obstacles that stand in the way of optimal growth.”

Rodriguez to Star in Kevin Williamson’s ABC Pilot “Time After Time”

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Genesis Rodriguez has plenty of time on her hands…

The 28-year-old Venezuelan- and Cuban-American actress has landed the lead female role opposite Freddie Stroma and Josh Bowman in Kevin Williamson’s ABC pilot Time After Time.

Using the 1979 novel by Karl Alexander and movie as a starting point, Time After Time will chronicle the epic adventures of young H.G. Wells (Stroma).

Rodriguez will play Jane Walker, the museum curator who captivates H.G. Wells (Stroma) upon his arrival in modern day New York.

Williamson wrote Time After Time and is executive producing. Marcos Siega is directing. Warner Bros. Television is the studio.

Rodriguez’s credits include a breakout role in Man on a Ledge, Casa de Mi Padre, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Identity Thief and Big Hero 6.

Lopez: The Best-Dressed Latina at the 2015 Academy Awards

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

She may not be an Academy Award nominee, but Jennifer Lopez is certainly Oscars red carpet royalty.

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican actress, singer and American Idol judge, who served as a presenter during this year’s awards show, earned Best-Dressed Latina honors on this year’s red carpet.

Lopez, always fond of making a dramatic entrance, turned heads in a nude-hued Elie Saab dress that featured a voluminous skirt, intricate beading, and long train.

A high ponytail, muted makeup, and diamond earrings rounded out Lopez’s glamorous look.

But la Lopez wasn’t the only Latina to make a statement on the red carpet.

Zoë Saldaña, a presenter at this year’s awards show, returned to the Oscars red carpet in a major way only three months after welcoming her twin boys.

The 36-year-old half-Dominican/half-Puerto Rican American actress dazzled in a form-fitting champagne-colored custom Atelier Versace gown, as well as a $1 million Neil Lane diamond collar necklace.

“Petra [Flannery], my stylist, called and it was custom made for me,” Saldaña told Us Weekly of her Versace creation.

Gina Rodriguez, making her first appearance on the Oscars red carpet, walked the carpet in a stunning blue silk dress, flashing her pearly white smile.

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican actress, who won her first-ever Golden Globe last month for her performance on the CW’s Jane the Virgin, tweeted about her special gown.

It comes from Suzy Amis Cameron‘s Red Carpet Green Dress eco-fashion campaign and was designed by Manon Gabard, a Parisian fashion student.

As Gina explained in a Twitter post just an hour before the red carpet:

“#Oscars2015 ready and in my sustainable 100% certified peace silk gown (god I ❤ peace silk) for the @RedCarpetGreenD @JakeMcDorman BOOM!,” tweeted Rodriguez, who completed her look with an Edie Parker clutch and wearing Platinum jewelry.

Genesis Rodriguez, whose film Big Hero 6 won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, arrived in sizzling style.

The 27-year-old Venezuelan- and Cuban-American actress, wowed in a body hugging Vivienne Westwood dress, Charlotte Olympia shoes, a Jimmy Choo clutch, and Norman Silverman jewelry.

Last but certainly not least, America Ferrera hit the Oscars red carpet in an airy, ombré Jenny Packham gown that appeared to simply float across the red carpet.

The former Ugly Betty star, whose film How to Train Your Dragon 2 was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, accessorized her sheer overlay frock with a dark red hexagonal clutch and Irene Neuwirth jewelry, including a sharp pair of turquoise drop.

Disney Partners with myLINGO to Make Pratts’ “McFarland, USA” Accessible to Spanish-Speaking Audiences

Posted on February 15, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Spanish-speakers will soon have the chance to hear Carlos Pratts in their native tongue…

Walt Disney Studios has unveiled a new collaboration with myLINGO, a smartphone app that’ll allow Spanish-speaking audiences to experience the 28-year-old Latino actor’s latest film McFarland, USA in their native language.

The film, which opens on February 20, stars Kevin Costner as the coach of a track team at a predominantly Latino high school.

The myLINGO dubbing system uses the microphones on moviegoers’ smartphones or other devices to connect to the movie once it has begun. The app then matches the unique audio signature to its precise place in the movie, and plays back the alternate language audio through headphones in perfect sync with the film.

The app company previously conducted tests at limited screenings of Annie, Big Hero 6 and The Equalizer, but this is the first time that the technology will be available to wider audiences. “Now we’re going much wider,” myLINGO co-founder Olenka Polak told Deadline.

The myLINGO website said the system will be available at 25 theaters showing McFarland, USA, most of which appear to be located in neighborhoods with high percentages of Latino moviegoers.

“This is a great movie to do this with,” app co-founder Adam Polak said.

“We are delighted to bring the magical world of Disney films to a broader group of Spanish-speaking viewers and multicultural families at select theatres with this new technology,” said Paul Holliman, VP Strategic Planning at Walt Disney Studios. “myLINGO provides a rich and customized cinematic experience, where bilingual families and friends can share the same emotion, laughter and excitement together in a whole new way.”

Rodriguez Earns First-Ever Golden Globe Nomination

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Gina Rodriguez is a globe-al sensation…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican actress has earned her first-ever Golden Globe nomination.

Rodriguez picked up the nod from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in the Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy category for her breakout starring-role on the CW’s Jane the Virgin.

She’s up against Girls’ Lena Dunham, Nurse Jackie’s Edie Falco, Veep’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Orange Is the New Black’s Taylor Schilling.

Additionally, Rodriguez’s Jane the Virgin, which made the American Film Institute’s list of the best televisions shows of the year, was nominated in the Best TV Series, Musical or Comedy category.

But Rodriguez isn’t the only Hispanic Golden Globe nominee…

Louis C.K. has picked up his second career nomination from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

The 47-year-old Mexican American received the nod in the Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy category for his starring role in FX’s He’s up against House of Lies’ Don Cheadle, Derek’s Ricky Gervais, Shameless’ William H. Macy and Transparent’s Jeffrey Tambor.

In the motion picture categories, Alejandro González Iñárritu has earned two individual nominations for his dark comedy Birdman.

The Mexican filmmaker is up for Best Director – Motion Picture, as well as Best Screenplay – Motion Picture for co-penning the script for Birdman with Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo.

In addition, González Iñárritu’s Birdman is nominated for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy.

Antonio Sanchez, meantime, has picked up his first-ever Golden Globe nomination.

The 43-year-old Mexican jazz drummer and multiple Grammy winner has been nominated in the Best Original Score – Motion Picture category for his work on Birdman.

Sanchez’s drumming serves as the main musical ingredient in Iñarritu’s film. His work has already won the Sound Stars Award for best Film Score at the 2014 Venice Film Festival and won the Hollywood Music in Media Awards prize for best original film score.

The Guillermo del Toro-produced The Book of Life has received a nod in the Best Animated Feature category. The Day of the Dead-themed film is up against Big Hero 6, The Boxtrolls, How to Train Your Dragon 2 and The Lego Movie.

The 72nd Golden Globe Awards will be held on January 11 with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler returning as the show’s hosts.

Here’s a look at the categories with Latino/a nominees:

MOTION PICTURES

Best Comedy
“Birdman,” produced by Alejandro González Iñárritu
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“Into the Woods”
“Pride”
“St. Vincent”

Best Director
Wes Anderson, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Ava Duvernay, “Selma”
David Fincher, “Gone Girl”
Alejandro González Iñárritu, “Birdman”
Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”

Best Screenplay
Wes Anderson, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Gillian Flynn, “Gone Girl”
Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, and Armando Bo, “Birdman”
Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”
Graham Moore, “The Imitation Game”

Best Animated Feature
“Big Hero 6”
“The Book of Life,” produced by Guillermo del Toro
“The Boxtrolls”
“How to Train Your Dragon 2”
“The Lego Movie”

Best Score
“The Imitation Game”
“The Theory of Everything”
“Gone Girl”
“Birdman,” composed by Antonio Sanchez
“Interstellar”

TELEVISION

Best TV Comedy or Musical
“Girls”
“Jane the Virgin”
“Orange Is the New Black”
“Silicon Valley”
“Transparent”

Best Actress in a TV Comedy
Lena Dunham, “Girls”
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”
Gina Rodriguez, “Jane the Virgin”
Taylor Schilling, “Orange Is the New Black”

Best Actor in a TV Comedy
Louis CK, “Louie”
Don Cheadle, “House of Lies”
Ricky Gervais, “Derek”
William H. Macy, “Shameless”
Jeffrey Tambor, “Transparent”

Rodriguez Joins Voice Cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Big Hero 6”

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Genesis Rodriguez is a big hero in training…

The 26-year-old Venezuelan- and Cuban-American actress has been added to the voice cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ fall feature Big Hero 6.

The film centers on a young robotics prodigy named Hiro Hamada and his robot companion Baymax, who pull together a team of crime fighters to save the city of San Fransokyo.

Rodriguez will voice the character of Honey Lemon, a chemistry whiz. Don’t let her glasses and funky fashion fool you: Honey may be as sweet as her namesake, but she has a fire in her belly and a can-do attitude that make her pretty much unstoppable. Her knowledge of alchemy proves powerful, too, when the effusive brainiac becomes part of the “Big Hero 6” and creates clever concoctions that when thrown, can get her team out of nearly any jam.

In addition to Rodriguez, the voice cast includes Maya Rudolph, James Cromwell, Damon Wayans Jr., T.J. Miller, Alan Tudyk, Jamie Chung and Daniel Henney.

Big Hero 6 is the first Disney film to feature Marvel Comics characters and is adapted by Don Hall and Jordan Roberts from the Marvel comic mini-series of the same name, whose team and characters were created by Man of Action’s Duncan Rouleau and Steven T. Seagle.

Hall and Bolt‘s Chris Williams co-directed the film, which hits theaters in 3D on November 7.

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