Lopez to Co-Host Fox’s “The X Factor”?

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He’s already beefed up his resume with a slew of producing credits… But Mario Lopez may soon be adding yet another on-camera gig to that already impressive document…

The 38-year-old Extra host and actor is reportedly in talks to co-host Fox’s The X Factor, as the show prepares to possibly go with a two-host format in its second season, according to several media outlets.

According to Perez Hilton, Khloe Kardashian is Simon Cowell‘s top pick to lead the show, with Lopez locked in to co-host.

TMZ, meanwhile, reports that singer/actor Corbin Bleu is also circling the coveted role, but he’ll have to wait and hope that the negotiations with either Lopez or Kardashian fall apart to nab the job.

The sophomore season of the American version of The X Factor is currently in audition phase with Demi Lovato and Britney Spears sitting at the judges’ table alongside L.A. Reid and Cowell.

Martinez Wows the Coaches on NBC’s “The Voice”

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Holy Tambourine! Melanie Martinez has serious talent… And, she’s managed to impress some all-star musicians.

The 17-year-old gap-toothed Latina singer charmed the pants off of three of the four coaches on NBC’s The Voice during Monday night’s blind auditions episode. Following her 90-minute audition—where she sang a jazz-tinged, folk-like version of Britney Spears‘ “Toxic,” even playing the tamboroune with her feet while strumming her guitar—only Christina Aguilera refrained from turning her chair.

“I was hearing a unique artist that doesn’t sound like anybody else. And then I turn around and see you. And you don’t look like anybody else I’ve ever seen and you’re up there, you’re playing the tambourine with your damn feet while you’re playing the guitar and you’re singing so amazing,” cooed coach Blake Shelton. “I just think that… I think that you’re a star.”

After hearing from Shelton, Adam Levine and Cee Lo Green, Martinez picked the Maroon 5 front man to serve as her mentor on the show.

“I ultimately want to go with someone who will let me express my creativity and someone who will let me be me,” said Martinez after picking Levine as her mentor.

Martinez even saw her jazz-tinged, folk-like version of Britney Spears‘ “Toxic” hit the Top 10 on iTunes‘ alternative chart Tuesday.

“It was absolutely crazy,” she told Newsday Tuesday. “I did not expect that at all. I’m really just so grateful. It’s really surreal. I just can’t believe this is happening.”

Martinez admits it was hard keeping her involvement on The Voice a secret from her classmates at Baldwin High School in Long Island, and she’ll have to be home-schooled for her senior year to participate in the singing competition.

Martinez, who is also a talented photographer, impressed the judges with her voice and her delivery, especially playing a tambourine with her feet, while playing her acoustic guitar.

“You’re amazing,” Levine said while comparing her to Björk.

Lovato: The Top-Ranking Latweeno on Billboard.com’s 21 Under 21

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Billboard.com is back with its list of this year’s hottest minors in music, with five Latweeno artists/groups making the cut… And Demi Lovato isn’t only the highest ranking Hispanic artist, she’s also the top-ranking female…

The 20-year-old part Mexican singer/actress, who ranked at No. 7 last year, moved up four spots on Billboard.com’s latest 21 Under 21 installment, which ranks the most powerful minors in music.

Here’s a look at the Latweenos making the grade this year:

No. 3: Demi Lovato
Following the personal problems that threatened to derail her career two years ago, Lovato has come back Unbroken, which happens to be name of the album she released last year. It’s an album that’s still garnering attention. The album’s first track “Skyscraper” recently picked up an MTV Video Music Award, while follow up single “Give Your Heart a Break” has resulted in Lovato’s first-ever No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

But that’s not all… Lovato scored a high-profile primetime television gig by joining Fox’s The X Factor, where she’s currently judging other aspiring artists alongside Simon Cowell and Britney Spears.

Throw in a popular summer tour with Hot Chelle Rae and hosting gigs at the Teen Choice Awards and MTV’s live New Year’s Eve Special, and 2012 is proving to be the year the former Disney Channel star is reaching new heights in her already impressive career.

No. 4: Scotty McCreery
Scotty McCreery is holding steady on the 21 Under 21 list, coming in at No. 4 once again. That’s probably because the 18-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer’s career has been going full steam ahead since he won American Idol in 2011. McCreery, who graduated from high school this year, saw his debut album Clear as Day reach No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

Even though he hasn’t placed a single in the top 10 on the country charts, McCreery has developed a very loyal fan base at a young age. Clear as Day helped him claim prizes from the American Country Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the CMT Music Awards.

McCreery even toured with Brad Paisley and performed on the CW’s Hart of Dixie.

McCreery is following up his debut album, which was certified platinum, with a holiday set, Christmas with Scotty McCreery, will hit stores on October 16.

No. 6: Selena Gomez
She may have dropped three spots on the 21 Under 21 list, to No. 6, but Selena Gomez has not fallen off the radar. In the last year, she’s released another hugely popular album (When the Sun Goes Down), which spawned the hit singles “Who Says” and “Love You Like a Love Song,” which earned Gomez her first-ever MTV Video Music Award nod. And the 20-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress performed the album’s third single, Hit The Lights, on Dancing with the Stars.

And Gomez has broadened her appeal while taking a break from recording music. This spring, she launched a brand new fragrance and focused on her film career. Her voice will be heard in the animated film Hotel Transylvania, and she’s set to appear in two films that could help shatter her Disney image: Spring Breakers with James Franco and the crime drama Getaway.

And she’s currently dating the No. 1 on the 21 Under 21 list, Justin Bieber, which has resulted in countless tabloid placements. Selena Gomez and the Scene will hopefully be back soon, but in the meantime, she continues to leave her indelible imprint on pop culture.

No. 17: 3BallMTY
3BallMTY may not be huge in the United States, but they could be very soon. The Mexican DJ collective, comprised of 19-year-old Erick Rincón, 19-year-old Alberto Presenda (DJ Otto) and 20-year-old Sergio Zavala (DJ Sheeqo Beat), have managed to turn their hobby into a huge business that’s reached a global audience thanks to their signature “tribal guarachero” sound. They’ve achieved success via radio airplay and synch deals with brands like Pepsi. And they recently dominated the list of finalists for the upcoming Billboard Mexican Music Awards. Despite their newfound fame, 3BallMTY has kept a cool and down-to-earth attitude about the group’s ascent in the music business. This past summer they opened up for Justin Bieber in a special concert at the famous Zócalo, the main square in the heart of historic Mexico City in front of about 200,000 music fans. “It was a bit nerve-wrecking,” says Rincón, “but once we were out on stage it was an amazing experience that we will never forget.”

No. 21: Victoria Justice
Victoria Justice has taken a tumble on the 21 Under 21 list, dropping from No. 10 to No. 21. But that has nothing to do with the 19-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer/actress’ talent. The star of had a relatively quiet recording year. She’s the breakout star of the Nickelodeon hit show, even while co-stars like Ariana Grande are seeing their stock rise. The release of the show’s latest soundtrack, Victorious 2.0, coincided with the release of Justice’s recent solo single, “Make It In America,” and in August Justice embarked on her first solo tour in support of the pop tune.

With Victorious ending it’s run on cable, Justice will be setting her sights elsewhere. She has a new film Fun Size coming out this October; and she plans to release a solo album shortly after that.

Click here to see this year’s complete list of music’s hottest minors.

Lovato to Mentor the Tweens on “The X Factor”

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She’s a former Disney star with plenty of experience as a tween sensation… And, now Demi Lovato will be sharing her knowledge to help other potential artists realize their tweenage dreams…

In her new role as a judge on Fox’s The X Factor, the 20-year-old part-Mexican American singer/actress will serve as a mentor to solo singers between the ages of 12 and 16.

And Lovato, who ranked as one of Billboard.com’s 21 Under 21 last year, will be getting an assist from her former Camp Rock co-star, Nick Jonas. He’ll mentor Lovato’s team during the judges’ house round, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

During this phase, the judges will mentor 32 acts who are divided into four different categories (8 acts in each category).

Along with Lovato handling the solo singers ages 12 to 16, Britney Spears will mentor singers ages 17 to 24, L.A. Reid will guide contestants ages 25 and over, and Simon Cowell taking on the groups.

The second season of The X Factor will premiere Wednesday, September 12 at 8:00 pm on Fox.

Carey Reportedly Earning $18 Million on Idol

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Mariah Carey has hit the reality television jackpot…

The 42-year-old part-Venezuelan American will reportedly earn just shy of $18 million as a judge on American Idol, according to People magazine.

If that figure holds up, it would make Carey the highest-paid judge on any reality show.

By comparison, Christina Aguilera reportedly makes $10 million for her role on NBC’s The Voice and Britney Spears’ gig on Fox’s The X Factor nets her $15 million.

Meanwhile, Carey’s Idol predecessor Jennifer Lopez reportedly earned $15 million to judge the talent on Fox’s hit singing competition.

Fox confirmed Tuesday that Carey had signed on to be a judge, which begins airing new episodes in January. She subsequently tweeted: “It’s gonna be so much fun working on @AmericanIdol. As a singer-songwriter, I’m excited to help find and nurture new talent. LYM! —MC”

There’s no word yet who will fill the third judge’s seat.

It’s Official! Carey to Serve as American Idol Judge Next Season

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Mariah Carey will be having an Idoltastic year…

The 42-year-old part-Venezuelan American singer will be replacing Jennifer Lopez at the judges’ table on American Idol next season.

Fox entertainment chief Kevin Reilly announced Carey’s signing at a meeting of the Television Critics Association on Monday, and then put the pop diva on speaker phone to confirm the deal.

“I am so excited to be joining American Idol,” exclaimed Carey. “This kind of all just happened really quickly.”

As previously reported, Carey has been the leading contender to join the panel this summer, following Lopez and Steven Tyler’s exits from Idol. As one of the music industry’s best-selling singers, Carey is expected to bring the star power the show needs to compete with rivals like The X Factor, which recently added Demi Lovato and Britney Spears as judges.

Carey’s salary is expected to be somewhere above $12 million — the sum paid Jennifer Lopez during her first year on the show — and possibly as high as $17 million.

“It’s the biggest recording artist that any of these [singing competition] shows have ever had,” Reilly told critics at their press tour in Beverly Hills. “It’s an artist many of these contestants have tried to emulate. [The deal] only concluded only hours ago. Not being the only game in town we need to keep things fresh.”

Fox is now expected to focus on its search for another male judge. One dark horse candidate is former Idol contestant Adam Lambert.

Aguilera to Release a New Single By Summer’s End

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Finally! New music from Christina Aguilera could be making its way onto the radio before the end of the summer…

It’s been two years since the 31-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer’s last studio album, but Aguilera is reportedly working hard on the follow-up to 2010’s Bionic.

And Billboard reports that a new single from The Voice judge is expected to be released in early August. The club thumper was produced by Swedish pop hit-maker Max Martin, and its chorus is built around the line, “All I want to do is what you wanted.”

It’s hard to believe Martin—best known for producing hits by Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson and Katy Perry—hasn’t yet penned a single for Aguilera.

Additionally, Aguilera is apparently working on duets with her fellow The Voice coaches Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green for the Grammy winner’s forthcoming album.

Hilton Releasing First Compilation From His Music Series

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He may be the internet’s most infamous gossip columnist… But Perez Hilton may soon become a music mogul.

The 34-year-old Cuban-American web celebrity is planning to release the first compilation from his new Perez Hilton music series.

Entitled “Pop Up #1,” the collection will be released jointly with the Opus Label on August 7.

The album showcases 18 of Hilton’s favorite artists, including: Kerli, Fedez, Jesse Marco, VanJess, Chantal Claret, Alphabeat and Manufactured Superstars (featuring Scarlett Quinn).

The featured tracks are described as an “eclectic, infectious mix of dance tracks.”

Along with being available on iTunes and at retail, fans can pick up the album at fashion stores through the “Perez Hilton Music Tee Series,” which allows listeners to buy music via a collection of t-shirts and tank tops with album-inspired artwork on the front and a digital hangtag that allows customers to download the compilation and artist information. The shirts are available at retailers nationwide and online.

Even though he’s best known for his celebrity blog, Hilton has always played a part in promoting music.

“Music is my passion and I consider it not just an opportunity but also a responsibility to share great new tunes with my readers,” said Hilton, who manages recording artists like CJ Baran, Kalie Shorr and MattyB among others. In 2008 he created the music event series “One Night In…” a live show he curated featuring up-and-coming musical acts. He’s also made cameo appearances in Britney Spears’ Circus tour and Rihanna‘s “S&M” video.

“Through this, my first-ever compilation,” Hilton said in a statement, “I now have a new vehicle to support artists and share their music in a meaningful way with the whole world.”

Espinosa: The Latina Choreographer Behind the Moves in “Magic Mike”

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Channing Tatum and Adam Rodriguez’s highly anticipated Magic Mike may be a movie about male strippers… But there’s actually a Latina behind some of the men’s dance sequences… And, her name is Teresa Espinosa.

The 38-year-old Latina actress/dancer—a member of the all-female breaking dance crew Beat Freaks, which was the runner-up on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew—served as an assistant choreographer on the Steven Soderbergh-directed film, which is loosely based on star Tatum’s real-life experiences in the world of male stripping.

Filming on Magic Mike took less than a month, leaving rehearsals “very sporadic because everybody’s schedule was so mixed up,” said Espinosa, who, assisting fellow Beat Freaks member Alison Faulk, choreographed group numbers and solo routines. “We’d get one hour with one person, another hour the next person. For one of the group numbers, we didn’t have everybody rehearsing together until the day of that shoot. But they all worked very hard individually that when it came together for the shoot day, they created magic.”

After graduating from the California Institute of the Arts, Espinosa got her big break dancing with Janet Jackson on her The Velvet Rope World Tour, and she later received an Emmy nomination for contributing choreography for Jackson’s HBO special.

Since then Espinosa has danced and choreographed for several popular artists, including Britney Spears, Pink, Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Miley Cyrus.

“The reason why I feel like I have been so successful is because of my passion,” said Espinosa in an interview with Latination. “I live and die by it!”

Meanwhile, Espinosa is excited about sharing her work on Magic Mike with the world.

“I don’t think any of us, except for Channing Tatum, really understood what we were getting into.”

Magic Mike opens in theaters this Friday, June 29.

Lovato Begins Filming on “The X Factor”

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s been a busy week for Demi Lovato… Along with making her first official The X Factor walk, she’s also taken part in the first of the talent show’s auditions…

The 19-year-old part-Mexican American singer/actress, who has signed on as a new judge on Fox’s reality singing competition, appears in the show’s first promo.

The clip, which debuted during the American Idol finale on Wednesday, features Lovato and her fellow rookie judge Britney Spears, as well as head judge Simon Cowell saying “What was I thinking?” about hiring the girls.

On Thursday, The X Factor‘s first day of auditions was the talk of the Twitterverse for a good portion of the day. Along with leaked audio of Lovato and Spears offering clashing commentary to an aspiring singer, grainy cell phone photos and video of the panel at work surfaced throughout the day.

In addition, Fox has released the first official photo of the season 2 judges, with Spears seated snugly next to Simon Cowell‘s right and Lovato to L.A. Reid‘s left.

According to reports from inside Austin’s Frank Erwin Center on the University of Texas campus, the “Give Your Heart a Break” songstress exhibited plenty of spunk for her first day on the job.

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