Carlos PenaVega & Big Time Rush to Perform at 10 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Stops

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos PenaVega is bracing for a busy holiday season…

The 34-year-old Dominican, Spanish and Venezuelan American actor/singer and his Big Time Rush group mates will be taking part in this year’s iHeartMedia Jingle Ball, with an appearance on the iHeartMedia Jingle Ball television, which is moving from the CW to ABC with a multi-year deal.

This year’s iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour will feature performances by Big Time Rush, Olivia Rodrigo, Usher, Nicki Minaj, SZA, Niall Horan, OneRepublic, AJR, Sabrina Carpenter, Miguel, Jelly Roll, NCT DREAM, Flo Rida and more.

(The lineup for the TV special, which will include selected performances, is TBA.) The 2023 tour will stop in Tampa, Florida; Dallas/Fort Worth; Los Angeles; Chicago; Detroit; New York; Boston; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Atlanta; and Miami/Fort Lauderdale.

PenaVega and his Big Time Rush mates will perform in Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia.

But PenaVega isn’t the only Latinx act scheduled to participate in this year’s Jingle Ball Tour.

Miguel will perform in Los Angeles; Ice Spice will perform in Atlanta; Melanie Martinez will perform in Washington, D.C., Boston and New York City; and Kirstin Maldonado and her Pentatonix group mates are set for New York City.

The stops will be part of the exclusive two-hour network special, which will air Dec. 21 at 8:00-10:00 pm on ABC. It will be available on demand and on Hulu the following day.

ABC, along with Disney+, earlier this week were announced as the new home of another long-running music special, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which will be broadcast live.

Under its new ownership, the CW has changed its makeup and demo target, pulling away from its longtime focus on young audiences.

The 2023 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour stops:

Tampa, Florida – Sunday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m. EST at Amalie Arena
Lineup features Niall Horan, Teddy Swims, Zara Larsson, Doechii, Paul Russell, Kaliii and Lawrence

Dallas/Fort Worth – Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m. CST at Dickies Arena
Lineup features Jelly Roll, Doechii, Big Time Rush, Flo Rida, LANY, Paul Russell, Kaliii and P1Harmony

Los Angeles – Friday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. PST at the Kia Forum
Lineup features Olivia Rodrigo, Niall Horan, AJR, Sabrina Carpenter, Miguel, Doechii, Flo Rida, (G)I-DLE and P1Harmony

Chicago – Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. CST at Allstate Arena
Lineup features Nicki Minaj, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, Doechii, (G)I-DLE and Kaliii

Detroit – Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. EST at Little Caesars Arena
Lineup features Usher, Jelly Roll, Lil Durk, Big Time Rush, Flo Rida, Doechii, Kaliii and (G)I-DLE

New York – Friday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. EST at Madison Square Garden

Lineup features Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, OneRepublic, Sabrina Carpenter, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, Doechii, Pentatonix, David Kushner and Melanie Martinez

Boston – Sunday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. EST at TD Garden
Lineup features SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, OneRepublic, Flo Rida, David Kushner, Melanie Martinez, NCT DREAM and (G)I-DLE

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. EST at Capital One Arena
Lineup features OneRepublic, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, Doechii, Flo Rida, Melanie Martinez, David Kushner, NCT DREAM and (G)I-DLE

Philadelphia – Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. EST at Wells Fargo Center
Lineup features Usher, OneRepublic, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, Doechii, David Kushner and (G)I-DLE

Atlanta – Thursday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m. EST at State Farm Arena
The star-studded lineup features Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, Sabrina Carpenter, Flo Rida, David Kushner, Kaliii and NCT DREAM

Fort Lauderdale/Miami – Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. EST – “iHeartRadio Y100’s Jingle Ball 2023 Presented by Capital One” at Amerant Bank Arena, Ft. Lauderdale
The star-studded lineup features Marshmello, AJR, Flo Rida, Ludacris, LANY, David Kushner, Kaliii and Paul Russell

Mario Lopez to Appear During This Year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Mario Lopez has firmed up his Thanksgiving plans…

The 49-year-old Mexican American actor and television personality will appear during this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Lopez, who currently serves as the host of Access Hollywood, will appear alongside his family during the parade.

The parade will also include the traditional line-up of Broadway performances, with Lea Michele and the cast of Funny Girl scheduled to participate, Macy’s has announced.

The Broadway productions listed in the performance line-up this year, in addition to Funny Girl, are Disney’s long-running The Lion King, as well as new Broadway arrivals A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond musical, and Some Like It Hot, the musical adaptation of the 1959 classic film comedy.

Other entertainers included in this year’s parade are Paula Abdul; Carlos PenaVega and his Big Time Rush mates; Cam; Jordan Davis; Blue’s Clues & You! host Josh Dela Cruz; Gloria, Sasha and Emily Estefan; Jimmy Fallon & The Roots; Fitz and the Tantrums; Kirk Franklin; Ziggy Marley; Miss America 2022 Emma Broyles; the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street; Sean Paul; the cast of Peacock’s Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland and Flula Borg); the Radio City Rockettes; Joss Stone; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue; Jordin Sparks; Dionne Warwick; and Betty Who.

The annual New York event airs live on NBC and Peacock Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24 at 9:00 am in all time zones.

Alexa PenaVega & Carlos PenaVega Agree to Multi-Picture Overall Deal with Hallmark Media

Posted on October 20, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a hallmark agreement for Alexa PenaVega and Carlos PenaVega…

The 34-year-old half-Colombian American actress and her 33-year-old Spanish, Venezuelan and Dominican American husband, an actor/singer, Big Time Rush member, have agreed to a multi-picture overall deal at Hallmark Media.

“Alexa and Carlos PenaVega have become an important part of the Hallmark family over the years and we couldn’t be happier to extend our partnership with them,” said Lisa Hamilton Daly, Executive Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Media. “Whether starring together or headlining their own movies, the energy, creativity and passion they bring to each project is infectious and we can’t wait to see what lies ahead.”

“Hallmark has become a second home for our family. Over the last four years they have given us opportunities to grow as actors and producers all while raising our children, even if it means having the family on set!,” the PenaVegas said in a joint statement. “Developing projects alongside them has been a highlight of our careers thus far. We are thrilled to be able to continue creating content that is family friendly and current, while maintaining its core values that we love so much. Hallmark is special and we are looking forward to many more projects together.”

Alexa PenaVega has previously starred in such Hallmark films as Destination Wedding, Christmas Made to Order and Taking a Shot at Love. Her film credits include 23 Blast, Machete Kills, Spare Parts, Wicked Blood, The Remaining, The Hunters and Spy Kids.

Carlos PenaVega starred on the Nickelodeon musical comedy Big Time Rush and recently completed a national tour with the ensemble. He previously starred in Hallmark Channel’s A Midnight Kiss.

Together, the couple has starred in three installments of Picture Perfect Mysteries for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries as well as the Hallmark Channel Original movies Enchanted Christmas, Love at Sea and, most recently, Love in the Limelight.

They recently released their first book What if Love is the Point?

Anitta Among Performers for This Year’s iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour

Posted on October 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Anitta is preparing to jingle all the way to Miami…

iHeartMedia has revealed the star-studded lineup for its annual iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour, with the 29-year-old Brazilian singer/songwriter making the list.

Anitta will perform at Jingle Ball in the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, Florida market on Sunday, December 18, at 7:00 pm EST.

But Anitta isn’t the only Latinx artist set to take the stage…

Pitbull is scheduled to perform at the concerts in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC and Atlanta.

Howie Dorough and his fellow Backstreet Boys will perfrom in Detroit, New York City, Boston and Ft. Lauderdale/Miami.

Demi Lovato will perform in Boston, while Carlos PenaVega and his Big Time Rush band mates will perform at Ft. Lauderdale/Miami.

The 2022 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour will stop in Dallas/Ft. Worth; Los Angeles; Chicago; Detroit; New York; Boston; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Tampa and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.

“Every year our iHeartRadio Jingle Ball lineup is one of the most anticipated announcements,” Tom Poleman, chief programming officer for iHeartMedia, said in a press statement. “We’re particularly excited about who’s playing this year. This is the show that represents the best pop music of the year, all brought together on one stage. We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with music fans across the country.”

“This the time of the year when the biggest artists in music come together to celebrate the holidays with their fans from coast to coast, culminating with a two hour broadcast television event on The CW Network,” added John Sykes, president of entertainment enterprises for iHeartMedia.

Ticket pre-sale for Capital One cardholders begins on Tuesday, October 4 at 10:00 am local time and runs through Thursday, October 6 at 10:00 am local time. Pre-sale info and tickets will be available at iHeartRadio.com/CapitalOne.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 7 at 12:00 pm local time here.

For those who can’t make the shows in person, Z100’s Jingle Ball 2022 in New York City will air as a television special on The CW Network on Saturday, December 17 at 8:00 pm EST/PST. The CW Network will also video stream the concert live on CWTV.com and The CW App.

Here’s the full list of Jingle Ball dates and lineups:

Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas – Tuesday, November 29, at 7:30 p.m. CST
Performers: Jack Harlow, Black Eyed Peas, Khalid, Lauv, Ava Max, Lewis Capaldi, Lauren Spencer-Smith, Jax and Nicky Youre.

Los Angeles, Calif. – Friday, December 2, at 7:30 p.m. PST
Performers: Dua Lipa, Jack Harlow, Pitbull, Khalid, Bebe Rexha, Lewis Capaldi, Ava Max, Dove Cameron, Jax and Nicky Youre.

Chicago, Ill. – Monday, December 5, at 7 p.m. CST
Performers: Jack Harlow, Pitbull, Khalid, Macklemore, Lauv, Tate McRae, Ava Max, Jax and Nicky Youre.

Detroit, Mich. – Tuesday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. EST
Performers: The Kid LAROI, AJR, Backstreet Boys, Khalid, Macklemore, Tate McRae, Ava Max, Nicky Youre, Jax and Armani White

New York, N.Y. – Friday, December 9, at 7 p.m. EST
Performers: Dua Lipa, Lizzo, Charlie Puth, Backstreet Boys, The Kid LAROI, AJR, Demi Lovato, Lauv, Ava Max, Dove Cameron and Jax.

Boston, Mass. – Sunday, December 11, at 6 p.m. EST
Performers: Jack Harlow, Backstreet Boys, Demi Lovato, The Kid LAROI, Lauv, Tate McRae, Dove Cameron, Jax and Nicky Youre.

Philadelphia, Pa. – Monday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m. EST
Performers: Sam Smith, Charlie Puth, AJR, Khalid, Tate McRae, Lauv, Ava Max, Jax and Nicky Youre.

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, December 13, at 7:30 p.m. EST
Performers: Sam Smith, Pitbull, Charlie Puth, Khalid, Tate McRae, Lauv, Ava Max, Nicky Youre and Jax.

Atlanta, Ga. – Thursday, December 15, at 7:30 p.m. EST
Performers: Sam Smith, Pitbull, AJR, Macklemore, Khalid, Tate McRae, Lauv, Ava Max and Nicky Youre.

Tampa, Fla. – Friday, December 16 at 7 p.m. EST
Performers TBA

Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, Fla. – Sunday, December 18, at 7 p.m. EST
Performers: Charlie Puth, Anitta, Backstreet Boys, Tate McRae, Black Eyed Peas, Big Time Rush, Ava Max, Lauren Spencer-Smith and Jax.

Carlos PenaVega & Big Time Rush Release Music Video for New Single “Not Giving You Up”

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos PenaVega isn’t giving up on music…

The 32-year-old Spanish, Venezuelan and Dominican American singer/actor and his Big Time Rush band mates have released a dance-packed music video for their new song “Not Giving You Up.”

The song, which was released earlier in the week, follows the December 2021 track “Call It Like I See It,” the group’s first single since their Nickelodeon days eight years ago.

Originating in 2009 on the network’s Big Time Rush television series, they debuted their danceable new song four days before its release in a February 21 performance on Good Morning America.

Directed by Erik Rojas, the “Not Giving You Up” video shows Pena Vegas and his boys running what they assure is a “totally legit” love advice business, with which they assist customers in getting over heartbreak by dancing, working out and destroying teddy bears. If that sounds like the kind of help you need, the video displays a newspaper advertisement containing a phone number you can call — 1-903-BTR-9198 — to get instructions on signing up for Big Time Relationship Services’ phone book.

Big Time Rush first came back together after their years-long hiatus in June of 2020, virtually reuniting to perform an acoustic version of their fan-favorite song “Worldwide.”

Nearly two years and two new songs later, the band is set to embark on the Big Time Rush Forever Tour this summer.

Three of the four BTR members — Logan Henderson, PenaVega and Kendall Schmidt — sat down with ExtraTV a day prior to the release of “Not Giving You Up.” They revealed that the video concept was Schmidt’s idea, and Henderson said that the band’s reunion was a “long time coming.”

“It was two years in the making,” he said. “We always thought we would come back to the band at some point. During the pandemic, it kind of just showed us that life is short and it’s nice to have fun and we wanted some of that to bring to the fans.”

Carlos PenaVega & His Big Time Rush Band Mates Release New Single “Call It Like I See It”

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos PenaVega is calling it like he sees it…

The 32-year-old Spanish, Venezuelan and Dominican American singer and his Big Time Rush mates have released “Call It Like I See It,” their first single in eight years.

On the sunny track, the quartet — who got their start on their eponymous Nickelodeon sitcom from 2009 to 2013 — sing over horn blasts and shimmery synths.

“Pull up on you, that’s an intro/ Just can’t help it when you look like that/ Spinning like a disco/ Make me wanna make a demo track,” Logan Henderson sings on the opening verse before PenaVega jumps in to croon, “Got me feelin’ like I’m retro/ Leave ya friends in the friend zone, right?/ You can meet me in the end zone, right?/ Let’s keep it simple, baby.”

In an interview with People, the boy band opened up about what it was like getting back into the studio together nearly a decade after their 2013 breakup.

“We definitely had some rough patches, had some issues kind of finding our sound and knowing the vision for the music. But the best part was whenever we all came together…we just went in with open hearts, open minds about the music and a little bit of tequila,” Henderson quipped.

Kendall Schmidt added, “[What’s different] from 10 years ago is that we all have grown individually. We all have different strengths. And now I think that we’re much more open to playing off each other’s strengths and it’s really kind of helped our relationship.”

After first reuniting via Zoom during the pandemic in June 2020, Big Time Rush announced a pair of reunion shows in New York and Chicago last July. The boy band’s last proper studio release was their third album 24/Seven, which bowed at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 upon its release in 2013.

Carlos Pena Jr. & His Big Time Rush Group Mates Reuniting for Two Shows

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Pena Jr. is feelin’ the rush…

The 31-year-old Spanish, Venezuelan and Dominican American singer/actor, who goes by Carlos PenaVega, and his Big Time Rush group mates are making a comeback.

After an eight-year hiatus, the boy band is returning for two performances in 2021.

The L.A.-based group will perform at Chicago Theater in Illinois on December 15, followed by a December 18 show at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.

“WE ARE BACK! It’s been a minute, but we couldn’t be more excited to see you! Lets make up for lost time,” the group said in a post announcing their return.

Big Time Rush originated from the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush in 2009 and released three studio albums between 2010 and 2013. The group set off on five tours from 2011 to 2014, when they ceased touring. The series concluded in the summer of 2013.

The Big Time Rush Live dates will consist of all four original members Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Pena Jr. and Logan Henderson.

The members conducted a virtual reunion in June 2020 for fans to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their song “Worldwide.” The acoustic version of the track was uploaded to PenaVega’s YouTube channel.

The show announcements were accompanied by a short promo video featuring the members being called back to return to their gigs.

Tickets go on sale Friday through Ticketmaster. Fans can sign up for presale access here.

WE ARE BACK! It’s been a minute, but we couldn’t be more excited to see you! Lets make up for lost time.
Dec 15 – Chicago Theater, Chicago, IL
Dec 18 – Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY

Don’t forgot to sign up for first access to pre-sale tickets!
LINK IN BIO pic.twitter.com/Mokn5euLvV

— Big Time Rush (@bigtimerush) July 19, 2021

Nickelodeon Renews Carlos PenaVega’s Animated Series “The Casagrandes” for Third Season

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos PenaVega isn’t leaving the casagrande just yet…

Nickelodeon has renewed the Emmy-winning kids series The Casagrandes, starring the 31-year-old Spanish & Venezuelan American actor/singer, for a third season.

The announcement comes ahead of the animated series’ upcoming season 2 debut.

A spinoff of Nickelodeon’s top-rated animated series The Loud House, The Casagrandes has ranked as the number two animated property across television with Kids 2-11 since its October 2019 debut.

Season three is currently in production by Nickelodeon Animation Studio.

The Casagrandes tells the story of Ronnie Anne, who moves to the city with her mom and older brother to live with their big, loving family, the Casagrandes. The series showcases the culture, humor, and love that’s part of growing up in a multigenerational Mexican-American family. Season 3 will find Ronnie Anne and her family members on a variety of adventures while exploring different areas of the city.

“Our audience has loved the diverse characters, relatable stories and rich animation found in The Casagrandes since the series debuted last year,” said Ramsey Naito, President, Nickelodeon Animation. “The success of the show is due to the creative leadership who continue to showcase the love and laughter of this family, living in an environment that reflects the global world we live in today.”

Season two kicks off October 9 with “Fails from the Crypt,” where the kids try to break a local record for staying in the cemetery overnight (you can watch a clip below), followed by “Bad Cluck,” where a haunted chicken is pestering the Casagrandes. Season two will debut internationally later this year.

The Casagrandes voice cast includes: Izabella Alvarez as Ronnie Anne; PenaVega as Bobby; Eugenio Derbez as Arturo; Carlos Alazraqui as Carlos, “Tio;” Roxana Ortega as Frida, “Tia;” Alexa PenaVega (Spy Kids) as Carlota; Jared Kozak (Born this Way) as CJ; Alex Cazares as Carl; Ruben Garfias as Hector, “Abuelo;” Sonia Manzano (Sesame Street) as Rosa, “Abuela.” Additionally, Ken Jeong gives voice as Stanley; Melissa Joan Hart as Becca; Leah Mei Gold (Legion) as Sid; and Lexi Sexton (The Loud House) as Adelaide.

Guest stars for season 2 include Danny Trejo, pop star Ally Brooke, Jorge Gutierrez, Stephanie Beatriz, Justin Chon and more.

Miguel Gonzalez serves as art director, with award-winning cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz as consulting producer and cultural consultant.

PenaVega to Star Opposite Lucy Hale in CW’s Dramedy Pilot “Life Sentence”

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos PenaVega has received a life setence…

The 27-year-old Spanish and Dominican American actor/singer will star as a series-regular opposite Lucy Hale in the CW’s dramedy pilot Life Sentence.

From Warner Bros. Television and Bill Lawrence’s studio-based Doozer Prods, the pilot was written by Significant Mother creators Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith.

Directed by Lee Toland Krieger, Life Sentence centers on Stella (Hale), a young woman diagnosed with terminal cancer. When she finds out that she’s not dying after all, she has to learn to live with the choices she made when she decided to “live like she was dying.”

PenaVega will play Darrius, Lucy’s brother-in-law. He’s the extremely positive and family-loving, pharmaceutical rep who Stella’s sister, Elizabeth, met during one of her hospital stays.

PenaVega, best known for starring on the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush, most recently starred as Kenickie in Grease: Live.

He competed on the 21st season on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, finishing in fourth place.

Pena Hand-Jives in First Promo for Fox’s “Grease: Live”

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Grease is the word for Carlos Pena, Jr.

Fox has released the first promo for the television adaptation of the 1978 film Grease, with a look at the 26-year-old Spanish, Venezuelan and Dominican American singer/actor and his Big Time Rush band member and other cast members of the live musical.

Along with Pena, who now goes by Carlos PenaVega, the video introduces Julianne Hough (Sandy), Aaron Tveit (Danny), Vanessa Hudgens (Rizzo) and their co-stars, as they all do the hand jive at Rydell High.

Additionally, viewers also get a first look at Carly Rae Jepsen as Frenchie, Keke Palmer as Pink Lady Marty Maraschino, Pena as Kenickie, David Del Rio as T-Bird “Putzie”, and Kether Donohue as Jan.

The Fox live TV production which has been titled Grease: Live, also stars Mario Lopez as Vince Fontaine, the emcee of a national dance competition. Jessie J, meanwhile, is set to open the show with a performance of Barry Gibb‘s “Grease (Is the Word)” from the classic film.

In this TV version, the beginning of senior year means the end of Danny and Sandy’s summer romance – until Sandy unexpectedly transfers to Danny’s high school. With their friends pulling them in different directions, it’s up to Danny and Sandy to stay hopelessly devoted to each other as they make their way from Rydell High to a new frontier.

Grease: Live will air Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 7:00 pm ET on Fox.

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