Zión Moreno to Star in American High and Hartbeat Hulu’s “Prom Dates”

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Zión Moreno has secured a prom date(s)…

The 28-year-old Mexican American actress and Gossip Girl reboot star has been cast in Prom Dates, an American High and Hartbeat Hulu film.

Chelsea Handler, John Michael Higgins, Julia Lester, Antonia Gentry, Kenny Ridwan, JT Neal, Jordan Buhat and Terry Hu also star.

The film will hit the service this spring.

The Kim O. Nguyen directed, D.J. Mausner scripted film follows best friends Jess and Hannah (Gentry and Lester), who make a pact at 13 to have the perfect senior prom. Despite the impending changes that college will bring over the next four years, the two are committed to honoring their prom pact. But with only 24 hours left before the big event, everything falls apart when they break up with each of their dates. Jess and Hannah are left with one night to find new dates and live out their middle-school fantasies.

Producers are Jeremy Garelick, Will Phelps and Molle DeBartolo for American High; Kevin Hart, Bryan Smiley and Luke Kelly-Clyne for Hartbeat; and Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon for LD Entertainment. EPs are Kevin Healey and Thai Randolph for Hartbeat, Michael Glassman for LD Entertainment, and Mausner and Andrew Reyes. Jason Zaro will serve as co-producer for Hulu and Axelle Azoulay as associate producer.

Moreno plays Heather, a college party girl who grabs life by tegh horns. The actress has appeared on Max’s Gossip Girl and Netflix’s Control Z, .

Mausner currently serving as a staff writer on Nickelodeon’s Max and the Midnights and consulting on various projects for Netflix Animation. They previously won a Canadian Screen Award for best writing in a variety sketch comedy series for their work on CBC/IFC’s Baroness Von Sketch Show. Additionally, they were featured in the 2023 CBS TALENT SHOWCASE and starred opposite Ruby Rose, Paris Berelc and Barbie’s Hari Nef in the Amazon/Lionsgate comedy feature 1UP.

American High’s collaboration with Hulu Originals has resulted in seven original films and one acquisition, which launched to critical and consumer acclaim, including hit films such as Pete Davidson’s lead debut, Big Time Adolescence, Natalie Morales’ Plan B and the company’s first-ever sequel, It’s a Wonderful Binge — directed by The Binge scribe, Jordan VanDina, in his feature directorial debut.

Prom Dates marks the eighth film under the original first-look slate deal with American High for Hulu.

Vanessa Gonzalez to Appear on Netflix’s New Stand-Up Comedy Series “Verified Stand-Up”

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Vanessa Gonzalez is officially verified…

Netflix has unveiled Verified Stand-Up, a new series featuring short sets from 10 comedians including the Latina stand-up comic.

The series will premiere globally on the streamer on November 28.

In addition to Gonzalez, rising comedians who will perform in the two-part series, filmed at Webster Hall in New York City, include Asif Ali, Dulcé Sloan, Gianmarco Soresi, Isiah Kelly, Leslie Liao, Nimesh Patel, Robby Hoffman, Rosebud Baker and Sabrina Wu.

Linda Mendoza directed Verified Stand-Up, with Anne Harris serving as executive producer.

In 2022, Gonzalez was named one of Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch and Best Stand Up Comic in Austin by the Austin Chronicle. She’s been featured on TruTV’s Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks, Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents, A Little Late with Lilly Singh and Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

She can currently be seen on Entre Nos: Spot On and Comedy Chingonas on MAX, This Joka on the Roku Channel and performing live opening for Chelsea Handler on the 2023 Little Big Bitch Tour.

Vanessa Gonzalez Named to Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch List

Posted on July 20, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Vanessa Gonzalez is a comedian to watch…

The Latina improviser/sketch comedy writer/comedian has been named to Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch list.

Gonzalez and her fellow honorees will be feted at Just for Laughs Montreal. They’ll attend a special cocktail reception and panel discussion on July 29 before performing at a showcase on July 30.

Gonzalez participated in Chelsea Handler’s Vaccinated and Horny Tour.

It was late 2020 and Gonzalez was riding out the pandemic, wondering when — or even if — her next gig was going to materialize. Then Handler slid into her DMs. Recalls the Laredo, Texas, native: “I was like: Is this for real? And then I felt bad because I didn’t follow her. That was like, ‘Oh, this is awkward — she’s going to see me follow her right now.’”

Cut to August and Gonzalez found herself the opening act for Handler’s tour.

Originally booked for one show, Gonzalez has since appeared in “most of the tour,” including its May 5 stop at the Wiltern Theater in L.A. as part of the Netflix Is a Joke festival.

For Gonzalez, who, following graduation from Texas State University, spent six years as a preschool teacher in Austin — experience providing ample fodder for her stand-up routine, from bits about “muffins for moms day” to the “$10 an hour” paycheck — zig-zagging the country with Handler has been “really surreal.”

“Chelsea’s been so amazing and generous and she’s always encouraging me. She’ll sit and watch my set every night,” says Gonzalez. “When I get off stage she’s there high-fiving me and telling me how great I did.I’ve never felt so supported. It’s been overwhelming — her generosity, her love. She wants me to succeed. Usually with comics, there’s a weirdness. They’re threatened, there’s always a competition. And this is the first time where I actually feel lifted up by a comedian. And it’s so cool.”

With a recent guest spot on HBO Max’s freshman sitcom The Garcias to her credit, Gonzalez, based in Austin, is now setting her sights on landing an “hourlong comedy special.”

“It’s on my bucket list, it’s on my vision board,” she says. “I have the material for it. So, I’m ready, for whomever wants it.”

Demi Lovato Launching New Podcast “4D with Demi Lovato”

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato is certainly in rapid cadence…

The 28-year-old half-Mexican American actress, who recently appeared in the YouTube Originals docuseries Dancing with the Devil, will launch 4D with Demi Lovato with podcast company Cadence13.

“Building upon the success of the documentary, we couldn’t be more thrilled to partner again with Demi through our audio division, OBB Sound, and continue to champion Demi’s voice using the powerful medium of audio,” added Michael D. Ratner, Founder, President and CEO, OBB Media. “We have incredible partners on this show in both SB Projects and Cadence13, and look forward to sharing this project with the world.”

America Ferrera to Appear on Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Patrisse Cullors’ Election Night YouTube Event

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

America Ferrera will be spending part of her Election Night on YouTube…

The 36-year-old Honduran American actress will make an appearance on Black Lives Matter co-founder and executive director Patrisse Cullors first live streaming event on YouTube for election night.

Patrisse Cullors + BLMPAC Present: Live From Election Night will stream on Cullors’s YouTube channel starting at 6:00 pm PT / 9:00 pm ET.

Cullors will host the 90-minute event produced by Trap Heals and BLM alongside Richie Reseda CEO of Question Culture. Activists from across the country including Black Lives Matter Los Angeles’s Melina Abdullah and Vice President & Chief Partnership and Equity Officer at MomsRising.org Monifa Bandele will share reflections on this historic election.

In addition to Ferrera, the event will also include appearances from Tracee Ellis Ross, Tessa Thompson, Ramy Youssef, Chelsea Handler, Diane Guerrero, Yara Shahidi, Black Men Build organizer Philip Agnew, California state senator Holly Mitchell and more.

The event will also feature a DJ set from Channel Tres and a meditation sound bowl set with Pulse LA.

Trujillo & His Metallica Bandmates to Appear on CBS’ “Carpool Karoake: The Series”

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Trujillo is sharing a special ride…

The 52-year-old Mexican American musician and his Metallica bandmates will belt out their hits in CBS’ Carpool Karoake: The Series, which will be streamed on Apple Music, the portal’s first series.

Based on James Corden’s Late Late Show popular segment that has become a viral video sensation, Carpool Karaoke: The Series will feature 16 celebrity hosts — one of whom is Corden, paired with Will Smith — riding along in a car together as they sing tunes from their personal playlists and surprise fans who don’t expect to see big stars belting out songs one lane over.

In addition to Corden, Smith, Metallica, those appearing in the series include Shaquille O’Neal, Seth MacFarlane, Billy Eichner, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Ariana Grande, Chelsea Handler, Blake Shelton, Michael Strahan, Jeff Gordon, John Cena and more.

In a panel for the show at the Television Critics’ Association summer press tour, Corden addressed what the series means for the famed bit on The Late Late Show. “I’m still going to see my kid on the weekends,” said Corden. “This just became a wonderful platform to see these people in a such an intimate environment. I don’t feel it’s mine.”

Carpool Karaoke is produced by CBS Television Studios and Fulwell 73. Corden and Ben Winston serve as co-creators and executive producers along with executive producer and showrunner Eric Pankowski.

Huerta to Speak at the Chelsea Handler-Organized Women’s March on Main

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Dolores Huerta has been given her marching orders…

The 86-year-old Latina labor leader and civil rights activist is set to speak at the Chelsea Handler-organized Women’s March on Main, an event taking place Saturday in Park City during the Sundance Film Festival.

The march will coincide with post-inauguration marches being held nationwide including the March on Washington.

In addition to Huerta, the co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW), the list of speakers for the Park City event includes Aisha Tyler, Connie Britton, Mary McCormack, Benjamin Bratt, Laurie David, Jessica Williams, Maria Bello and local officials including Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski. Handler is an organizing committee member.

The event, which is not affiliated with the festival, will start at 9:00 am local time at 220 Main St.

Handler announced plans for the march earlier this month. The march is set for two hours, usually before Park City really begins stirring during the festival. But just in case, the city has set up a text-messaging system for updates on transit, traffic and road closures.

Gomez to Headline This Year’s Global Citizen Festival

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is a global citizen…

The 24-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress has been named one of the headline acts at this year’s Global Citizen Festival.

The annual free-ticketed event, which is held on the Great Lawn in New York City’s Central Park, will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2016.

In addition to Gomez, other headliners include Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Major Lazer and Metallica.

The Festival will harness actions from millions of Global Citizens around the world to hold world leaders accountable to the progress made toward achieving the Global Goals set out by the United Nations last year.

Special guest performers include Usher, Chris Martin, Eddie Vedder, Ellie Goulding, Yandel, and Yusuf/Cat Stevens.

Hosts for this year’s festival include Chelsea Handler, Deborra-lee & Hugh Jackman, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra, Salma Hayek Pinault and Seth Meyers.

Since 2012, more than six million actions from Global Citizens have led world leaders to enact policy changes and commit significant resources to issues of girls and women’s equality, education, health, water and sanitation, environment, finance and innovation, and food and hunger. These financial and policy commitments and announcements are set to affect the lives of up to 656 million people.

“I couldn’t be more honored to participate in the Global Citizen Festival as it continues to help solve important issues around the world. I am particularly proud to be involved this year as the focus is on education. As an artist with many young fans, I believe everyone has the right to an education,” said Gomez.

A live simulcast of the full concert will air on MSNBC and MSNBC.com.

Global Citizens can earn their admission to the free-ticketed Festival by joining the social action platform at globalcitizenfestival.com. Ticket draws will occur throughout the summer and fans will be notified via Global Citizen when they have been selected. A limited number of VIP tickets will also be available for purchase through Ticketmaster starting on Thursday, July 28th.

Fergie Releases the Music Video for Her New Single “L.A. Love (La La)”

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Fergie‘s spreading the (L.A.) Love…

The 39-year-old part-Mexican American singer has released the official music video for “L.A. Love (La La),” the lead single from her upcoming sophomore solo album.

As the Black Eyed Peas member rolls around Southern California in her double-decker, Day of the Dead-themed party bus, she’s joined by a random collection of famous people.

There’s Kelly Osbourne, Chelsea Handler playing “the irresponsible raver mom, Hilary Swank, Tommy Chong and Wilmer Valderrama.

Less surprisingly, YG — who has a verse on the song – also makes an appearance in the clip, along with fellow music world stars Mike Will Made It, Rae Sremmund, Taylor Momsen and DJ Mustard.

Fergie’s new solo album will be released in 2015.

Rodriguez to Appear on Discovery Channel’s “Shark After Dark”

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Rodriguez is shark bait…

The 46-year-old Mexican American filmmaker has been added to the list of guest for this year’s Shark After Dark, Discovery Channel’s live Shark Week late-night talk show.

Rodriguez joins a list of guests that includes Ashley Tisdale, Matt Walsh, Chelsea Handler, Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Danny Trejo and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

This year’s crop of guests aren’t necessarily names with obvious shark connections, but some of the guests, including Tisdale, are rabid Shark Week fans, according to producers who trolled Twitter to find obsessive fans.

Tom Green is reprising his character, Blurb, the alien shark cousin of Bob The Shark, who once again will be played by Craig Ferguson’s CBS late night warm-up act, Bob Oschack. Bob The Shark was introduced during last year’s Shark Week and gained 33.7K Twitter followers.

Returning host Josh Wolf will lead viewers through an hour-long celebration of all things shark-related. The late-night show plays an important role in Discovery Channel’s Shark Week interactivity campaign. During the program viewers can ask questions of/make comments about guests, including the shark experts who’ll be the first guest each night, commenting on that night’s shark-show lead-in.

Researcher/shark ecologist Paul Clerkin for instance, who’s a post grad at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, which runs the Pacific Shark Research Center and participates in a program run through the center to help save deep sea sharks brought up as catch by-product.

Shark Week launches on August 10.

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