Esparza Launches Pro Career with Multi-Year Golden Boy Promotions Deal

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Marlen Esparza is heading to the big leagues…

The 27-year-old Latina boxer, won the bronze medal in the women’s flyweight division at the 2012 London Games, has decided to go pro, signing a multi-year promotional deal with Golden Boy Promotions on Wednesday.

Esparza, one of the world’s top female amateur boxers will make her professional debut in early 2017, Golden Boy president Eric Gomez said.

“I recently told my fans that I was going pro, and I am happy to announce that it will be the world’s best promotional company — Golden Boy Promotions,” Esparza said. “I am excited to get back into the ring as soon as possible and start climbing the ladder towards winning a professional world title.”

Esparza is the first female fighter signed by Golden Boy, which plans to become much more involved in women’s boxing.

“We really want to jump into women’s boxing,” Gomez said. “We feel she is someone who can revolutionize women’s boxing in the U.S. and bring awareness and excitement. Women’s boxing has been very successful around the world but we’re a little behind in the U.S. She is a smart young woman and she can fight.”

Esparza, who had around 200 amateur fights and lost about 12, won 12 consecutive U.S. national amateur championships and the flyweight gold medal at the 2014 world amateur championships.

She said she wants a world title as a professional and is very confident she will achieve her goal.

“This is a profession and a career for me but could I win a world title tomorrow? I could,” she told ESPN. “I could win it tomorrow but I want to do things correctly and fight my way to the top and do things the way they are supposed to be done, move my way up. I want to earn what I get. What I see myself doing is winning a world title when the time is right and when my team says it’s OK.

“I’m kind of for the first time feeling I’ve arrived. I’ve done so many things, but this (signing with Golden Boy) is something I feel I deserve. I am so ready for this. I’m not scared, I’m ready.”

She said she plans to get back into training right away and will go to England to train over the holidays with her good friend Nicola Adams, who won flyweight Olympic gold medals for Great Britain in 2012 and 2016.

Beyond her ring success, Esparza will come into the pro ranks already having established herself commercially. She has an endorsement deal with CoverGirl cosmetics and has appeared in Spanish-language television ads for Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, among others.

“Before she ever steps foot into the ring as a professional, Marlen Esparza has already established herself as a rising star,” Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya said. “At Golden Boy Promotions, we pride ourselves on developing fighters and transforming them into the best of the best. We look forward to doing the same with Marlen.”

Vergara Collaborates with CoverGirl to Create Custom Lipstick Shade for Her Wedding Day

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara’s in love… And, she’s got the lipstick to prove it…

For her wedding to actor Joe Manganiello on Sunday, the 43-year-old Colombian actress and Modern Family star wanted to make sure her makeup went the distance through dancing, cake and kissing.

So Vergara collaborated with CoverGirl, with whom she has worked as a brand ambassador since 2011, to create a custom shade to wear on her special day.

Named, “Sofia in Love,” the rich crimson shade has the same technology in it as CoverGirl’s Outlast Longwear lipstick, so that the bride wasn’t saddled with the pressure to stop the reveling and have to reapply.

Plus, since the color was customized, Vergara could get the exact hue that best suited her overall wedding day vision.

“I knew I wanted a lipstick for the wedding that was either a red or a pink. I want a color that is going to make the lips pop!” says the actress. “I think when you’re wearing a white dress, you can really play with the lip color and do something really fun.”

Unfortunately, this particular shade of lip color was created solely for Vergara and her nuptials. But, the Longwear lipstick formula makes sense when aiming for a lip color that both lasts and hydrates; brides-to-be will just have to choose a different hue from the 11 other shades in the Outlast collection.

They can also get inspired by Vergara’s journey to the altar and other beauty products she loves for getting her bombshell look, through her wedding prep videos posted on her website, sofiavergara.com.

Rodriguez Named to Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Teens List

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Rico Rodriguez is a teen sensation and inspiration…

The 16-year-old Latino actor and SAG Award winner, best known for his role as Sofia Vergara’s son on ABC’s Modern Family, has been named to Time magazine’s 25 Most Influential Teens of 2014.

The names included in the second annual spotlight were selected after the publication “analyzed social-media followings, cultural accolades, business acumen and more.”

Rodriguez was heralded for his scene-stealing role as Manny Delgado on ABC’s smash-hit comedy, as well as the hefty paycheck he gets. According to reports, he’ll earn a whopping $115,000 per episode if the show continues through season eight.

But Rodriguez isn’t the only Latino/a to make the list…

Becky G, named to Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list, earned a spot on the list.

The 17-year-old Mexican American singer/rapper was signed by mega-producer Dr. Luke in 2011 after watching her YouTube covers. The investment paid off: Becky G saw her track, “Shower,” chart in more than a dozen countries and become a top 20 hit in the U.S. this summer. When she’s not writing her own music, she represents CoverGirl as one of its youngest-ever Latina spokeswomen and helps craft tunes for other pop acts, like Cher Lloyd and fellow teen Cody Simpson.

The final Latin artist on the list: Bethany Mota.

The 18-year-old half-Mexican YouTube vlogger and fashionista, a competitor on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars this season, has built her YouTube channel, Macbarbie07, into a massive business—with 7.4 million subscribers, 565 million-plus views, and between $500,000 and $750,000 in annual ad revenue. And now she’s expanding her empire. This year, along with competing on DWTS, Mota served as a guest judge on Project Runway, all while overseeing the clothing line she launched with Aéropostale. She also released her first single, “Need You Right Now.”

Visit Time for the full list, including a Nobel Peace Prize winner, young entrepreneurs, political activists, athletes, chefs and scientists.

Fifth Harmony Named to This Year’s Billboard 21 Under 21 List

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Ally Brooke Hernandez, Camila Cabello and Lauren Jauregui are hot young stars…

The Latina singers and their fellow Fifth Harmony members have earned a spot on Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list, the annual ranking of music’s most powerful minors.

Fifth Harmony, the all-girl group created by Simon Cowell on the second season of The X Factor, has moved up from No. 21 last year to No. 5 on the 2014 list.

Since their formation, Hernandez, Cabello, Jauregui and the gang have earned love from a million Harmonizers, one of the most passionate online fanbases today, helping the ladies of Fifth Harmony continue to thrive a few years removed from their X Factor introduction.

Following their debut EP release last October, Fifth Harmony has spent much of 2014 on the road supporting artists like Demi Lovato and Austin Mahone on tour, winning over new fans while preparing for the release of their debut full-length album, Reflection.

The first single, “Bo$$,” flaunted a rhythmic new sound and became 5H’s biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit to date, ahead of Reflection’s November release.

Recently, Fifth Harmony has added some impressive honors to their list of accomplishments, earning the MTV Artist to Watch award at the MTV Video Music Awards, as well as the Favorite Band on Social Media award at the Shorties.

They recently released the second single from Reflection, “Them Girls Be Like.”

But Fifth Harmony’s Latina singers aren’t the only Hispanic artists on the list…

Becky G makes her first-ever appearance on Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list.

The 17-year-old Mexican American singer, rapper, actress and CoverGirl model comes in at No. 9 on the list.

The L.A.-born Gomez has continued to build momentum since her Dr. Luke-produced debut single “Shower” reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 2014. “Can’t Get Enough,” featuring Pitbull, spent a week at No. 1 on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart in June and recent TV performances on the Today show and the 2014 Teen Choice Awards, among others, have brought even more attention to the Latina teen queen. Her strong social media following (she’s quickly approaching 5 million Facebook likes) has continued to rise as she tours with Katy Perry, Demi Lovato and Jason Derulo. With her debut full-length album set for release later this year, Becky G is on her way to becoming a bona fide power brand.

Meanwhile, the first Latino on this year’s list is Luis Coronel.

The 18-year-old regional Mexican singer, who comes in at No. 11, hadn’t even finished high school before he was trending on social media and showing up on the Billboard charts in 2013. One year later, he has a major teen following in the U.S. and beyond, as well as a thriving career under his belt.

The Del Records artist spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart with Con La Frente En Alto in October 2013 and his single “Tenerte” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Airplay charts earlier this year.

He’s also had two top 10 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart, has won trophies for new artist of the year at the 2014 Billboard Latin Music Awards and social media sensation on Telemundo‘s Premios Tu Mundo awards show, has served as a judge on the Mexican singing competition show La Academia Kids and has toured with major recording acts Julion Alvarez to Gerardo Ortiz. Next up for Coronel: a new album, Quiero Ser Tu Dueno, due on September 30.

Last, but certainly not least, Scotty McCreery comes in at No. 16 on this year’s list, down eight spots from his No. 8 position last year.

The 20-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer has come a long way since winning season 10 of American Idol. The past year has seen the North Carolina native continue to grow his career. “See You Tonight” became his first top 10 hit on the Billboard charts, and became his third gold single. His sophomore album of the same name topped the Country Albums chart upon its release in October 2013, and also became his third straight song to hit the top 10 on the Billboard 200.

McCreery is also proving himself as a live commodity — his See You Tonight tour put him in front of thousands of fans each night, and continues to roll across the country through December. As he approaches 21 in just a few weeks, this will be Scotty’s last appearance on our 21 Under 21.

Vergara: Television’s Highest Paid Actress for a Third Straight Year

Posted on September 6, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s mo’ money, mo’ honors for Sofia Vergara…

For the third straight year, the 42-year-old Colombian actress and Modern Family star tops Forbes’ list of the television’s highest paid actresses.

Vergara reportedly earned an estimated $37 million between June 2013 and June 2014, according to the financial magazine. That’s more than the top-earning television actor, Ashton Kutcher ($26 million).

While the actress earns a reported $325,000 per episode on her Emmy-winning ABC comedy series, the bulk of her earnings come from her lucrative endorsements and licensing deals. Vergara is the face of Diet Pepsi, CoverGirl, Head & Shoulders, AT&T and the medication Synthroid.

She’s the also the co-founder of Latin World Entertainment, a multi-million dollar empire. The talent management and entertainment-marketing firm recently teamed up with CNET to launch a Spanish-language tech news site. Vergara’s brand also continues to grow thanks to her 12-year deal with Kmart, a strategic move to better appeal to Hispanic shoppers.

Earlier this year, she also launched her first fragrance for HSN and starred in the indie movie Chef, which received rave critical reviews and became the only summer indie to hit $30 million at the box office.

Vergara’s annual take is up from last year’s high of $30 million and her $19-million estimate in 2012.

Rousseff: The Highest-Ranking Latina on Forbes’ Most Powerful Women List

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Dilma Rousseff is not only the most powerful Latina in the world… But, she’s inching her way to being the most powerful woman on the planet.

The 65-year-old Brazilian politician, who has served as her nation’s president – the first woman to hold the office – since January 2011, comes in at No. 2 on Forbes magazine’s annual list of World’s Most Powerful Women.

Rousseff, who ranked No. 3 on last year’s list, comes in behind only German Chancellor Angela Merkel, this year.

Currently at the midpoint of her first term as president, Rousseff heads the world’s seventh-largest national economy (GDP $2.4 trillion). Despite Brazil’s size, she has been tasked with helping pull the country out of its slowest two years of growth in more than a decade. Her emphasis on entrepreneurship has inspired a new generation of startups.

This year, Rousseff has a new ally in the first-ever Brazilian director-general of the World Trade Organization, Roberto Azevedo, who was confirmed in Geneva in early May.

Maria das Graças Silva Foster, another Brasilenia on the list, ranks at No. 18 this year, two spots higher than last year.

The 59-year-old Brazilian business executive and chemical engineer serves as the CEO of Petrobras-Petróleo Brasil, Brazil’s state-controlled oil company.

das Graças Silva Foster last year took over the largest company in the Southern Hemisphere by sales ($144 billion) and market value ($120 billion). In 2012 Petrobras produced about 2 million barrels of crude oil daily, and she expects similar levels this year as it develops oil trapped in the Campos Basin in the Atlantic, one of the world’s most promising oil frontiers.

The third Latina on the list is Argentina’s lady in charge, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

The 60-year-old Argentinean president comes in at No. 26 on the list, a drop of 10 spots from last year.

Fernandez de Kirchner, halfway through her second term, is facing some headaches, including massive street demonstrations and accusations that Argentina has been covering up runaway inflation by underreporting the country’s annual rate.

Meanwhile, the first Latina celebrity to make the cut is Sofia Vergara.

The 40-year-old Colombian actress and entrepreneur registers one of the biggest leaps on the list, moving up 37 spots to No. 38.

Vergara, who ranked No. 75 last year, is the top-earning actress on television and the face of a sweeping trend to capture the $1 trillion Hispanic market.

As a member of the cast of ABC’s Modern Family, Vergara is at the top of her game.

In addition to the show, her line of clothing and home goods sold at Kmart is thriving and endorsement deals with Diet Pepsi, CoverGirl, Rooms to Go and thyroid medicine Synthroid make her one of the most in-demand spokespeople.

Behind the scenes Vergara is a cofounder of a 17-year-old talent management and new media company, LatinWE, which pulled in an estimated $27 million last year and which recently launched a social network, NuevoWorld, to connect Latino celebs with their fans.

In May ABC announced that a new series executive produced by Vergara, Killer Women, an adaptation of an Argentine soap opera, will be in its Fall 2013 lineup.

Here’s a look at the other Latinas on the list…

No. 35 Mary Barra, SVP, Global Product Development, General Motors

No. 52 Shakira Mebarak, Actress and Philanthropist

No. 66 Rosalía Mera, Businesswoman, Entrepreneur and Billionaire

No. 95 Gisele Bündchen, Model and Philanthropist

Full list of the 100 women who represent agents of change in the world can be obtained on Forbes.com.

Castellano Inspires Millions with Her Story on “The Ellen Show”

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Move over Taylor Swift! There’s a new face representing CoverGirl… Her name: Talia Castellano, an inspiring Latweena with a smile that lights up a room.

During a visit to The Ellen Degeneres Show on Wednesday, the 13-year-old Florida girl battling two forms of cancer was named an honorary Cover Girl, even receiving a framed poster with her likeness. Following her diagnosis some years ago, Castellano learned all about makeup as a way to deal with the disease.

“When I was first diagnosed six years ago, my mom’s friend Tammy… she also is a cancer survivor, she brought me to her house, so we could like bond and talk about stuff,” recalled Castellano to Ellen. “And basically she showed me her makeup and ever since I was like fascinated with the colors and the things and it was just amazing.”

Castellano launched a YouTube page, where she offers tutorials on makeup application. Her helpful tips and bubbly personality have earned her channel, taliajoy18, more than 14.5 million views.

“How do you stay so positive?” DeGeneres asked Talia, whose cancer treatment options, including a bone marrow transplant, are running low.

“When people ask me that, I’m just, ‘What do you want me to do? Be depressed?” said Talia, who’s recently returned from a summer at Sunrise Day Camp, a program dedicated to children with cancer.

“A little fishy just told me, ‘Just keep swimming, just keep swimming,” added Castellano, referring to Ellen’s character Dory, a resident optimist, in 2003′s animated Disney movie Finding Nemo.

CoverGirl also gifted Castellano with a makeup table stocked with the brand’s products, as well as a check for $20,000.

“I’ve always been a really bubbly girl, and my mom always tells me to think about the positive,” Castellano told People magazine last month. “Even though cancer is a negative, horrible thing, there are positives. For people to see that there are kids that get cancer … it’s just a true fact. Me putting a face on it makes a difference.”

To follow Talia’s story and progress, subscribe to her YouTube channel. And to learn more about registering with the National Marrow Donor Program, visit marrow.org.

Esparza Clinches a Boxing Bronze at the London Games

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

The 2012 Olympic Games have come to an end on a bittersweet note for Marlen Esparza…

The 23-year-old first generation Mexican American boxer—the first American woman to earn an Olympic berth in boxing—lost to reigning world champion Ren Cancan of China in the flyweight semifinal of the inaugural women’s boxing competition at the London Games.

Esparza, guaranteed at least a bronze medal heading into the bout, trailed throughout the four rounds by margins of 3-2, 7-4, and 8-6 as Cancan won a cautiously fought encounter in a rematch of their boutat this year’s world championships, which the Chinese star won.

The first round was devoid of substantial action as both boxers sized each other up and measured their striking distance. As the clash progressed Esparza, who was constantly bouncing on the balls of her feet, tentatively waited on her foe to make a mistake and leave an opening to attack.

When neither switching from the orthodox to southpaw stance nor counterpunching tactics worked for Esparza, she finally pressed forward in the fourth and final frame, scoring with a late flurry that she hoped would tip the close fight in her favor.

Unfortunately Esparaza, who has garnered national attention for her advertisements for CoverGirl and McDonald’s, would fall just short but will still make the medal stand.

“I thought I was going to win … I thought I was going to win,” Esparza said through tears Wednesday after the 10-8 loss to Ren. “I thought I was going to win, so this is very difficult.”

Esparza and fellow semifinalist Mary Kom of India have automatically been awarded bronze, as there is no third-place bout under Olympic rules.

So despite the heartbreaking loss, Esparza has cemented her place in American sports history as the first to clinch an Olympic medal. And, she’s still an inspiration to millions of girls around the country.

Esperza, known for her speed and smarts in the ring, graduated in the top 2% of her class and was student body president in high school.

Vergara’s Selling the Farm… State Farm!

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

“Modern Family” star Sofia Vergara is having a banner year when it comes to her endorsement deals… And, it just keeps getting better.

The 39-year-old Colombian bombshell has signed on to appear in a commercial to promote State Farm’s auto and life insurance products. Part of the company’s “Mejora tu Estado” campaign, the spot features the Emmy-nominated actress—as her “Modern Family” character, Gloria Delgado—being dramatic while discussing possible insurance discounts with a State Farm agent.

“I’m proud to be associated with State Farm,” professes Vergara, who stole the spotlight at this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards. “It’s a company with a solid history of supporting Hispanic Americans in this country and we know [the company] will always be there when we most need it.”

But this isn’t Vergara’s only endorsement deal this year…

Earlier this year, she was named the new face of CoverGirl—her first ever campaign for the cosmetics company. Her advertisements will debut in January 2012.

In April, Vergara appeared in a Diet Pepsi‘s “Sweet Tweet” commercial soccer superstar David Beckham.

In September, Vergara launched her own K-mart clothing line, which targets “soccer moms.”

Vergara’s State Farm commercial, which should showcase her comedic chops once again, will premiere in the coming weeks.

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