Carlos Eric Lopez Signs with Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Eric Lopez has new representation…

The Mexican-American personality, founder, photographer, creative director and cultural curator with more than a decade of experience in the entertainment and lifestyle industry has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Lopez is behind the yearly Dia de Muertos celebration that brings together prominent figures from the Latino community, uniting hundreds of artists, tastemakers, executives, musicians, grassroots organizers and celebrities.

Last year’s celebration honored Gael García Bernal with the Life & Legacy award. He’s also the founder of Cura Lita, a beverage company that celebrates and honors the Latino community and its rich heritage.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to bring my culture, ancestry, and other Latinos with me on this new adventure,” Lopez said in a statement to Deadline. “Together, we’ll write a new chapter of success and empowerment for Latinos everywhere, because when one of us grows, we all grow.”

Last year, CAA launched of CAA Latino, an initiative to drive new opportunities to its Latino and Hispanic clients including Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez, Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, Angel Manuel Soto and Ana de Armas, while also expanding their roster with new talent.

In addition to Carlos Eric Lopez, On My Block star Jessica Marie Garcia recently joined the agency.

Peso Pluma Provides Exclusive Dia de los Muertos-Themed Merchandise for Spotify’s 2023 Capsule Collection

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Spotify is embracing Peso Pluma’s style…

The digital music service has announced its 2023 Capsule Collection, featuring exclusive merchandise from artists including the 24-year-old Mexican Regional Mexican artist.

Other artists with exclusive Spotify merchandise include Daft Punk, Rosalía, Tyler, the Creator and Tems.

Each week, a different artist will release a new merchandise package.

Top streamers identified through Spotify’s Fans First program will get a first chance to buy items from the respective collections.

This week, Spotify kicked off the collections with the release of Peso Pluma’s merch line, which is inspired by Dia de los Muertos.

Fans can access the line through Spotify’s merchandise hub, with an array of items including a hoodie inspired by La Catrina, long- and short-sleeved tees, and a Calavera bandana.

“Spotify has always supported my music, since day one so it made sense to align with them,” Peso Pluma said in a statement provided by Spotify. “I use these capsule items in my day-to-day so I want my fans to have them as well. They have a special meaning to Mexican culture.”

Currently, Spotify users can purchase everything from Taylor Swift vinyl to Janet Jackson tour books on the platform. In October 2021, Spotify threw its hat into the e-commerce ring by partnering with Shopify to allow musicians to list merchandise directly on their profiles.

“I’m thrilled with the launch of our Capsule Collection and thankful to all the amazing artists for partnering with us on this,” said Jeremy Erlich, VP/head of music at Spotify. “We’re excited to provide another avenue for fans to support their favorite artists with unique and high-quality merch. Spotify is already where fans and artists connect, and we’re dedicated to continuing to find new ways to strengthen that bond within our platform’s ecosystem.”

Rodrigo Prieto to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at GuadaLAjara Film Festival

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Rodrigo Prieto is earning a special award…

The 57-year-old Mexican Oscar-nominated cinematographer will be honored with the 2023 Árbol de la Vida, a lifetime achievement award, at the 13th edition of the GuadaLAjara Film Festival on November 1.

Taking place at the Theater at the Ace Hotel in Downtown L.A., Prieto will be honored at the opening night gala celebration. Past honorees have included Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette, in addition to stars such as Xolo Maridueña, Rosario Dawson and Danny Trejo.

Prieto has garnered worldwide acclaim for his work on various feature films, collaborating with some of cinema’s most vital masters. He has picked up his three Oscar nods for Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain (2005) and two with Martin Scorsese — Silence (2016) and The Irishman (2019).

He’s teamed up with the iconic filmmaker again for Killers of the Flower Moon, the story of a group of men that murdered Osage tribe members in the 1920s. The Apple Original Films and Paramount Pictures co-distributed feature stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone.

Prieto also lensed Greta Gerwig’s billion-dollar Mattel meta-comedy Barbie from Warner Bros — now the highest grossing release of 2023.

Curated with Latinx and BIPOC communities in mind, GLAFF’s programming is a mix of films that aim to attract cinephiles and art and culture enthusiasts. The 2023 program and official selection includes a special Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) centerpiece gala screening of the 1960s Mexican classic Macario from director Roberto Gavaldón. More films will be announced in the coming weeks.

“GLAFF continues its mission to be a bridge between Latin America and U.S.-based Latinx/BIPOC creators,” says Ximena Urrutia, festival director. “Being part of a festival run by Latina women, we strive to add to the efforts of ensuring domestically and internationally Latinx representation.”

The GuadaLAjara Film Festival is supported by the University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, the Grodman Legacy Family Foundation and the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG).

Amazon Releases First Trailer for Gloria Calderón Kellett’s Series “With Love,” Starring Emeraude Toubia

Posted on December 4, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Emeraude Toubia is bringing the love…

Amazon has released the first trailer for Gloria Calderón Kellett’s series With Love, starring the 32-year-old half-Mexican American actress.

The 5-episode series, which features multigenerational and multicultural cast of characters, will premiere on Prime Video on December 17.

Season 1 follows the Diaz siblings, Lily (Toubia) and Jorge (Mark Indelicato), who are on a mission to find love and purpose. Lily recently split with her longtime love and is keeping the faith that a special kind of spark awaits her. Plus, she has the support of her Latino family who are determined to find her the perfect match. What could go wrong?

Jorge has seemingly found his person but will he and Henry (Vincent Rodriguez) be able to compromise?

The duo cross paths with seemingly unrelated residents during different holidays throughout the year: Christmas Eve/Nochebuena, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, the Fourth of July, and Dia de los Muertos.

Costars include Rome Flynn, Desmond Chiam, Isis King, Todd Grinnell, Constance Marie, Benito Martinez, Andre Royo, Renée Victor, and Pepe Serna.

All episodes are written and executive produced by Calderón Kellet. The pilot episode is directed and executive produced by Meera Menon.

With Love is produced by Kellett’s production company, GloNation and Amazon Studios.

Miguel to Perform “Coco” Hit on ABC’s “The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II” Special

Posted on May 2, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It’ll be a day of (Disney) remembrance for Miguel…

The 34-year-old half-Mexican American singer will take part in ABC’s The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II.

Miguel will perform “Remember Me,” the song he recorded for the soundtrack to the Dia de los Muertos-themed animated feature Coco.

Miguel’s version of the song appeared at the end of the film. He also performed a Spanish-English duet of the track with Natalia Lafourcade entitled “Recuérdame.”

“Remember Me” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

Shakira, meantime, is set to perform “Try Everything” during the sing-along special. She recorded the Grammy-nominated song for Disney’s Zootopia.

The 43-year-old Colombian superstar voiced the character of Gazellein the film, and her character performed the track in the end credits.

Other artists recruited by Disney for the special, to be broadcast during the Mother’s Day, include Donald Glover, Halsey, Ben Platt and Chloe x Halle.

Audiences will be able to stream The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II on Disney+at a later, unconfirmed date.

The musical special plans to not just celebrate families, but nourish them too by raising awareness for Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which supports people across the U.S. facing hunger amid the pandemic.

The first edition of the musical special saw big-time prime-time ratings, with 10.3 million viewers tuning in to Ariana Grande‘s spellbound “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” coverfrom Hercules, Beyoncé‘s surprise heartwarming rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star“and more.

Ryan Seacrest returns as the host for The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II, which will air on Sunday, May 10, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

Here’s the list of performances (with more to come):

“A Whole New World” – Idina Menzel & Ben Platt
“Almost There”– Chloe x Halle & Anika Noni Rose
“Hakuna Matata” – Seth Rogen & Billy Eichner feat. Donald Glover & Walter Russell III
“Part of Your World” – Halsey
“Poor Unfortunate Souls” – Rebel Wilson
“Remember Me” – Miguel
“Step in Time” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” –Derek Hough, Julianne Hough & Hayley Erbert”Try Everything”–Shakira
“When I Am Older” – Josh Gad
“You’ll Be in My Heart” –Disney on Broadway stars Merle Dandridge, Heather Headley, Adam Jacobs, Caissie Levy, Kara Lindsay, Kevin Massey & Josh Strickland”Zero to Hero” – Keke Palmer

Miguel to Perform for the First-Time at the Latin Grammys

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Miguel is preparing for Latin music’s biggest night…

The 34-year-old Mexican American R&B singer, songwriter, who released the Spanish EP Te Lo Dije earlier this year, is set to perform at this year’s Latin Grammys, according to The Latin Recording Academy.

Miguel is part ofthe final wave of performers and presenters joining the star-studded 2019 Latin Grammys lineup.

In addition to Miguel, who performed “Remember Me” with Natalia Lafourcade on the soundtrack to Disney’s Dia de los Muertos-themed animated film Coco, new additions to the performers roster include Alicia Keys, Farruko, Ozuna, Residente, Beto Cuevas, Calibre 50, Leonel García, Fito Páez, Milly Quezada, Tony Succar, Carlos Rivera, and Prince Royce.

Plus, Ángela Aguilar, Eduardo “Visitante” Cabra,Sofia Carson, Emilio Estefan, Mon Laferte, William Levy, Rudy Mancuso,,Luis Gerardo Méndez, Michael Peña, and Dayanara Torres join as presenters.

Nominees Camilo, De La Ghetto, Paula Fernandes, Kany García, Christian Nodal and Tommy Torres were previously announced as presenters.

Coined as “the biggest night in Latin Music,” the awards show will kick off with a never-before-seen tribute honoring the 20th Anniversary of the Latin Grammys. A group of 20 artists, who’ll perform together for the first time, will interpret multiple iconic songs spanning various genres of Latin music while commemorating the past 20 years of excellence.

The final roster of performers join already confirmed artists Aitana, Anitta, Pedro Capó, Julio Reyes Copello, Darell, Dimelo Flow, Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, Greeicy, Intocable, Nella, Reik, Rosalía, and Alejandro Sanz, who’s this year’s top nominee.

The awards show will also include performances by Pepe Aguilar and Los Angeles Azules, Paula Arenas, Bad Bunny, Alessia Cara, Draco Rosa, Ximena Sariñana, Sech, Sebastián Yatra, Natalia Jiménez, Olga Tañón and Juanes, who as the 2019 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year will perform a medley of his biggest hits.

Vicente, Alejandro, and Alex Fernandezwill also take the stage, becoming the first time all three generations of the Fernandez family will perform at the show. They’ll be joined by Mariachi Sol de Mexico.

The 20th annual Latin Grammys, which will be co-hosted by Ricky Martin and actresses Roselyn Sánchez and Paz Vega, will air live Nov. 14 from the MGM Grand Garden Arenain Las Vegas via Univision.

Mexico’s Olympic Ski Team Dons Dia De Los Muertos-Inspired Uniforms

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Mexico’s Olympic ski team is drop (Day of the) Dead gorgeous…

The country’s two Alpine skiers at the 2018 Winter Games, Rodolfo Dickson and Sarah Schleper, are competing in uniforms with a “Day of the Dead” theme, an homage to the country’s Dia de los Muertos holiday in which people pray for and remember their family members and friends who’ve died.

The outfits, which feature colorful, bejeweled and beflowered skulls on a black background, follow in the proud tradition of Hubertus von Hohenlohe, who designed them.

The 59-year-old Mexican Alpine skier represented Mexico in six Winter Games. In Sochi in 2014, von Hohenlohe memorably wore a mariachi outfit, and in Vancouver in 2010, he went with a desperado look.

He failed in his attempt to become the oldest winter Olympian this year.

Meanwhile, Dickson was adopted from a Puerto Vallarta orphanage by Canadian parents and Schleper, who is from Vail and has competed for the United States, is married to a Mexican citizen and has dual citizenship.

“I don’t live in Mexico but I am very proud of the place where I was born,” Dickson told USA Today. “I really want to start something new. There are a lot of young guys in Colorado who could represent Mexico, so in a few years I hope there will be a big team and athletes capable of being really successful.”

Guillermo del Toro Named Best Director at This Year’s Golden Globes

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a long overdue first for Guillermo del Toro…

The 53-year-old Mexican filmmaker picked up his first Golden Globe trophy at Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards.

Guillermo del Toro

del Toro, who’d never been nominated before this year, took home the trophy for Best Director, for his inspired work on The Shape of Water.

Known for his work on monster movies like Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth and Blade, del Toro is considered a master of the genre.

In The Shape of Water, he continues in that same world, telling the story of a lonely janitor who forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held captive. It was originally conceived with 1960s monster movies in mind, but transformed into something quite different as the deep relationship between its characters evolved.

“Since childhood, I’ve been faithful to monsters,” said del Toro in his acceptance speech, calling them “patron saints of imperfection.” del Toro noted that he has spent 25 years handcrafting “very strange little tales” that ultimately “have saved my life.” He closed by noting, “My monsters thank you.”

Meanwhile, Disney/Pixar’s hit Coco was named Best Animated Feature. The film’s director Lee Unkrich gave a shout-out “to the incredible people of Mexico” without whom he said the film would not exist.

The win follows best animated film honors from the National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle.

Coco takes place during the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. Directed by Unkrich and Adrian Molina, Coco follows a young boy, Miguel, who wishes to be a star-studded crooner of standards, just like his grandfather, the legendary singer Ernesto de la Cruz. However, music is of the devil in Miguel’s family, and de la Cruz is largely to blame for the curse. In order to make generational events correct, Miguel finds himself on the other side of life with relatives he’s only heard stories about.

The 75th anniversary Golden Globe Awards were handed out at the Beverly Hilton..

Here’s the full list of winners:

Best Motion Picture, Drama: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actress, Motion Picture Drama : Frances Mcdormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor, Motion Picture Drama : Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Best Motion Picture, Musical/Comedy : Lady Bird, Iac Films; A24
Best Actress, Motion Picture – Comedy : Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Best Direction, Film : Guillermo Del Toro, The Shape Of Water
Best Limited TV Series/Made For TV Movie : Big Little Lies, HBO, HBO Entertainment / David E. Kelly Productions / Pacific Standard / Blossom Films
Best TV Series, Comedy/Musical : The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Amazon, Amazon Studios
Best Actor, Limited Tv Series/Made For TV Movie:  Ewan Mcgregor, Fargo
Best Screenplay, Motion Picture : Martin Mcdonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Supporting Actress, Motion Picture : Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Best Animated Film : Coco, Pixar Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Best Supporting Actress TV Series/Limited Series/Tv Movie : Laura Dern, Big Little Lies
Best Actor Motion Picture, Musical/Comedy : James Franco, The Disaster Artist
Best Original Song, Film : “This Is Me” — The Greatest Showman, Music By: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Lyrics By: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul
Best Original Score, Film : Alexandre Desplat, The Shape Of Water
Best Supporting Actor, TV Series/Limited Series/Made For TV Movie : Alexander Skarsgård, Big Little Lies
Best TV Series, Drama:  The Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu, MGM
Best Actor, TV Series – Drama : Sterling K. Brown This Is Us
Best Actress TV Series, Drama : Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid’s Tale
Best Actress TV, Musical/Comedy:  Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Supporting Actor, Film:  Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actress Limited Series TV:  Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies

Anthony Gonzalez’s Disney-Pixar Film “Coco” Wins Thanksgiving Holiday Box Office

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

He’s nowhere near voting age, but Anthony Gonzalez is beating superheroes at the box office…

The 13-year-old Latino actor voices the character of Miguel, a young Mexican boy with musical dreams who has a wondrous adventure in the Land of the Dead in Disney–Pixar’s animated film Coco, which won the Thanksgiving holiday box office.

Gonzalez’s Coco earned $71.2 million at 3,987 North American sites during the Wednesday-Sunday period, while Warner Bros.–DC Entertainment’s Justice League pulled in $60 million at 4,051 locations during the same timeframe in its second weekend in theaters.

Coco posted for the fourth-best Thanksgiving holiday opening ever, trailing three other Disney titles — Frozen with $93 million in 2013, Moana with $82 million in 2017 and Toy Story 3 with $80 million in 2010.

Audiences surveyed by comScore’s PostTrak gave Coco strong ratings with 66% calling it “excellent,” and another 23% rating it “very good.” Surveys also showed 77% of viewers saying they would “definitely recommend” the movie to friends and 20% saying they would watch it again in a theater.

Coco, directed by Lee Unkrich and co-directed by Adrian Molina, is based on the traditions surrounding the Day of the Dead holiday in Mexico and centers on a 12-year-old boy who dreams of becoming a musician and explores his family history in the Land of the Dead. The studio hasn’t released a price for the movie. Disney-Pixar titles are usually budgeted in the $175 million to $200 million range.

In addition to Gonzalez, in his breakout role, Coco’s ensemble voice cast includes Benjamin Bratt, Gael Garcia Bernal, Renee Victor, Edward James Olmos, Ana Ofelia Murguia, Jaime Camil, Sofia Espinosa, Gabriel Iglesias, Cheech Marin and Lombardo Boyar.

The holiday weekend is one of the busiest moviegoing periods of the year. According to comScore, this year’s five-day Thanksgiving weekend saw total grosses his $268 million — $7.5 million better than last year’s when Moana opened with $82 million, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them taking in $65 million in its second weekend.

The strong holiday performance left the 2017 overall domestic total at $9.71 billion, or 4% behind the same point last year, according to comScore. The industry fell behind last year’s record-setting total due to downbeat performances in August and October — so much so that the much-anticipated Dec. 15 opening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi will probably not be enough to pulled this year even.

Miguel Sings the Disney-Pixar “Coco” Track “Remember Me (Dúo)”

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Miguel is making his Disney debut…

The 32-year-old half-Mexican American singer-songwriter appears on the single “Remember Me (Dúo).”

The track appears on the soundtrack for Coco, the new Día de Los Muertos-themed Disney-Pixar production that hit theaters. (

Check out the animated lyric video.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Dia de los Muertos