Netflix Agrees to Deal with Julio Iglesias to Produce Series About Star’s Life

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It appears art will imitate Julio Iglesias’ life…

Netflix has agreed to a deal with the 80-year-old Spanish singer, songwriter and former professional footballer to produce a series about the star’s life.

It marks the first time Iglesias has participated in the creative process on a production about his life and musical trajectory.

The agreement was signed after Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria wrote Iglesias a letter

Details on the series are limited, but it will launch globally and is currently in development.

According to Netflix, it will “tell the story of how Julio Iglesias became the first non-English artist to enter the American and Asian markets and turned into a universal star who is among the five biggest record sellers in history.”

“After many speculations, books and documentaries in which I have not been involved, for the first time I have decided to tell the truth about my life to a universal company like Netflix,” said Iglesias. “After much deliberation, finally, a very touching letter sent to me by Bela Bajaria was enough to convince me that Netflix was the ideal company to develop this project. I feel grateful to a lot of people from many countries who have supported me and have boosted my life.”

Born in Spain, Iglesias studied law and was a goalkeeper for Real Madrid’s reserve team before a automobile accident ended his career. While recuperating, he discovered his talent for music and soon became of the biggest selling music artists of all time. He has shared stages with Frank Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Sting, Dolly Parton and Placido Domingo.

Through the 1970s and 1980s, his star grew and he entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest selling Latin music artist ever. He also received a Lifetime Achievement from the U.S. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Diego Ávalos, Vice President Content at Netflix: “Julio Iglesias has trusted us to tell his story. We are very grateful for his generosity. We all know that his talent and tenacity are unique in the world. Now, we will have the opportunity to see beyond the lights, the pictures in the magazines, the gold records and to really get to know in depth an exceptional person who has accompanied and will accompany many generations in every corner of the planet.”

New Jersey Turnpike Authority to Name Rest Stop After the Late Celia Cruz

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

There’s a little rest (stop) for Celia Cruz’s biggest fans…

The late Cuban musician, who died in 2003 in her Fort Lee, New Jersey home at the age of 77, is one of several of New Jersey’s most iconic figures getting their names on a Garden State Parkway rest stops.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority approved naming nine Parkway service areas after luminaries, including Cruz, one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century.

Others getting their name on a rest stop include groundbreaking baseball player Larry Doby, rocker Jon Bon Jovi and late actor James Gandolfini.

It’s being done in conjunction with the New Jersey Hall of Fame, which has inducted more than 180 people since 2008 in fields such as science, sports and the arts.

The service areas will contain Hard Rock Cafe-style exhibits and artifacts, and an interactive Wall of Fame featuring a life-sized video monitor showcasing Hall of Fame inductees and their acceptance speeches, according to Gov. Phil Murphy’s office.

Murphy said it’s part of a larger effort to showcase local heroes in a variety of fields at locations around the state, including Battleship New Jersey, the New Jersey Turnpike and Newark Penn Station.

In addition to Cruz, Gandolfini, Doby and Bon Jovi, service areas will be named after broadcast journalist Connie Chung; Grammy-winning singer Whitney Houston; Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison; author Judy Blume; and perhaps New Jersey’s most famous native son, Frank Sinatra.

Gael Garcia Bernal to Portray Salvador Dali in New Podcast “Playboy Interview”

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Gael Garcia Bernal’s art is about to imitate art life…

The 42-year-old Mexican actor and producer is joining a slew of stars who’ll portray famous figures across history in a new podcast series from Playboy and Audio Up.

The two companies are launching Playboy Interview, an audio series that features teleplay-style re-enactments of the most iconic Playboy interview conversations.

In addition to Garcia Bernal, other stars set to take part in the program are Rosanna Arquette, Taye Diggs, Maya Hawke, Shea Whigham, Michael Shannon, Kevin Corrigan and Gina Gershon.

The series, which is set to debut in September, will see Arquette voice feminist pioneer Betty Friedan, Diggs will portray Muhammad Ali, Garcia Bernal plays Salvador Dali, Shannon is Tennessee Williams, Shea Whigham is John Wayne, Maya Hawke is Helen Gurley Brown, Kevin Corrigan is Frank Sinatra and Gina Gershon is Oriana Fallaci.

The first two episodes will feature “conversations” with Friedan and Ali.

The series is based on the classic Playboy Interview, which started in 1962 with Alex Haley’s conversation with Miles Davis and has run for more than 500 interviews including the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Fidel Castro, Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Steve Jobs, Whoopi Goldberg and Maya Angelou.

“Working on the Playboy Interview was an incredible experience,” said Maya Hawke, who also portrays Ayn Rand in the second season, which is likely to launch in early 2022. “I got the rare opportunity to portray two of history’s most influential, controversial, and complicated women. I was allowed to inhabit the characters rather than being asked to impersonate them, which left me thinking about their respective perspectives for weeks after. And I felt inspired. Even if I don’t agree with them about everything, or anything – their strength, persistence, and insistence on being exactly who they are has reminded me to be exactly who I am.”

“Playboy is culturally iconic for many reasons, but their in-depth interviews and journalistic integrity is a large part of what has made the publication so cool,” said Gina Gershon. “I was so happy to work on a project that celebrates Playboy’s historic interviews with so many incredible individuals. I’ve always been fascinated by Oriana Fallaci, and was so excited to be able to take part in bringing her interviews to life. It was so much fun to explore this remarkable woman and share her point of view with the world.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to unveil the first season of the Playboy Interview podcast,” added Rachel Webber, Chief Brand Officer at PLBY Group and producer of the series. “Audio is the perfect format for these intimate and revealing conversations. Each brilliant performance by this incredible cast gives you chills, making you feel like you’re right there in the room as history unfolds.”

“This podcast is the culmination of a personal journey for me having spent seven years as Playboy’s editorial director,” added Audio Up’s Chief Creative Officer Jimmy Jellinek, who adapted, produced and directed all 10 episodes of season one. “Thanks to the explosion of audio as a medium, today we’re able to reintroduce these incredible conversations to a new generation. I have long thought the Playboy Interview would lend itself perfectly to formats off the page. In my wildest dreams I didn’t anticipate that something this magical would be the result.”

“We’ve paired the greatest conversations of the 20th century with the greatest actors of the 21st. Audio Up is in the business of pushing the boundaries of audio entertainment and this project exemplifies that mission in every way,” said Audio Up founder and Chief Executive Officer Jared Gutstadt.

Netflix Releases Opening Scene of Upcoming Second Season of David Castañeda’s “The Umbrella Academy”

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

David Castañeda is blasting into the past…

Netflix has released the opening scene of Season Two of the 30-year-old Mexican-American actor’s comic book series The Umbrella Academy.

The opening scene shows Aidan Gallagher’s Number Five land in Dallas. While searching for his siblings in the Lone Star State, the super-powered human sees the beginnings the Cold Warunfold before him as the Soviet Union and the United States begin carrying out their first attacks against each other.

As the teaser progresses, Frank Sinatra’s iconic voice rings out, scoring a montage of high impact combat scenes between the two opposing world powers and the Hargreeves family fighting against their adversaries. The season two opening sequence concludes as a mushroom cloud blooms and reveals the show’s title card.

Season two of The Umbrella Academy, which Netflix announced in May, hits the streamer on Friday July 31.

The Umbrella Academy is based on the Dark Horse Comicsseries created and written by Gerard Wayand illustrated by Gabria Bà.

Castañeda, Gallagher, Ellen Page, Tom Hooper, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehanand Justin H. Minwill reprise their roles as unlikely superheroes.

Also joining the new 10-episode season are Ritu Arya, Marin Ireland and Yusuf Gatewood. Showrunner Steve Blackman will return to produce the second season.

In 2019, The Umbrella Academy ranked third on the list of Netflix’s most popular series of the year and was one of the only three series to crack the streamer’s overall top 10 list of its most popular 2019 releases.

Serrat Celebrated with Special Career-Spanning Exhibition in Barcelona

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Joan Manuel Serrat is the subject of an extra special Spanish-style celebration.

The 71-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter, considered one of the most important figures of modern, popular music in the Spanish and Catalan languages, is being feted in Barcelona through a special project.

Serrat: 50 Years of Songs is the title of an exhibition that documents the life and times of Barcelona’s most famous musical son.

The show is a career-spanning homage to Serrat, the 2014 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, that highlights the singer-songwriter’s ties to Barcelona and Latin America.

The exhibition, at Barcelona’s Arts Santa Monica cultural center until September, includes photos, posters, records, Serrat trading cards and other fan memorabilia, performance videos, and, of course, music.

A parallel program of concert tributes to Serrat by other artists will run through the summer on a stage built into the exhibition, and the public will have a chance to perform their own song favorites during a series of scheduled Serrat karaoke sessions.

The show is set to travel to Montevideo’s Mario Benedetti Foundation later in the year, its first stop on a projected international tour.

“Serrat is more than a musician,” says Jaume Reus i Morro, director of Arts Santa Monica, which is housed in a former monastery. The Serrat exhibition is on display in the building’s vaulted stone chapel. “He’s part of the collective memory of several generations. Serrart has always been tied to the idea of freedom.”

Part of the show focuses on what in 1960s Spain became known as “the Serrat scandal.” Early in his career, Serrat was selected to represent Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest. After being told he was not allowed to sing in Catalan, his native tongue, he refused to participate at all. The episode established Serrat as a symbol of Catalan pride. His clashes with the Franco regime would continue, and after making remarks critical of the government in 1975, he spent a period in exile in Mexico, beginning his lifelong relationship with Latin America and his outspoken solidarity with repression and social struggles in the region.

The exhibition also reflects the lighter side of Serrat.

“I thought of the money, and the hope of a more satisfying sex life,” an accompanying text quotes the artist as saying, explaining why he wanted to be a musician.

A number of photos capture Serrat the sex symbol, with his chest bared under an open shirt and an inviting gaze. There are movie posters recalling a short-lived film career in titles like My First Love and The Private Teacher.

“I seriously believe that my biggest contribution to cinema’s evolution was to abandon it,” he quips in a text accompanying posters and gossip magazines.

Serrat admitted to being something of a hoarder at a press conference for the exhibition, and most of the objects and ephemera in the extensive display belong to him. They include his first guitar, which his father brought home in a paper bag, so that he would no longer have to practice on a borrowed instrument.

The singer’s roots in the working class Poble Sec neighborhood are captured in vintage photos, which show Serrat accompanying a black-clad elderly widow up the stairs, and a group of young men with red capes practicing their bullfighting moves in the street.

“I don’t know if young people today can relate to him,” he said, admitting that he himself had lost touch with Serrat’s music over the years. “But he is a myth. He’s like our Frank Sinatra.”

Manzanero Launches New Program “La Música Con Manzanero”

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Armando Manzanero is heading back to television…

The 78-year-old Mexican musician and composer is launching the new show La Música Con Manzanero.

Manzanero, whose career spans more than five decades, has penned more than 400 songs. At a recent event to promote the new program, the legendary singer/songwriter said he was thrilled to be launching a show that highlights other songwriters through performance and interviews.

Canal 22 International, the arts and entertainment channel based in Mexico, is producing the new show, which is seen both in Mexico and the U.S. The network features everything from documentaries to Mexican movies and news programs and is seen in the U.S. through DirectTV.

Throughout the show’s 13 episodes, Manzanero will guide viewers through the musical history of romantic music from Mexico with guests such as Aleks Syntek, Ely Guerra, Celso Piña and Alex Lora, among other artists.

During a recent presentation at the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles, Manzanero and Canal 22 executives introduced the new program before the guest of honor took to the piano and performed a few of his classics. His songs have been performed by everyone from Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett to Andrea Bocelli.

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity,” Manzanero said. “It’s also about [Mexican] roots and it’s something that’s meaningful to me. When I see the kind of programming that Canal 22 provides, it gives me pride because it’s important to keep bringing these shows to people.”

The program, Manzanero said, first took place about a decade ago, but it was short-lived. He didn’t have to think twice, he added, to jump on a chance to be part of the new show, which explores different styles of music.

“Mexican music is what best presents us in Mexico,” Manzanero said. “It’s really beautiful music and it’s important that the rest of the world continue to see what we do through art.”

La Música Con Manzanero airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.

Buika to Perform “Besame Mucho” at the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Buika will be helping honor one of the most recognizable Spanish-language ballads of all time…

The 40-year-old Afro-Spanish singer, who earned rave reviews after performing two songs in Pedro Almódovar’s 2011 film The Skin I Live In, will perform “Besame Mucho” at the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame’s first induction gala.

Buika and an orchestra of top musicians will perform the song – which was written by the Mexican composer Consuelo Velasquez in 1940 and performed by artists including the Beatles and Frank Sinatra, in addition to a number of Latin stars – before it receives the Hall of Fame’s La Musa award.

In addition, the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame will induct Manuel Alejandro, Jose Angel “Ferrusquilla” Espinosa, Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias, Armando Manzanero and Concha Valdez Miranda as the first-ever songwriters to be added to the recently created hall of fame.

Additionally, Olga Guillot, Draco Rosa, Nat King Cole, Desi Arnaz, Ralph S. Peer and emerging Spanish singer/songwriter Natalia Jimenez will receive recognition for their contribution to the music industry.

Rubén Blades, Cristian Castro, Natalie Cole and Rosa are among the artists set to perform at the black tie event, celebrating the rich past and current popularity of Latin song.

The event will take place on April 23rd at the New World Center in Miami Beach during the Billboard Latin Music Conference.

Gardel’s “El día que me quieras” Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Gardel’s name will forever be etched into the annals of music history…

The late Argentine singer/songwriter’s Spanish-language single “El día que me quieras” has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

The song – a tango with music by Gardel and lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera – was originally featured in the 1935 film of the same name. It became a heavily recorded tango standard, even by artists outside of the realm of tango.

Most recently, Mexican singer Luis Miguel recorded a cover of the song for his Grammy-winning album Segundo Romance, in 1994. This single peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart in 1994.

In all, Grammy officials selected 27 recordings from legendary musicians to be added to the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles including works from Paul McCartney, Whitney Houston, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Frank Sinatra and Billy Joel.

The Recording Academy selects musical recordings for the hall of fame from songs and albums in all genres that are at least 25 years old. In addition, the academy chooses songs that show either “qualitative or historical significance.”

Bryan Keith Has His “Moment” on NBC’s “The Voice”

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Bryan Keith’s moment to shine on NBC’s The Voice…

During Monday night’s “Top 12” performances, the 23-year-old Latino singer/songwriter and Team Adam member had his “breakout” moment while performing Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black.”

Hernandez – the son of Latin jazz and salsa singer Ray De La Paz, who was a member of the Grammy-winning band Spanish Harlem Orchestra – received major kudos from the Voice coaches.

“Bryan, I think you just took the lead for Team Adam,” said Blake Shelton. “That was really good, congratulations. Solid!”

Christina Aguilera complimented him on his “cool, modern day raspy [Frank] Sinatra thing,” while his coach called his performance a “moment.”

“You definitely had that kind of break-out thing just happen, that really showed everybody how incredible you are,” said Adam Levine. “This was your day and this was your moment to show to kind of show America what was happening.”

But Hernandez wasn’t the only Team Adam member to impress the judges…

Melanie Martinez, who started her performance seated on the floor before bolting up to end her song with gusto, looked uniquely chic in her black and white striped dress.

The 17-year-old Latina singer performed Young the Giant’s “Cough Syrup” and earned raves from the judges for her uniqueness.

“I’ve never heard you project as much as you did on that one,” said Shelton. “And I enjoyed it ‘cause there’s a quality to your voice that I just found out that, no matter what range you’re singing in, it’s always there.”

Aguilera called it her “most emotional” performance, while Martinez’s coach said she has something that’s all her own.

“There’s only one Melanie in this competition,” said Levine. “You’re spectacular and you’re the only one like you in this competition.”

Meanwhile, Aguilera’s two Latino contestants still left in the competition did not disappoint…

Dez Duron performed a jazz-induced version of Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” a la Lauryn Hill.

“I thought that performance was impeccable; I thought that it was wonderful through and through,” declared Cee Lo Green of the 22-year-old Latino singer. “[Christina’s] absolutely right in saying that you are the total package. You’ve got so much charisma, so much control and you’ve got such natural appeal, sexual appeal.

Levine complimented Duron on finding his voice with a song that was “decisively you,” while his coach asked the audience and America one simple question about her “old soul crooner with a modern twist”:

“How can you guys not love this guy?” asked Aguilera, adding, “When you get on there stage, I really notice there’s a certain… there’s no other way to describe it other than just a true star quality feel that you do have. ” “Old soul crooner voice with a modern twist”

But Duron wasn’t the only Team Xtina member to bring their A-game.

Adriana Louise, shining bright like a star in her gold sequined dress, performance a sassy and raspy rendition of Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl.”

“You looked beautiful tonight. I thought you sounded as great as ever and just continuing to improve,” said Green, adding, “Regardless of tempo, song or styling, you always seem very committed and convicted to what you’re singing. And I can appreciate that.”

Shelton and Levine both applauded Adriana for adeptly taking on Underwood’s song.

“ I am so happy that you did a country song, and Carrie Underwood song,” said sole country coach Shelton. “And I think you made it your own and I appreciate that.”

Aguilera called Adriana’s performance “so playful and so cute” and talked about how easy she made performing that song looked.

“You don’t get it on the radio how hard that is to execute live, but it’s really hard,” said Aguilera. “Even this, like all those runs in between, to execute that so perfectly is really hard you guys… “The best is yet to come from you. And, if you make it through to the next round, America I won’t disappoint you with Adriana, she is a firecracker!”

Mars Becomes the Tenth Man to Grace Playboy’s Cover

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars is livin’ it up at the ten spot; and he’s got plenty of reason to celebrate…

The 26-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer/songwriter joins an elite group of men as only the tenth male to grace the cover of Playboy.

Mars is featured in the men’s magazine’s April Sex and Music issue, out March 16. He appears on the cover alongside Raquel Pomplun, as well as in a fashion pictorial and interview inside. In his feature, Mars models spring designs by Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana and more.

“Growing up in the showbiz world, I looked up to those guys: Frank Sinatra and of course Elvis Presley,” the Grammy-winning singer told Playboy of his idols. “My dad was into the 1950s doo-wop era. If you look at those groups, or at James Brown, Jackie Wilson and the Temptations in the 1960s, you’ll see you had to be sharp onstage.”

Mars displays his signature style and dresses sharply for his photo spread while donning his own personal Armani suit on the cover.

Surprisingly, the “Grenade” singer chose Jimi Hendrix, not Sinatra or Presley, as the musician he would most like to work with if given the opportunity.

“I think he’s the greatest guitar player in the world, and I would want to see him do his thing in person,” Mars said. “He’s the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place.”

As a Playboy cover star, Mars follows in the footsteps of several Hollywood icons. Peter Sellers was the first Y-chromosome to appear on the cover back in April 1967, followed by Burt Reynolds (October 1979), Steve Martin (January 1980), Donald Trump (March 1990), Dan Aykroyd (August 1993), Jerry Seinfeld (October 1993), Leslie Nielson (February 1996), Gene Simmons (March 1999) and Seth Rogen (April 2009).

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