Disney Releases First Look Photo of Rachel Zegler in Live-Action “Snow White” Film

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Rachel Zegler is the fairest of them all…

Disney has released a first look photo of its live-action Snow White film, starring the 22-year-old half-Colombian American Golden Globe-winning actress and singer.

The film’s release date has been pushed back a year to March 21, 2025, amidst the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.

Zegler portrays the title character in the new take on Disney’s 1937 animated classic, a work foundational to the studio’s empire that was itself based on a 19th century fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm.

The story follows a princess who is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make Snow White part of their household after she’s exiled into a dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother.

The new still from Disney’s Snow White features Zegler’s princess opposite dwarves Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy and Sneezy.

Marc Webb directed from a script by Barbie‘s Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson, with Marc Platt producing.

Gal Gadot plays the Evil Queen, with Tony Award winner Andrew Burnap portraying a new male lead character.

Original songs for the film were penned by the Oscar-winning La La Land duo of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

Guevara to Star in Syfy Pilot “Happy!”

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Zabryna Guevara is doing a Happy dance…

The 45-year-old Latina actress has signed on as series regular opposite Chris Meloni and Lili Mirojnick in Syfy pilot Happy!, based on Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson’s graphic novel.

Written by Morrison and Brian Taylor who also directs, Happy! hails from Universal Cable Productions.

It follows Nick Sax (Meloni) – an intoxicated, corrupt ex-cop turned hit man — who is adrift in a world of casual murder, soulless sex and betrayal. After a hit gone wrong, his inebriated life is forever changed by a tiny, relentlessly positive, imaginary blue winged horse.

Guevara is Amanda Hansen, a single mom facing every mother’s worst nightmare; the disappearance of her young daughter. Facing an official cover-up, and dragged into a cruel conspiracy, Amanda must overcome a history of depression and anxiety to find within herself the strength and resources she’ll need to go up against a seemingly unbeatable foe.

Guevara starred as Sarah Essen on Gotham and recurs on Baz Lurhmann’s The Get Down.

Hillary Clinton’s First-Ever Spotify Playlist Includes Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud”

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is making Loud noise on Hillary Clinton’s MP3 player…

The presidential hopeful officially launched her campaign over the weekend, and as part of that, she also joined Spotify and put together her very first playlist “The Official Hillary 2016 Playlist.”

The 14-song mix is chock-full of inspirational pop, with powerful lady songs, including the 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer, actress and American Idol judge’s “Let’s Get Loud.”

Other power anthem’s include Katy Perry‘s “Roar,” Sara Bareilles‘ “Brave” and Kelly Clarkson‘s “Stronger.”

Elsewhere, the playlist contains “Happy” and “Beautiful Day,” which all continue the themes she’s trying to push in her campaign.

“Let’s Get Loud,” a disco-salsa pop song about never giving up, appeared on J.Lo’s debut album On the 6, which was released in 1999. An accompanying music video was directed by Jeffrey Doe and filmed live at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The track, co-written by Gloria Estefan and Kike Santander, charted on several charts around the world, reaching the top ten on five European countries.

Lopez earned her second consecutive nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording with the song.

Mars & Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk!” Leads the Billboard Hot 100 for an 11th Week

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars continues to etch his name in the annals of Billboard chart history…

The 29-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, the world’s highest-paid Latino musician, rules the Billboard Hot 100 for an 11th week with his hit collaboration with Mark Ronson‘s “Uptown Funk!”

“Uptown Funk!,” released on RCA Records, becomes only the 19th No. 1 in Hot 100 history to lead for at least 11 weeks. It’s just the second to reach that level this decade: Robin Thicke‘s “Blurred Lines,” featuring T.I. and Pharrell, began a 12-week command in June 2013.

“Uptown Funk!” logs an 11th week atop the Digital Songs chart with 189,000 downloads sold (down 10 percent) in the week ending March 15, according to Nielsen Music.

It’s now one of just three songs to lead Digital Songs for at least 11 weeks: Flo Rida‘s “Low,” featuring T-Pain, racked a record 13 weeks on top in 2007-08, while Pharrell Williams‘ “Happy” dominated for 11 weeks last year.

“Uptown Funk!” leads the subscription services-based On-Demand Songs chart (4.9 million U.S. streams, down 4 percent) for a 10th week and Streaming Songs (16.9 million, down 3 percent) for a ninth. On Radio Songs, the track reigns for an eighth week with 178 million in all-format audience (down 2 percent).

Ronson and Mars’ collaboration, thus, leads the Hot 100 and its three main component charts (Digital Songs, Radio Songs and Streaming Songs) simultaneously for a record-extending seventh week (nonconsecutively).

Corea Among the Top Latino 2015 Grammy Award Nominees

Posted on December 6, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no denying Chick Corea is a Grammy darling…

The 73-year-old part-Spanish jazz and fusion musician picked up two nods for the 2015 Grammy Awards, upping his total career nominations to a whopping 63.

Corea, a 20-time winner, is nominated in the Improvised Jazz Solo category for “Fingerprints.” He’s also up for Jazz Instrumental Album for the Chick Corea Trio  critically acclaimed Trilogy.

But Corea isn’t the only double-nominee this year…

David Arthur Garcia will actually compete against himself at next year’s Grammy Awards.

The award-winning Latino songwriter-producer, who won his first Grammy this year as a songwriter for co-writing Mandisa’s massive hit “Overcomer,” has picked up two nominations in the Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song category.

Garcia has earned recognition for co-penning Francesca Battistelli’s “Write Your Story” and Mercy Me’s “Shake.”

Roman Pichon Herrera has picked up two nominations in the same category as well.

The Latino music video producer is nominated in the Music Video category for co-producing Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” and Woodkid’s “The Golden Age” featuring Max Richter.

Meanwhile, Kirstie Maldonado has earned the first Grammy nomination of her career.

The half-Mexican American/part-Spanish artist and her fellow Pentatonix group mates – winners of NBC’s The Sing-Off in 2011 – earned the nod in the Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
category for their acclaimed  ”Daft Punk” medley. Among their competition, Pentatonix will face off against Cuban composer and jazz pianist Alfredo Rodríguez’s “Guantanamera.”

But Maldonado isn’t the only first-time nominee…

Aloe Blacc has picked up the very first Grammy nod of his career in the R&B Album category. The

The 35-year-old Panamanian American singer-songwriter earned the nomination for his impressive album Lift Your Spirit.

Other notable Latino musicians/entertainers earning 2015 Grammy nominations include Christina Aguilera, Ruben Blades, Juanes , Marco Antonio Solís, Jorge Drexler , Ana Tijoux , Pepe Aguilar , Vicente Fernández , Ixya Herrera  , Carlos Vives, Sérgio Mendes  and Louis C.K. 

The Grammys are awarded by the Recording Academy, which is made up of 22,000 members of the music industry including musicians, producers, engineers, record company and radio industry personnel and others.

The awards are determined by the academy’s voting membership of about 13,000.

Winners will be announced on February 8 at the 2015 Grammy Awards ceremony to be held at the Staples Center and broadcast live on CBS.

Here’s a complete look at the categories with Latino nominees:

Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Fancy,” Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX
“A Sky Full Of Stars,” Coldplay
“Say Something,” A Great Big World With Christina Aguilera
“Bang Bang,” Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
“Dark Horse,” Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J

R&B Album
“Islander,” Bernhoft
“Lift Your Spirit,” Aloe Blacc
“Love, Marriage & Divorce,” Toni Braxton & Babyface
“Black Radio 2,” Robert Glasper Experiment
“Give The People What They Want,” Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Improvised Jazz Solo
“The Eye Of The Hurricane,” Kenny Barron
“Fingerprints,” Chick Corea 
“You & The Night & The Music,” Fred Hersch
“Recorda Me,” Joe Lovano
“Sleeping Giant,” Brad Mehldau

Jazz Instrumental Album
“Landmarks,” Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band
“Trilogy,” Chick Corea Trio
“Floating,” Fred Hersch Trio
“Enjoy The View,” Bobby Hutcherson, David Sanborn, Joey DeFrancesco Featuring Billy Hart
“All Rise: A Joyful Elegy For Fats Waller,” Jason Moran

Latin Jazz Album
“The Latin Side Of Joe Henderson,” Conrad Herwig Featuring Joe Lovano
“The Pedrito Martinez Group,” The Pedrito Martinez Group
“The Offense Of The Drum,” Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
“Second Half,” Emilio Solla Y La Inestable De Brooklyn
“New Throned King,” Yosvany Terry

Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

“Write Your Story,” Francesca Battistelli; Francesca Battistelli, David Arthur Garcia & Ben Glover
“Come As You Are,” Crowder
“Messengers,” Lecrae Featuring For King & Country; Torrance Esmond, Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson, Kenneth Chris Mackey, Lecrae Moore, Joseph Prielozny, Joel Smallbone & Luke Smallbone
“Shake,” MercyMe; Nathan Cochran, David Arthur Garcia, Ben Glover, Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Soli Olds, Mike Scheuchzer & Robby Shaffer
“Multiplied,” Needtobreathe; Bear Rinehart & Bo Rinehart

Latin Pop Album
“Tangos,” Rubén Blades
“Elypse,” Camila 
“Raíz,” Lila Downs, Niña Pastori And Soledad
“Loco De Amor,” Juanes 
“Gracias Por Estar Aquí,” Marco Antonio Solís

Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album
“Multiviral,” Calle 13 
“Behind The Machine (Detrás De La Máquina),” Chocquibtown
“Bailar En La Cueva,” Jorge Drexler
“Agua Maldita,” Molotov 
“Vengo,” Ana Tijoux

Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
“Lastima Que Sean Ajenas,” Pepe Aguilar
“Mano A Mano – Tangos A La Manera De Vicente Fernández,” Vicente Fernández
“Voz Y Guitarra,” Ixya Herrera
“15 Aniversario,” Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
“Alegría Del Mariachi,” Mariachi Los Arrieros Del Valle

Tropical Latin Album
“50 Aniversario,” El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico
“First Class To Havana,” Aymee Nuviola
“Live,” Palo! 
“El Asunto,” Totó La Momposina 
“Más + Corazón Profundo,” Carlos Vives

World Music Album
“Toumani & Sidiki,” Toumani Diabaté & Sidiki Diabaté
“Eve,” Angelique Kidjo
“Our World In Song,” Wu Man, Luis Conte & Daniel Ho
“Magic,” Sérgio Mendes 
“Traces Of You,” Anoushka Shankar

Comedy Album
“Mandatory Fun,” “Weird Al” Yankovic
“Obsessed,” Jim Gaffigan
“Oh My God,” Louis C.K. 
“Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time,” Patton Oswalt
“We Are Miracles,” Sarah Silverman

Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
“Beautiful Dreamer,” Pete McGuinness (The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra)
“Daft Punk,” Ben Bram, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstie Maldonado & Kevin Olusola (Pentatonix)
“Get Smart,” Gordon Goodwin (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
“Guantanamera,” Alfredo Rodríguez (Alfredo Rodríguez)
“Moon River,” Chris Walden (Amy Dickson)

Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
“All My Tomorrows,” Jeremy Fox (Jeremy Fox Featuring Kate McGarry)
“Goodnight America,” Vince Mendoza (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
“New York Tendaberry,” Billy Childs (Billy Childs Featuring Renée Fleming & Yo-Yo Ma)
“Party Rockers,” Gordon Goodwin (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
“What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?” Pete McGuinness (The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra)

Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
“All Of Me (Tiesto’s Birthday Treatment Remix),” Tijs Michiel Verwest (John Legend)
“Falling Out (Ming Remix),” MING (Crossfingers Featuring Danny Losito)
“Pompeii (Audien Remix),” Audien (Bastille)
“The Rising (Eddie Amador Remix),” Eddie Amador (Five Knives)
“Smile (Kaskade Edit),” Ryan Raddon (Galantis)
“Waves (Robin Schulz Remix),” Robin Schulz (Mr. Probz)

Music Video
“We Exist,” Arcade Fire; David Wilson, video director; Jason Baum, video producer
“Turn Down For What,” DJ Snake & Lil Jon; Daniels, video directors; Judy Craig, Candice Ouaknine, Jonathan Wang & Bryan Younce, video producers
“Chandelier,” Sia; Daniel Askill & Sia, video directors; Jennifer Heath, video producer
“Happy,” Pharrell Williams; We Are From LA, video director; Kathleen Heffernan, Roman Pichon Herrera, Jett Steiger & Cedric Troadec, video producers
“The Golden Age,” Woodkid Featuring Max Richter; Chis Clayton & Yoann Lemoine, video directors; Roman Pichon Herrera, Christine Miller, Susan Porche & Annabel Rosier, video producers

Music Film
“Beyoncé & Jay Z: On The Run Tour,” Beyoncé & Jay Z; Jonas Åkerlund, video director; Svana Gisla, video producer
“Ghost Stories,” Coldplay; Paul Dugdale, video director; Jim Parsons, video producer
“20 Feet From Stardom,” Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer & Judith Hill; Morgan Neville, video director; Gil Friesen & Caitrin Rogers, video producers [Tata Vega]
“Metallica Through The Never,” Metallica (Robert Trujillo); Nimród Antal, video director; Adam Ellison & Charlotte Huggins, video producers
“The Truth About Love Tour: Live From Melbourne,” Pink; Larn Poland, video director; Roger Davies, video producer

Fifth Harmony Receives First MTV Video Music Awards Nomination

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Cabello, Lauren Jauregui and Ally Brooke Hernandez and their fellow Fifth Harmony band mates have earned their first MTV Video Music Awards nomination…

The all-girl girl, formed by Simon Cowell during the second season of Fox’s The X Factor, earned the nod in the MTV Artist to Watch category for its “Miss Movin’ On” video.

Fifth Harmony is up againstSam Smith’s “Stay With Me,” 5 Seconds of Summer’s “She Looks So Perfect,” Charli XCX’s “Boom Clap” and Schoolboy Q’s “Man of the Year.”

Aloe Blacc has also earned his first MTV Video Music Awards nod.

The 35-year-old Panamanian-American singer is nominated alongside Avicci in the Best Pop category, againstPharrell Williams’ “Happy,” Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX’s “Fancy,” Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz’s “Talk Dirty“ and Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea’s “Problem.”

Meanwhile, Pitbull is nominated in the Best Collaboration category alongside Ke$ha for their Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 song “Timber.”

Starting Thursday, fans can vote in VMA categories by visiting vma.mtv.com. Nominees for best lyric video, which will be voted on through social media, will be announced at a later date. Voting for MTV Artist to Watch will be done via text messaging to 22444 with the nominee’s name.

The MTV VMAs air live from The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Sunday, August 24, at 9:00 pm ET, with previously announced performances fromAriana Grande, Usher and 5 Seconds of Summer. Additional performers will be announced later.

Here’s the full list of nominees:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX – “Fancy”
Beyonce ft. Jay Z – “Drunk in Love”
Pharrell Williams – “Happy”
Sia – “Chandelier”
Miley Cyrus – “Wrecking Ball”

BEST HIP HOP
Eminem – “Bezerk”
Drake ft. Majid Jordan – “Hold On (We’re Going Home)”
Childish Gambino – “3005”
Kanye West – “Black Skinhead”
Wiz Khalifa – “We Dem Boyz”

BEST MALE
Pharrell Williams – “Happy”
John Legend – “All of Me”
Ed Sheeran ft. Pharrell – “Sing”
Sam Smith – “Stay With Me”
Eminem ft. Rihanna – “Monster”

BEST FEMALE
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX – “Fancy”
Beyonce – “Partition”
Lorde – “Royals”
Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea – “Problem”
Katy Perry ft. Juicy J – “Dark Horse”

BEST POP
Pharrell Williams – “Happy”
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX – “Fancy”
Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz – “Talk Dirty”
Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea – “Problem”
Avicii ft. Aloe Blacc – “Wake Me Up”

BEST ROCK
Imagine Dragons – “Demons”
Arctic Monkeys – “Do I Wanna Know”
The Black Keys – “Fever”
Lorde – “Royals”
Linkin Park – “Until It’s Gone”

MTV ARTIST TO WATCH
Sam Smith – “Stay With Me”
5 Seconds of Summer -“She Looks So Perfect”
Charli XCX – “Boom Clap”
Schoolboy Q – “Man of the Year”
Fifth Harmony – “Miss Movin On”

BEST COLLABORATION
Beyonce ft. Jay Z – “Drunk in Love”
Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea – “Problem”
Pitbull ft. Kesha – “Timber”
Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne and Tyga – “Loyal”
Eminem ft. Rihanna – “Monster”
Katy Perry ft. Juicy J – “Dark Horse”

MTV CLUBLAND AWARD
DJ Snake & Lil Jon – “Turn Down for What”
Zedd ft. Hayley Williams – “Stay the Night”
Calvin Harris – “Summer”
Martin Garrix – “Animal”
Disclosure – “Grab Her!”

BEST VIDEO WITH A SOCIAL MESSAGE
Angel Haze ft. SIA – “Battle Cry“
Avicii – “Hey Brother”
Beyonce – “Pretty Hurts”
J. Cole ft. TLC – “Crooked Smile”
Kelly Rowland – “Dirty Laundry”
David Guetta ft. Mikky Ekko – “One Voice”

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
30 Seconds to Mars – “City of Angels”
Beyonce – “Pretty Hurts”
Arcade Fire – “Afterlife”
Gesaffelstein – “Hate or Glory”
Lana Del Rey – “West Coast”

BEST EDITING
Eminem – “Rap God”
MGMT – “Your Life Is a Lie”
Zedd ft. Hayley Williams – “Stay the Night”
Beyonce – “Pretty Hurts”
Fitz and The Tantrums – “The Walker”

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Sia – “Chandelier”
Beyonce – “Partition”
Usher – “Good Kisser”
Michael Jackson ft. Justin Timberlake – “Love Never Felt So Good”
Jason Derulo ft. 2Chainz – “Talk Dirty”
KIESZA – “Hideaway”

BEST DIRECTION
DJ Snake & Lil Jon – “Turn Down for What”
OK Go – “The Writing’s on the Wall”
Miley Cyrus – “Wrecking Ball”
Beyonce – “Pretty Hurts”
Eminem ft. Rihanna – “The Monster”

BEST ART DIRECTION
DJ Snake & Lil Jon – “Turn Down For What”
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX – “Fancy”
Eminem – “Rap God”
Arcade Fire – “Reflektor”
Tyler, The Creator – “Tamale”

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
DJ Snake & Lil Jon – “Turn Down For What”
OK Go – “The Writing’s On the Wall”
Disclosure – “Grab Her!”
Eminem – “Rap God”
Jack White – “Lazaretto”

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

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