Christina Aguilera to Receive Spirit of Hope Award at Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a spirited time for Christina Aguilera.

The 41-year-old half-Ecuadorian American actress and pop star will receive the Spirit of Hope award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The special award — which was established in 1996 in honor of the late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla — will recognize Aguilera for her philanthropic and humanitarian contributions beyond her musical work.

Aguilera will also perform during the awards show, which will take place on Thursday, September 29, at the Watsco Canter in Miami, and will be broadcast live on Telemundo beginning at 7:00 pm ET.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards — where Bad Bunny leads the list of finalists with a staggering 23 nods across 13 categories — will be simulcast on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, the Telemundo App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

In addition to her musical accolades, including more than 75 million records sold worldwide, five No.1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, the artist also known as Xtina has lifted her voice to help end the cycle of domestic abuse, been a longtime supporter and ally to the LGBTQ+ community, raised awareness about HIV/AIDS research, and traveled the globe to help feed children in poverty-stricken areas.

Aguilera joins past Billboard Spirit of Hope recipients including Gloria Estefan, Emmanuel, Willy Chirino, Olga Tañon, Maná, Los Tigres del Norte, Ricky Martin, El General, Soraya, Juan Luis Guerra, Shakira, Ricardo Montaner, Juanes, Daddy Yankee, Marc Anthony, Carlos Vives, Carlos Santana, Luis Fonsi, and Maluma.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez to Receive Stephen F. Kolzak Award at GLAAD Media Awards

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez has something special to be GLAAD about…

The 31-year-old half-Afro-Puerto Rican actress, singer and activist, also known as Mj Rodriguez, will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award from GLAAD, the queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, at the 33rd annual GLAAD Media Awards.

The Stephen F. Kolzak Award is presented to a LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting LGBTQ acceptance.

The award is named after a legendary casting director, who devoted his life to raising awareness in the entertainment industry about the discrimination faced by LGBTQ people as well as people living with HIV. Previous Stephen F. Kolzak honorees include Laverne Cox, Jim Parsons, Wanda Sykes, Troye Sivan, Ruby Rose, Chaz Bono, Stephen Warren, Melissa Etheridge, and Sir Ian McKellen.

“Michaela Jaé Rodriguez is an undeniable talent who is changing the way audiences understand trans people while breaking down barriers for the trans community and LGBTQ people of color within the entertainment industry,” said GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Her performance as Blanca on Pose was one of the most important and impactful roles in the history of LGBTQ representation on television, and she continues to spearhead the future of trans visibility and inclusion in entertainment through her talent on screen, in music, and as a passionate activist.”

The GLAAD Media Awards honor media for fair, accurate and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues. Since its inception in 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards have grown to be the most visible annual LGBTQ awards show in the world, sending powerful messages of acceptance to audiences globally.

The ceremony is set for Saturday, April 2 at the Beverly Hilton.

A New York ceremony will be held at the Hilton Midtown on Friday, May 6, 2022.

Adria Arjona to Star in & Executive Produce the Drama “Los Frikis”

Posted on October 23, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Adria Arjona is getting Friki…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican actress will star and executive produce the drama Los Frikis.

Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz will be writing and directing the film.

The film is based on the true story of punk-rock teenagers in Havana who deliberately inject themselves with HIV to escape the oppression of “Special Period” Cuba.

Arjona has a busy year ahead, which includes a leading role in the Star Wars series Andor starring Diego Luna.

She can be seen next in Sony’s Morbius opposite Jared Leto and Matt Smith.

She is also set to play the bride in Warner Bros.’ new Father of the Bride film starring Andy Garcia.

Rosalia Partners with MAC Cosmetics to Launch New Fiery-Red MAC Viva Glam Lipstick Shade

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Rosalia’s throwing a little shade your way…

The 26-year-old Spanish Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has teamed up with MAC Cosmetics to launch VG26, the makeup company’s all-new, limited-edition, fiery-red MAC Viva Glam lipstick shade.

Rosalia, MAC Cosmetics, MAC Viva Glam 26

Influenced by flamenco, urban rhythms, electronic beats — and a feminist ethos — MAC says Rosalia embodies passion, courage and originality that inspires us and her fans across the world.

“The incredible charisma, energy and strength of Rosalía is the perfect incarnation of this vibrant, saturated red,” says director of makeup artistry Baltasar González Pinel. “Taking its roots in flamenco, Rosalía’s art mixes genres and emotions — it takes risks, it is full of generosity, it is pure brilliance.”

“It’s an honor to be the face of Viva Glam 26 and to champion a cause that is inclusive, supports individuality and gives back 100%,” says Rosalía of becoming the brand’s newest MACtivist.

Since 1994, MAC Viva Glam has raised more than $500,000,000 globally. Every cent of the selling price of MAC’s Viva Glam lipstick is donated to the MAC Viva Glam Fund, supporting healthy futures and equal rights for all.

“We are beyond proud to join forces with the incomparable Rosalía, who will elevate

the MAC Viva Glam campaign to new levels this year. Aside from her epic voice

and coveted style, Rosalía is deeply committed to improving the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS around the globe, especially those most vulnerable, including women, girls and the LGBTQIA+ community,” says John Demsey, chairman of the MAC Viva Glam Fund & executive group president, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

VG26 has a suggested retail price of $19. It’ll be available in North America on September 24 at select MAC locations and online at maccosmetics.com.

Luis Fonsi Feted with AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s SOMOS Humanitarian Award

Posted on October 29, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi iis being heralded for his philanthropic endeavors…

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation recently hosted its fifth annual SOMOS gala in Miami to raise awareness around AIDS prevention and HIV in the Hispanic community and honored the 41-year-old Puerto Rican singer with the SOMOS Humanitarian Award.

“As a Puerto Rican, as a Latin living in the U.S., it is my responsibility to use my voice not just to sing, but also to ensure that the voices of those who need it the most are heard,” said Fonsi, accepting his award during the gala held at the Fillmore Beachon Sunday.

Fonsi was honored for his philanthropic work with St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the efforts of his Luis Fonsi Foundationto help victims of Hurricane Maria.

“I’m honored to receive this award,” said Fonsi. “But the real award is seeing the face of a healthy, happy child. … That’s my prize. My prize is to help. To be useful to others. To alleviate the pain some people carry.”

Hosted by iHeartMedia’s Enrique Santo sand TV host Jessica Carrillo, the SOMOS gala also featured DJ Africaand performances by Reykon and Grupo Niche.

FX Renews MJ Rodriguez’s Drama Series “Pose” for Second Season

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

MJ Rodriguez will still continue to strike a pose…

Days before the penultimate episode of Pose is set to air on FX, the network has renewed the Ryan Murphy-produced series, starring the 27-year-old Latina actress and singer, for a second season.

“Ryan Murphy has once again revolutionized television with Pose, an incredibly engaging story of creativity, courage, compassion, love and family at a pivotal time in our culture,” says FX CEO John Landgraf of the June 3-debuting show about the NYC trans community in the ’80s.

In 2017, Rodriguez was cast in the leading role of Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista on Pose following a six month casting search. The show made history for casting five leading transgender actresses in regular roles, the largest cast of series regular transgender actors in a scripted series as of 2018.

Rodriguez’s Blanca is a young woman who forms her own “house”—the House of Evangelista—after receiving a positive diagnosis for HIV, and becomes a surrogate mother to several abandoned queer youth of color. Described as a breakout, starring role, her performance has been praised by critics.

The series also stars Domique Jackson, Angelica Ross, Billy Porter, Evan Peters, Indya Moore and Angel Bismark Curiel.

Now heading to Netflix in a $300 million deal announced in February, Murphy himself has called Pose “the highlight of my career.”

“As television critics have universally acknowledged, there is simply nothing like Pose on TV, so effortlessly excelling on every creative level and earning a place in television history for its infectiously inclusive spirit,” the FX boss added. “We are honored to partner with our producers Ryan, Brad Falchuk, Steven Canals, Nina Jacobson,Brad Simpson, Steven Canals, Alexis MartinWoodall and Sherry Marsh, and the incredible cast and crew to continue this groundbreaking journey that is Pose.”

Pose‘s second set of moves, so to speak, will hit the small screen in 2019, according to FX.

Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions produce the first eight-episode season and will be back for Season 2.

Swizz Beatz to Co-Host Alicia Keys’ HIV/AIDS Charity Event Black Ball

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Swizz Beatz is helping raising awareness about HIV and AIDS…

The 36-year-old half-Puerto Rican hip-hop artist and record producer is set to co-host his wife Alicia Keys’ annual charity event, which aims to shine a spotlight on HIV and AIDS.

Keys announced Tuesday that her husband will co-host the 11th annual Black Ball alongside Diddy on October 30 at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom.

Keys, Nas, David Byrne and Angel Haze will perform.

Keep a Child Alive, Keys’ charity launched in 2003, offers assistance to people affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa and India.

Last year’s Black Ball raised $4 million and featured Carole King and Pharrell Williams.

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