Annie Gonzalez to Star as the Late Jenni Rivera in Family-Authorized Biopic “Jenni”

Posted on March 11, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Annie Gonzalez will be portraying a late banda legend…

The Latina actress will star in an authorized biopic about the life of Jenni Rivera has been greenlit at ViX.

In addition to starring, Gonzalez will also executive produce the film.

Filming of Jenni (wt) is underway in Bogota, Colombia, and will be completed in Los Angeles.

The project is set to premiere exclusively via ViX and in select movie theaters in the United States and Mexico later this year.

Jenni (wt) will follow Rivera’s journey from her humble beginnings in Long Beach, California, to her meteoric rise to the top of the charts, and her final days before her tragic and unexpected death. The film will also share a look at the struggles she endured in her personal life and how she became the artist fans all know and love today, and how she persevered and found strength from within.

The streamer notes, Jenni is a story of resilience and bravery that shows the building blocks of what made Jenni Rivera—also known affectionately as “La Diva De La Banda”— who she was and the remarkable legacy she left behind.

“My siblings and I are very excited about this biopic and we know our mother’s story will impact generations to come,” Jacqie Rivera, daughter of Jenni Rivera and CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises said in a statement. “It has been an uphill battle, but we are happy to see one of our mom’s dreams come to fruition. Although we still haven’t gotten used to seeing someone portray our mother, we have faith Annie will do a great job.”

As a multiple award-winning artist—including multiple Billboard Music Awards, 22 Billboard Latin Music Awards, 18 Lo Nuestro Awards, and four Latin Grammy nominations— Rivera is not only known as one of the best-selling Regional Mexican artists of all time but also for her role in disrupting cultural precedent by crossing into banda, a male-dominated music genre and eventually into pop music, where her presence posthumously continues to shine. Rivera died in a plane crash in 2012.

“I am beyond honored to portray the essence of this phenomenal survivor that is Jenni Rivera who despite adversity at every turn was never a victim and showed her daughters, her family, and her audience what grace, forgiveness, and true authenticity is— liberating us all,” Gonzalez shared. “Jenni’s messages of feminism, civil rights, and nonconformity within her music were well before her time and made space for all of us to feel empowered. With the support of the Rivera family, I cannot wait to help tell the beautiful story and the impactful legacy of what Jenni means to me personally and what it will mean to women and Latinas everywhere.”

Manuel Uriza will star opposite Gonzalez in the role of Pedro Rivera, Jenni’s father, and Regional Mexican entrepreneur. The cast also includes Cinthya Carmona (East Los High) as Jenni Rivera’s eldest daughter, Chiquis Rivera, Jero Medina (Narcos: Mexico) and Miguel Angel Garcia (The Long Game) who will dually portray Trino Marín, Rivera’s first husband and father of her three eldest children at later and earlier stages in his life, respectively.

Additionally, Gabriela Reynoso (Si Nos Dejan) will be portraying Jenni’s mother Rosa Saavedra, J.R. Villarreal (Ultra Violet) will play Juan “Cinco” Lopez, Jenni’s late second husband, and newcomer Tatiana Juarez will portray Rivera during her early years.

“ViX is thrilled to be the official home and distributor of this powerful story about Jenni Rivera. Our commitment to this project is paramount and, along with a fantastic production team and director, we know we will have a film that will captivate our audiences,” stated Augusto Rovegno, Senior Vice President of Content ViX at TelevisaUnivision.

Gigi Saul Guerrero (Culture Shock) directs from a screenplay by Shane McKenzie (Bingo Hell).

Gonzalez is gearing up to promote Flamin’ Hot, the Eva Longoria-directed Searchlight Pictures film about how Frito Lay janitor Ricardo Montañez climbs the ranks at work and creates the spicy Cheeto snack. Flamin’ Hot premieres at SXSW on March 11 followed by a wide release via Hulu in June. The Chicana actress portrays the character of Judy, Montañez’s wife, opposite Jesse Garcia.

She also recently starred in Illegally Brown alongside Jessica Marie Garcia from filmmaker, Gabby Revilla Lugo, which is currently playing on the film festival circuit. Additionally, Gonzalez can next be seen in the upcoming independent thriller Body Language and an untitled Ethan Coen project.

Gonzalez is best known for her portrayal of Lidia Solis in the Netflix comedy series Gentefied and her guest roles in Apple’s Mr. Corman, Starz’s Vida, NBC’s Good Girls, Showtime’s Shameless, and FX’s American Horror Story, among other credits.

Chiquis Releases Mariachi Version of “Paloma Blanca” to Honor Late Mom Jenni Rivera

Posted on December 10, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Chiquis is celebrating her late mother with a new version of her debut single…

The 37-year-old Mexican American singer has released a mariachi version of debut single “Paloma Blanca” to commemorate Jenni Rivera’s death 10 years ago, on December 9, 2012.

The new interpretation comes eight years after the original banda track debuted in 2014.

Accompanied by the all-female Mariachi Divas, Chiquis belts out a heartfelt love letter to La Diva de la Banda, expressing how much she misses her, what she would’ve changed about their mother-daughter relationship, and her biggest life lessons learned.

The song was produced by Cindy Shea, Ulises Lozano El Licenciado and Janney “Chiquis” Marin, and co-written by Marin and Claudia Brant.

“When ‘Paloma Blanca’ was originally released, I wasn’t entirely happy with the way it was recorded. I have always wanted to re-release it,” Chiquis said in a press statement. “My vocals and delivery have greatly evolved over these last eight years and I feel better than ever about my music so I decided to record it alongside Mariachi Divas. It will always be dedicated to my mom who passed away ten years ago but I also wanted to re-record it for her fans as well as mine.”

Bringing the emotional lyrics to life, a music video helmed by director Oscar Eden shows Chiquis performing the song dressed as an angel as well as never-before-seen footage of her mother.

The sweet tribute comes a month after Chiquis received her first-ever Grammy nomination for best regional Mexican album and her second Latin Grammy win in the best banda album category with Abeja Reina.

New Posthumous Jenni Rivera Single, “Quisieran Tener Mi Lugar,” Released to Celebrate Her 51st Birthday

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

There’s a new placein our hearts for Jenni Rivera…

To celebrate the late Mexican American bandasinger’s 51st birthday, Rivera’s family has released a new posthumous single “Quisieran Tener Mi Lugar.”

It was released on Wednesday, July 1 along with a music video that pays homage to La Diva de la Banda.

Penned by Luis Antonio López“El Mimoso” and Rivera, Rivera reflects on her hard work to get to the top with lyrics like, “It hurts them to see that I’m the diva, but I say what I feel … to earn respect, I’ve worked hard, I won’t stop.”

The video is a compilation of Rivera’s accolades like her Billboard awards and Premios Lo Nuestro, and footage from sold-out shows at the Staples Center and Arena Monterrey.

An unstoppable force, even eight years after her death, “Quisieran Tener Mi Lugar” follows Rivera’s two previous posthumous singles “Aparentemente Bien” and “Engañémoslo” released by the Rivera family.

Jenni Rivera Earns Third Posthumous Top 10 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay Chart with “Engañémoslo”

Posted on May 9, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Jenni Riverahas another Top 10 hit…

The late Mexican American bandasinger has notched her third posthumous top 10 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplaychart as “Engañémoslo” rises 13-8.

The track was recorded by Rivera prior to her death in 2012 and co-written by Rivera alongside Espinoza Paz.

It’s also the theme song of a campaign launched by the Rivera family in support of women empowerment throughout Mexico and U.S.

“I assumed she didn’t get to record it,” Paz commented via a press release. “What a pleasant surprise to find out she did.”

“Engañemoslo” lifts to 4 million in audience impressions (up 14%) earned in the week ending May 3, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.

The song marks the second previously unreleased recording by the Rivera family following Rivera’s death. It follows the No. 7 peak (Sept. 7, 2019) “Aparentemente Bien” which was written by Erika Enderand Argentina’s Alejandro Lerner.

In between, “Que Me Entierren Cantando” (No. 38 peak) was released by her brother Lupillo Riverawhich includes pre-recorded vocals from the late banda singer-songwriter.

With the new single, Rivera has earned top 10s spanning three decades dating back to 2005 with the No. 7 high “Qué Me Vas a Dar.”

Since then La Diva de La Bandahas placed six top 10s in the 2000s six in the 2010s and her current hit at No. 8.

New Rivera Book of Never-Before-Seen Photos and Previously Unpublished Journal Entries Released This Week

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

She may be gone, but Jenni Rivera’s legacy lives on…

The late Mexican-American singer, who died in a plane crash nearly three years ago at the age of 43, is the subject of a new book coming out on Tuesday (October 27) via Atria Books.

Entitled Jenni Vive: Unforgettable, Baby! after one of her beloved songs (“Inolvidable”) and edited by the Jenni Rivera Estate, the book is a collection of never-before-seen photos and previously unpublished pages from La Diva de la Banda’s journal.

The book opens with a heartfelt letter from her mother, Rosa, which sets the tone for this moving tribute to the Mexican superstar’s life.

Rivera’s family members personally compiled some of her most treasured keepsakes — childhood pictures, handwritten notes to her children — as well as fan and celebrity remembrances to offer an intimate look at the idol.

The journal excerpts are meant to give insight into the inspirational figure behind the diva, who persevered in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Rivera’s official memoir, Unbreakable, released in 2013, was a New York Times bestseller.

Rivera’s Latest Set “1 Vida – 3 Historias” Reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums Chart

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

She may be gone, but Jenni Rivera’s legacy lives on…

Two years after a plane crash claimed her life, the late Mexican American singer-songwriter returns to the summit on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart with 1 Vida – 3 Historias: Metamorfosis – Despedida de Culican – Jenni Vive 2013.

The special set from La Diva de la Banda sold 4,000 copies in its first week according to Nielsen, giving Rivera her sixth (and fourth consecutive) No. 1 on the chart.

Among women, only Selena has more No. 1 albums, with seven leaders.

Rivera is also the highest-ranked woman on Billboard‘s year-end Top Latin Artists chart, ranking at No. 5. The next-highest female artist is Shakira, at No. 32.

Universal Music Latin Entertainment to Release New Jenni Rivera Album

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Jenni Rivera may be gone, but her voice lives on with new music…

The late Mexican-American singer will be heard once more on a new album, which is set to go on sale on November 17 under the title 1 Vida – 3 Historias, according to her record label Universal Music Latin Entertainment.

The record company offered no further details about the production, but Rosie Rivera, the singer’s sister, said last October on her Instagram account that the album will feature songs recorded during a concert the late La Diva de la Banda gave in Culiacan, Mexico.

The singer died in a plane crash along with another six people in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on Dec. 9, 2012, hours after giving her last concert in the city of Monterrey.

A year after her death, the family of the Mexican regional music artist launched 1969-Siempre, en Vivo desde Monterrey, a live recording in two parts of the singer’s repertoire during that last performance.

Both discs were hits in sales and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart.

Chiquis Releases “Paloma Blanca,” a Song Dedicated to Her Late Mother Jenni Rivera

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Janney “Chiquis” Rivera is honoring the memory of her late mother through music…

The Mexican American singer/reality television star, the daughter of La Diva de la Banda Jenni Rivera, has premiered on YouTube a song entitled “Paloma Blanca.”

Rivera’s banda-themed song is dedicated to her mother who died in 2012 when her small plane crashed while on business in Mexico.

“Paloma Blanca,” which means “White Dove” in English, was posted to the ChiquisOnline channel on YouTube, which is normally reserved for Chiquis’ fashion tips.

Chiquis sent news of the new song out to her 477,000 followers on Twitter, writing, “Available #palomablanca #chiquispalomablanca on my official channel on YouTube.”

The song, presented with lyrics, opens with the words, “Sweet Sound Records presents Chiquis.” An image of Chiquis appears next; she’s wearing a white dress and looking at the white clouds in the sky.

The song’s opening begins with, “You don’t know how much I miss you … today I miss your laugh. From a star, you take care of me.”

Like her mother, Chiquis performs the song in her iconic banda style, which incorporates brass instruments to give the composition a specific sound in a genre that’s popular in Mexico and the U.S.

Five of Rivera’s Works Rank Among The Top-Selling Latin Albums in 2013 So Far

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

The late Jenni Rivera‘s presence is still being felt on the Billboard charts…

The Mexican American singer death in a plane crash last December has had a huge impact on this year’s Latin music sales. At the mid-way point (through the week ending June 30, 2012), Rivera registers five of the top 10 biggest-selling Latin albums in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

In fact, the top four selling Latin albums in 2013 are all by La Diva de la Banda.

Rivera’s La Misma Gran Señora is the top-selling Latin set of 2013 so far, selling 103,000 copies, rising 13% over last year’s top mid-year seller, Romeo Santos’ Formula: Vol. 1., which had sold 91,000 by the mid-year point of 2012.

Rivera’s Joyas Prestadas: Pop comes in at No. 2 on the 2 list with 100,000 sold so far. Both titles cross the 100,00 threshold, the first Billboard has had two Latin albums sell in excess of 100,000 at the mid-way point of the year since 2011.

Sales of the top ten mid-year Latin albums saw a 17% increase from last year’s top ten. At this point in 2012, the ten best selling Latin albums had moved a combined 467,000, whereas this year sales exceed 545,000.

Contributing to the sales growth was Draco Rosa, whose duets project Vida lands at the No. 8 position on the mid-year list with 29,000 sold. Vicente Fernandez rounds out the list at No. 10 with El Hijo Del Pueblo, selling 28,000.

On the Latin digital song sales chart, Marc Anthony‘s “Vivir Mi Vida” at No. 5 is the highest-ranked new song on the best-selling Latin songs list. It’s the year’s No. 5 best-seller, having moved 83,000 downloads thus far.

In 2013 so far, five Latin songs have sold more than 100,000 digital downloads, matching the amount that did so at this point a year ago. Shakira‘s “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” both remain in the mid-year’s top five for the fourth year in a row (Nos. 2 and 4, respectively). Don Omar’s “Danza Kuduro” (No. 1) continues in its third year among the mid-year top 10.

Overall Latin album sales stand at 4.31 million this year — down 14% compared to a year ago (5.02 million). Latin digital song sales are at 11.13 million for 2013 thus far — down 5.3% versus a year ago (11.75 million). To compare, overall album sales are down by 6%, while overall song sales slide by 2%.

Rivera’s Feature Film Debut in “Filly Brown” to Entertain Theater Audiences This Weekend

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Jenni Rivera’s first and only big screen acting role will finally see the light at box offices nationwide…

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival hit Filly Brown will open in theaters on Friday amid great anticipation over seeing the late Mexican American singer’s acting debut.

Filly Brown centers on aspiring hip hop artist Majo Tonorio (portrayed by Gina Rodriguez) to establish a career and make enough money to get her drug-addicted mom (Rivera) out of jail.

Although Rivera appears in only four scenes, the film has generated great interest among the Latino community by becoming the posthumous work of the popular singer.

Rivera’s co-star Edward James Olmos told Efe that sharing the stage with her was an “incredible” experience.

“Working with her was a dream because it was the first time that she had done dramatic acting and she was incredible. We were very happy to work together,” he said.

Sharing that opinion is Rodriguez, who added: “Everyone who loves and adores Jenni Rivera has been able to see who she was. Working with her was a blessing. Each day I have to give thanks for having worked with her.”

Rivera, known as “La Diva de la Banda,” died in a plane crash in Mexico last December. She had the chance to see Filly Brown during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

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