Pena Hand-Jives in First Promo for Fox’s “Grease: Live”

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Grease is the word for Carlos Pena, Jr.

Fox has released the first promo for the television adaptation of the 1978 film Grease, with a look at the 26-year-old Spanish, Venezuelan and Dominican American singer/actor and his Big Time Rush band member and other cast members of the live musical.

Along with Pena, who now goes by Carlos PenaVega, the video introduces Julianne Hough (Sandy), Aaron Tveit (Danny), Vanessa Hudgens (Rizzo) and their co-stars, as they all do the hand jive at Rydell High.

Additionally, viewers also get a first look at Carly Rae Jepsen as Frenchie, Keke Palmer as Pink Lady Marty Maraschino, Pena as Kenickie, David Del Rio as T-Bird “Putzie”, and Kether Donohue as Jan.

The Fox live TV production which has been titled Grease: Live, also stars Mario Lopez as Vince Fontaine, the emcee of a national dance competition. Jessie J, meanwhile, is set to open the show with a performance of Barry Gibb‘s “Grease (Is the Word)” from the classic film.

In this TV version, the beginning of senior year means the end of Danny and Sandy’s summer romance – until Sandy unexpectedly transfers to Danny’s high school. With their friends pulling them in different directions, it’s up to Danny and Sandy to stay hopelessly devoted to each other as they make their way from Rydell High to a new frontier.

Grease: Live will air Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 7:00 pm ET on Fox.

Lopez to Star in Fox’s Live Musical “Grease: Live”

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Grease is the word for Mario Lopez…

The 42-year-old Mexican American actor and television host has joined the ensemble cast of Grease: Live, set to air Sunday, January 31 on Fox.

Lopez will portray television teen dance show host Vince Fontaine, played by Edd Byrnes in the 1978 feature film.

In this live television adaptation of the musical classic, the beginning of senior year means the end of Danny (Aaron Tveit) and Sandy’s (Julianne Hough) summer romance – until Sandy unexpectedly transfers to Danny’s high school.

With their friends pulling them in different directions, it’s up to Danny and Sandy to stay hopelessly devoted as they make their way from Rydell High to a new frontier.

The former Saved by the Bell star hosts the Emmy-winning daily show Extra and Clear Channel radio’s On With Mario Lopez.

His other TV credits include a guest role on Nip/Tuck.

Lopez & His “Saved By The Bell” Castmates Reunite on “The Tonight Show”

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Mario Lopez heads back to Bayside High…

Jimmy Fallon brought back together cast members of cult high school comedy Saved By The Bell, including the 41-year-old Mexican American actor and television host, on The Tonight Show on Wednesday night

Fallon, circa 1990s, walks the halls of Bayside High while reminiscing about his time at the school.

In addition to Lopez, who rose to acclaim as A.C. Slater on the iconic series, Fallon was also joined by Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tiffani Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley and Dennis Haskins reprising their roles from the Saturday morning series.

Lopez to Pen His Memoir

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Extra! Extra! Read all about Mario Lopez…

The 40-year-old Mexican American actor and Extra host is writing his memoir, entitled Just Between Us.

The book’s publisher Penguin will release Lopez’s book on September 30.

Lopez is best known for playing athletic hunk A.C. Slater on NBC’s Saturday morning teen sitcom Saved by the Bell, which aired from 1989 to 1993. Saved by the Bell: The College Years, a primetime spin-off, lasted one season (1993-94). Other members of the cast included Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Dustin Diamond, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley and Lark Voorhies.

Specific details about what Lopez will cover in the book haven’t been released but Penguin is touting the book as “a behind-the-scenes look into his successes and disappointments in the entertainment industry” and the “most intimate never-before-told stories, including the details of his often tumultuous and largely public love life—giving readers a look at the ups and downs of his romantic past leading up to a happily-ever-after with his beautiful wife and their two children.”

Added Lopez in the statement, “I share my most intimate stories and pivotal moments, some of the best and most important times of my life and the heartbreaking mistakes that still haunt me. There are no do-overs in life, so I had to learn to pick myself up and move forward, never forgetting the hard-won lessons.”

Post-Bell, Lopez has been the host of the entertainment news show Extra since 2008. He was also a contestant on Dancing with the Stars in 2006, finishing second to former NFL great Emmitt Smith. He was also the subject of the VH1 unscripted series Mario Lopez: Saved by the Baby about the arrival of his first child with wife Courtney Mazza. He was also briefly married to Ali Landry in 2004.

Just Between Us will be published via Penguin’s Hispanic celebrity imprint Celebra, which has done books by Ricky Martin, Pele, George Lopez and Soledad O’Brien among others.

Lopez has previously published two health and fitness books with Celebra. Both were New York Times bestsellers.

Lopez to Pen Her First Book “True Love”

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is adding “author” to her already impressive resume…

Celebra, a division of Penguin Group (USA), has announced plans to release the 44-year-old Puerto Rican singer, actress and American Idol judge’s first book — titled True Love — on Tuesday, October 28.

A hardcover edition of the book will be published simultaneously in English and Spanish.

In True Love, Lopez will write about what is being described as “one of her life’s most defining periods – the transformative two-year journey of how, as an artist and a mother, she confronted her greatest challenges, identified her biggest fears, and ultimately emerged a stronger person than she’s ever been.”

The book will include never-before-seen photographs and will be written like a personal diary with lessons and recollections.

“Writing True Love has been a deeply cathartic, personal, and vulnerable experience,” said Lopez. “If it were not for the love and courage given to me by my children, this story wouldn’t have been possible. While I struggled with the decision of whether or not to release this book, I recognized that if it could touch even just one person then it would honestly become one of the most fulfilling endeavors of my life.”

A portion of the book’s proceeds will go to benefit The Lopez Family Foundation, dedicated to improving the health and well-being of women and children.

The news of her memoir comes a day after Lopez was honored with the Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

Celebra publisher Raymond Garcia acquired world rights from Benny Medina at The Medina Co.

“Jennifer Lopez is a remarkable author who fully invested her heart and soul into every page of her book,” said Garcia. “She channeled her unparalleled work ethic, fearless honesty, perpetual creativity, and artistic vision to realize an absolutely beautiful story that will surely touch and inspire readers around the world.”

Celebra also is home other high-profile authors including Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Rita Moreno, Ricky Martin, Mario Lopez, Victor Cruz, La La Anthony, George Lopez, Soledad O’Brien, Juanes and Thalia.

Lopez Signs Development Deal with NUVOtv

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Mario Lopez has more NUVOtv in his future…

The 40-year-old Mexican American television host and actor is expanding his relationship with the American cable television network, which caters to the Latin market.

The current host of The X Factor and Extra has signed a development deal with NUVOtv to bring new projects to life. Specifically he’ll develop three new series projects for the network.

As part of the deal, the network has ordered a second season of his interview show One-On-One. The first season includes interviews with Eva Longoria, Edward James Olmos, Juanes and Emilio and Gloria Estefan.

Additionally, NUVOtv has greenlit new series Salsa in the City (working title). Produced by Lopez, the series set to premiere in the second quarter of 2014. It’s being called a competition show that combines dating and dance within the salsa dance scene.

Lopez & Wife Courtney Mazza Welcome Their Second Child

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Mario Lopez’s family has expanded…

The 39-year-old Mexican American actor and Extra host’s wife Courtney Mazza has given birth to the couple’s second child.

Mazza gave birth to a baby boy on Monday night, September 9. The couple named their son Dominic Lopez.

Lopez took to Twitter to announce the arrival of his second child. “It’s a boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please welcome Dominic Lopez to the world! Couldn’t be happier… @CourtneyMLopez & baby are doing just fine… :),” he wrote.

Baby Dominic joins his big sister Gia Francesca who turns 3 years old on Wednesday.

The X Factor host had to rush to hospital from the studio. “Whoa.. Cutting it close. Just wrapped @TheXFactorUSA & I’m rushing to the hospital. Baby Lopez #2 is coming tonight! Baby better wait for me,” he tweeted a few hours before the baby’s arrival. “This anticipation is killing me… #BabyLopezNumber2.”

The couple announced in February that they were expecting their second child. “She wants to know if it’s a boy or a girl, but we don’t know because we’re waiting to find out. That’s kind of tough sometimes, we just don’t know!” Lopez said of his excited daughter.

“My husband is the most supportive man on the earth. He loves my booty. I lost the weight pretty quickly the first time, so I’m praying it happens the second time around,” Mazza told People magazine in June.

Rubio In Talks to Serve as a Judge on “The X Factor”?

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

She’s already signed on to serve as a coach on Telemundo’s La Voz Kids… But Paulina Rubio may soon be judging talent on The X Factor alongside Demi Lovato.

The 41-year-old Mexican singer is reportedly in talks to take one of the open seats at the judges’ table on the Fox reality singing competition.

Rubio, who was once hailed as one of the 25 Sexiest Pop Divas by E! Entertainment and has sold more than 20 million albums around the world, would bring Latin Pop cred to the panel.

Should Rubio be added to the panel, she’d join Lovato and returning host Mario Lopez, as well as Simon Cowell.

Meanwhile, former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland, who has long been rumored as one of possible contenders for the gig, is thisclose to finalizing a deal to join the judging panel, according to Entertainment Weekly.

The X Factor is expected to announce the official judge line-up soon as the production on season three will begin on Tuesday, May 21.

The new judges will replace Britney Spears and L.A. Reid who left at the end of the second season.

Lopez Collaborating with Chris Brown on Next Album

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is looking to get her old sound back… And she’s recruiting Chris Brown to help.

In an interview with Extra‘s Mario Lopez, the 43-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actress confirmed that she’s teaming-up with the hip-hop superstar for her next studio album.

The “Dance Again” songstress tweeted photos of herself with Brown inside the recording studio, one with her resting her head on the 23-year-old artist’s shoulder and another with the two posing for a snapshot with producer Cory Rooney.

“Yes, when we were in the studio, writing songs and just getting that ‘Jenny from the Block‘ flavor back,” la Lopez revealed about their work together. “We actually worked on a bunch of [title] ideas… and we talked about doing a duet together for his album.”

Although Lopez doesn’t have title for her upcoming album just yet, the former American Idol judge is determined to finish it for a summer release, choosing to focus on her new music and releasing it before she works on other projects.

“Every time I get a new song I’m like, ‘Oh, that could be a new title for the album’,” J.Lo said about her current title selection process.

Lopez will be returning the favor to Brown when she sings on a track on his forthcoming album X. Brown announced that he had a couple songs on his new album where she could make a smashing appearance. The talented singer/dancer also admitted how much he would like to make a music video with J.Lo, who’s known for her dancing skills as much as her singing.

Lopez to Return as Host for Season Three of “The X Factor”

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato isn’t the only Latin luminary returning to The X Factor next season…

Mario Lopez has signed on to host another season of Fox’s reality singing competition. But Khloe Kardashian, however, won’t be back.

“Khloe Kardashian will not be returning to co-host The X Factor. We really enjoyed working with her and wish her all the best in her future endeavors,” X Factor producers said.

Both the Extra host and the E! reality star were named as the new hosts of the competition series’ second season in October 2012.

As a seasoned host, Lopez easily fronted the show. But Kardashian seemed to struggle, earning the mockery of viewers.

In the announcement about Lopez’s return, X Factor’s head honcho made no mention of Kardashian’s departure.

“I’m thrilled Mario is back for season three of The X Factor. Hosting a live show and keeping the judges — especially Demi — in line, is not an easy job, but Mario is a pro and we are glad he’s coming back,” Simon Cowell said in statement.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Mario Lopez