Mars Perfoms “Welcome Back” on “Rio 2” Soundtrack

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars isn’t just voicing a character in Rio 2… He’s also performing a single on the animated film’s soundtrack.

The 28-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer performs the track “Welcome Back” on Rio: Music From the Motion Picture, which will be released by Atlantic Records.

In addition to Mars’ single, the soundtrack to the animated musical comedy will include musical numbers from Grammy winner Janelle Monáe; Barbatuques, Andy Garcia and Rita Moreno; and Carlinhos Brown and Nina De Freitas.

It will also include songs from the voice cast, including Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx, Kristin Chenoweth and Jesse Eisenberg

Rio: Music From the Motion Picture will be available March 25.

The family-friendly feature returns to Brazil ahead of this summer’s World Cup, with Hathaway, Eisenberg, Foxx and will.i.am reprising their roles as a few of Rio’s colorful feathered inhabitants.

New additions include The X Factor finalist Rachel Crow and NBC Today show news anchor and South American native Natalie Morales.

The story will follow Blu (Eisenberg), a neurotic blue macaw, and Jewel (Hathaway), his free-spirited mate, as well as their three kids. The conflict of the film arises when Jewel expresses her desire to raise the chicks in the Amazon as “real birds” rather than in their current domesticated environment.

Rio 2 hits theaters April 11.

Here’s the complete track listing:

“What Is Love” by Janelle Monae
“Rio Rio” by Ester Dean feat. B.O.B.
“Beautiful Creatures” by Barbatuques, Andy Garcia and Rita Moreno
“Welcome Back” by Bruno Mars
“O Vida” by Carlinhos Brown and Nina De Freitas
“It’s a Jungle Out Here” [Brazilian] by Philip Lawrence feat. Uakti
“Don’t Go Away” by Anne Hathaway and Falvia Maia feat. Uakti
“Batucada Familia” by Carlinhos Brown, Siedah Garrett, Jamie Foxx, Rachel Crow, Amy Heidemann, Andy Garcia and Rita Moreno
“Poisonous Love” by Kristin Chenoweth and Jemaine Clement
“I Will Survive” by Jemaine Clement and Kristin Chenoweth
“Bola Viva” by Carlinhos Brown
“Favo De Mel” by Milton Nascimento
“It’s a Jungle Out Here” by Philip Lawrence
“What is Love” by Janelle Monae, Anne Hathaway, Jessie Eisenberg, Jamie Foxx and Carlinhos Brown

Morales to Guest Star on HBO’s “Girls”

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s all about the girls for Natalie Morales…

The 28-year-old Cuban American actress has landed a guest-starring role on HBO’s Girls.

Morales, who most recently starred on the CW’s 90210, will appear in a Season 3 episode of the comedy series as a sweet twentysomething who surrounds herself with artists and has a desire to save the world.

Morales’ recent television credits include Parks and Recreation, The Newsroom and White Collar.

She’s one of the stars of ABC’s new fall comedy Trophy Wife.

Milian Nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award…

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Marilyn Milian is getting her fifth shot at a Daytime Emmy…

The 52-year-old Cuban-American former-Florida-state-circuit-court-judge-turned-television-personality has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award.

Milian, the first female judge and first Latina to preside over the long-running court show The People’s Court, is nominated in the Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program category. It’s her fifth nomination in the category.

Milian has been presiding over the program since 2001, making her one of the longest serving judges to preside over The People’s Court. The show was nominated previously from 2008-2011.

Milian is up against the syndicated programs Judge Judy and Last Shot with Judge Gunn.

Meanwhile, Natalie Morales has been nominated in the Outstanding Morning Program category, along with her Today co-anchors Ann Curry, Willie Geist, Savannah Guthrie, Matt Lauer, Al Roker, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb.

The NBC morning news program is up against CBS Sunday Morning, which features Mo Rocca as a correspondent, and ABC’s Good Morning America.

The 40th Daytime Emmy Awards will be held on June 16 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and be broadcast on HLN.

Click here to see the complete list of nominations.

Morales Cast in ABC’s Comedy Pilot “Trophy Wife”

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Natalie Morales will soon be on best friend duty…

The 27-year-old Cuban American actress has joined the cast of ABC’s single-camera comedy pilot Trophy Wife.

The project centers on reformed party girl Kate (Malin Akerman), who finds herself with an insta-family when she falls in love with Brad (Bradley Whitford), a successful charmer with a quirky sense of humor who has three manipulative kids and two judgmental ex-wives (Marcia Gay Harden, Michaela Watkins).

Morales will play Meg, Kate’s best friend.

Her television credits include a recent arc on HBO’s Newsroom, as well as recurring roles on USA Network’s White Collar, NBC’s Parks and Recreation and ABC Family’s The Middleman.

Lovato Leads the Pack of Latino People’s Choice Award Nominees

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Multi-hyphenate Demi Lovato is the people’s Latina pop princess…

The 20-year-old part-Mexican American singer, actress and The X Factor judge has picked up three People’s Choice Awards nominations, the most of any Hispanic artist.

Lovato, who picked up her first MTV Video Music Award earlier this year, is nominated for Favorite Pop Artist. She’ll face off against Adele, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and P!nk.

The former Disney Channel star has also been nominated for Favorite Celebrity Judge for her new role on Fox’s singing competition, along with The Voice’s Christina Aguilera and American Idol’s Jennifer Lopez, as well as The X Factor’s Britney Spears and The Voice’s Adam Levine.

In addition, Lovato will face off against her former Disney Channel co-star Selena Gomez in the Favorite Music Fan Following category. Lovato’s Lovatics and Gomez’s Selenators will compete against Bieber’s Beliebers, One Direction’s Directioners and Katy Perry’s KatyCats.

Other Hispanic nominees include Cameron Diaz, Sofia Vergara, Lea Michele, Today’s Natalie Morales, Pitbull and Bruno Mars.

Voting is currently underway in all 48 categories and will end on December 13.

The show, hosted by The Big Bang Theory‘s Kaley Cuoco for the second year in a row, will be broadcast live by CBS on January 9, 2013.

Here’s a look at the Latinos in the running for this year’s People’s Choice Awards:

FAVORITE COMEDIC MOVIE ACTRESS

Cameron Diaz
Emily Blunt
Jennifer Aniston
Mila Kunis
Reese Witherspoon

FAVORITE COMEDIC TV ACTRESS

Jane Lynch
Kaley Cuoco
Lea Michele
Sofia Vergara
Zooey Deschanel

FAVORITE DAYTIME TV HOST

The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Ellen DeGeneres
Good Morning America, George Stephanopoulos, Josh Elliott, Lara Spencer, Robin Roberts, Sam Champion
Live with Kelly & Michael, Kelly Ripa & Michael Strahan
The Today Show, Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, Matt Lauer, Natalie Morales,
The View, Barbara Walters, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Joy Behar, Sherri Shepherd, Whoopi Goldberg

FAVORITE CELEBRITY JUDGE

Adam Levine
Britney Spears
Christina Aguilera
Demi Lovato
Jennifer Lopez

FAVORITE POP ARTIST

Adele
Demi Lovato
Justin Bieber
Katy Perry
P!nk

FAVORITE HIP HOP ARTIST

Drake
Flo Rida
Jay-Z
Nicki Minaj
Pitbull

FAVORITE R&B ARTIST

Alicia Keys
Beyoncé
Bruno Mars
Rihanna
Usher

FAVORITE MUSIC FAN FOLLOWING

Beliebers, Justin Bieber
Directioners, One Direction
KatyCats, Katy Perry
Lovatics, Demi Lovato
Selenators, Selena Gomez

Click here for the complete list of nominees and to vote for your favorites.

It’s Official… Lopez Not Returning to American Idol

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s the end of an era… Jennifer Lopez won’t be returning to spot at the judges table on American Idol next season.

Just a day after Steven Tyler announced he wouldn’t be returning as a judge, the 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actress called into On Air with Ryan Seacrest to confirm that she would not be returning to Fox’s hit reality singing competition.

Lopez hinted at the news on the Today show yesterday, but now her exit appears to be a done deal.

“It’s been a long process…I’ve really been torn,” Lopez told Idol host Ryan Seacrest. “Something has to give.”

Lopez chatted with Seacrest about the decision process for a tad, before finally saying, “The time has come for me to get back to the other things that I do… We had an amazing run.”

Lopez seemed open to returning as a mentor, but said she couldn’t commit to being there full time.

The news comes as People magazine reports that Mariah Carey is in serious talks to join the Idol judges panel. Other names being tossed around include Fergie and Adam Lambert.

Listen to Seacrest and Lopez’s full chat on Ryan Seacrest’s website.

Lopez Not Returning as “American Idol” Judge?

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” must be playing on repeat in Jennifer Lopez’s mind…

After two seasons serving as a beloved judge on American Idol, the 42-year-old Puerto Rican superstar is said to be parting ways with Fox’s hit reality singing competition.

While no official announcement has been made as to season 12’s judging panel, Lopez herself strongly hinted that she wouldn’t be back for a third year.

“Little by little I’m making up my mind,” Lopez told Today’s Natalie Morales during an interview Thursday to discuss her role in Ice Age: Continental Drift. “I love everybody, I love the guys [Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and host Ryan Seacrest], but I am thinking it’s time for me to go and do other things I love to do like films.”

Loopz, currently on tour with Enrique Iglesias, says she’s ready to return to the projects she put off when inking a one-year deal with Idol in 2010.

“It’s a huge decision, but I have to say there are so many things I do that I put on hold for that,” explained Lopez, who was recently nominated for an ALMA Award for her work on Idol. “It’s a heartbreaking decision if I have to go.”

While no official casting announcement has been made, a source tells Us Weekly there is no way Lopez could return to Idol, given her hectic touring calendar, which conflicts with Idol‘s initial filming dates.

“There is just too much going on for her right now,” says a Lopez insider. “She regrets she can’t stay on the show. It’s been an incredible experience and she is forever grateful that she did it.”

Among those said to be in the running to replace Lopez at the judges’ desk: Fergie, Mariah Carey, and season 8’s Idol runner-up Adam Lambert.

Morales to Guest Star on HBO’s The Newsroom

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

Breaking news! Natalie Morales is heading to HBO’s upcoming cable news-themed drama series.

The Cuban-American actress has signed on to appear on The Newsroom, where she’ll guest star as Kaylee, the girlfriend of Dev Patel’s character, Neal.

Produced by Aaron Sorkin, the hour-long drama is set behind the scenes at a fictional cable news network and centers on an anchor, his new executive producer, his newsroom staff and their boss. The highly anticipated drama stars Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, Olivia Munn and Jane Fonda.

Morales’ television credits include appearances on White Collar, Parks and Recreation and CSI: Miami.

Mars Tops the Latino List of People’s Choice Award Nominees

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars is once again the leader of the Latino pack. He’s the only Hispanic celerity to receive two People’s Choice Awards.

The 25-year-old half Puerto Rican singer/songwriter has received nods for favorite male artist and favorite R&B artist.

But the “Grenade” singer—who won two MTV Europe Music Awards on Sunday—isn’t the only Latino to receive People’s Choice love.

Here’s a look at the other Latino celebrities nominated:

Favorite Pop Artist: Demi Lovato
Favorite Song of the Year: “Moves Like Jagger,” Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera
Favorite Male Artist: Enrique Iglesias
Favorite Hip-Hop Artist: Pitbull
Favorite Comedic Movie Actress: Cameron Diaz
Favorite TV Drama Actress: Eva Longoria
Favorite TV Comedy Actress: Lea Michele
Favorite Daytime TV Host: The Today Show Team, including Natalie Morales

Click here to check out the complete list of nominees for the 38th installment of the People’s Choice Awards, which will be broadcast live on CBS on January 11, 2012.

For details on casting your votes, visit the People’s Choice Awards website.

This Year’s Best Latina Celebrity Halloween Costumes

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

All Hallows Eve is drawing to a close… Throughout the weekend and well into Halloween night, our favorite Latina celebs were out in full force at bewitching holiday parties, events and outings in their most inspired costumes. So who was the best of the best?

Here’s a look at some of this year’s standouts:

Nicole Richie

No, no… That’s not Jennifer Lopez. That’s the 30-year-old Nicole Richie channeling la Lopez at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Image courtesy of Flynet.

Jessica Alba

Even a large mole can’t detract from Jessica Alba’s spell-binding beauty. The half-Mexican American actress wore a witch costume to Kate Hudson’s Halloween party in Los Angeles.

Image courtesy of Flynet.

Alessandra Ambrosio

Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio donned a Black Swan-inspired outfit for a Halloween party at the Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. There’s no denying the 30-year-old Brazilian bombshell looked white-hot!

Image courtesy of AKM Images.

Natalie Morales

During The Today Show’s Halloween Day reenactment of Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton, news anchor Natalie Morales dressed as Pippa Middleton.

Image courtesy of Getty.

Lea Michele

Glee star Lea Michele paid tribute to Natalie Portman‘s Oscar-winning role in Black Swan at a Halloween party this year. The part-Spanish actress dressed as the good “Swan Queen.”

Sofia Vergara

She’s commonly spotted in tight-fitting attire. But Modern Family star Sofia Vergara actually covered up for Halloween. The Colombian actress Tweeted this picture of herself dressed in an Angry Birds costume on Saturday.

Thalia

Mexican singer/actress Thalia dressed as a traditional Dia de los Muertos doll at Bette Midler‘s New York Restoration Project’s Hulaween on Friday night in New York City.

Image courtesy of Fame Pictures.

Francia Raisa

Francia Raisa wasn’t afraid to bare skin this Halloween. The part-Mexican, part-Honduran Secret Life of the American Teenager actress dressed as the iconic Star Wars character, Princess Leia.

So, who do you think was this year’s best-dressed Latina this Halloween?

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

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