Natti Natasha to Receive Unstoppable Artist Award at Billboard Latin Women in Music Event

Natti Natasha is about to get her flowers…

The 38-year-old Dominican singer, songwriter, and composer will be honored at the third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music event, Billboard and Telemundo have announced.

Natti NatashaNatti Natasha is part of a roster of new honorees that includes Ha*Ash and Belinda.

The artists join Olga Tañón, Chiquis and Anitta, who were previously announced as honorees for this year.

Hosted by Mexican star Ana Bárbara, the two-hour ceremony will air live exclusively on Telemundo on April 24 at 9:00 pm ET and will celebrate “groundbreaking women shaping the future of Latin music,” according to a press statement.

The show will also stream on the Telemundo app, Universo and Peacock.

Natti Natasha will be honored with the Unstoppable Artist Award, a nod to her sustained influence in the music industry. Natti initially burst onto the Billboard charts when she earned her first No. 1 in 2012 as a featured artist on Don Omar’s hit “Dutty Love.” Since then, she has amassed 34 career entries on the overall Latin Airplay ranking, including 17 top 10 hits, 10 of which soared to No. 1.

On the album front, her debut studio project, Iluminatti, reached new heights in 2019, breaking into the top 10 on both the Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums charts, with a peak at No. 3. More recently, her LP Natti Natasha en Amargue, produced by Romeo Santos, earned her a top 10 debut on the Tropical Albums chart.

Mexican American sister-duo Ha*Ash, comprised of Hanna and Ashley, will receive the Unbreakable Award, celebrating the collaboration between Latin women artists who have made an indelible impact on the music industry. Honored for their resilience, innovation and empowerment, Ha*Ash made an impressive debut in 2004, scoring their first top 10 hit on Latin Pop Airplay with “Estés Donde Estés,” which peaked at No. 9.

Over the years, they have proven their staying power, accumulating a total of 16 entries on the chart, four of which reached the top 10. The sisters recently made a notable comeback with “El Cielo Te Mandó Para Mí,” a standout track from Haashville, which reached a No. 7 high on Latin Pop Airplay. Currently, the duo is on their Haashville Tour across the U.S. and Canada.

Meanwhile, Belinda is set to be honored with the Evolution Award, a special honor that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional growth, transformation, and innovation throughout their artistic journey, and an enduring impact and commitment to evolving their vision and voice. Belinda’s self-titled debut album catapulted her into the spotlight in 2003, earning her a first top 10 entry on a Billboard chart as the set reached a high of No. 6 on the Latin Pop Albums tally.

Since then, she’s had three additional top 10 albums, including Catarsis, which peaked at No. 2 in 2013. Showcasing versatility, Belinda has most recently dabbled in Regional Mexican music, specifically in corridos bélicos, collaborating with the likes of Natanael Cano, Tito Double P and Netón Vega.

Anitta will receive the Vanguard Award, Chiquis the Impact Award and Olga Tañón will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, with the remaining honors to be announced soon.

Aubrey Plaza to Appear in NBC’s Star-Studded Special “Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute”

Aubrey Plaza is preparing to help honor a late comedy legend…

The 40-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress and comedian will take part in an NBC special commemorating Joan Rivers, whose influence is still strong in the comedy world and pop culture at large more than a decade after her death

Aubrey PlazaThe star-studded special Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute will be broadcast on May 13 at 10:00 pm ET/PT, with an extended and uncensored version available the next day on Peacock, featuring today’s comedians putting their own topical spin on Rivers’ legendary cabinet of jokes.

The comedian passed away at the age 81 in 2014.

Filmed in November during the opening night of the 2024 New York Comedy Festival at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem, the special features appearances, musical bits and stand-up comedy from the likes of Rachel Brosnahan, Margaret Cho, Nikki Glaser, Tiffany Haddish, Chelsea Handler, Neil Patrick Harris, Bill Maher, Howie Mandel, Joel McHale, Tracy Morgan, Patton Oswalt, Plaza, Sarah Silverman, Melissa Rivers, Jean Smart and Rita Wilson.

“Given that I’m dead, I assume someone will finally decide to honor me. Well, it’s about time,” said the late Joan in a letter she left for daughter Melissa Rivers.

“This tribute is everything my mother would have wanted — hilarious, unfiltered and filled with people she respected (and roasted). And as usual, she was still the funniest person in the room,” added Melissa in her own statement. “It’s incredibly moving to see so many iconic comedians come together to celebrate her legacy, especially the women whose careers she helped make possible by breaking down so many doors. I know she’d be thrilled to see how far things have come, and she’d still have notes. This is more than a tribute. It’s a reminder of the trail she blazed and the joy she brought to so many.”

Benefitting the charity God’s Love We Deliver, for which Rivers served on the Board of Directors, the special is executive produced by Melissa Rivers, Chris Convy, Erich Bergen and David Jammy on behalf of Done + Dusted. Michael Matuza is co-executive producer.

“Saturday Night Live” Alum Fred Armisen to Appear on “SNL:50 The Anniversary Special”

Fred Armisen is returning to Studio 8H.

The 58-year-old half-Venezuelan American actor, comedian, musician, writer and former Saturday Night Live cast member will be appearing on SNL:50 The Anniversary Special.

Fred ArmisenArmisen is among a roster of SNL alums returning for the show’s 50th anniversary special.

He starred on the late-night sketch comedy and variety series from 2002 to 2013.

Some of Armisen’s iconic SNL characters include Garth and Manuel Ortiz. He’s also known for his impressions of Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, Ira Glass, Prince and Michael Bloomberg.

Other former/current cast members and guests set to appear on the show include

Adam Sandler, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Chevy Chase, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, Jason Sudeikis, Jimmy Fallon, Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Kristen Wiig, Laraine Newman, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Pete Davidson, Seth Meyers, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Will Ferrell, Will Forte and more.

They join previously announced A-listers Adam Driver, Ayo Edebiri, Bad Bunny, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Kim Kardashian, Martin Short, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Pedro Pascal, Peyton Manning, Quinta Brunson, Robert De Niro, Sabrina Carpenter, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks and Woody Harrelson.

The live three-hour telecast from Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center is set for Sunday, February 16 at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT on NBC and simulcast on Peacock.

Ahead of Sunday’s special, Peacock will livestream the SNL50: The Homecoming Concert from Radio City Music Hall, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, on Friday, February, 14 at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT.

Executive produced by Lorne Michaels and Mark Ronson, the concert will include performances by Arcade Fire, Backstreet Boys, Bad Bunny, Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Chris Martin, David Byrne, DEVO, Eddie Vedder, Jack White, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Mumford & Sons, Post Malone, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Robyn, The B-52s, The Roots and more to be announced.

Saturday Night Live is produced in association with Broadway Video. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels.

Kartiah Vergara Starring Opposite Russell Crowe in Action Thriller “Bear Country”

Kartiah Vergara is ready to bear her emotions…

The Latina up-and-coming actress has landed a supporting role alongside Academy Award winner Russell Crowe in Bear Country.

Kartiah VergaraThe action thriller hailing from director Derrick Borte has begun principal photography in the Australian state of Queensland.

Based on the novel Strip by Thomas Perry, Bear Country has Crowe playing the aging yet formidable club owner, Manco Kapak, who has been robbed by a masked gunman. Now, his aspirations of selling his club and riding off into the sunset alongside his girlfriend appear more distant than ever. Cartel bosses are breathing down his neck and a young upstart has been posing as the new guy in town eager to purchase the club.

Borte adapted the screenplay with Daniel Forte.

The production is supported by the City of Gold Coast and by the Australian Government through the Location Offset.

Recently wrapping a role opposite Sarah Snook in Peacock’s limited series All Her Fault, Vergara has previously tackled supporting roles in romantic comedy Ticket to Paradise, opposite Julia Roberts and George Clooney, and Dora the Explorer: The Lost City of Gold.

“Emilia Perez” Star Zoe Saldaña Wins Critics Choice Awards Trophy for Best Supporting Actress

Zoe Saldaña is the critics’ choice… 

The 30th annual Critics Choice Awards have been doled out, with the 46-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress taking home an award.

Emilia Perez, Zoe Saldaña,Saldaña claimed the award for Best Supporting Actress for her acclaimed performance in Emilia Perez.

The victory cements her place as an Oscar frontrunner

Emilia Pérez had 10 nominations coming in, picking up three wins.

The Netflix Spanish-language film from France also won in Best Foreign Language Film and for Best Song (“El Mal”).

This year’s Critics Choice Awards aired live on the East Coast and were tape delayed in the West until 7:00 pm PT on E! in the debut of a new deal with the network and Peacock. The show will drop on the streamer on Saturday.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

MOTION PICTURES

BEST PICTURE: Anora
BEST ACTOR: Adrien Brody – The Brutalist
BEST ACTRESS: Demi Moore – The Substance
BEST DIRECTOR: Jon M. Chu – Wicked
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Peter Straughan – Conclave
BEST SONG: “El Mal” – Emilia Pérez
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN: Nathan Crowley, Lee Sandales – Wicked
BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Paul Tazewell – Wicked
BEST HAIR AND MAKEUP: Hair and Makeup Team – The Substance
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe, Gerd Nefzer – Dune: Part Two
BEST SCORE: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – Challengers
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Coralie Fargeat – The Substance
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: Emilia Pérez
BEST COMEDY (tie): A Real Pain & Deadpool & Wolverine
BEST EDITING: Marco Costa – Challengers
BEST YOUNG ACTOR / ACTRESS: Maisy Stella – My Old Ass
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jarin Blaschke – Nosferatu
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS; Zoe Saldaña – Emilia Pérez
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: The Wild Robot
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE: Conclave 

TELEVISION

BEST DRAMA SERIES: Shōgun (FX / Hulu)
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES: Kathy Bates – Matlock (CBS)
BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES: Hiroyuki Sanada – Shōgun (FX / Hulu)
BEST COMEDY SERIES: Hacks (HBO | Max)
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES: Jean Smart – Hacks (HBO | Max)
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES: Adam Brody – Nobody Wants This (Netflix)
BEST LIMITED SERIES: Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
BEST ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION: Cristin Milioti – The Penguin (HBO | Max)
BEST ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION: Colin Farrell – The Penguin (HBO | Max)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES: Moeka Hoshi – Shōgun (FX / Hulu)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES: Tadanobu Asano – Shōgun (FX / Hulu)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION: Jessica Gunning – Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION: Liev Schreiber – The Perfect Couple (Netflix)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES: Hannah Einbinder – Hacks (HBO | Max)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES: Michael Urie – Shrinking (Apple TV+)
BEST MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION: Rebel Ridge (Netflix)
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE SERIES: Squid Game (Netflix)
BEST ANIMATED SERIES: X-Men ’97 (Disney+)
BEST TALK SHOW: John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A. (Netflix)
BEST COMEDY SPECIAL: Ali Wong: Single Lady (Netflix)

Bad Bunny to Appear in “Saturday Night Live” 50th Anniversary Music Special, “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert”

Bad Bunny is bringing the music to a Saturday Night celebration…

Saturday Night Live is planning a rockin’ celebration ahead of its 50th anniversary, with the 30-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning superstar among the artists scheduled to perform.

Bad BunnyPeacock will stream SNL50: The Homecoming Concert live on February 14 – two days ahead of the 50th anniversary show.

In addition to Bad Bunny, who has previously appeared on SNL as a musical guest, the special will feature a phalanx of pop stars and rock stars including Arcade FireBackstreet Boys, Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Chris Martin, David Byrne, Devo, Eddie Vedder, Jack White, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Mumford & Sons, Post Malone, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Robyn, The B-52s and The Roots 

Hosted by former SNL star Jimmy Fallon, the three-hour special will take place at Radio City Music Hall from 8:00 pm ET.

It will also play at fan screening events in select IMAX theaters across New York, California, Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida.

It is executive produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels and Mark Ronson.

Michaels’ Broadway Video will produce with Erin David and Caroline Maroney as producers, Ken Aymong and Rob Paine as supervising producers and directed by former SNL director Beth McCarthy-Miller.   

Peacock to Begin Streaming Pedro Pascal’s “The Wild Robot” This Month

Pedro Pascal is preparing for his Wild-est stream…

After earning nearly $270 million at the worldwide box office in September, The Wild Robot, starring the 49-year-old Chilean actor, will finally be available to stream from home.

Pedro PascalThe animated film will arrive on Peacock on January 24, and is also currently available to rent/purchase on Prime VideoApple TV and other video-on-demand platforms.

Directed by Chris Sanders, “The Wild Robot” follows ROZZUM Unit 7134 A.K.A. Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o), an intelligent robot that gets shipwrecked on an uninhabited island. To survive, the robot bonds with the island’s creatures.

The animated film has a voice cast also featuring Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames and others.

The Wild Robot is based on the very popular science fiction book series from writer and illustrator Peter Brown. The first book was released in 2016, while its follow ups The Wild Robot Escapes and The Wild Robot Protects were released in 2018 and 2023, respectively.

The Wild Robot was also released on DVDBlu-ray and 4K Ultra HD earlier this month, with prices starting at $19.95 on Amazon.

Variety’s chief film critic Peter Debruge has called The Wild Robot a “keeper” in his review, writing that the film’s “expressionistic environments can take one’s breath away. Sunsets, sea views and changing seasons suggest scenic calendar art come to life.”

Gabito Ballesteros to Perform at 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards

Gabito Ballesteros is preparing for a major performance…

The Mexican singer-songwriter and record producer will perform at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Gabito Ballestero

He’s among a list of just-added performers that includes Gloria Trevi, Prince RoyceChencho Corleone and Proyecto Uno.

The artists join a previously announced lineup that includes Fuerza Regida, Grupo NicheJ Balvin, Pepe Aguilar, Luis Alfonso, Maria Becerra, Xavi and Yandel.

The awards show will broadcast on Sunday, October 20, at 9:00 pm ET on Telemundo. Viewers can also watch on the Telemundo App and Peacock and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.

Both Prince Royce and Gabito Ballesteros are finalists this year. The former is up for three awards, including tropical artist of the year, solo; tropical song of the year for “Cosas de la Peda,” with Gabito Ballesteros, and tropical album of the year for his seventh album Llamada Perdida.

Meanwhile, Ballesteros is a four-time finalist vying for artist of the year, new. He’s up against Young Miko, Tito Double P, Xavi and Oscar Maydon in that category.

Karol G leads the list of finalists with 17 entries in categories including artist of the year, tour of the year, Global 200 Latin artist of the year, and top Latin album of the year for Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season). 

The Billboard Latin Music Awards — the only awards that recognize the most popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music, according to Billboard’s weekly charts — coincide with Billboard Latin Music Week, which returns to Miami October 14-18 with a roster of star speakers including Alejandro Sanz, J Balvin, Young Miko, Pepe Aguilar, Feid, Gloria Estefan, Danny Ocean, Peso Pluma and many more.

Scotty McCreery to Serve as Presenter at People’s Choice Country Music Awards

Scotty McCreery is headed to the People’s Choice Country Music Awards

The 30-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer and former American Idol champion has been added as a presenter for the awards show, which will air on Thursday, September 26, at 8:00 pm ET/PT on NBC and Peacock.

Scotty McCreeryMcCreery is among a list of just-added presenters that includes Ashley Cooke, Bailey Zimmerman, Chase Rice, Cody Rhodes, Dasha, Orville Peck, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block, Shaboozey and Tanner Adell.

Meantime, Brad Paisley and rapper mgk have been added as performers for the show.

Hosted by Shania Twain, the People’s Choice Country Awards will honor the biggest names in country music, as chosen entirely by fans.

The show will feature previously-announced performances from Country Icon recipient Miranda Lambert, Country Champion recipient Kane Brown, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A, Parker McCollum and The War And Treaty.

The 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards kicks off with Live From E!: People’s Choice Country Awards at 6:00 pm ET/PT on E!.

Additionally, the People’s Choice Country Awards Pre-Show will air live at 7:00 pm ET/4 p.m. PT on Peacock, E! Online, YouTube, X, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.

Kartiah Vergara Signs with The Rosenzweig Group

Kartiah Vergara has new representation…

The Chilean-Australian actress has signed with The Rosenzweig Group for representation in all areas.

Kartiah VergaraVergara was recently cast in the upcoming Sarah Snook-led Peacock series All Her Fault, based on the Andrea Mara novel of the same name, alongside Daniel Monks and Duke McCloud.

In addition to Snook who stars, the cast also includes Dakota Fanning, Abby Elliot, Jake Lacy, Sophia Lillis, Jay Ellis, Thomas Cocquerel and Michael Peña.

Per the official logline: “Marissa Irvine (Snook) arrives at 14 Arthur Avenue, expecting to pick up her young son Milo (McCloud) from his first playdate with a boy at his new school. But the woman who answers the door isn’t a mother she recognizes. She isn’t the nanny. She doesn’t have Milo. And so begins every parent’s worst nightmare.”

Vergara previously was seen in supporting roles in Ticket to Paradise, starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney, and in the 2019 family adventure live-action film Dora the Explorer: The Lost City of Gold.