Nikki Bella to Serve as a Judge on NBC’s “AGT: Extreme”

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Nikki Bella is taking things to the Extreme…

The 37-year-old half-Mexican American reality television personality, entrepreneur and retired professional wrestler, one half of The Bella Twins with her sister Brie Bella, will serve as a judge for NBC’s extreme version of America’s Got Talent.

In addition to Nikki Bella, the other judges for AGT: Extreme include Travis Pastrana and Simon Cowell.

Terry Crews, who is host of the main AGT series, will host.

Nikki Bella is a former WWE Hall of Famer, who is the star of E!’s reality series Total Bellas.

The series is set to launch midseason on NBC and is produced by Syco Entertainment and Fremantle.

It will showcase the most outrageous and jaw-dropping daredevil acts. Each week extreme contestants will go head-to-head in the most wild, wacky and craziest stunts to vie for the ultimate title.

Sofia Vergara Returning to the Judges Table on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”

Posted on March 2, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara’s still got talent…

The 48-year-old Colombian actress and former Modern Family star and her fellow America’s Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel will all return for season 16 of the hit NBC talent competition series.

Terry Crews also will return as host.

The Season 16 premiere date will be announced later.

AGT will host one final nationwide “Last Chance Audition” for the upcoming season on Saturday, March 6. Interested acts can register at http://www.AGTAuditions.com for a virtual audition slot where they will perform live for show producers. The best acts discovered that day will then go on to perform for the AGT judges.

America’s Got Talent dominated the ratings last summer as the No. 1 series on the Big 4 networks in total viewers and led NBC to 18-49 wins among the Big 4 on every Tuesday night (excluding sports). The show was the most-watched entertainment program nearly every week it aired. Additionally, AGT amassed 2.95 billion views across all digital video platforms in 2020 and was ranked the No.3 most-social broadcast series last year.

Vergara, who has been the highest paid actress in American television for seven consecutive years, from 2013 to 2020, joined the judges panel last year for Season 15.

Brandon Arreaga & His PRETTYMUCH Group Mates Sign with Sire Records

Posted on December 5, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Brandon Arreaga is ready to in-sire…

The 20-year-old Latino singer and his fellow PRETTYMUCH pop group mates, which Simon Cowell launched under his label Syco Entertainment in 2017, have signed to Warner Records imprint Sire Records, marking the start of a “new era,” according to the group’s members.

The five members — Arreaga, Edwin Honoret, Zion Kuwonu, Nick Mara and Austin Porter — were originally pursuing solo careers until Syco founder Cowell approached them about creating a group in 2016.

PRETTYMUCH debuted in 2017 with the single “Would You Mind,” and have since released three EPs with Syco, sold out two headlining tours (also opening for Khalid) and worked with the likes of Ed Sheeran and French Montana.

The new signing follows an announcement in July that Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment would be ending the 11-year joint venture, which created Syco, with Sony Music to retain the JV’s back catalog and roster of artists.

The group has quickly been scooped up by Sire. Label president Rani Hancock tells Billboard that she has always been drawn to PRETTYMUCH because the members are “quadruple threats”: Singers, songwriters, producers and performers. A meeting with the band and their management team at KYN Entertainment, former Syco president Sonny Takhar and Mitch Eisner, sealed the deal.

“I have always admired PRETTYMUCH, so when Sonny reached out I was excited to meet them, and meeting them impressed me even more,” Hancock says. “I knew they were great singers and performers but quickly found out they are also impressive songwriters, producers, photographers, choreographers, and more. They are truly the architects of their own sound and vision and an unstoppable force.”

Arreaga says that the feeling was mutual, since he had “always wanted to be respected as a producer/songwriter.” “At Sire, they’ve shown so much interest in my work and even helped shape small ideas into full songs that I hadn’t seen the potential in,” he adds. “For us, it’s important that we remember to always keep evolving and always keep pushing the boundaries of what we’re capable of.”

With a fresh record deal under their belt, PRETTYMUCH is set to release their first new music since 2019’s INTL:EP in the coming year.

“America’s Got Talent” Releases First Look Photo of Sofia Vergara at Judges Table

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergarahas taken her seat at the table…

America’s Got Talent has released a first look photo of the NBC talent competition show’s season 15 judges panel, with the 47-year-old Colombian actress as a new addition and the first ever Latin judge.

America's Got Talent - Season 15 Judges Table

In addition Vergara, the photo shows AGT creator and judge Simon Cowell, longtime judge Howie Mandel, returning panelist Heidi Klum and returning host Terry Crews.

The revamped panel comes after the NBC competition series filled its two vacant chairs last week, following the exits of Gabrielle Unionand Julianne Hough, who were let go in November after one season.

This will be Modern Family star’s first turn as a judge. Klum was a panelist on AGTfrom 2013-2018.

The first round of production for America’s Got Talent: Season 15 will take place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium throughout the month of March.

The series is co-produced by Fremantle and Syco Entertainment.

Sofia Vergara Named First Latin Judge on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara’s got talent… and a new job…

The 47-year-old Colombian actress and Modern Family star has been added to the judges panel of NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

Vergara, a four-time Emmy nominee, will appear alongside Heidi Klum, who was a judge on AGTfor six seasons, from 2013-2018.

They’ll be joined by returning judges Simon Cowell, AGT’s creator and executive producer, and Howie Mandel, as well as host Terry Crews.

“I’m so happy to join my new family onAGT,” said Vergara, who’ll be making AGThistory. “This is a new and exciting next chapter for me and I’m extremely proud to be the first Latin judge on the show. I can’t wait to watch all the talent and have fun with all you guys!”

Vergara and Klum succeed Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough, who were let go in November after one season on AGT. Union’s ouster sparked controversy and triggered an investigation over allegations of a hostile work environment on the reality show. Results of the investigation, which was supposed to wrap by the end of January, have yet to be made public.

Shortly after Union and Hough’s exit, Vergara emerged as NBC’s top choice for a replacement. She met with executives from NBC and AGTproducer Fremantlein mid-December to discuss the possibility. By mid-January, word started getting out that Klum would be back, retaking her seat.

Klum never left the AGTfranchise — she’s been a judge on spinoff America’s Got Talent: The Champions since its launch last season.

Vergara is coming off an 11-season run as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on ABC’s hit comedy Modern Family,a role that has earned her four Emmy nominations.

“Sofia’s infectious energy and sharp wit will blend perfectly with returning favorites Heidi, Simon, Howie, and Terry. As both a respected actress and successful entrepreneur, she embodies the American dream that is synonymous with AGT’s transformative stage,” said Meredith Ahr, President, Alternative & Reality Group, NBC Entertainment.

Sofia Vergara May Be Headed to the Judges’ Table on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara may be on the hunt for new talent…

The 47-year-old Colombian actress, currently in her final season on ABC’s Modern Family, may be the newest judge on NBC’s summer reality series America’s Got Talent.

Vergara reportedly met with top executives at the network yesterday. It was a broad, general meeting to discuss a number of possible projects and collaborations, including Vergara joining the America’s Got Talent judging panel.

According to TMZ, which first reported about the meeting, reps for AGTproducer Fremantlealso were present.

AGThas two vacancies after the reality hit created and executive produced by Simon Cowellopted not to bring back as judges Gabrielle Unionand Julianne Houghfollowing one-season stints.

The firings triggered a wave of controversy after it was revealed that Union had complained of a toxic work environment and racism before being let go. The backlash prompted NBC and Fremantle to launch an investigation, which is ongoing.

Vergara recently appeared in and executive produced 365 Days of Love, a daily docuseries for Facebook Watch. It came from Latino-focused entertainment company Raze, which Vergara co-founded with Emiliano Calemzuk and Luis Balaguer.

Vergara has earned four Emmyand four Golden Globe nominations for her role as Gloria on ABC’s Modern Family, now in its 11th and final season.

Angel Garcia Advances to Next Round on “America’s Got Talent” with Spanish Audition

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Angel Garcia has nothing to be sadabout…

The 12-year-old Latino singer, who hails from Los Angeles, has made a major impression on America’s Got Talent.

Sounding like a true angel, Garcia wowed the judges during his official audition.

Inspired by his father to pursue music, Angel performs his take on Jose Jose’s Spanish classic “El Triste” during his audition airing July 10.

Although the clip doesn’t include Simon Cowell, Mel B, Howie Mandell and Heidi Klum‘s reactions, the judges and crowd seem very impressed in this clip of the performance.

In the end, Garcia managed to advance the next round, earning three yes votes, with only Mandell voting no.

Camila Cabello: The Highest Ranking Hispanic Artist on Billboard’s 21 Under 21 List

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Cabello is making her mark before she’s even legal to drink…

The 20-year-old Mexican and Cuban singer has landed in the Top 5 of Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list, the highest-ranking Hispanic artist on the list.

Camila Cabello

Following her December 2016 departure from successful girl group Fifth Harmony, Cabello has already managed to land six songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including her debut solo track “Crying in the Club,” a preview to her in-the-works debut LP.

In addition, she’s managed to land major endorsements, including a bilingual campaign with Skechers.

Billboard‘s annual ranking of powerful young voices includes arena headliners and promising new talent, familiar names and new musicians quickly rising toward the mainstream. For groups, if most members are under 21, they were considered eligible.

Coming in behind Cabello, the young men of CNCO, at the No. 9 spot.

The victors of reality show La Banda’s inaugural season have been learning about pop stardom while on tour with Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias and Ariana Grande.

Their international hit “Reggaetón Lento” has racked up over 300 million plays on Spotify and 1 billion YouTube views. And the single recently got a massive push, thanks to a remix featuring Little Mix.

Meanwhile, Becky G maintains a presence on the chart for another year.

The 20-year-old Mexican American singer/rapper comes in at No. 14.

“What empowers you is acknowledging, ‘I am who I am’ — I feel like that’s the influence I want to be making,” says Becky G, who followed up 2014’s career-launching hit “Shower” by honing in on her Mexican heritage.

In 2016, she kicked off a run of Spanish-language singles with “Sola,” which landed on the Hot Latin Songs chart, and her new Bad Bunnycollaboration “Mayores” reached No. 10 on the September 30 chart — her highest peak yet.

Brandon Arreaga rounds out the list at No. 19, as a member of the boy band PRETTYMUCH.

With One Direction’s hiatus, Arreaga and his fellow members of PRETTYMUCH are aiming for the crown with 1D guru Simon Cowell in their corner.

Debut single “Would You Mind” recently bowed on the Mainstream Top 40 chart; a full-length is in the works with contributions from Ed Sheeran and French Montana, plus a choreography-heavy live show to go along with it.

Cabello Leaving Fifth Harmony to Pursue Solo Career

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Cabello is ready to fly solo…

The 19-year-old Cuban-American singer and member of Fifth Harmony has left the all-girl group.

In a message posted on social media and signed by “Ally, Normani, Dinah and Lauren,” the group writes, “After four and a half years of being together, we have been informed via her representatives that Camila has decided to leave Fifth Harmony. We wish her well.”

The remaining members, Ally Brooke Hernandez, Normani Kordei, Dinah Jane Hansen and Lauren Jauregui, state that they will continue the group as a foursome.

As recently as December 9, when the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour hit New York City, the group had announced plans to release a new album. Kordei told radio personality Elvis Duran, “2017, it’s going to be popping,” and Jane Hansen added, “The third album is definitely going to be so lit. We’re really excited.”

Fifth Harmony was formed by Simon Cowell on the second season of the The X Factor US in July 2012. In January 2013, they signed a joint deal with Syco Music, owned by Cowell, and Epic Records, L.A. Reid‘s record label, after finishing in third place on the show.

To date, The group has sold 424,000 albums, 7 million digital songs and earned 1.6 billion on-demand streams in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music.

Their honors include three MTV Video Music Awards, an American Music Award, a Billboard Women in Music award and seven Teen Choice Awards.

In the last two years, Cabello released two singles which reached the top 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100: “I Know What You Did Last Summer” with Shawn Mendes in 2015, and “Bad Things” with Machine Gun Kelly earlier this year.

CNCO’s Debut Album Bows at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums Chart

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a big first right out of the gate for CNCO…

The Latin American pop boy band, which was formed on Univision’s 2015 reality competition show La Banda, has landed in the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart with its debut effort, Primera Cita (chart dated September 17).

The album bows with 11,000 copies sold in the week ending September 1, according to Nielsen Music — the largest sales week for a Latin album in more than a year.

The last time an album scored a bigger sales frame was on the June 6, 2015-dated list, when Gerardo Ortiz’s Hoy Mas Fuerte bowed atop the chart with 20,000 sold.

CNCO is comprised of Joel Pimentel, Erick Brian Colon, Richard Camacho, Christopher Velez and Zabdiel de Jesus.

La Banda was created by Simon Cowell and produced by Ricky Martin.

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