Mattel Honors Juan Gabriel’s Legacy with Signature Barbie Doll

Posted on August 28, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

The late Juan Gabriel is being celebrated in a special way…

Mattel is honoring the legendary Mexican singer-songwriter with a signature Barbie doll ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The doll commemorates the six-time Grammy nominee’s nearly four-decade career, which includes the release of more than 30 studio albums and 1,500 composed songs, highlighting his influence as one of Latin America’s most significant musical figures.

Juan Gabriel’s greatest hits, known for their heartfelt ballad style, include “No Tengo Dinero,” “Abrázame Muy Fuerte,” “Amor Eterno” and “Siempre En Mi Mente.”

To honor the singer’s music and career, the Barbie Signature Juan Gabriel Doll ($55) dazzles with a mic in her hand and a glittering bolero jacket, drawing inspiration from the outfit he wore during his iconic 1990 performance at Mexico City’s El Palacio de Bellas Artes.

Juan Gabriel expressed his love and appreciation for his Mexican culture not just through his music, but also through his attire, often wearing mariachi suits with gold accents onstage — just like the Barbie’s outfit.

For those inspired by his legacy, the doll serves as a collaboration that pays tribute to the extraordinary artistry of this beloved music icon.

The late Juan Gabriel is being celebrated in a special way…

Mattel is honoring the legendary Mexican singer-songwriter with a signature Barbie doll ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Juan Gabriel’s greatest hits, known for their heartfelt ballad style, include “No Tengo Dinero,” “Abrázame Muy Fuerte,” “Amor Eterno” and “Siempre En Mi Mente.”

For those inspired by his legacy, the doll serves as a collaboration that pays tribute to the extraordinary artistry of this beloved music icon.

Fans have been anxiously waiting for the doll’s release, with one Reddit user writing, “Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor. I am absolutely blown away by this Barbie. I love the darker hues… which we haven’t seen before.” Another Reddit user described the doll as “beautiful.”

Mattel’s Signature Doll inspired by Juan Gabriel is now available at Amazon, Walmart, Target and Mattel Shop.

Mattel Releases Gloria Estefan Barbie Inspired by the Grammy Winner’s “Get On Your Feet” Video

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Estefan is getting all dolled up for her birthday…

Mattel has released a Barbie doll made in the likeness of the Cuban singer, actress and businesswoman to celebrate the music icon’s 65th birthday and her 1989 hit single “Get on Your Feet.”

“I’m honored to be partnering with Barbie to create a doll in my likeness, especially as I ring in my 65th birthday and right ahead Hispanic Heritage Month,” Estefan said in a statement to Billboard. “When designing my Barbie with the team, I wanted to ensure I was staying true to my multicultural roots – and I believe we did just that.”

The collectible Barbie retails for $55 and is available at Amazon, Target and MattelCreations.com.

The release of Estefan’s signature Barbie arrives ahead of Hispanic Month, which is September 15-October 15.

Inspired by the ‘80s wardrobe in the Grammy winner’s “Get on Your Feet” music video, the Gloria Estefan Barbie is dolled up in a black jacket with intricate, gold detailing, black leggings accentuated with a gold waist chain, and thigh-high, leopard-print boots. The doll also holds a microphone spruced up with lace.

In addition to releasing the doll, Barbie will also be partnering with Artístas y Músicos Latino Americanos, a North Philadelphia nonprofit that provides young people with private music lessons, songwriting, audio and production programs.

Additionally, Barbie will be underwriting one of ALMA’s event programs and bolstering their Mentor-Fellow programs, which train children in various careers, including arts production and administration.

Jessica Alba’s Honest Company Surges in NASDAQ Trading Debut

Posted on May 6, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jessica Alba is rolling in the dough…

The 40-year-old half-Mexican American actress and entrepreneur’s eco-friendly personal care products brand Honest Co. (HNST) surged 44% in its trading debut on the Nasdaq.

Shares of Honest Co. sold for $16 in their initial public offering to close at $23 per share in trading Wednesday, giving the company a market value of about $2.1 billion.

Honest CEO Nick Vlahos told Yahoo Finance Live that the successful IPO was a “validation” of the company’s strategy.

“We’re a mission driven brand. We are at the forefront of this kind of clean movement as it pertains to how consumers are looking at products from an ingredient perspective, around sustainability, around social responsibility.”

That produced a hefty return for Alba, whose stake in the company she founded a decade ago is worth about $130 million — at least on paper. Alba didn’t plan to sell her shares in the offering, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Though she has stepped down as chair of the board, Alba remains a director of the board and is also the company’s chief creative officer.

Alba founded Honest Co. in 2011 as a direct-to-consumer brand built on a commitment to healthy products, free of harmful toxins and chemicals. The Fantastic Four actress has said she got the idea for the company after breaking out in a rash from detergent that she touched while washing her baby’s clothes.

Since then, Honest has grown into a national brand and has partnerships with retail giants including Amazon, Costco, Target and Walgreens.

In addition to baby products like wipes, diapers and shampoos, the company also sells skincare and cosmetics. During the pandemic, Honest expanded its product line to include cleaning supplies, and it paid off. Vlahos said its household and wellness business grew 111% in 2020.

Monica Lozano Elected to Apple’s Board of Directors

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Monica Lozano is headed to the boardroom…

Apple has announced that the 64-year-old Mexican-American longtime newspaper editor and CEO of College Futures Foundation has been elected to its board, which will expand to eight directors.

Previously, Lozano spent 30 years in media as editor and publisher of La Opinión, the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the U.S., helping shine a light on issues from infant mortality to the AIDS epidemic. She went on to become chairman and CEO of La Opinión’s parent company, ImpreMedia. She serves on the boards of Target and Bank of America.

The company said that of its eight nominees for election to the board, three self-identify as women, and four self-identify as individuals from underrepresented communities (Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, Native Hawaiian, or Alaska Native, or who self-identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender).

Shareholders will vote on the director slate and other issues at Apple’s annual meeting, which it set for February 23.

Selena Gomez Releases Stripped-Down Unplugged Version of Single “Rare”

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomezis stripping things down…

The 27-year-old Mexican American singer/actress has released a new unplugged performance of “Rare,” the title track from her recent chart-topping album.

The song, recorded live from the Village Studio, finds Gomez accompanied only by a sparsely strummed acoustic guitar and a single female backup singer, giving a new emotional spin to the lead track from the album, which dropped in January.

The unadorned take on “Rare” is in stark contrast to the more visually stunning official video, which she says in a pop-up version of the clip was shot in nature after she found inspiration during her philanthropic trip to Kenya with the WEorganization.

The live clip opens with Gomez rehearsing and joking around with her crew before diving into the introspective lyrics.

“Baby, you’ve been so distant from me lately/ And lately/ Don’t even wanna call you baby/ Saw us getting older/ Burning toast in the toaster/ My ambitions were too high,” she sings.

This is the second treat from Gomez in the last two weeks.

She released the single “Feel Me” on digital platforms last week, a fan-favorite song she played on her 2016 Revivaltour. It was only available on a Rarevinyl sold at Target.

Selena Gomez Releases Fan-Favorite Single “Feel Me”

Posted on February 21, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It’s an ‘all the feelz’ moment for Selena Gomez…

The 27-year-old Mexican American singer/actress has officially released “Feel Me,” a fan-favorite staple during her 2016 Revival tour.

“Feel Me,” Gomez’s anthem about an ex regretting his loss, is now available on digital platforms for the first time.

“Won’t be caught up in the middle/ Of your highs and your lows/ Baby, ‘long as you’re not with me/ You’ll always be alone,” she sultrily croons in the tune before the sparkling chorus: “Every time your lips touch another/ I want you to feel me.”

Before Friday, “Feel Me” was only available on the Rare vinyl sold at Target.

In a fan Q&A Gomez held on Twitterto celebrate her recent album’s release back in January, she answered a question asking if the tune would ever see the light of day.

“That song was from when I was in a different place and doesn’t fit with where I am right now,” she responded.

But Gomez has apparently had a change of heart to her fans’ delight.

Jillian Mercado to Guest Star on Showtime’s “The L Word: Generation Q”

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Jillian Mercado is headed to the small screen…

The 32-year-old Dominican model will make her scripted television debut on the forthcoming The L Word: Generation Q, which is set to premiere December 8 at 10:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime.

Mercado will play the character of Maribel Suarez, an immigration attorney and the little sister of Sophie (Rosanny Zayas). The two are very close, and Maribel is always there to give Sophie advice and support.

The L Word: Generation Q continues the stories of the critically acclaimed and groundbreaking series The L Word, which ran from 2004-2009. The new series has familiar faces and new ones as it follows the intermingled lives of Bette Porter (Jennifer Beals), Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Hailey) and Shane McCutcheon (Katherine Moennig), along with Dani Nùñez (Arienne Mandi), Micah Lee (Leo Sheng), Finley (Jacqueline Toboni), Sophie Suarez (Zayas) and Gigi (Sepideh Moafi) as they experience love, heartbreak, sex, setbacks and success in L.A.

This season’s guest stars include Brian Michael, Stephanie Allyne, Olivia Thirlby, Fortune Feimster and Latarsha Rose.

The series is executive produced by showrunner Marja-Lewis Ryan with series creator Ilene Chaiken, Kristen Campo, Allyce Ozarski, Steph Green (pilot), and original series stars Beals, Moennig and Hailey.

Mercado is best known as a model with muscular dystrophy and has been praised for her representation of the differently-abled in fashion. She has appeared on E! News and has modeled in campaigns for Olay, Bumble 100, Calvin Klein fragrances, Nordstrom, Targetand Tommy Hilfiger.

On the editorial side, she was featured on the cover of Teen Vogue‘s first digital cover and was in September issues of Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Jejune and many others.

She’s also an active disabilities advocate who has spoken at various summits.

Alba Named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40 List

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a fantastic fortune moment for Jessica Alba…

The 34-year-old half-Mexican American actress and entrepreneur has been named to Fortune’s 2015 40 Under 40 list, the magazine’s annual ranking of the most influential young people in business.

As an expectant mom, Alba – ranked No. 15 on the list – saw a void in the market for less toxic, more sustainable household goods. The Honest Company is rapidly filling that void. Last year, Alba’s company sold some $170 million worth of products like diapers and cleaning supplies in outlets like Costco, Target, Whole Foods and Nordstrom—nearly a threefold increase over 2013.

Now, Alba is looking to expand The Honest Company’s presence into new regions—South Korea is next and China is in the works.

She’s also expanding the company’s portfolio of products with Honest Beauty, a cosmetics and skin-care line launched earlier this month.

But Alba isn’t the only fortunate Latino to make the list…

Hugo Barra comes on at No. 14.

Years after initially getting turned down for a job at Google, the Brazil-born businessman found himself in a plum perch leading the search giant’s mobile aspirations as vice president of Android.

It came as a surprise when in late 2013 Barra announced he was leaving Google for the then relatively unknown Chinese startup Xiaomi, valued at $46 billion.

As vice president, Barra is responsible for leading the company into uncharted territory by ushering its inexpensive products to new international markets—growth areas that are more critical than ever for Xiaomi as China’s smartphone penetration reaches all time highs.

Click here to see the complete Fortune 40 Under 40 list.

Iglesias Releases His First-Ever Signature Fragrance, Adrenaline

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Prepare for an Enrique Iglesias-instigated adrenaline rush…

Earlier this month, the 39-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter released his first fragrance.

Named Adrenaline after the Grammy-winning singer’s self-proclaimed appetite for adventure, Iglesias’ signature cologne hit the shelves at CVS, Target and Walmart on August 15 in partnership with cosmetics giant Coty, which also manufactures Jennifer Lopez’s scents.

The scent, which boasts “sensual woody notes, is being described as strong and a tad spicy. But unlike many men’s colognes that lean too heavily on woodsy or smoky notes, Adrenaline is far from musky. Expect a sweet finish thanks to a citrusy, mandarin infusion.

Ashanti to Release “Braveheart” Album in March

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Ashanti has a brave future…

The 33-year-old part-Dominican American R&B singer/actress has announced plans to release her oft-delayed album Braveheart on March 4.

In addition to announcing the album’s release date, Ashanti has also unveiled the track list.

The 15-song studio effort, including Target exclusives, features guest appearances by French Montana, Jeremih, Rick Ross and Beenie Man.

While putting the finishing touches on Braveheart, Ashanti is writing music for the soundtrack to the upcoming 2015 Tupac biopic.

Last month, Ashanti recorded the official music video for “I Got It,” her duet with Rick Ross.

Here’s the complete Braveheart track list:

“Intro/Braveheart”
“Nowhere”
“Runaway”
“Count”
“Early in the Morning” feat. French Montana
“3 Words”
“Love Games” feat. Jeremih
“Scars”
“Never Should Have”
“She Can’t”
“Don’t Tell Me No”
“I Got It” feat. Rick Ross
“First Real Love” feat. Beenie Man/Outro
“Bonafide Survivor” 15. “RIP” (Target Exclusive)

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