Ally Brooke Teams Up with Dinah Jane to Release “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” Cover

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ally Brooke is hoping you get you into the holiday spirit…

The 30-year-old Mexican American singer has joined voices with her former Fifth Harmony group mate Dinah Jane to release their rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”

Ally Brooke’s single with Dinah Jane follows on the heels of her recently-released four-track holiday EP Under The Tree, which includes the title track, an original song.

Ally and Dinah made the collaboration announcement by way of their socials earlier in the week.

“I’m beyond thrilled to be back together with my former Fifth Harmony mate Dinah,” Ally enthuses in a statement. “There are no words to explain how it feels to be reunited with our collaboration. We hope to bring lots of happiness to our fans and the world with our reunion.”

Christmas is, of course, a time for family. And this holiday cut represents the first time any of the former 5H bandmates have collaborated since the pop group went on hiatus in 2018.

Formed on The X Factor in 2012 with the lineup of Brooke, Jane, Normani, Lauren Jauregui, and Camila Cabello, the group went on to land four top 10 titles on the Billboard 200 chart, and earned a top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Work From Home” featuring Ty Dolla $ign, peaking at No. 4 in 2016.

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” comes years after Fifth Harmony disbanded, at the time reduced to a four-piece when Cabello left.

Jane presents the new song as a special gift to long-suffering Harmonizers.

“There’s a special type of joyous spirit that Christmas brings us all,” she comments. “This holiday season, I’m grateful for this healing union that has brought my good ole sister Ally Brooke and I together through music”.

“May this song encourage you to embrace love, forgiveness, and bring comfort to all,” concludes Dinah. “I pray that this song may connect souls to our dear Savior as His love is the reason for all seasons.”

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” is now bundled into Brooke’s Under the Tree collection.

Sony/Screen Gems to Release Carlito Olivero’s Horror Film “Escape Room 2” Next January

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Carlito Olivero is making his great escape next January…

Sony/Screen Gems’ Escape Room 2, starring the 31-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actor/singer, will now open on January 7, 2022.

The sequel to the $155M-plus horror film was recently taken off the theatrical release calendar. Previously Sony had the movie set to open on December 30, 2020. It had an earlier release date of April 17, 2020, before being moved twice due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The microbudget feature is a hot one for the studio, which is why they’re protecting their asset.

Adam Robitel returns to direct with a screenplay by Will Honley and Maria Melnik & Daniel Tuch; Melnik wrote on the first 2019 movie.

The story is by Christine Lavaf & Fritz Bohm and Will Honley. Neal H. Moritz produces with a cast that includes Olivero, Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Indya Moore, Holland Roden, Isabelle Fuhrman, Thomas Cocquerel and James Frain.

From 2007–09, Olivero was part of the Latin boy band Menudo after taking part in MTV‘s Making Menudo. In 2013, he auditioned for season 3 of the American singing competition series The X Factor and finished 3rd in the competition. He was mentored by Paulina Rubio.

He appeared in the film We the Party, which directed by Mario Van Peebles.

Hayley Orrantia Releases Autobiographical New Ballad “If I Don’t”

Posted on June 25, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Hayley Orrantiais opening up about her personal heartbreak.

The 25-year-old part-Mexican American singer and The Goldbergs star has released an autobiographical new song “If I Don’t,” which highlights the struggles at the end of a relationship.

The soaring ballad features whispered vocals from Orrantia, whowas a member of Lakoda Rayne, a country pop girl group assembled by Paula Abdul during the first season of The X Factor,as well ashand-snapped rhythms and confessional lyrics.

Orrantia penned the tune with Robyn Collinsand Mike Miller. She says she wrote “If I Don’t” during her “denial phase” towards the end of a relationship when she discovered an ex was lying to her. All the while, she ignored the red flags wanting to save face instead. These struggles are evident in the song’s biting lyrics:

“I could tell you it’s over/ But then it’d be over/ And some things are better unsaid,” she sings.

“It was an out-of-body experience for me seeing this video come to life,” Orrantia told Billboard. “This music is a reflection of my breakup and to have that played out again in front of me was eerie. I struggled finding a director who really understood the vision and meaning behind the song. Then I met with Emma Higginsand she just knew exactly where to take it. I found it important to have a female direct the video as it translates more honestly from story to script to screen because it is told by a woman.”

In the video, Orrantia relives a strained relationship with the help of fellow actor Spencer Neville, who plays her ex on screen. A longtime friend of hers, Orrantia says she appreciated the familiarity of working alongside Neville while channeling a deeply emotional time in her life.

“If I Don’t” is featured on Orrantia’s latest EP, The Way Out, released in May. When she’s not working on music, Orrantia plays the role of Erica Goldberg on the ABC comedy series The Goldbergs.

Kirstin Maldonado & Pentatonix to Launch World Tour in May

Posted on April 2, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Kirstin Maldonado is going global…

The 26-year-old half-Mexican/part-Spanish American singer and her Pentatonix group mates will be hitting the road this spring for their upcoming world tour, and they spilled all the details of what fans can expect in a new video, premiering exclusively on Billboard.

In the clip, the five singers sit down with Live Nationto answer questions about the tour and get quizzed about their fellow bandmates.

“A lot of new music!” Maldonado says of what to expect, while Scott Hoyingpromises “fun,” “choreo” and “belting” at each show.

Next, the a cappella group plays a rapid-fire round of superlatives, naming which of their bandmates is the biggest prankster (Kirstin), the messiest (a toss-up) and always late (also Kirstin, though beatboxer Kevin Olusolapoints silently to himself).

Another fun fact? If the band could change their name, original members Maldonado, Hoying and Mitch Grassiall agree it would be — wait for it — Fifth Harmony! The girl group may have announced their indefinite hiatus in March 2018, but it’s a good thing CamilaCabello & Co. laid claim to the moniker during The X Factor back in 2012.

Pentatonix: The World Tourkicks off May 11 at the Oracle Arenain Oakland, California.

PENTATONIX: THE WORLD TOUR Dates

05/11/2019	Oakland, CA	Oracle Arena
05/14/2019	Fresno, CA	Save Mart Center
05/16/2019	Inglewood, CA	The Forum
05/19/2019	Denver, CO	Pepsi Center
05/21/2019	Tulsa, OK	BOK Center
05/23/2019	San Antonio, TX	AT&T Center
05/25/2019	Huntsville, AL	Von Braun Center
05/26/2019	Louisville, KY	KFC Yum! Center
05/30/2019	Greensboro, NC	Greensboro Coliseum Complex
06/01/2019	Orlando, FL	Amway Center
06/02/2019	Augusta, GA	James Brown Arena
06/04/2019	Allentown, PA	PPL Center
06/06/2019	New York, NY	Madison Square Garden
06/08/2019	Worcester, MA	DCU Center
06/09/2019	Atlantic City, NJ	Mark G. Etess Arena
06/11/2019	Montreal, QC	Centre Bell
06/13/2019	Uncasville, CT	Mohegan Sun
06/15/2019	Grand Rapids, MI	Van Andel Arena
06/16/2019	Columbus, OH	Nationwide Arena
06/18/2019	Milwaukee, WI	Fiserv Forum
06/20/2019	Nashville, TN	Bridgestone Arena
06/22/2019	Moline, IL	TaxSlayer Center
06/23/2019	Green Bay, WI	Resch Center
06/25/2019	St. Paul, MN	Xcel Energy Center
06/26/2019	Fargo, ND	Fargodome
06/28/2019	Calgary, AB	Scotiabank Saddledome
06/30/2019	Edmonton, AB	Rogers Place
07/02/2019	Vancouver, BC	Rogers Arena
07/03/2019	Tacoma, WA	Tacoma Dome
07/06/201907/07/2019	Las Vegas, NVStateline, NV	Mandalay Bay Events CenterLake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys +
08/11/2019	Maryland Heights, MO	Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
08/13/2019	Kansas City, MO	Starlight Theatre
08/14/2019	Springfield, IL	Illinois State Fairgrounds +
08/15/2019	Highland Park, IL	Ravinia Festival +
08/17/2019	Des Moines, IA	Iowa State Fair +
08/19/2019	Brandon, MS	Brandon Amphitheater
08/20/2019	Orange Beach, AL	The Wharf Amphitheater
08/22/2019	Tuscaloosa, AL	Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
08/24/2019	Jacksonville, FL	Dailey’s Place
08/26/2019	Columbia, MD	Merriweather Post Pavilion
08/27/2019	Canandaigua, NY	Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center: CMAC
08/29/2019	Gilford, NH	Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
08/31/2019	Bethel, NY	Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
09/01/2019	Canfield, OH	Canfield Fair +

+Not a Live Nation date

Hayley Orrantia to Star in Country Music-Themed Dramedy “What Would Dolly Do?”

Posted on September 30, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Hayley Orrantia is going country…

The 24-year-old part-Mexican American actress/singer andThe Goldbergs star has signed on as the lead in What Would Dolly Do?, a comedic drama to be helmed by first-time feature director Kd Amond, who co-wrote the script with Lulu Marcil.

The film centers on a female country music trio from the hills of Appalachia who, after committing a crime of passion, find themselves both on tour and on the run from the law.

Orrantia will play Rae Lynn White, a feisty country singer whose personality can easily light up a room and whose troubled past has inspired a catalog of heartfelt music.

Orrantia is a real-life singer, who this year, kicked off her first-ever headlining Strong, Sweet & Southern tour, performing for fans in 23 cities. She was a member of Lakoda Rayne, a country-pop girl group assembled by Paula Abdul during the first season of The X Factor.

Nathaniel Edwards is producing What Would Dolly Do? along with Michael Flandersserving as executive producer.

Filming is slated to commence April 2019.

She previously starred in the film God’s Not Dead 2.

Fifth Harmony Announces Plans to Take a Break

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Ally Brooke Hernandez and Lauren Jauregui won’t be harmonizing together for much longer…

The Latina singers and their fellow Fifth Harmony members have announced they’re going to be taking a break to focus on their solo careers.

In a message to fans on Twitter, the all-girl group said they were going their separate ways “in order to stay authentic to ourselves and to you”.

“We’re all very excited and grateful to be able to take this time to learn and grow creatively and really find our footing as individuals.”

They promised to bring their new experiences back to the band.

Fifth Harmony hasn’t confirmed how long their break will be but assured fans their remaining shows in 2018 would still be going ahead.

The group, who were put together on the US version of The X Factor, thanked their supporters, adding: “With you love and encouragement we will continue to build on ourselves.”

There’s been speculation the group would go their separate ways ever since Camila Cabello left the band in December 2016.

She has since gone on to have success with her own solo career.

Her single “Havana” reached number one in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US.

ABC to Release “The Goldbergs” Mixtape, Featuring Six Hayley Orrantia Tracks

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Hayley Orrantia is back behind the microphone…

After five seasons on the air, ABC‘s The Goldbergs, starring the 23-year-old part-Mexican American actress/singer, will finally have a soundtrack.

The Goldbergs “Mixtape” will feature 14 tracks, including five classic ’80s songs that Orrantia, who portrays Erica, has covered, including Cyndi Lauper‘s “True Colors” and Katrina & the Waves‘ “Walking on Sunshine,” performed with AJ Michalka.

The other nine tracks on the album, which is being released by Madison Gate Records, are original songs written specifically for Adam F. Goldberg‘s 1980-something semi-autobiographical comedy and include “Love Ninja,” with Orrantia and Troy Gentile (Barry).

The Goldbergs, produced by Sony Pictures Television, has featured a number of original songs on the series as Erica has an interest in becoming a singer-songwriter, while Barry has dreams of becoming a famous rapper via his “alter-ego” Big Tasty. Many television shows like Empire, Glee and Nashville have turned to producing soundtracks featuring their original music as a form of earning ancillary revenue.

Orrantia rose to acclaim as a member of Lakoda Rayne, a country-pop girl group assembled by Paula Abdul during the first season of The X Factor. During her teen years, she sang background vocals for Demi Lovato on Disney‘s Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam soundtrack and background vocals for Miley Cyrus on Disney’s Hannah Montana Forever soundtrack.

Here’s a look at the track list:

“Rewind” (The Goldbergs Main Title Theme) — I Fight Dragons
“Love Ninja” — Hayley Orrantia & Troy Gentile
“D&D” — Kurtis Blow
“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” — Hayley Orrantia
“Bad Boy Good Guy” — Troy Gentile
“True Colors” — Hayley Orrantia
“Ferris Wheel” — Troy Gentile
“Tom Sawyer” — Hayley Orrantia & AJ Michalka
“He’s the Man” — Troy Gentile (feat. Hayley Orrantia, AJ Michalka & Sam Lerner)
“Eternal Flame” — Hayley Orrantia & AJ Michalka
“Judah Macabee” — Troy Gentile (feat. Sean Giambrone, Sam Lerner, Noah Munck, Matt Bush)
“Barry Goldberg: A Rap Story” — Anthony Petix
“Walking On Sunshine” — Hayley Orrantia & AJ Michalka
“Dads Just Don’t Care” — Troy Gentile

The Goldbergs “Mixtape is available for pre-order on digital platforms, including iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and more. The Goldbergs album costs $8.99.

Demi Lovato’s Documentary Garners More Than 7 Million Views on YouTube

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato’s story is going viral…

The 25-year-old part-Mexican American singer/actress’ feature-length documentary Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated has garnered more than seven million views on her YouTube channel since its October 17 debut.

Fans from 195 countries have tuned in to watch the documentary since its premiere. In addition, bonus content and trailers released over the last few weeks in the lead-up to the premiere have garnered an additional 8 million views to date, bringing the overall total to more than 15 million views for the documentary and its surrounding content.

Nearly 70% of subscribers tuned in to watch the film, according to YouTube, and viewership expanded beyond core fans, with 80% of overall views coming from non-subscribers. It was also trending on Twitter and YouTube on launch day.

Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated takes an inside look at the tumultuous experiences that have made Lovato who she is today, including the stories of getting sober while being a judge on The X Factor, the end of her six-year relationship, and what it’s like being single and dating for the first time in her adult life. It chronicles transformative moments in Lovato’s life, from her battles with substance abuse and an eating disorder, to becoming one of the biggest names in the world.

The project is produced by Philymack.

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.

Rubio Reunites with Demi Lovato at the Singer’s Mexico City Concert

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Paulina Rubio reunites with her “little sister”…

The 45-year-old Mexican singer reunited with Demi Lovato in Mexico City over the weekend at Lovato’s concert, where Rubio joined her former co-The X Factor USA judge onstage to sing Cyndi Lauper‘s ’80s anthem “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.”

“Thank you for inviting me. I love you little sister, see you soon,” wrote Rubio on social media.

Rubio and Lovato rocked the Palacio de los Deportes stage, singing their hearts out, dancing and hugging each other.

Lovato is currently in Mexico with her Confident World Tour, where she will perform this week in cities including Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: The X Factor