“She Se Puede” Digital Lifestyle Community for Latinas Launched by America Ferrera & Group of Powerful Latinas

America Ferrera is galvanizing the influence and power of the country’s Latinas.

The 36-year-old Honduran American actress and former Ugly Betty star has partnered with Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria to launch She Se Puede, a digital lifestyle community created for Latinas.

America Ferrera & Eva Longoria

Ferrera, Longoria and a group of powerful Latinas have high hopes for the new destination for the modern Latina.

“It’s a media platform that … inspires and affirms and informs Latinas on how to leverage our power in a way that transforms our lives, our families and our communities,” says Longoria.

She Se Puede

Inspired by Dolores Huerta’s enduring phrase, “Sí, se puede!” the nonprofit initiative was also founded by experts in the political, entertainment and organizational worlds: Alex Martínez Kondracke, Carmen Perez, Christy Haubegger, Elsa Collins, Jess Morales Rocketto, Mónica Ramírez, Olga Segura, and Stephanie Valencia.

The site will cover fashion, health, culture and politics, an important subject during this election year.

Latinos account for 32 million eligible voters, the country’s largest ethnic voting block. She Se Puede, says Longoria, aims to “build a culture that allows Latinas to see that power, believe in that power and see that full potential released.”

The platform’s launch also comes amid a pandemic in which 34 percent of essential workers are Latino and communities of color have been hit hardest by job losses and lack of health care, as well as a divisive presidential election that sees Joe Biden trailing in the Latino vote in Florida, according to one poll. “We all truly know who’s on the side of Latinos, and it’s definitely not Trump,” she says. “This is the man whose administration is locking kids up in cages, who creates travel bans from countries that are poor, who wanted to sell Puerto Rico and exchange it for Greenland.

She Se Puede is a community where Latinas can find information that addresses our unique needs and supports us to move ourselves, our communities, and our country forward. To learn more, visit shesepuede.org.

Elyfer Torres Signs with United Talent Agency

Elyfer Torres has new representation…

The 22-year-old Mexican actress, who rose to acclaim as the breakout star of Telemundo’s Ugly Bettyre-make Betty EnNY, has signed with Ryan Muckenthaler and Ali Benmohamed at United Talent Agency (UTA) for representation in all areas.

Elyfer Torres

Torres was also recently named Best New Actress at the Produ Awards at Mipcom Mexico. She’s close to wrapping her second television series, Enemigo Intimo, for Spanish language powerhouse Telemundo Global Studios.

The actress is relocating to Los Angeles in January 2020 to pursue English language film and television opportunities.

Torres also recently signed with Los Angeles and London based management/production company Avatar Entertainment, where she will be repped by Val Valdez and Larry Robinson.

Rounding out her team, Torres has also recently signed with lawyer Maria Suarezat Hanson Jacobson & Teller.

Manager Val Valdez says, “[Torres] is probably the hottest Latino star under the age on 25 years old and her talent is only exceeded by her tireless work ethic.”

Jamie-Lynn Sigler to Star in the Lifetime Original Movie “The Neighbor in the Window”

Jamie-Lynn Sigleris feeling neighborly

The 38-year-old half-Cuban American actress will star in the Lifetime original movie, The Neighbor in the Window.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler

Part of the network’s true story-based Ripped from the Headlines slate for 2020, the movie centers on a suburban wife who finds herself and the security of her family threatened by another seemingly friendly neighborhood mom.

The Neighbor in the Window will premiere at 8:00 pm ET on February 8.

Here are the film’s details:

The Neighbor in the Window
(Premieres 8 p.m. February 8)

When upbeat, outgoing Karen (Sigler), her husband Scott and their young son relocate to Washington for Scott’s job, Karen looks forward to starting a new life.  She soon meets Lisa (Jenn Lyon), her beautiful charming neighbor and quickly bond.  But Lisa soon starts lying to Karen, and about Karen to others.  Lisa cleverly sets herself up as Karen’s victim, until every aspect of Karen’s new life starts to unravel.  Karen doesn’t realize how desperate and cunning Lisa is—until things come to a shocking head. The Neighbor in the Window is from writers Karen Stillmanand Margaux Froley, inspired by the book False Victim by Kathie TruittThe Neighbor in the Window is produced by A+E Studios and Front Street Productions. Nancy Bennett executive produces, while Menhaj Hudadirects.

Sigler, best known for her work on HBO’s The Sopranos, most recently appeared on Magnum P.I. Her other credits include Guys with Kids, Entourage, Ugly Betty and the TV movie Call Me: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss.

America Ferrera Joins 200+ in Penning Letter in Solidarity with the U.S. Latino Community in the Trump Era

America Ferrerais speaking up…

The 35-year-old Honduran American actress and former Ugly Betty star is among the A-list celebrities who’ve signed a letter to support the Latino community in light of recent deadly attacks and political targeting.

America Ferrea

Ferrera is among 200 actors, musicians, artists, activists, and labor and civil rights leaders that have signed the letter, which has been published in newspapers including The New York TimesEl Nuevo HeraldLa Opinión and El Diario.

Other top names include Eva LongoriaDiane Guerrero, Alex Martinez Kondracke, Mónica Ramírez and Olga Segura, along with Jennifer LopezGina RodriguezLin-Manuel MirandaCarmen PerezAnthony D. RomeroWilmer ValderramaZoe SaldanaSalma Hayek PinaultRicky MartinRosario DawsonDiego Luna, Dolores Huertaand Sandra Cisneros.

This comes amid a raft of incidents including the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas that left 22 individuals dead and injured 24 others, the sweeping ICE raids that took 680 individuals into custody in Mississippi, the continued separation of families, and the inhumane living conditions of those detained.



“As a Latina, my heart breaks with every attack on our dignity, humanity and lives. And as an American, I fear for the future of my country when our culture and policies lack a basic decency and respect for human life,” said Ferrera. “We all have a responsibility to show up in this moment and demand decency for one another and for our country.”

“We’re facing a moral crisis in our country, and we chose to use this moment to raise our voices, and speak up,” said Longoria. “Integrity starts with looking in the mirror and this letter calls on everyone, not just our community, to choose humanity and decency over hate and violence.”

“This piece is to remind us of our shared humanity,” added Orange Is The New Black star Guerrero. 

“We don’t have to look far to see what family separation and hateful rhetoric is doing to the people in our country. If we do not act, we will be complicit in one of history’s greatest tragedies.”

Netflix Green Lights the America Ferrera-Executive Produced Series “Gentefied”

America Ferrerais getting Gentefied

Netflix has given the green light to Gentefied, a half-hour bilingual dramedy executive produced by the 34-year-old Honduran American actress and former Ugly Betty star.

America Ferrera

The project hails from Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez, the creators of Gente-fied: The Digital Series, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festivalin 2017. 

Ferrera is executive-producing alongside Teri Weinbergvia their production company. Netflix is the studio.

Described as a badass Spanglish series about family, community, brown love and the displacement that disrupts it all, Gentefied follows three Mexican-American cousins and their struggle to chase the American Dream, even while that same dream threatens the things they hold most dear: their neighborhood, their immigrant grandfather and the family taco shop. Set in a rapidly changing Los Angeles, the series will navigate important themes such as identity, class and balancing insta-fame with translating memes for their parents. And it will settle once and for all how to pronounce Latinx, Netflix notes.

Co-creators Lemus and Chávez will write and co-exec produce the 10-episode series, with Lemus also directing.

Lemus and Chávez call Gentefied a love letter to the Latinx and Boyle Heightscommunities and hope the series will let their little cousins rocking Adidas, hoops and big dreams see themselves on the big screen in ways they themselves only dreamed of growing up.

Netflix Orders Salma Hayek-Produced Original Drama Series “Monarca”

Salma Hayek is on Flix

Netflix has ordered Monarca, an original drama series from Mexico produced by the 51-year-old Mexican actress/producer’s Ventanarosa Productions, Lemon Studios and Michael McDonald’s Stearns Castle.

Salma Hayek

Irene Azuela and Juan Manuel Bernal are attached to star, and production is scheduled to begin in the fall for a 2019 global premiere.

Created by Diego Gutierrez, who also serves as showrunner, and written by Lemon Studios’ Fernando Rovzar, Julia Denis, Ana Sofia Clerici and Sandra García VeltenMonarca will follow the world of wealthy Mexican elites riddled by corruption, scandal and violence. Set in the powerful world of Mexican billionaires, Monarca is a high stakes, multi-generational family saga about a tequila-born Mexican business empire, and the battle that ensues when a member of the family decides to fight the dirty system her family helped create.

“I’m extremely excited to partner with Netflix, and to be working with amazing Mexican talent in front of and behind the camera. We are proud to show Mexico as a vibrant, sophisticated and culturally rich nation, fighting to control its own destiny,” said Hayek.

“Mexico is a top priority for us in which to continue to develop series,” said Erik Barmack, VP International Originals, “and we look forward to bringing the best originals to the world through partnerships with key players such as Ventanarosa and Lemon Studios.”

Added Gutierrez: “This is the definition of a passion project for me. Having been born and raised in Mexico, I’m humbled to have the opportunity to tell this story with Netflix and the incredibly talented team of people we’re assembling, both in the U.S. and Mexico.”

Ventanarosa produced Frida, which earned Hayek nominations for an Oscar, Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA. Its other titles include Emmy and Golden Globe winner Ugly Betty, animated film Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, The Maldonado MiracleEl coronel no tiene quien le escriba and In the Time of the Butterflies.

 

ABC Picks Up Ana Ortiz’s Dramedy “Whiskey Cavalier” to Series

Ana Ortiz is feeling Cavalier

ABC has picked up to series Whiskey Cavalier, starring the 47-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress and former Ugly Betty star.

Ana Ortiz

Whiskey Cavalier is a high-octane, hour-long action dramedy that follows the adventures of tough but tender FBI super-agent Will Chase (codename: “Whiskey Cavalier”), played by Scott Foley. Following an emotional break-up, Chase is assigned to work with badass CIA operative Francesca “Frankie” Trowbridge (codename: “Fiery Tribune”), played by Lauren Cohan. Together, they lead an inter-agency team of flawed, funny and heroic spies who periodically save the world (and each other) while navigating the rocky roads of friendship, romance and office politics. The series is from writer/executive producer Dave Hemingson and executive producer Bill Lawrence with Warner Bros. Television.

Ortiz portrays Susan Sampson.

From Warner Bros. Television, production on Whiskey Cavalier begins this summer.

Ana Ortiz to Star in ABC’s Action-Comedy Pilot “Whiskey Cavalier”

Ana Ortiz is getting a little cavalier

The 47-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress and former Ugly Betty and Devious Maids star has been cast opposite Scott Foley and Lauren Cohan in Whiskey Cavalier, ABC’s hourlong action-dramedy pilot from Bill Lawrence, Dave Hemingson and Warner Bros. Television.

Ana Ortiz 

Written by Hemingson, Whiskey Cavalier, from WBTV and Lawrence’s studio-based Doozer Prods., follows the adventures of FBI agent Will Chase (codename: Whiskey Cavalier) — played by Foley — who, following an emotional break-up, is assigned to work with quick, cunning and completely fearless CIA operative Francesca “Frankie” Trowbridge (codename: Fiery Tribune) — played by Cohan. Together, they lead an interagency team of spies who periodically save the world (and each other) while navigating the rocky roads of friendship, romance and office politics.

Ortiz will play Susan Sampson. Based out of the FBI’s New York office, Dr. Susan Sampson is the FBI’s top behavioral scientist — and Will’s (Foley) best friend. However, that doesn’t stop her from developing a fast friendship with Will’s rival (and future partner), Frankie (Cohan).

This marks Ortiz’s return to ABC where she co-starred on popular dramedy Ugly Betty for its four-season run and also starred in Devious Maids, which was developed and piloted by ABC before landing a series order at Lifetime.

Tony Plana to Star in the Indie Comedy “Headshop”

Tony Plana is going independent

The 64-year-old Cuban actor and former Ugly Betty star has been cast in the upcoming indie comedy Headshop, directed by Kim Bass.

Tony Plana

Plana will co-star opposite Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise, Deon Cole, Michael Jai White, Reno Wilson, Marla Gibbs, Kris Marshall, Donis Leonard Jr., and Claudia Zevallos round out the cast of the film, which is currently shooting in Los Angles.

Written by Bass, the film follows therapist Dr. Latrice Monroe who, after a devastating loss, tries to reconnect to her roots by opening her new office in a neighborhood that’s very resistant to her services. As her new neighbors slowly open up, they inadvertently teach her the true meaning of community.

Plana’s previous credits include the television shows Jane the Virgin, Alpha House, Desperate Housewives and Colony.

Ferrera to Guest on Norman Lear’s New PodcastOne Podcast

It’s training day for America Ferrera

The 33-year-old Honduran American actress and former Ugly Betty star will serve as a celebrity guest on Norman Lear’s new weekly podcast on PodcastOne.

America Ferrera

The veteran writer, producer, director and creator of landmark sitcoms like All in the Family, Good Times, One Day at a Time, The Jeffersons and Maude will host the podcast, cover topics ranging from comedy to family, current events, music, politics and social issues featuring the unique perspectives of celebrities, politicians and everyday folk.

The conversation topic during Ferrera’s visit will be training for a triathlon.

Other early celebrity guests include Amy Poehler, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jerrod Carmichael.

“I have known and admired Norman for a very long time. Having his podcast on our PodcastOne network is gigantic, not to mention totally cool,” said Norman Pattiz, PodcastOne founder and executive chairman. “From one Norman to another, ‘Welcome aboard.’”

The podcast will debut May 1, with new episodes available every Monday on PodcastOne.com, the PodcastOne app and iTunes.