Frankie Quiñones Signs with United Talent Agency (UTA)

Posted on April 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Frankie Quiñones has new representation…

The 40-year-old Mexican American stand-up comedian and actor has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for for representation in all areas.

Quiñones is perhaps best known for starring as Luis, former gang member turned Hugs Not Thugs program participant, on Hulu’s critically acclaimed series This Fool, having been nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the Independent Spirit Awards last year.

He also has a recurring role on FX’s acclaimed vampire comedy series What We Do in the Shadows, as well as Fired on Mars and Victor & Valentino on Max.

His additional acting credits include Mr. Mayor (NBC), Feliz Navidad (Lifetime), The Dress Up Gang (TBS), Papi Chulo (Blue Fox Entertainment) and AMC’s spin-off miniseries The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, to name a few.

Most recently, Quiñones wrapped a pilot for his own sketch show at Hulu titled Get Frankie, with more details forthcoming.

Launched in 2021, his podcast The Frankie Quiñones Show, produced by Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players Network and iHeart Radio, features sketches of colorful characters based on the friends and family that helped shape him into the comedian he is today.

Tony Gonzalez Signs with United Talent Agency

Posted on March 4, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Tony Gonzalez has new representation…

The 48-year-old part-Mexican American former American football tight end and Pro Football Hall of Famer has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA).

Gonzalez will continue to represented by SMAC Entertainment and Jill Fritzo PR.

Gonzalez is considered one of the greatest tight ends in National Football League (NFL) history. He played in the league for 17 seasons, primarily for the Kansas City Chiefs and then for the Atlanta Falcons for his final five seasons in the league. He’s the NFL’s all-time-leader in touchdowns and yards by a tight end as well as consecutive starts and Pro Bowl appearances by a tight end.

After retiring in 2013, he began working as an analyst for The NFL Today and other NFL programming at CBS. He currently co-hosts Thursday Night Football for Amazon Prime Video.

Gonzalez has branched out into acting in recent years. He’ll guest star in the seventh episode of Season 6 of the CBS comedy series The Neighborhood. He will appear in the episode as Derrick, Calvin’s (Cedric the Entertainer) new physical therapist. Season 6 of the series launched on February 12 after being delayed due to the double writers’ and actors’ strikes.

He also appeared in the Amazon film The Underdoggs opposite Snoop Dogg and Tika Sumpter, the Paramount+ film Fantasy Football, and the Spectrum Originals drama series Long Slow Exhale.

His other credits include XXX: The Return of Xander Cage and multiple episodes of NCIS.

Gonzalez is active in philanthropy as well, working with organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Shadow Buddies, Scholars’ Hope and Give Power.

Christina Aguilera Signs with United Talent Agency for Global Representation

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Aguilera has new representation…

The 43-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer and pop icon has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for worldwide representation.

The “Genie in a Bottle” and “What a Girl Wants” singer, a multiple Grammy-winning singer-songwriter renowned for her powerhouse vocals, has to date sold more than 75 million records worldwide. She’s also garnered ﬁve No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her the third female artist, and fourth overall, to top the list over three consecutive decades.

The winner of seven Grammys, including two Latin Grammys, Aguilera’s most recent recognition at these award shows came in the form of the 2022 Latin Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album on behalf of her second Spanish-language album, Aguilera. After being recognized with the inaugural Music Icon Award at the People’s Choice Awards in 2021, she nabbed the Spirit of Hope Award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards, going on to receive the Advocate for Change Award at the GLAAD Media Awards the following year.

In addition to her work as a songwriter and recording artist, Aguilera is well known for her efforts as a producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Since 2009, she’s served as a global spokesperson for Yum! Brands’ World Hunger Relief eﬀort, also helping to raise over $150 million for the World Food Program and other hunger relief agencies, while raising awareness around domestic violence, LGBTQ+ equality and other essential cultural conversations.

Also the co-founder of Playground, a sexual wellness lifestyle brand launched in 2022, Aguilera can currently be found headlining a new show at Volatire at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

She continues to be represented by Roc Nation and imPRint.

Duván Duque Signs with United Talent Agency & Silent R Management

Posted on December 16, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Duván Duque has new representation…

The Colombian writer-director behind 2024 Oscar-qualifying short All-Inclusive, has signed with UTA and Silent R Management.

World premiering at TIFF last year before going on to play over 70 festivals around the world, where it picked up 20+ awards, Duque’s latest watches as a young boy’s fragile family is shaken when his desperate father faces the possibility of money laundering as a way out of their financial struggles, putting the kid’s precious bond with his stepmother at risk. By shifting the focus from a spectacular tales of drug lords to the emotional journey of a boy with little control over his fate, the drama offers a fresh angle on Colombian society, transcending the typical tropes through which it’s represented.

All-Inclusive was produced by Oscar-nominated French producers Christophe Barral and Toufik Ayadi of Srab Films (Les Misérables, Saint Omer), as well as Colombian producer Franco Lolli and his company Evidencia Films (Litigante).

Currently writing his first feature, exploring similar themes to those of All-Inclusive, Duque’s shorts, including 2019’s Marshmallows, have positioned him as one of the most visible emerging Colombian filmmakers. His work tends to explore the relationship between the Bogota upper class, power, money, and corruption, as well as the effect these tensions have on the most intimate spheres of family and friends.

Founded by Jewerl Ross in 2006, Silent R’s focus is on championing the work of emerging artists around the world. In the last two years, the company has produced or financed four films — three of them, by first-time directors. The first was Hulu/Onyx Collective’s acclaimed drama Bruiser, starring Jalyn Hall, Trevante Rhodes and Shamier Anderson, which premiered at TIFF last year. Another of these titles, Sujo, by Mexican auteurs Fernanda Valedez and Astrid Rondero, is set to premiere in competition at Sundance 2024.

Felipe Esparza Signs with United Talent Agency for Global Representation

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Felipe Esparza has new representation…

United Talent Agency (UTA) has signed the 47-year-old Mexican stand-up comedian and actor for representation in all areas globally.

Rising to fame as the 2010 winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Esparza’s most recent special was the dual-language Felipe Esparza: Bad Decisions, which debuted on Netflix to critical acclaim, in both English and Spanish, in 2020.

His special, Translate This, premiered on HBO in 2017 and continues to be available for streaming on all HBO platforms.

His first, 2012’s They’re Not Gonna Laugh At You, made its way to Netflix after debuting on Showtime.

Esparza has also appeared on series like NBC’s Superstore, Adult Swim’s The Eric Andre Show, Netflix’s Gentefied, and Cartoon Network’s Victor and Valentino.

His notable film credits include Guest House with Pauly Shore, 7th & Union with Omar Chaparro, Daddy Daughter Trip with Rob Schneider, You People with Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill, and Blue Beetle with Xolo Maridueña and George Lopez.

The host of the weekly podcast What’s Up Fool?, which has consistently topped comedy podcast charts across platforms since its launch in 2014, Esparza is preparing his fourth special as he performs at theaters around the world, as part of his “Big Foo” tour.

Cecilia Aldarondo Signs with United Talent Agency (UTA)

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Cecilia Aldarondo has new representation…

The Puerto Rican director-producer has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA).

Aldarondo’s third feature, You Were My First Boyfriend, premiered in Documentary Feature Competition at the SXSW Film Festival on Friday.

The hybrid documentary written and directed by Aldarondo and Sarah Enid Hagey is billed in SXSW’s official program as an examination of “the power of adolescent fantasy, the subtle violence of cultural assimilation, and the fun house mirror of time’s passage.”

Aldarondo also produced the film heading to HBO later this year, which sees her revisit her 1990s adolescence, a generation after she thought she’d left it all behind.

Aldarondo previously directed and produced the feature docs Memories of a Penitent Heart and Landfall, both of which were co-produced by the award-winning PBS series, POV.

The former title world premiering at Tribeca picks up 25 years after Miguel’s death from AIDS, as his niece cracks open a Pandora’s box of unresolved family drama, by tracking down his estranged lover. The latter, also screening at Tribeca, which examined the fraught relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, won DOC NYC’s Viewfinders Grand Jury Prize, also landing Aldarondo noms at the Cinema Eye Honors Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards.

A former Women at Sundance Fellow who was named to DOC NYC’s 40 Under 40 list Aldarondo has also previously received a Guggenheim Fellowship and an IDA Emerging Filmmaker Award, among other accolades. While continuing to build on her career behind the camera, she teaches filmmaking at Williams College in Williamstown, MA

Lisette Olivera Signs with United Talent Agency (UTA)

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Lisette Olivera has new representation…

The up-and-coming Latina actress has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for representation in all areas.

Olivera will next be seen starring in the Disney Branded Television series National Treasure: Edge of History, an expansion of the popular National Treasure film franchise, told from the point of view of her character, Jess.

The action-adventure show’s young heroine is a brilliant and resourceful DREAMer who embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to uncover the truth about her family’s mysterious past and save a lost Pan-American treasure.

National Treasure: Edge of History debuts on Disney+ on December 14.

Olivera is joined in the show by Catherine Zeta-Jones, Justin Bartha, Harvey Keitel, Lyndon Smith, Zuri Reed, Jake Austin Walker, Antonio Cipriano and Jordan Rodrigues.

Its exec producers include Jerry Bruckheimer, Cormac and Marianne Wibberley, Jonathan Littman, KristieAnne Reed, Rick Muirragui (who also serves as a writer), Jon Turteltaub and Mira Nair (who also directs).

Olivera was previously seen starring opposite Sierra McCormick in Sean King O’Grady’s psychological horror We Need to Do Something, which made its world premiere at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival and was released in theaters by IFC Films.

J Balvin Returns to Longtime Agency William Morris Endeavor

Posted on September 5, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin is back with a familiar team…

The 37-year-old Colombian singer, known as the Prince of Reggaeton, has returned to his longtime agency William Morris Endeavor (WME).

The move follows a short stint with United Talent Agency (UTA) that started in May. No reason was given for his departure from or return to WME.

Balvin left WME for UTA in May after postponing his 25-date José tour. The move was surprising considering Balvin’s long and storied history with the agency. WME began booking Balvin when he still an emerging artist, and the agency played an integral role in his global touring and branding, securing early placements for him in major festivals.

UTA never formally announced its deal with Balvin, but the agency has been growing its Latin roster and currently represents several high-profile Latin stars. Bad Bunny, Balvin’s Universal Music labelmate Karol G and Brazilian powerhouse Anitta are all currently on UTA’s roster.

Balvin has grossed more than $20 million and sold over 300,000 tickets, according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore. All six of the Colombian star’s full-length studio albums — including the collaborative Oasis album with Bad Bunny — have reached the top 10 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, with four of them hitting No. 1. He’s charted 93 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, including 35 top 10s and nine No. 1s. In every year from 2014 through 2021, he’s finished as one of the year’s top 10 artists on Billboard’s annual year-end Top Latin Artists chart.

Other WME Latin acts include Nicky Jam, Juanes, Ozuna and Shakira.

Balvin continues to be managed by longtime manager Fabio Acosta along with Scooter Braun’s SB Projects.

Enrique Martínez Celaya Signs with United Talent Agency (UTA)

Posted on April 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Martínez Celaya is ready to expand his footprint globally…

The 57-year-old Cuban-born painter, sculptor, author and former scientist has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) in all areas.

The agency will work with Martínez Celaya across several mediums, including film, fashion, architecture, and the publication of his first fiction novel with plans to adapt the novel for film.

The signing follows a recent marathon of critically acclaimed solo exhibitions around the world, including an exhibition at UTA Artist Space’s Beverly Hills location in February 2022. This was Martínez Celaya’s first project with UTA.

Up next, the artist will give a public lecture at the UTA Theater about his work and upcoming projects.

“Since my teens, I have been working across disciplines and cultures, and I am very excited to partner with UTA at this stage in my career to develop innovative, memorable projects in film, writing, fashion, architecture, and anything else that is inspiring and visionary. I am grateful to everyone who has believed in me over the years, and I look forward to what’s ahead,” said Martínez Celaya in a statement.

“Enrique is one of those once-in-a-generation talents who, once you realize what they are capable of, all you want to do is give them the space to grow. Already a brilliant mind in the world of physics and writing, he has proven himself an artist of immense scope and ability with his ambitious run of solo exhibitions this year. It only makes sense that UTA encourage and nurture his unique abilities, and I am elated to be helping usher in an age of deserved recognition for him,” said Arthur Lewis, UTA Partner & Fine Arts Creative Director.

Martínez Celaya’s work is held in over 50 museum collections, and he has received numerous international awards.

His first short film, The Master, was a feature of the 2011 edition of Art Basel in Miami Beach and was acquired by the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Luis Gerardo Méndez Signs with United Talent Agency (UTA)

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Gerardo Méndez has new representation…

United Talent Agency (UTA) has signed the 40-year-old Mexican actor and producer, one of Mexico’s biggest stars, for representation in all areas.

Méndez is an actor, writer and producer best known for exec producing and starring in Netflix’s first Spanish-language original comedy series, Club de Cuervos.

He most recently appeared in the third season of Netflix’s Narcos: Mexico, as well as in Los Enviados for Paramount+, where he’s currently under a first-look producing deal for Spanish-language projects.

Méndez will next be seen in a starring role in the Netflix limited series, Belascoaran, and in Netflix’s Me Time, with Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg, which is slated to premiere later this year.

He will soon begin filming the Peacock limited series, The Resort, which was written and will be directed by Andy Siara.

The actor made his entrance into the U.S. feature marketplace opposite Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston in the Netflix original film Murder Mystery, which was the streamer’s most-watched original feature at the time of its release.

He was also previously seen in Sony’s Charlie’s Angels opposite Kristen Stewart, and executive produced and starred in Half Brothers for Universal and Focus Features, with that project marking his first English-speaking starring role.

In Mexico, he has starred in several successful features, including Cantinflas and Nosotros Los Nobles, the latter of which is the second most successful film of all time at the Mexican box office.

In addition to his television and feature roles, the actor has also appeared in the Mexico City stage play Privacidad, which he produced alongside Diego Luna, and starred in several international campaigns for global companies such as Verizon, Pepsi and Toyota.

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