Adrianna León & Demi Lovato Shine at ABC

Julio Martinez's TeleVISION

The folks at Disney/ABC Television recently hosted their annual “Group Summer Press Junket,” spotlighting the network talents that are making their way through the vast panorama of daytime and nighttime programming. On hand are such varied talents as The Jonas Brothers (Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam), Nestor Carbonell (Lost), Ian Gomez (Cougar Town), Virginia Madsen (Scoundrels), the lovely quartet of Lucy Hale, Ashley Benson, Trojan Bellisario, Shay Mitchell (Pretty Little Liars) and more. Among this comely group are two Latina actors/singers who are enjoying a diversity of opportunities to display their considerable individual talents.

Adrianna León, who is of Puerto Rican, Ecuadorian Spanish and Canadian descent, is enjoying a bit of déjà vu, returning this month to ABC’s daytime drama, General Hospital, in the role of Brook Lynn Ashton, a role she originally created in 2004. “Brook’s back,” Leon giggles. “Actually I’m recurring for now and if I do well, I can stay. But this Brook is far different than the original one I played. In 2004, Brook was a wild, rebellious teenage punk rock singer. Well, she’s changed. I will have to discover how different she has become, because I won’t really know until I get my scripts. With every script I discover a new layer to my character. The producers don’t tell you anything in advance.”

Leon, who is related to the former Vice Mayor of Puerto Rico, and lived as a child in Ecuador, believes it is good to acquire a lot of skills, just in case acting doesn’t work out. “I am a culinary school graduate (working on an English-Spanish cookbook with her grandmother) and a certified personal fitness trainer. I compose songs and record them. I love to run for exercise and love to travel for fun. In fact, I could spend all my time discovering new places and be totally happy.”

Although she loves to learn new disciplines, Leon certainly has had enough performance affirmation since she launched her musical career in 2002, writing and recording songs, alongside Rick Krizman for General Hospital, before joining the cast in 2004. In 2003, León formed the band, Caught Crimson, with the help of vocalist Murray Yates. Leon has enjoyed stints on other daytime series, such as The Young and the Restless, but is totally happy to be back on General Hospital, as well as working on a new crossover album. “I am doing songs in Spanish, English and Spanglish,” she affirms. “I am even singing a bit on General Hospital. I few weeks ago, they wrote me into a scene where I sing at a karaoke bar. I’ve been told I will be doing that again. In my spare time, I cook and look at travel brochures.”

Demi Lovato (Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, Sonny With a Chance, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Grey’s Anatomy, Friends For Change) is so busy, she’s not sure which ABC show she is promoting. “I am particularly happy to have guest starred in one of the final episodes of this season’s Grey’s Anatomy, playing someone who was thought to be schizophrenic,” she says. “It was so emotionally demanding. I am proud they felt I could do it. I worked very hard. I even resereached various aspects schizophrenic behavior. I love doing comedies and musicals but it felt so personally gratifying to do a drama.”

Dallas, Texas-born Lovato, who is of Mexican, Italian, and Irish ancestry, began her career at age seven on the PBS children's television series, Barney & Friends as Angela, appearing in seasons seven and eight alongside long time friend, Selena Gomez. Now, at age seventeen, she is an established teenage icon, having starred in the 2008 Disney Channel film, Camp Rock, playing Mitchie Torres, a fourteen-year-old girl with hopes of becoming a singer. The movie garnered 8.9 million viewers. She provided vocals on four of the songs featured on the Camp Rock soundtrack, including, "This Is Me," featuring Joe Jonas.

“A lot of wonderful things have happened for me since then,” Lovato affirms. “Last year I co-starred with my pal, Selena Gomez, in the Disney movie, Princess Protection Program. We had a ball. Also, last year, I did the Disney Channel series, Sonny With a Chance, playing a newcomer to a live comedy show. I am so gratified we got picked up for a second season, which began this March.” Also in March, Lovato was one of the many stars featured in a PSA for Voto Latino in order to promote the organization's "Be Counted" campaign for the 2010 U.S. Census.


“I am also working on a music project, which I am hoping to launch in conjunction with the premiere of Camp Rock 2, says Lovato . “We shot Rock 2 last September, and it is premiering as a Disney Channel original movie on September 3, 2010. I hope everyone likes the movie and my music. I also hope to keep getting great roles that make me stretch

Jimmy Smits stars in "Outlaw" One of NBCs New Dramas

NBC announced its 2010-11 primetime schedule recently and is highlighted by five new comedies, seven new drama series and one new alternative program, including shows from such innovative hit-makers as J.J. Abrams, Jerry Bruckheimer and David E. Kelley, among others. Outlaw starring Jimmy Smits is one of the chosen few.

Outlaw, with Emmy Award winner Smits (NYPD Blue, West Wing), is a new drama from executive producer John Eisendrath (Alias, Felicity, Playmakers).

Cyrus Garza (Smits) is a U.S. Supreme Court justice who abruptly quits the high-level position. A playboy and a gambler, Garza had always adhered to a strict interpretation of the law until he realized the system he believed in was flawed. Now that he’s quit the bench and returned to private practice, he’s determined to represent "the little guy" and use his inside knowledge of the justice system to take on today’s biggest legal cases. And he's making plenty of powerful people unhappy along the way.

Outlaw is a Universal Media Studios production along with Conaco productions. Eisendrath is executive producer along with Terry George (Hotel Rwanda, Reservation Road), Conan O'Brien, Jeff Ross and David Kissinger (Andy Barker, P.I.). Outlaw is written by Eisendrath and directed by George.

The schedule features all-drama lineups on Mondays and Wednesdays and five comedies on Thursdays. Tuesdays will continue to combine the similar appeal of The Biggest Loser with Parenthood, and Fridays will team Who Do You Think You Are? and the new series School Pride with Dateline NBC in addition to Outlaw.

NBC will also broadcast a 35th anniversary Saturday Night Live special that will celebrate the iconic late-night series' long and eventful run on NBC since 1975. 

 

 

Philip Anthony-Rodriguez The Hot DA in "The Secret Life of the American Teenager"

TeleVISION by Julio Martinez

This week’s TeleVISION column spotlights Brooklyn-born Nuyorican actor Philip Anthony-Rodriguez, who is looking forward to expanded airtime with his recurring role as Ruben Enriquez when The Secret Life of the American Teenager returns June 7 for its third season on the ABC Family Channel. “So far, the good news for me is they are using me a lot more.”

Anthony-Rodriguez’s character was introduced last season when series regular bad girl, Adrian Lee (Francia Raisa), set out to find her biological father and discovers he’s a hot shot Assistant District Attorney. “I’m going to be on a whole lot more this season,” he affirms. “They are really expanding Ruben Enriquez’s story line, along with the character of his daughter Adrian, played by Francia. The upcoming season is going to be really good with some surprising plot twists and some jaw dropping moments. Next week, we shoot episode nine of the season and so far, I’ve been in every episode but one.”

When Secret Life, which focused on the life and times of pregnant teen Amy Juergens (played by Shailine Woodley), made its debut in July 2008, most of the mainstream press doubted it would last one season let alone reach a third. But despite the negative reviews from the TV critics, the pilot episode broke the record for the highest rated debut on ABC Family, later eclipsed by the second season premiere which aired June 22, 2009, garnering 2.82 million viewers.

“This show has found its audience,” says Anthony-Rodriguez. “Its popularity among teens has given its creator, Brenda Hampton, the freedom to venture into a wide variety of topics and situations. I’m glad to be part of its expansion.”

One might say Anthony-Rodriguez, who is the son of Puerto Rico-born parents, has had an ever-expanding career since he made his Broadway debut, portraying Mexican American rock idol, Richie Valens, in the musical, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. “I was twenty and I ran the gamut with that show, at the Schubert Theatre in New York, the first national tour and even in London in the West End. That was two-and-a-half years of my life.”

Since then, he has enjoyed an active stage career, including the Tony Award-Winning Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' Not About Nightingales, the musical, 4 Guys Named Jose and Una Mujer Named Maria, a revival of Man of La Mancha, and a nomination for a Kevin Kline Award in the Best Actor Category for his portrayal of Darren, a star baseball player who decides to reveal that he’s gay, in Take Me Out, at St. Louis Repertory Theatre.

Anthony-Rodriguez’s television career has been just as varied, ranging from guest star appearances on Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana to FOX’s cutting edge, 24, highlighted by his series regular stint as NSA agent, Kyle Duarte, on the UPN sci-fi drama, Jake 2.0. His big screen credits include the starring role in the independent film, Ode, based on the novel, Ode to Lata, and co-starring in the feature action/thriller, Undercurrent.

“I am delighted to be this busy,” he says. “During the hiatus of Secret Life, I’ve guest starred on CSI New York and Numbers, as well what I call my bread-and-butter work, voiceovers for CD ROM video games like X Box and PlayStation 3 and others. I’ve done work in the past for Sesame Street in Spanish and a number of voiceover campaigns. I’ve been very blessed.”

The Secret Life of the American Teenager, which also co-stars  Molly Ringwald, premieres June 7 (9pm) on the ABC Family Channel.

LATIN HEAT welcomes breaking news, especially if you have landed a role on the little screen. Send submissions to submissions@latinheat.com and interview requests to Julio@juliomartinez.net.

Almodovar and Banderas Re-Team For "Piel"

Pedro Almodovar and Antonio Banderas are teaming up again for the Spanish director's new film La Piel Que Habito twenty-one years after their last collaboration (Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!). They have also worked together on Labyrinth of Passion (1982), Matador (1986), Law of Desire (1987), and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988).

According to Variety, Piel will loosely adapt Thierry Jonquet's 1995 novel "Mygale". Almodovar describes it as "a horror story without screams or shocks." Since announcing Piel in 2002, the film has now gone through nine re-writes which can no longer accommodate for such a big star as Penelope Cruz, which was Almodovar's original choice for one of the characters in the film.

"The film will be a terror film, without screams or scares," Almodovar told the Spanish daily El Pais. "It's difficult to define and although it comes close to the terror genre -- something that appeals to me that I've never done -- I won't respect any of its rules. It's the harshest film I've ever written and Banderas' character is brutal." It centers around a plastic surgeon who avenges the brutal rape of his daughter.

La Piel Que Habito will shoot this summer over the course of ten weeks. 

Film News Update by Luis Reyes

Four Independent Films Showcase Latino Talent 

Mother and Child is a beautiful and delicate woman’s film from the accomplished director/ writer Rodrigo Garcia that opens in theatres on Friday May 7th. It brings together the various stories revolving around a teenage mother who is forced to give up her daughter for adoption and what happens 37 years later when that child grows up. It is a film of insight, feelings and strong human emotions and the cycle of life. Annette Benning is sure to be nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actress for her nuanced and raw portrayal of Karen and Jimmy Smits give a performance in so few words and emotions as Paco, a man who awakens deep emotions in Karen, that should earn him an Oscar nomination for Best supporting actor. The melodramatic film presents an ethnic cross-section of fully realized character that offers a contemporary realistic portrayal of America today that is rarely seen on screen. The ensemble all star cast also includes Naomi Watts, Samuel L. Jackson, Elpidia Carrillo (in a strong supporting role) young child actress Simone Lopez and Elizabeth Pena. The beautiful and artful cinematography is from Xavier Perez Grobet. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu serves as one of the producers.

Princess Kaiulani opening on May 14th is the inspiring true story of the Hawaiian princess who was forced to flee her homeland for Victorian England as the kingdom she was to inherit faced civil unrest. Actress Q’orianka Kilcher secured the title role of Princess Kaiulani after the production auditioned over 60 candidates in Los Angeles for the adult Kaiulani role. Kilcher had previously portrayed Pocahontas in the The New World, opposite Colin Farrell. Kilcher’s origins are part Huachipaeri and Quechua Indian on her father’s Peruvian side and she was born in Germany to a Swiss mother but lived in Hawaii until she was 10 years old. Kilcher recently said she believes she was cast as Kaiulani as much for her activism as her acting. Kilcher stars in Princess Kaiulani alongside Barry Pepper (Flags of Our Fathers, The Green Mile, Saving Private Ryan), Will Patton (A Mighty Heart, Armageddon) and Shaun Evans (Being Julia, Cashback).

There are four independent modest budget films in theatres that are showcasing Latino talent in front of and behind the camera including Petter Bratt's La Mission, Andy Garcia's City Island, the aforementioned Mother and Child and Princess Kaiulani. Celebrate these artists filmic accomplishments by going to see their films. The commercial and artistic success of these films will allow for more Latino talent and stories to flourish on the screens. 

Jimmy Smits Portrays Chief Justice in new NBC Series Pilot

By Luis Reyes

Jimmy Smits will play Cyrus Garza, a by the book Supreme Court Justice who excuses himself from the bench to go into private practice and fight constitutional injustices in an untitled one hour NBC legal drama. Veteran Mexican actor Pedro Armendariz has also been cast as his political activist father who inspires him. Smits will also serve as a producer on the series.

The pilot is currently shooting on location in Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Atlantic City.

Smits most recently headlined the short lived CBS Latino family drama Cane. He also co-starred on NBC’s The West Wing and did a season long arc on Showtime’s Dexter. which earned him his 12th Emmy Nomination (He won in 1990 for L.A. Law). The former NYPD Blue star is coming off a Broadway run in Gods of Carnage and next appears in Rodrigo Garcia’s upcoming theatrical feature to be released in May, Mother and Child.

The NBC drama is being developed by John Eisendrath, Universal Media Studios and Conan O’Brien’s production company.

Let’s hope this pilot makes it to series. It would be an important step forward to see a major Latino actor as a series lead in such a positive role as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and lawyer.

MTV's NEW FACE; LATINO TALENT FOR WORLD CUP

TeleVISION by Julio Martinez

DESI SANCHEZ IS THE FACE OF MTV2…Distributed in nearly 80 million homes, super macho MTV2 is launching a slew of brand defining original programming while tagging on-air personality Desi Sanchez as the face and voice of the all-new channel. With the highest concentration of men 12-34 on TV today, MTV2’s new shows include a mix of hip-hop, guy lifestyle and action sports programming with new series, Rock N Jock, Funk Flex Full Throttle, Nacho Libre, Ball Out Comedy Fridays and Sucker Free Sundays.

Sanchez, a NYC-born and bred TV host, visual artist and musician, feels right in her element. “I'm super psyched and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of MTV2! I've always been a tomboy at heart, and love all things tech, gaming, sports and music. Plus, at MTV2 I can just be myself and I get to interact with so many talented people. I'm looking forward to bringing my high energy and flavor to the channel. It’s going to be an awesome ride!”

Named by MAXIM as one of the “15 Hottest Latinas in Music,” Sanchez is also a classically trained pianist and is working on her first album, a blend of hard rock, pop and Latin that balances Sanchez’s soothing keyboard work with some decidedly non classical guitar riffs. But MTV2 is counting on Sanchez’s more visible talents to keep the boys attention between episodes of Jock and Funk. For specific MTV2 programming, check local listings or visit www.mtv2.com.

MTV TR3S GOBBLING LATINO TALENT FOR WORLD CUP SPECIAL…When it comes to knowing who to concentrate high level attention on during the advent of World Cup soccer, MTV Tr3s has the ready answer…the Latino Male. The Network is bringing together renowned soccer stars and leading Latino entertainers for a unique celebration of the world’s most popular sport. Set for filming on March 31st at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, the 2-hour ROCK N’ GOL special will center around four not-ready-for-primetime teams (No Se Puede United, AC Pitch Smackers, Locura United and Deportivo Cansados), featuring athletes and celebrities that will take to the field for a unique 4x4 tournament fusing traditional soccer with some very non-traditional twists. The big game, sponsored by T-Mobile, Subway and Toyota is set to air on June 3rd, and an additional MTV2 broadcast post premier.

Already confirmed celebrity participants for the taping include: crossover urban sensation Pitbull, actress Michelle Rodriguez, actor Jesse Garcia, comedian Carlos Mencia, Spanish artist David Bisbal, actor Walter Perez, singer/songwriter Debi Nova and legendary singer Jenni Rivera. They will be joined by famed soccer stars Marcelo Balboa, Brandi Chastain, Tony Meola and Tab Ramos. Additional participants are to be announced.
“The World Cup is one of the most anticipated games in the world especially among soccer fans in the Latino community, including myself,” proclaims Pitbull. Rock N’ Gol is guaranteed to add some flavor to the World Cup excitement. I’m looking forward to this event, because only MTV Tr3s can put a group of talented artists in cleats to compete with the pros.”

“MTV Tr3s is embracing the World Cup fever with our own irreverent twist on the world’s most popular sport,” says José Tillán, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the network. “Expect to see some top notch action, fun moments and great ‘performances’ with our version of fútbol…MTV Tr3s style. I was trying to be the referee, but did not make the cut.”

LATIN HEAT welcomes breaking news, especially if you have landed a role on the small screen.  Send info to:  submissions@latinheat.com