Disney Junior’s Latina Princess Animated TV Show Coming in 2016

Disney Junior’s Latina Princess Animated TV Show Coming in 2016

Disney Junior Gives the World Princess Elena de Avalor

No truer words were uttered at the Golden Globes by Gina Rodriguez as she accepted her Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy (Jane the Virgin) when she said that U.S. Latinos are “…a culture that wants to see themselves as heroes”. U.S. Latinos have long waited for the portrayal of heroes and princess stories as we.  The world is ready -- has long been ready, for the first Latina princess. Disney Junior Worldwide timing of the announcement of Elena de Avalor could not be better.

Nancy Kanter, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide made the official announcement that Disney Junior is in production on the animated TV show Elena de Avalor which is scheduled to premiere in 2016.Elena de Avalor, the character will first be introduced in a special episode of Disney Junior's hit series Sofia the First.  That exciting story arc will usher in the launch of Elena of Avalor, a production of Disney Television Animation.  The

At the heart of Elena of Avalor the animated TV series, is Princess Elena de Avalor. The role of 16 year-old Princess Elena, the bold, caring, funny and clever ascendant to the throne in the fairytale kingdom of Avalor, will be voiced by Aimee Carrero (ABC Family's Young & Hungry). Princess Elena who is inspired by the diverse Latin cultures and folklore, is a confident and compassionate teenager in an enchanted fairytale kingdom of Avalor.  

"Our creative team has delivered a universal story with themes that authentically reflect the hopes and dreams of our diverse audience," Kanter said.  "What excites us most is the chance to use distinctive animation and visual design to tell wonderful stories influenced by culture and traditions that are familiar to the worldwide population of Hispanic and Latino families and reflect the interests and aspirations of all children as told through a classic fairy tale."

A very important member of the creative team is Silvia Cardenas Olivas (Moesha, The Brothers Garcia), an alumna of the National Hispanic Media Coalition’s Television Writers Program, who is on board as the story editor.

As with all Disney Junior programming, Elena of Avalor stories will be guided by an established curriculum that nurtures multiple areas of child development:  physical, emotional, social and cognitive; thinking and creative skills, as well as moral and ethical development.  Created for kids age 2-7 and their families, the stories are designed to communicate positive messages and life lessons that are applicable to young children about leadership, resilience, diversity, compassion and the importance of family and family traditions.

The series will be presented in 25 languages on Disney Junior channels and daily programming blocks for kids age 2-7 on Disney Channels, among other platforms, in 154 countries around the world. On television alone, its estimated daily reach will be over 207 million households.

Princess Elena's journey began long ago when her parents and kingdom were taken from her by the evil sorceress, Shuriki.  Elena bravely faced the sorceress to protect her little sister, Princess Isabel, and grandparents but in the process, her magical amulet pulled her inside its enchanted jewel, saving her life but imprisoning her at the same time.  Decades later, Princess Sofia of Enchancia discovers the truth about the amulet she has worn since joining her royal family and sets out to restore Elena to her human form and help her return to the kingdom of Avalor.  

While Elena is the rightful heir to the throne, she is only age 16 so she will rule Avalor with the help of a Grand Council comprised of her Grandfather Tito, Grandmother Cici and Royal Advisor, Duke Esteban.

With some magical friends by her side – Mateo, a wizard-in-training, and Skylar, a magical flying creature – Princess Elena's further adventures will lead her to understand that her new role requires thoughtfulness, resilience and compassion, the traits of all truly great leaders.

Elena of Avalor is executive-produced by Craig Gerber (of the Emmy Award-nominated Sofia the First).  Silvia Cardenas Olivas, and Elliot M. Bour (The Little Engine That Could) is the supervising director.  The series' cultural advisors are Doris Sommer, Harvard University professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Spanish; and Marcela Davison Aviles, Managing Director and Executive Producer, El Camino Project, an international Latino arts initiative. 

The series is a spin-off of Sofia the First which has delivered the two highest rated telecasts in cable TV history among Kids 2-5 and Girls 2-5, and the #2 preschooler cable TV telecast ever in Total Viewers, Adults 18-40 and Women 18-49.

Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. 

Constance Marie Returns to TV on new ABC Family Sitcom

Premieres June 6, on ABC Family Channel

Constance Marie, the actress audience have come to love for her portrayals of loving mothers beginning in the film Selena to her latest gig on television as George Lopez’s wife on George Lopez, is back as mom Regina Vazquez in the ABC Family sitcomSwitched at Birth.

The sitcom revolves around the story of two teen girls who discover that they were accidentally switched at birth. Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano) grew up in a wealthy family with two parents and two brothers, while Daphne Vasquez (Katie Leclerc), who lost her hearing as a child due to a case of meningitis, grew up with a single mother in a poor neighborhood. Things come to a dramatic head when both families meet and struggle to learn how to live together for the sake of the girls.Lea Thompson plays the character Bay Kennish’s mom.

“We’re thrilled to have such acclaimed actresses as Lea Thompson and Constance Marie join the cast in two of our leading roles,” said Elizabeth Boykewich, Vice President, Casting, ABC Family. “For the critical role of Daphne, we set out to meet actors with all ranges of hearing loss to play the part. When we auditioned Katie, we knew she was perfect for the role. Not only is she a talented actress, but like her character, Katie is comfortable in both the hearing and deaf worlds.”

Switched at Birth is written and executive produced by Lizzy Weiss ("Blue Crush"). The sitcom is set to launch June 6, 2011 at 9pm.

Diego Luna Shoots Contraband and Develops Cesar Chavez

Hollywood, CA -- Mexican actor Diego Luna recently wrapped the, as yet to be titled, “Spanish comedy” (nee Casa de mi Padre) which stars Will Farrell and shot entirely in Spanish with English subtitles. Beginning in March he stars filming Contraband along side Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster and Kate Beckinsale.

Contraband is a small budget film about a security guard with financial troubles considers a return to his smuggling ways when an associate offers a potentially lucrative opportunity. Luna's character has not yet been announce. The film is being shot on location in New Orleans, Louisana with a scheduled release date of March 16, 2012 slated.

In addition to his in front of the camera gigs, Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal’s production company, Canana Films, is in development of the UFW’s leader, Cesar Chavez life story which they optioned last year in March. The rights were granted by the Cesar Chavez Foundation with Chavez’s son, Paul negotiating the deal. Oscar nominated screenwriter Keir Peason (Hotel Rwanda) is writing the script. 

Luna's directorial debut Abel was recently picked up for distribution by Pantalion Films. Luna is repped by Willim Morris Endeavor

Grammy® Winner Marc Anthony joins cast of HawthoRNe

Third Season Set to Launch in June

Grammy®-winning recording artist and actor Marc Anthony has joined the cast of TNT’s Hawthorne, the TNT drama series starring and executive-produced by Jada Pinkett Smith (The Women, The Matrix trilogy). Anthony will reprise the newly expanded role of Police Detective Nick Renata, the character he introduced as a guest star in two episodes last season. Hawthorne is scheduled to return for its third season this June.

Anthony joins Hawthorne as a series regular just as Pinkett Smith’s Christina Hawthorne, Chief Nursing Officer of James River Hospital, struggles with news that she is pregnant. The two developed a strong bond last season while Renata investigated a pair of criminal cases involving the hospital. But Christina, whose on-again, off-again romance with Dr. Tom Wakefield (Michael Vartan – Alias) has been a mess of mixed signals and bad timing, told Nick she was not ready to jump into a new relationship.

As a recording artist, Anthony has sold more than 12 million albums worldwide, making him the top-selling salsa artist of all time. He has been awarded numerous gold and platinum record certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His Grammy accolades began with a 1998 Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Performance for “Contra La Corriente,” followed with a 1999 Latin Grammy for Song of the Year for “Dimelo.” In 2004, he earned a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album for Amar Sin Mentiras and a Latin Grammy for Best Salsa Album for Valió la Pena. He won his third Latin Grammy for the 2008 album El Cantante. Last summer, the Miami Dolphins minority owner released his latest album, Iconos, an all-Spanish ballad collection produced with Julio Reyes. The platinum album held the #1 spot on the Billboard charts for six consecutive weeks and earned him his 12th Latin Grammy nomination.

Anthony’s acting career includes roles in Martin Scorsese’sBringing Out the Dead and Tony Scott’s >I>Man on Fire. Starring opposite wife Jennifer Lopez, Anthony played Puerto Rican salsa pioneer Héctor Lavoe in Leon Ichaso’s biopic El Cantante. He also starred opposite Salma Hayak in the television film In the Time of the Butterflies. In 1997, Anthony made his Broadway debut in Paul Simon’s musical The Capeman.

Hawthorne is produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with Pinkett Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment and Jamie Tarses’ FanFare Productions. Hawthorneis executive-produced by Pinkett Smith; Jamie Tarses (Franklin & Bash); John Tinker (Judging Amy, St. Elsewhere); and Miguel Melendez (The Human Contract).

Telemundo’s La Reina Del Sur Audience and Ratings Winner

Miami, FL -- After having premiered to an audience of 2.4 million viewers last Monday, Telemundo's latest telenovela, La Reina Del Sur (Queen of the South), again outperformed Univision across key demographics last Wednesday, according to Nielsen Media Research. La Reina Del Sur which is now the network’s most-watched premiere for a telenovela, grew two consecutive days in a row with 3.1 million total viewers (persons 2+) and delivered over 2 million (2,009,000) adults 18-49, up 29% and 31%, respectively, from Monday’s premiere.

Kate del Castillo is Teresa Mendoza in La Reina Del Sur a story based on Arturo Perez Reverte’s novel by the same name. The story revolves around Mendoza, who transforms from a young innocent girl to a tough woman surviving the world of drug trafficking.

This story, which is said to be based on a real live character, has had quite a buzz for a while now and has long been anticipated. A couple of years back Eva Mendez, was cast in an English language film about this same story which was being directed byJonathan Jakubowicz (Sequestro Express) and was being produced by Elizabeth Avellan (Machete, Spy Kids) and Sandra Condito (Sequestro Express) when production unexpectedly shut down. 

With all the press and the high profile telenovela talent,including del Castillo, Humberto Zurita, and Rafael Amaya, tts no wonder the La Reina Del Sur had additionally ranked #1 at 10pm among all broadcast networks in men 18-34, regardless of language.

Locally, La Reina Del Sur was #1 across all stations in the time period in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Houston among key adult demos, regardless of language. Among Spanish-language stations, the telenovela was #1 in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston and Chicago among key demos.

Source: NTI, Live +Same Day, 3/2/11; NSI 3/2/11 Adults= A 18-34 and A18-49.

New Cast for "Dancing With the Stars" Season 12 Announced

Hollywood, CA -- Dancing with the Stars hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke announced the 11 celebrities heading to the dance floor this season during a live press conference tonight. A star-studded cast filled with celebrities across a variety of genres are set to compete each week on the dance floor in the spectacular two-hour season premiere of Dancing with the Stars,Monday, March 21 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The new Dancing with the Stars, pictured here are: 
Top (L-R) - Hines Ward, Ralph Macchio, Romeo, Sugar Ray Leonard 

Pictured Bottom (L-R) Kirtsie Alley, Chris Jericho, Wendy Williams, "Psycho" Mike Catherwood, Kendra Wilkinson, Chelsea Kane

Salma Hayek Gets Busy in 2011

First up "Here Comes the Boom"

Hollywood, CA -- 2011 is shaping up to be quite busy year for Salma Hayek. Things had been relatively quiet for the actress/producer since the cancellation of Ugly Betty with the exception of playing Adam Sandler’s wife in Grown up. This year things will be different.

In March Hayek is set to begin shooting Sony’s action comedy,Here Comes the Boom about a physics teacher named Scott (Kevin James) who participates in UFC mixed martial artscompetitions to save his school's music program. Kevin James, Jeff Sussman and Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions are producing.

It was also announced yesterday that Hayek will star in directorAlex de la Iglesia’s La Chispa de la Vida (The Spark of Life) along side Willy Toledo, Javier Gutierrez, Jose Mota, Juan Luis Galiardo and Santiago Segura to be filmed in Madrid. 

The film tells the story of Roberto, an out-of-work advertising man, creator of the slogan ‘la chispa de la vida’ for the soft-drink brand Coca-Cola, who is rebuffed by every agency where he applies for a job. But everything changes when he suffers an accident that has him hanging between life and death. The project is said to be in pre-production

She has several other films she is slated to act in Wild Roses, Tender Roses (2012) alongside Johnny Depp who will play the role of Pancho Villa; and Screen Gems The Driver oppositeGulshan Grover and set to begin shooting in April 2011. 

As a producer, her production company Ventanazul is producing the film Diego Asending written by Ligiah Villalobos and to be directed by Rodrigo Garcia. Ventanazul is also developing has the comedy Bones Family and The Prophet written by Kahlil Gibran.


And not to leave television untouched, Hayek continues the development of the 8 hour mini-series Wicked for ABC. All this an the most important job of all...being a mother to Valentina her three year old daughter.