Set in 1969, the Apple + ten-episode dramedy, Palm Royale, follows the story of Maxine Waters (Kristen Wiig) as she endeavors to break into Palm Beach high society. Her only way in to this closed and treacherous den of monied “royalty,” is her connection to the now infirm former grand dame matron, Norma Dellacorte (Carol Burnett) and Robert (Ricky Martin), a Palm Royale employee who assists Maxine in caring for Norma. 

Puerto Rican-born singer/songwriter Martin admits that acting in a comedy series with such stars as Wiig, Burnett and Laura Dern (also an Executive Producer) was a challenge. “Getting the role was a fluke. It all started at an Oscar party. I was dancing and happened to bump into Abe Sylvia (Series Creator/Executive Producer). He had a conversation with my agent after that night. And three days later, I had the script and a week later, I was flying from Puerto Rico to LA to meet with producer/director Tate Taylor. 

“It happened that fast for me, too,” says Burnett. “I didn’t even have to read the script. “All I had to do was hear who was going to be in it, Kristen, Laura, Ricky. I just wanted to work with these people and get to know them, and go out to dinner, and have some fun. Of course, in the first few episodes, I’m in a coma…but I still got paid. So, I mean, it was a slam dunk. And then to work with Ricky in some of those scenes was just heaven.”

“The energy that Carole brought on stage every day, was amazing, says Martin. “It didn’t matter if the call time was at 05:00 in the morning. It was incredible. I will always be forever grateful just to have the opportunity to be with her on set. We worked so well together…and I gave her a lot of massages, as well.”

Burnett adds, ”And Ricky’s very funny.” 

“It’s so contagious,” he laughs. “I just feed off what they give me, and then I just press play. You know, when I was 15 years old, I had the opportunity to do a TV series in Argentina for the first time, and for me, there was something about being in front of the camera and telling a story without music that really seduced me. Then, obviously, music did its thing, and it was easier to hop on the music wave and surf.” 

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1971, Enrique “Ricky“ Martín began appearing in television commercials at age nine and started his musical career at twelve, as a member of Puerto Rican boy band, Menudo. He began his solo career in 1991, gaining recognition in Latin America with the release of his first two studio albums, Ricky Martin (1991) and Me Amaras (1993). Martin has since released several successful albums. As an actor, Martin took a role in the hit soap opera, General Hospital (1994–1996), while his portrayal of Antonio D’Amico in The Assassunaton of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (2018) garnered him an Emmy nomination. He also starred as Che in the Broadway revival of the musical, Evita (2021), as well as a Holiday TV film, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.   

“Now, I feel it is very important to tell stories by owning the character and believing every word that I say. For me, music will always be there. I will always be forever grateful; but when I walk on stage telling my stories, it’s about owning the script, without wearing a mask. I’m in love with this work, and I hope this is only the beginning.

When asked if he is preparing any new music as well, Martin chuckles, “I am always preparing music. I’m telling you, the immediate reaction of the audience when I’m doing music is something addictive; but there is something about being in front of the camera as an actor that really fulfills me incredibly. I feel so much passion towards it. I hope I keep doing it, so let’s see what happens.”“Palm Royale” debuts March 20 on Apple TV+. It is based on the book, Mr. & Mr. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel. The series was created and Executive Produced by Abe Sylvia. Executive Producers: Jayme Lemons, Katie O’Connell, Laura Dern. Producer/Director: Tate Taylor. Theme music composer: Jeff Toyne. Production companies: Jaywalker Pictures; Pattiwhack Pictures; Wyolah Entetainment; Wyolah Entertainment; Platform One Media; Boat Rockert Media; Apple Studios.

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Considered the Latino response to the American Music Awards, the Latin AMAs are produced by MBS Special Events and the Spanish-language network Telemundo, which will broadcast the award ceremony on April 21. Winners of 26 categories are determined by a poll of the public and fans.

Bad Bunny and Cortez face each other off in three categories including the coveted Artist of the Year, as well as Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Urban Artist. 

El Conejo also vies for the honor in two other top categories, including Album of the Year for El Último Tour del Mundo. Additionally, he is a candidate for Favorite Urban Album, Favorite Tropical Album, Favorite Tropical Song and Collaboration of the Year.

For his part, Cortez competes in other categories propelled by his collaboration songs with various artists. The hit “Dákiti,” a duet by Bad Bunny and Cortez, earned the artists another two nominations, in the top category Song of the Year and also in Favorite Urban Song. Also, “Fiel,” another collab with Los Legendarios and Wisin earned Cortez noms for Viral Song of the Year and Favorite Urban Song. 

El Conejo Malo and Cortez are closely followed by three artists also with multiple nods, Colombian artists J Balvin and Karol G and Puerto Rican artist Rauw Alejandro, with seven nominations each.

J Balvin is up for awards in the categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Favorite Urban Song for “In Da Getto,” Viral Song of the Year for “AM” and Favorite Video for “Lo Que Dios Quiera,” among others. Karol G’s nominations include Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Favorite Urban Album for KG0516, as well as Collaboration of the Year for “El Makinon” and Favorite Female Artist. Rauw Alejandro is competing in the categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year with “Todo de Ti,” and Album of the Year and Favorite Urban Album for Vice Versa, among others.  

There are many other artists with multiple nominations. Camilo, Grupo Firme and Kali Uchis have six nods; Aventura, Christian Nodal, Eslabon Armado, Marc Anthony and Sebastián Yatra, five; Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga, Farruko, Gera MX, Los Legendarios, and Maluma, four; Calibre 50, Carin Leon, Daddy Yankee, Enrique Iglesias, Ivan Cornejo, Los Dos Carnales, Myke Towers, Ozuna, Selena Gomez, Skrillex and Wisin, three; Annita, Carlos Vives, La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho, María Becerra, María Angeliq, Piso 21, Prince Royce and Ricky Martin, two.

Nominees up for one award include Anuel AA, Becky G, Camila Cabello, Chiquis, Christina Aguilera, CNCO, El Fantasma, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Evaluna Montaner, Gerardo Ortíz, Junior H, Khalid, Lennin Ramírez, Los Angeles Azules, Los Bukis, Luis Fonsi, Luis Vazquez, Natti Natasha, Nio Garcia, Pablo Alborán, Pabllo Vittar, Reik, Romeo Santos, Rosalía, Shawn Mendez, Sonora Ponceña, The Weeknd, Tini and Tommy Torres.

The 2022 Latin AMAs nominees are based on key fan interactions with music, including streaming, sales, airplay, and social activity tracked by Billboard through its data partners MRC Data and Next Big Sound from February 6 of 2021 through Jan. 29 of 2022, according to Telemundo.

The TV network said the nominees for Favorite Video and Favorite Social Artist were selected by a committee of industry professionals which consider the quality, content, creativity, and fan engagement of the music video for Favorite Video, and fan engagement and associated metrics on artist’s social media platforms for Favorite Social Artist. As with all Latin AMA categories, the winners for Favorite Video and Favorite Social Artist are determined by fan voting.

In addition to Telemundo, the Latin AMAs will stream live on the Peacock and broadcast simultaneously on Spanish entertainment cable network Universo. In the rest of the Americas, the show will be broadcast by Telemundo Internacional. 

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Martin of Livin’ la Vida Loca fame and rapper LL Cool will help launch the series July 29. They will be followed by rock star Huey Lewis on Aug. 5, rapper legend Busta Rhymes on Aug. 12, new wave master band Duran Duran on Aug. 19 and pop boy band New Kids On The Block on Aug. 26. In September the spotlight will be on Bret Michaels of the rock band Poison on 2nd and Cuban/Puerto Rican Fat Joe on the 9th. 

The second half of the season will feature the Lopez episode and other superstars whose names will be released later. 

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“The groundbreaking and prolific music documentary series returns with several new episodes and the best of the vault remastered and updated for today’s audiences featuring artist interviews, a creative refresh and reimagined visual style,” announced Paramount+.

From 1997 to 2014, the VH1 program featured musical artists and their careers, ups and downs. Profiled performers included Christina Aguilera, Tori Amos, Backstreet Boys, The Bangles, Pat Benatar, Blondie, Mariah Carey, The Carpenters, Def Leppard, Celine Dion, Duran Duran, Gloria Estefan, Fleetwood Mac, The Go-Go’s, Green Day, Guns N’ Roses and R.E.M.

The show was nominated for five Primetime Emmys and won an Alma Award in the Outstanding Made-for-Television Documentary category for the episode on Selena Quintanilla in 1999, four years after the death of the Queen of Tejano music.

The original VH1’s Behind the Music was created by Jeff Gaspin and Gay Rosenthal and narrated by Jim Forbes.

Lopez and Martin are among the most influential and best-selling Latin music artists with more than 70 million records worldwide.

With half a dozen albums, Lopez’s music hits include “If You Had My Love”, “Ain’t It Funny”, “On the Floor” and “Let’s Get Loud.” She is also an accomplished actress and television star. Her film credits include Selena, Anaconda opposite Ice Cube and Jon Voit, “Out of Sight” opposite George Clooney, The Wedding Planner opposite Matthew McConaughey and Maid in Manhattan opposite Ralph Fiennes.  

For his part, Martin’s music hits include “Livin’ la Vida Loca” and “She Bangs” and hits in Spanish like “Vuelve” and “Maria.” The Grammy and Latin Grammy-award winner has also acted in television in Mexico and the U.S., including the telenovela Alcanzar una Estrella and the soap opera General Hospital.

Other artists confirmed to be featured on Paramount+’s Behind the Music are rocker Huey Lewis and rappers Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe and LL Cool J.

Featured Photo: Jennifer Lopez (Credit: DOD/Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II). Ricky Martin (Credit: Eva Rinaldi)

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Ana Perez

The Menudo band bio series which chronicles the story of the iconic Puerto Rican boy band, as told by its creator, will make its U.S. debut on Sunday, February 14 at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT on EstrellaTV. 

The series recounts the story of the international 80’s Latin pop sensation in a drama that is set against the backdrop of the band’s collection of songs and iconic status in pop music. Súbete A Mi Moto narrates an adventure of epic proportions, the story of the youthful phenomenon that revolutionized Latin pop music around the globe. 

Created by Edgardo Diaz in 1977, the boy band grew to massive heights during the 80s and 90s, becoming the most popular Latin American teen musical group who dropped 35 albums, selling some 20 million records worldwide. Inspired by the Jackson 5, Diaz’s dream of creating the most popular teen boy band became a reality multiple times over.

Encapsulated in fifteen 60-minute episodes, the production was filmed in Mexico and Puerto Rico. It stars Yamil Ureña (Crackle’s Start Up) who plays Diaz. Actor/singer Sian Chiong (La mexicana Y el güero) plays Joselo, the choreographer for the band and who had input on the wardrobe. Other actors include Braulio Castro and Rocio Verdejo.

The fifteen episode series tells the gripping story of Diaz, an ambitious and shrewd businessman who created the iconic group that would eventually lay the foundation of the boy band formula as we know it today. Under Diaz’s “formula”, the band would sign new members at age 12 and change them for new members once they reached 16. The risky move proved fruitful for Diaz. In all 38 young men would join and leave (some fired, others quit, but mostly they aged out) throughout the band’s 32-year run. Menudo is regarded as the most iconic Latino pop music band

Throughout its trajectory, Menudo not only gave fans hit songs in Spanish like Los Fantasmas, Chiquitita, and Ella A-A, they also sang in English and signed with top labels SonyBMG label Epic Records.  They had fans all over the world, in Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and including Japan, and the Philippines. Their cross over into the mainstream market also included English-language commercials for Pepsi, Scope, McDonald’s, and Crest and even an appearance in the U.S. popular kids TV Sesame Street. The band’s song Like a Cannonball is heard on the soundtrack for the movie Cannonball Run 2.

Last year the trade Variety ran a story about actor/TV host Mario Lopez developing an hour-long competition show called Menudo, that would search for, and “build the next iteration of Menudo”.  

Of course, mainstream audiences know of Menudo as the band that jump-started the career of the king of “La Vida Loca” Ricky Martin. In 1984, 12-year-old Martin joined the band and remained an integral member for 5 years until the world of telenovelas came calling. His trajectory to superstardom as a singer after he left Menudo is well known.

“We are truly delighted to bring Súbete a Mi Moto to the U.S. Hispanic audience. Menudo was an international smash hit and the first Latin pop band to cross over to the American mainstream market,” said Ivan Stoilkovich, EVP, Television Programming, Estrella Media, Inc. “I am certain this series will appeal to nostalgic fans in the U.S. as well as transcend generations to attract new followers to Menudo’s musical legacy.”

Produced by Somos Productions, Endemol Shine Boomdog, and Piñolywood Studios, and distributed by SOMOS Distribution. Súbete A Mi Moto launched in Mexico and Latin America in October 2020 and premieres in the U.S. on Sunday, February 14 at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT on EstrellaTV.

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Latin Heat News Service

Throughout his star studded career, Ricky Martin has been a human rights advocate using his platform to raise awareness to global causes. 

The two-time Grammy Award-winning and four-time Latin Grammy Award-winning artist will be recognized for his humanitarian efforts on Jan. 17 during the inaugural International Peace Honors (IPC), presented by PeaceTech Lab. IPC honors the outstanding global leaders and agents of change who ultimately want to build a fair and peaceful world.

“In addition to his artistic contributions, Ricky Martin has made notable strides in the social impact space. He leverages his social networks to advocate for minority rights and promote civic engagement. Through his foundation, he works to end human trafficking, especially of children; in 2020, he galvanized support for frontline workers across the world. His contributions are invaluable, and it is a privilege for us to be able to recognize him during our International Peace Honors,” Sheldon Himelfarb, President and CEO of PeaceTech Lab said in a statement.

Martin is the founder and president of the Ricky Martin Foundation, which fights against human trafficking, protects children, vulnerable communities and defends human rights. The foundation helps children around the world in areas such as education, health and social justice. It has also helped provide personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic to more than 50 hospitals in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the United States.

Martin is a versatile talent with singing, songwriting, acting, writing and performing under his belt, but his philanthropy has made him a true champion. He has been recognized by the Hispanic Federal, Nobel Peace Prize from the XVII World Submit, the Human Rights Campaign and was named a UNICEF Ambassador. 

Martin joins a list of renowned global leaders and personalities who will be recognized during the International Peace Honors, including the co-founder of Black Lives Matter, Opal Tometi, and the director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, both on TIME’S 2020 list of the 100 most influential people of the year.

The evening will also feature musical performances by Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, Venezuelan singer and actress Evaluna Montaner, Colombian singer-songwriter Camilo, Spanish singer-songwriter Alejandro Sanz, among other international performances.

The International Peace Honors will release digitally on Sunday, January 17 at 8:00 pm EST, to register to watch for free, visit:  internationalpeacehonors.org

Featured Photo: A Momento Latino Event, Screengrab/CBS ©2020 CBS

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By Cesar Arredondo

The new CBS television special, Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event, created by Henry Munoz III and executive produced and hosted by Eva Longoria, brings together a coalition of mega superstars who will pay tribute to Latinos in the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic while celebrating the U.S. Latino contribution and culture.

The TV special will highlight the grassroots work done by some individuals and organizations during the Covid-19 crisis with the participation of actors John Leguizamo, Rita Moreno, Lin Manuel Miranda, Freddy Rodriguez, Isabela Merced, and Wilmer Valderrama, comedians George Lopez and Arturo Castro, and musical performances by Juanes, Gloria Estefan, Pitbull, Luis Fonsi, Kelsea Ballerini and Ricky Martin–with the latter two also also co-hosting the one-hour special. The special will also be available to stream live and on demand on CBS All Access.

“We have comedy, we have music, we have these wonderful… documentary packages” about people and organizations helping the Latino community in the pandemic, said Longoria during a recent virtual press conference promoting the event. “It’s such a beautiful 360 (degree perspective) of our culture.” There will be documentaries about entrepreneur immigrants, a woman who provides children of farmworkers with school supplies, feeding programs for people in need, and nonprofits.

The show is produced by Momento Latino, a coalition that came together in the beginning of the pandemic to tackle the challenges facing Latinos in the tragic time of Covid-19. “As we move from crisis to recovery, we know that this is our moment to speak up and fight for US Latinos,” declares the group’s website.

Companies co-producing the CBS special are Will Ferrell’s Funny Or Die and Longoria’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment along with the consulting firm Global Philanthropy Group. Executive producers are: Henry Muñoz for Momento Latino; Longoria and Ben Spector for UnbeliEVAble Entertainment; Maggie Neilson for Global Philanthropy; and Mike Farah, Joe Farrell, Jim Ziegler, Moira Noriega, Gloria Medel Solomons and R.A. Clark for Funny Or Die. The special is directed by Ron de Moraes, who won a Primetime Emmy for the XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony and a Daytime Emmy for Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade.

A COALITION IS BORN
Launched earlier this summer in response to the impact of the pandemic on Latinos, Momento Latino is a coalition of activists, artists and allies “lifting our voices to push for change and elevate issues important to #Latino communities,” according to its Facebook page.

Munoz, who co-founded the group along with Longoria and created the television special said the Momento Latino’s idea started in New York back in march as the Big Apple became the epicenter of the pandemic. As Muñoz was driven to a coronavirus testing site through a desolated metropolis in lockdown, going through the National Guard and state and local police, he recalled imagining the intimidation some Latinos might feel facing all those challenges juts to get a Covid test, especially those with language barriers or with immigration status issues. Muñoz, a prominent businessman, designer and social justice activist who until recently was also the longest-serving Democratic National Committee finance chair, called Longoria and Estefan and told them, “We’ve got to do something.”

Momento Latino now boasts members such as U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, United League of Latin American Citizens, Acevedo Foundation, Hispanic National Bar Association, Hispanic Federation, Latino Policy Forum, Latino Community Foundation, and California Association for Bilingual Education, among others.

POSITIVE GOALS
The coalition aims at uplifting Latino stories and voices, talking action on issues relevant to the community, and celebrating Latinos’ diversity while highlighting commonalities in events that bring them together. Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event seems to check off all those boxes.

The Oct. 26 show will present stories that exemplify American Latinos’ resilience, ingenuity and caring during the pandemic which, according to organizers, has hit their community especially hard. “We are 18 percent of the population of the United States but we’re 34 percent of frontline essential workers,” said Longoria during a virtual press conference promoting the event. Those people include nurses and other medical professionals, farmworkers and delivery, restaurant and hotel workers, among others, added Longoria.

A recent study published in the Annals of Epidemiology shows that Latinos contract the virus and die from Covid-19 at disproportionately higher rates for their population. They account for 33 percent of all confirmed Covid-19 cases nationwide when they only represent about 18 percent of the country’s total population. Also, about one in five deaths from the disease is a Latino.

KEEPING U.S. GOING
“The majority of frontline essential workers that are keeping this country running and going are from our community, the Latino community,” stated Longoria, noting that many of them lack personal protection equipment. There have been numerous news reports, especially at the start of the pandemic, of medical staff, food processing plant employees and other workers toiling without proper protection or protocols against the coronavirus, risking their lives to make a living and support their families.

Workers from restaurants, farms, food industry and medical facilities are among those considered essential by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

While inevitably addressing the pandemic’s disproportional negative impact on Latinos, the CBS special appears to be an attempt to lift spirits and offer hope with community stories and entertainment.  

A short clip from Essential Heroes played at the conference highlights a family-owned Mexican restaurant La Guelaguetza, which was started by a food street vendor who immigrated from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. In the video, Estefan introduces the Los Angeles-based iconic eatery as an example of entrepreneurial creativity in the face of adversity. Estefan also attended the press conference via Zoom.

Two singers featured in the one-hour special offer uplifting songs. Grammy Award winner rapper Pitbull will perform his single I Believe That We Will Win, a song penned and released in the pandemic.

For her part, Estefan will sing a version of her pop dance hit Get On Your Feet especially adapted to serve as send-off at the end of the show.

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CBS announced a new one-hour entertainment special, Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event Event, a celebration of Latinx culture in America, produced and hosted by Eva Longoria, along with Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin, to be broadcast Monday, Oct. 26 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. It will also be available to stream live and on demand on CBS All Access. Produced by Funny Or Die, in partnership with Momento Latino, UnbeliEVAble Entertainment and Global Philanthropy, the special will honor the contributions of the Latinx community to the United States and their importance to its future.

Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event will celebrate America’s diversity with a focus on Latinx culture, bringing joy, awareness and aid to the Latinx community that has been deeply impacted by and played an essential role in fighting COVID-19. Through musical performances, comedy pieces, docu-shorts and star-studded appearances, the special will explore the Latinx experience as told by Latinx voices. Performers and participants will be announced closer to air.

““The Latinx community has been the backbone of this country for hundreds of years, not just the last seven months, and it’s time that we not only know our own worth, but are also recognized, appreciated and celebrated accordingly for our contributions, pandemic or not,” said Longoria. “When COVID-19 hit the United States, people were quick to applaud our essential workers, many of whom are Latinos, for helping to keep food on our tables, delivering our packages and working in our healthcare system.”

Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event Event is created by Henry R. Muñoz III. The special is produced by Funny Or Die, Momento Latino, UnbeliEVAble Entertainment and Global Philanthropy. Executive producers are Henry Muñoz for Momento Latino; Longoria and Ben Spector for UnbeliEVAble Entertainment; Maggie Neilson for Global Philanthropy; and Mike Farah, Joe Farrell, Jim Ziegler, Moira Noriega, Gloria Medel Solomons and R.A. Clark for Funny Or Die. The special is directed by Ron de Moraes.

“We created Momento Latino because we understand the challenges that Latinos in America face every day, and we knew we had to bring together a national infrastructure of opportunity to move the community forward into the future,” said Muñoz III, founder of Momento Latino. “We’ve brought together more than 130 organizations, nonprofits, artists, activists and community leaders so far, and through this special we can share with the nation the inspiring stories of how Latinos served as the backbone of this country’s essential workforce throughout the pandemic despite being among the hardest hit by the disease and the economic fallout.”

Longoria’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment’s recently partnered ViacomCBS’ Entertainment & Youth Group for their First Time Directors program highlighting BIPOC and women filmmakers to produce 50 films across the group’s portfolio of networks and streaming services. Soon UnbeliEVAble will produce Before I Forget for Amazon, the multi-generational drama Chicano centering on a Mexican-American family that immigrates to Los Angeles in pursuit of the American Dream for ABC, and the HBO film A Class Apart, with Robert Rodriguez directing, which tells the incredible true story of a group of Mexican Americans fighting for their civil rights during a landmark case that leads all the way to the Supreme Court. Past projects from UnbeliEVAble include the Emmy Award nominated Netflix documentary Reversing Roe, ESPN’s 30 for 30 series Versus, and the Lionsgate film John Wick

Momento Latino is a growing coalition of activists, leaders, nonprofits and artists lifting our voices and pushing for change for the Latinx community. COVID-19 has exposed and exacerbated longstanding inequalities, and has had a disproportionate effect on the Latino community’s health, education and economic stability. But with crisis comes opportunity: together, we can create real change. Our partners – more than 130 activists, artists, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups and corporate leaders – are working together to build an America where the Latinx community can reach out full potential. For more information, visit https://momentolatino.us/ and follow us on Instagram at @momento_latino.

CHEAT TWEET: @EvaLongoria produces and hosts MOMENTO LATINO with co-hosts @GloriaEstefan and @ricky_martin, a new 1-hour special that’s a celebration of Latinx culture in America, to air 10/26 9PM ET/PT #CBS! https://bit.ly/36z3cfP

RATING: To Be Announced

The post Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event to Celebrate Latinx Culture in America first appeared on .

In honor of the 20^th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY Awards, The GRAMMY Museum with the Latin Recording Academy debuted the first permanent Latin music gallery of Los Angeles, the Latin GRAMMY: 20 Years of Excellence, on November 18, 2019. To further recognize the importance of this event, L.A. City Council proclaimed November 18^th, 2019 “Latin GRAMMY Day”.

As Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy and host of this monumental event announced, “Latin music is a worldwide influence and we are honored to partner with the GRAMMY Museum to showcase the talented musicians, monumental Latin music moments, and significant milestones that have contributed to its popularity…and look to the feature to showcase this beautiful art form”.

Michael Sticka, President of the Grammy Museum also added, “Our expanded partnership with The Latin Recording Academy will significantly increase the GRAMMY Museum’s impact by creating a consistent presence dedicated to celebrating the many genres of Latin music”.

A year of planning and months of construction for this two-million-dollar project has created a breathtaking exhibit on the third floor of the first Grammy Museum, established in 2008.  The exhibit displays an array of memorabilia highlighting two decades of the Latin GRAMMY show and its most iconic performances and special moments. This exhibit also features the cultural and social impact of this music nationally and internationally.

On hand for the unveiling were (Pictured in the featured photo), Gabriel Abaroa Jr., The Latin Recording Academy® President/CEO; Christian Nodal, Ángela Aguilar, Giselle Fernández, Michael Sticka, President of the GRAMMY Museum®; supervisor Hilda Solis, and Albert Lord (Los Angeles City Council)

Highlighted memorabilia of the exhibit include:

Juan Gabriel’s outfit from his show-stopping 10^th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards performance.

Ricky Martin’s shirt from his musically innovative performance with the Blue Man Group, at the Latin GRAMMY Awards:

And the first professional drum set of Mana’s drummer Alex Gonzales. Plus, many other featured iconic artists, such as Gloria and Emilio Estefan Jr., Shakira, Julio Iglesias, Thalia, Los Tigres del Norte, and Sheila E.

The Latin Recording Academy (previously known as the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) was founded in 1997, by the Recording Academy (previously known as the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) responsible for the GRAMMY awards. It was created as a response to properly cover the vast and growing diversity of Latin music genres. 

The first Latin GRAMMY Awards were held on September 13, 2000, with 39 categories. Today, it’s grown to an astounding 50 categories!    

Having this exhibit in Los Angeles is monumental, due to this city being both “The entertainment capital of the world”, and the American city with the largest Hispanic/Latino population of 4.9 million (Pew, 2018).  A further donation by the Latin Academy, over half a million dollars, will be used over a three-year period to further extend this exhibit and other “Latin-inspired exhibits”. Further emphasizing the cultural and social influence Latinos and Latin music has had on the city and the music industry. 

This historical exhibit is now open to the public as of November 20^th, 2019 to Spring 2020. A must-see for anyone who’s passionate about music, L.A. culture, history, and/or the Latino experience.

For further information: https://www.grammymuseum.org/exhibits/latin-grammy-20-years-of-excellence

The post Latin GRAMMY: 20 Years of Excellence first appeared on .

The Latin GRAMMY^® Awards will be taking place once again in Miami, and the Latin Recording Academy^®has announced that three-time Latin GRAMMY^® winner and two-time GRAMMY^® winner Ricky Martin will host the 20th edition of the Awards alongside internationally renowned actresses Roselyn Sánchez and Paz Vega. The 20th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live on Univision from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 14 from 8-11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central).

Martin, is almost synonymous with the GRAMMY Awards after his 1999 performance when he hip-swiveled onto stage for an unforgettable performance of a bilingual version of “The Cup Of Life” — his anthem for the 1998 World Cup. That performance blew his crossover musical career wide open, leading to being a three-time Latin GRAMMY^® winner, 2006 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year™, and two-time GRAMMY^® and now to be hosting for the very first time.

Actress Sánchez joins as a host for the fourth time, after hosting the 16th, 17th, and 18th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards and Vega will host the show for the first time.

Ricky Martin

Martin is one of the leading international multifaceted artists in the world beloved by fans worldwide for his instinctive understanding of rhythm, passion for performing, and equal compassion for giving. One of the best-selling international and Latin artists of all time, Martin has sold more than 95 million albums and continues to perform to sold-out stadium and arena audiences throughout the world. 

Roselyn Sánchez

Sánchez is a Puerto Rican actress, model, and singer. Best known for her roles in Without A Trace and Devious Maids, Sánchez has also appeared in Rush Hour 2, Boat Trip, and The Game Plan, among other feature films. At the 5th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, she was nominated for Best Music Video. She also took the stage at the 3rd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards for a special performance with Carlos Vives. Most recently, she played the role of Gigi Mendoza in the series Grand Hotel. Sánchez is making her directorial debut in the upcoming film, Satos, which is set in an animal shelter after the devastating destruction of Hurricane Maria. Additionally, Sánchez and her husband will be launching a podcast He Said…Ella Dijo, covering their personal and professional lives.  

Paz Vega

Vega is an award-winning international actress who has starred in many films in Europe, North America, and Latin America, working for some of the more noted directors such as Pedro Almodóvar, Frank Miller. This year, Vega stars as the iconic Mexican character Catalina Creel in the Televisa/Univision series Cuna De Lobos. She also appeared in the epic saga Rambo: Last Blood with Sylvester Stallone.

A very limited number of tickets for the 20th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards are still available for purchase at www.axs.com.

For more information: LatinGRAMMY.com. Social Media: Facebook (LatinGRAMMYs), Twitter (@LatinGRAMMYs) or Instagram (@LatinGRAMMYs). #LatinGRAMMY

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