Mexican Spotlight: October 21, 2024
In a career-defining role as Jenni rivera, Annie Gonzalez stars in the VIx biopic Jenni, which makes its premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival on October 21, 2024. Gonzalez’ career has been on a fast track since a little over a year ago when she starred in her first female lead role in Eva Longoria’s directorial debut of Flamin’ Hot. Now Gonzalez takes another career leap, in her first title role where she not only stars in the title role, she is also executive producing!
Jenni, is directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero (Bingo Hell) and is the life story about “La Diva de la Banda” Jenni Rivera, the Mexican-American singer, songwriter, actress, producer, and entrepreneur who passed away in 2012. She was known for her work in the banda, mariachi, and norteño genres of regional Mexican music. Rivera was the most successful female artist in the male-dominated banda genre who also became a reality TV star (I Love Jenni), businesswoman, and activist. On a flight back home after a performance in Mexico, Rivera’s plane crashed.
The film will highlight Jenni Rivera’s resilience, her journey to stardom, and the personal battles that shaped her legacy. Gonzalez has expressed how deeply honored she feels to portray Rivera, calling her a “phenomenal survivor” who, despite facing adversity, never saw herself as a victim. She emphasized the importance of Rivera’s messages of feminism, civil rights, and empowerment, which resonate with women and Latinas everywhere.
The Rivera family has been actively involved in the film’s production. Jacqie Rivera, Jenni’s daughter and CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises, expressed excitement over the project, stating that her mother’s story will continue to inspire future generations. While it has been an emotional journey for the family to see their mother portrayed on screen by Gonzalez.
Although it has been more than a decade after her untimely death in 2012, Jenni Rivera’s fan base remains loyal. Her life has also inspired her eldest daughter, Chiquis Rivera to pursue a career in banda music and continue the family legacy. Chiquis has won two Latin Grammys for Best Banda Album for her 2020 album “Playlist”, being the first solo woman to win in this category. She also has a Latin Grammy for her album “Abeja Reina” in 2022. Her mother, Jenni would be proud.
Tickets for the screening of Jenni (you csn choose from Screening and After Party or just the Screening) at the Newport Beach Film Festival can be purchased HERE. For a discount courtesy of LATINAFest and the Newport Beach Film Festival use this code: Mexican2024