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Marc Anthony and Shannon de Lima Call it Quits

thehispanic — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:17:45 +0000

El Cantante is once more a solo act.

Puerto Rican singing sensation Marc Anthony and his girlfriend of over a year, the smoking hot Venezuelan model Shannon de Lima, have broken up – putting the singer back on the market a year and half after his high-profile split with superstar Jennifer Lopez.

“The amicable breakup became official right in mid-January,” Anthony’s rep confirmed to E! News in a statement.

Anthony let the world know he was dating the sultry Venezuelan last January when he tweeted: ”To Shannon, my statue of liberty, kisses baby!”

Lopez and Anthony split after seven years of marital bliss. They had twins, Max and Emme, who are now 4.

Both Lopez and Marc Anthony have been in the news recently.

Besides her show-stealing looks at a number of award shows, JLo was forced in December to tone down her sensual “Dance Again” tour in order to perform in Indonesia and Malaysia. The governments in those countries told the singer that “making love” moves were not acceptable

Meanwhile, Marc Anthony was spotted with De Lima on Miami Beach tanning and getting some R and R before heading to the Dominican Republic, where he opened an orphanage. He also went down to the country to perform his “Gigantes” tour along with singers Marco Antonio Solis and Chayanne. [Fox]

Immigration Reform: Senators Unveil Bipartisan Deal

thehispanic — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:15:42 +0000

A bipartisan group of eight leading senators — including Marco Rubio of Florida and New Jersey’s Robert Menendez — have reached a tentative deal on a systematic overhaul of the country’s immigration system.

The agreement covers border security, guest workers, employer verification and a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants already in this country.

The senators will present the principles of their deal to rewrite the nation’s immigration laws at a news conference Monday afternoon. Sources told Fox News that they expect to finish writing the new bill and introduce it by March or April.

Although thorny details remain to be negotiated and success is far from certain, the development heralds the start of what could be the most significant effort in years toward overhauling the nation’s inefficient patchwork of immigration laws.

President Barack Obama also is putting immigration reform front and center. He’s expected to travel to Las Vegas on Tuesday to lay out his vision, which is expected to overlap with the Senate effort.

The eight senators expected to endorse the new principles Monday are Democrats Charles Schumer of New York, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Michael Bennet of Colorado; and Republicans John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Marco Rubio of Florida and Jeff Flake of Arizona.

Several of these lawmakers have worked for years on the issue. McCain collaborated with the late Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy on a major reform bill pushed by then-President George W. Bush in 2007, only to see it collapse in the Senate when it couldn’t get enough GOP support.

Now, with some Republicans chastened by the November elections which demonstrated the importance of Latino voters and their increasing commitment to Democrats, some in the GOP say this time will be different.

“What’s changed, honestly, is that there is a new, I think, appreciation on both sides of the aisle — including maybe more importantly on the Republican side of the aisle — that we have to enact a comprehensive immigration reform bill,” McCain said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”

“I think the time is right,” McCain said.

The group claims a notable newcomer in Rubio, a potential 2016 presidential candidate whose conservative chops may help smooth the way for support among conservatives wary of anything that smacks of amnesty. In an opinion piece published Sunday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Rubio wrote that the existing system amounts to “de facto amnesty,” and he called for “commonsense reform.”

According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, the senators will call for accomplishing four goals:

Creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants already here, contingent upon securing the border and better tracking of people here on visas.
Reforming the legal immigration system, including awarding green cards to immigrants who obtain advanced degrees in science, math, technology or engineering from an American university.
Creating an effective employment verification system — the one currently used is called “E-Verify” — to ensure that employers do not hire undocumented immigrants.
Allowing more low-skill workers into the country and allowing employers to hire immigrants if they can demonstrate they couldn’t recruit a U.S. citizen; and establishing an agricultural worker program.

The principles being released Monday are outlined on just over four pages, leaving plenty of details left to fill in. What the senators do call for is similar to Obama’s goals and some past efforts by Democrats and Republicans, since there’s wide agreement in identifying problems with the current immigration system.

The highest point of contention is likely to arise over how to accomplish the path to citizenship.

In order to satisfy the concerns of Rubio and other Republicans, the senators are calling for the completion of steps on border security and oversight of those here on visas before taking major steps forward on the path to citizenship.

Even then, those here illegally would have to qualify for a “probationary legal status” that would allow them to live and work here — but not qualify for federal benefits — before being able to apply for permanent residency. Once they are allowed to apply they would do so behind everyone else already in line for a green card within the current immigration system.

That could be a highly cumbersome process, but how to make it more workable is being left to future negotiations. The senators envision a more streamlined process toward citizenship for immigrants brought here as children by their parents and for agricultural workers.

The debate will play out at the start of Obama’s second term, as he aims to spend the political capital afforded him by his re-election victory on an issue that has eluded past presidents and stymied him during his first term despite his promises to the Latino community to act.

“As the president has made clear for some time, immigration reform is an important priority and he is pleased that progress is being made with bipartisan support,” a White House spokesman, Clark Stevens, said in a statement. “At the same time, he will not be satisfied until there is meaningful reform and he will continue to urge Congress to act until that is achieved.”

For Republicans, the November elections were a stark schooling on the importance of Latino voters, who voted for Obama over Republican Mitt Romney 71 percent to 27 percent, helping ensure Obama’s victory. That led some Republican leaders to conclude that supporting immigration reform with a path to citizenship has become a political imperative.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. [Fox]

Mana’s Fher Olvera Gets Married To Telemundo Star Secretly

thehispanic — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:35:30 +0000

First Residente and now this! These days, it seems like Latin rock stars are keeping a tight lid on their nuptials. Much to the media’s surprise, Mana frontman Fher Olvera revealed this week that he’s been secretly married for months.

Olvera told reporters that he wed Telemundo personality Monica Noguera in a Mexican ceremony back in 2012. And by the sound of things, the intimate boda was quite a romantic affair.

“I married Monica a few months ago,” Fher confessed. “It was very private, a ceremony in nature, in the outdoors. It was in Guadalajara, in a forest, it was only the two of us, barefoot, dressed in white, and that’s all I’m going to say.”

Olvera went on to call Monica his “soul mate,” which makes us think that she’ll be the subject of many new Mana love songs. Congratulations to the happy couple! by Michael Lopez [Huff]

Singer Juanes Reveals Personal Details in His First Memoir

thehispanic — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:27:56 +0000

Juanes has more to say than will fit in a hit song.

The Colombian singer announced Thursday that his first memoir will be released April 2 in English and Spanish. Its titles are “Chasing the Sun” and “Persiguiendo el sol,” and they’ll be released on Celebra, a division of Penguin Group (USA).

A news release said the book will feature photos and “personally penned intimate details about his life.” It will also include stories about “the effects of witnessing corruption and violence” in Medellin, Colombia, where Juanes grew up, as well as “the regret and remorse surrounding his father’s death.”

Juanes is married with three children.

He is a Grammy Award winner and has multiple Latin Grammys, including last year’s album of the year for “Juanes: MTV Unplugged.” [AP]

Sammy Sosa Speaks On Hall of Fame, a Presidential Run in the Dominican Republic

thehispanic — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:19:31 +0000

No one ever said Slammin’ Sammy didn’t think highly of himself.

Sammy Sosa thinks he and fellow steroid-era baseball star Mark McGwire belong in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

He also said the Chicago Cubs should retire his number, and he left open the possibility of running for president of the Dominican Republic during an interview Wednesday on the website Ustream.com.

Asked if he thinks he or McGwire belong in the Hall, Sosa said: “I think so.”

“I’m not going to come here and say anything that is going to jeopardize my future,” he added. “But definitely time will determine everything. Right now whatever it is, it is. I am not (somebody who) is going to go out there and say anything I don’t want to say. I’m waiting for my time. … I don’t like controversy. Definitely time will determine everything.”

Sosa, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were denied entry to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility amid suspicions their accomplishments were boosted by performance-enhancing drugs. McGwire, 10th on the career home run list, received 16.9 percent of the vote on his seventh try, far short of the 75 percent needed for election.

Sosa, who finished with 609 home runs and ranks eighth on the all-time chart, received 12.5 percent of the vote. He was among those who tested positive in Major League Baseball’s 2003 anonymous survey, The New York Times reported in 2009. He told a Congressional committee in 2005 that he never took illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

Meanwhile, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said at the team’s fan convention last weekend that the club might try to re-establish a relationship with Sosa, who left on bad terms following the 2004 season. The organization had different ownership and management back then.

Sosa said he was aware of Ricketts’ comments.

“They know where I am,” he said. “If they want to find me, they have to call me. I’m always available.”

Would he run for president of the Dominican Republic?

”You never know,” Sosa said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. [Fox]

Rosario Dawson to Headline All-Star Thriller

thehispanic — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:58:55 +0000

With her voter outreach programs and grassroots activism, “Voto Latino” co-founder Rosario Dawson had politics on brain for the greater part of 2012. But now, with President Obama’s second term in office officially underway, the beautiful actress is ready to return to work in a big way with the news that she has signed on to star in a new thriller with Canadian director Atom Egoyan.

According to “Deadline,” Dawson will be joined by “Green Lantern” actor Ryan Reynolds in the film about a father who chases down mysterious clues indicating that his abducted daughter may still be alive. Dawson stars as a detective charged with the investigation, who teams up with Reynolds to reunite him with his child.

Scott Speedman (“Underworld”) and Mireille Enos (“Big Love”) will also star in the movie, which will be filmed in Ontario, Canada.

And while Dawson’s fans may have missed her on the big screen this year, the politically-active starlet has plenty of films underway. She just wrapped up “Chavez” as well as the psychological suspense film “Trance.” She’s also currently filming the Robert-Rodriguez-directed flick “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.” by Nina Terrero [NBC]

Jennifer Lopez on Beyonce Lip-Syncing Scandal: Cut Her Slack!

thehispanic — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:46:30 +0000

Jennifer Lopez thinks people need to cut Beyoncé some slack.

Lopez, 43, said that she understands why Beyoncé had to lip sync the national anthem during President Barack Obama’s second inauguration on Monday, which was widely criticized by disappointed fans.

“Sometimes it happens when you are in certain stadiums and certain venues and things, they do pre-record stuff because you’re going to have that terrible slapback,” Lopez told Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show.”

Lopez’s former “American Idol” judge, Steven Tyler, agreed with JLO and said the situation was blown out of proportion.

“Beyoncé’s so hot she can do anything,” Tyler said. “Let’s just get real.”

Other celebrities who thought the “Crazy in Love” singer was unfairly judged include Bravo host Andy Cohen, singer Myleene Klass and Hollywood icon Aretha Franklin.

“I don’t get what’s outrageous about lip-syncing to your OWN vocals?” Klass wrote. “Not exactly Milli Vanilli.”

Franklin said the controversy was “hilarious.”

“I thought it was funny because the weather down there was about 46 or 44 degrees and for most singers that is just not good singing weather…” she told ABC News. “When I heard that, I just really cracked up. I thought it was really funny, but she did a beautiful job with the pre-record.” [Fox]

Henry Munoz, Influential Texas Money Man, Tapped as Next DNC Finance Chair

thehispanic — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:41:24 +0000

Henry R. Muñoz III is expected to be named the DNC Finance Chair, becoming the first Latino to hold the title, Fox News confirmed Tuesday.

Muñoz, a San Antonio native, was an Obama bundler during last year’s presidential campaign and a national chairman of the Futuro Fund, a group of Hispanic leaders who raised money for the president’s reelection.

“He is Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Kell Muñoz Architects, Inc., the largest minority-owned architectural firm in Texas,” Politico reported. “Muñoz has designed prolific architectural works in the United States/Mexico Border Region for 15 years; he has shaped the skylines of Texas and is an original and innovative leader in the pursuit of a blended cultural expression through the built environment.”

Besides his work in San Antonio and as an Obama backer, Muñoz also met with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, according to published reports.

“Muñoz’s clout has only expanded in the ensuing years — in politics, philanthropy and his profession,” the San Antonio Express-News reported. “He dined with Fidel Castro in Cuba and raised funds at his own Monte Vista mansion for presidential hopefuls, including Bill and Hillary Clinton.”

Known for his over-the-top style – he once wore a crown of real diamonds and amethysts after raising more than $250,000 in scholarship funds – Muñoz has held high positions in Texas state government, including the Texas High Speed Rail Authority and the Texas Department of Transportation.

During the run-up to the 2012 presidential campaign, Muñoz organized events for the president’s election campaign as well as the the Latino inauguration event with movie star and fellow Texan Eva Longoria.

“Without question, the presidential election of 2012 proves that Latinos are perhaps the most important influence from this point forward in the election of the president of the United States,” Muñoz told the Associated Press this week. “It’s important that the leadership in Washington view us not as a narrow interest group but as a vibrant political force” that carries not just votes, but influence and financial resources.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. [Fox]

Actress Natalie Martinez Charms Mark Wahlberg in New Film “Broken City”

thehispanic — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:13:38 +0000

Actress Natalie Martinez has officially arrived in Hollywood, shining in her new role as Mark Wahlberg’s girlfriend in the crime thriller “Broken City.”In a role that proves that sometimes art can imitate real life, Martinez plays an aspiring actress named Natalie; a tough girl whose love for ex-cop Billy (Wahlberg) leads her through a dramatic journey as he’s double-crossed by a an unapologetic, scheming New York City mayor (played by Academy Award winner Russell Crowe).

“It feels great,” says Martinez of her second big film within the last six months, the first being“End of Watch” where she played actor Michael Peña’s dedicated wife. “I’ve been working at this for quite some time now, and to have made such great movies with amazing actors makes me feel like it’s been worth it.”

For Martinez, who was joined in “Broken City” by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Emmy winner Barry Pepper, several parts of the film rang true.

“I am an actress, so the fact that my character was one too definitely felt real,” the 28-year-old says of her role in the movie which opened Friday across the country. “And then the way my relationship with Mark goes up and down – well, we’ve all had broken hearts. But throughout it all, my character is very tough and headstrong about her career.”

It’s a stubbornness that Martinez says characterizes her as well; a character trait that has served to propel her from a spokesperson for Jennifer Lopez’s “JLO” line ten years ago to budding Hollywood starlet. Of Cuban descent and proud to be a Miami native, Martinez was picked as a model for Lopez’s clothing line from a nationwide contest; an opportunity she says, which eventually lead her to pursue acting.

“I came out to Los Angeles as a model and what should have been a short trip turned into a career that I would have never expected,” confesses Martinez. “I had no aspiration to act, but when my modeling agency sent to me into an audition, I discovered that there was something about acting that I loved. And I’ve been doing it ever since.”

And while Martinez may owe her start in the industry to mega-watt star Lopez, she says she wants to carve out her own career without comparison to fellow Latina actresses.

“I don’t want to limit myself by being compared to other actresses. I want to be known as someone who has come into her own by showing off different aspects of her personality. I’ve done dramas, done television and I would love to do a comedy or romantic movie to see what it’s like,” explains Martinez, who is currently guest-starring on an multi-episode arc of “CSI: New York.” “I am always open to new opportunities.”

And supporting her as she continues to come into her own is her loving family, back home in Miami.

“I left home so young so there always lots of questions about what I was doing,” says Martinez, a self-professed family girl. “But they’ve always supported me every step of the way.”

With “End of Watch” and “Broken City” behind her, Martinez says she’s looking forward to continuing her story arc on “CSI: New York,” as well filming more projects this summer and into the end of the year.

“I’m in talks to do another TV show and more movies,” shares Martinez.

“I love growing as an actress. I’ve worked and worked, but I know I have much more to deliver.” by Nina Terrero [NBC]

Shakira to Induce Delivery, Report Says

thehispanic — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:59:42 +0000

Shakira wants her baby boy to be born on her own terms.

The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer will reportedly have her delivery induced on Monday so she can resume a long list of professional engagements on her plate, Spanish online daily La Razón is reporting.

Sunday Shakira was admitted to the Teknon Clinic in Barcelona, a city she calls home since she and Piqué made their romance official back in 2010.

According to the publication, Shakira made an emergency visit to the medical center after feeling increasing discomfort and abdominal pressure. Her superstar soccer boyfriend Gerard Piqué was with her, as well as two of his brothers.

Piqué also reportedly wanted to push up the birth date because he too has various games and soccer-related engagements to attend.

The couple, who share birthdays on Feb 2., took to Twitter last week to show off their latest maternity portraits and to ask fans for their thoughts in the planning of their upcoming baby shower.

Piqué and Shakira, global ambassador for UNICEF since 2003 and very involved with philanthropic projects through her non-profit “Pies Descalzos,” have asked for donations instead of gifts for their son.

“We’d like to celebrate the imminent birth of our first child with all of you,” Shakira wrote on Twitter and Facebook.

Fans can go online and see “Shakira’s and Gerard Piqué’s World Baby Shower,” donate money and track the progress of the donations.

“Thanks to all of you, they will receive inspired gifts, therapeutic food packets, vaccines and rehydration salts,” said Shakira, referring to the children UNICEF helps.

“We’d like to thank you in advance and we are very, very happy to know that we can count on your support” she added. [Fox]