LatinTrends.Com: Mariah Carey: New “Idol” Judge?

by: Carl Lamarre

Writer, LatinTRENDS.com

After weeks of speculation in regards to Jennifer Lopez being cast as the new judge on American Idol, new rumors have circulated. Because of excessive demands, it has been reported by E! that the show has ousted Lopez, and have found another songstress to occupy the judge’s chair for this upcoming season. That songstress comes in the form of Mariah Carey.

According to a source, Carey is vehemently vying for a spot on one of America’s most celebrated TV show. “She wants it,” says the source. “She’s seen what America’s Got Talent has done for [hubby Nick Cannon] and thinks it will be a good career move.”

Though Carey’s reps have neither denied nor confirmed these reports, they were able to comment to the media by bluntly saying: “There is nothing to report.” Still, despite that comment, many have already boasted about the possibility of developing such a trio of judges consisting of Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Carey, especially because of the established chemistry between Jackson and Carey. “Randy and Mariah have great chemistry,” says the source.

Only time will tell if Carey chooses to step onboard. As many have seen in past, singers – like Lopez – have snubbed the chance of replacing Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul for numerous reasons.

http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/23/mariah-carey-new-idol-judge/

Pics: From Interview W/Rocsi

LatinTrends.Com: Happy Anniversary, Dora the Explorer!

By: Carl Lamarre

This past weekend, the creators of the children’s classic TV series Dora the Explorer celebrated their 10th Anniversary on Nickelodeon with an hour long prime time movie entitled Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure.

The show, created by Valarie Walsh Valdes, became a perennial hit a decade ago when it first originally aired on CBS. The show, which ran for six years on CBS, would later move to Nickelodeon in 2006. The scintillating series’ – which has been highlighted by a young and spunky animated Latina – original purpose was to find a character suitable to the needs of the younger Latin generation, according to Valdes in her interview with Latina.Com. What many may find bemusing in regards to the origin of Dora is the fact that before she was birthed as a Latina, she first was molded as a Caucasian character. “Dora was Caucasian originally. She was white, and had Auburn, reddish hair and green eyes. One of the executives at Nickelodeon, Brown Johnson, came to us because she had just come from a conference about how few positive images of Latinos there were on TV, and they were asking producers and networks to address that.,” said Valdes.

“So she came to us, and said, ‘Do you think you could make this girl Latina?’ None of us were from that background, so we hired a Latino writer and many cultural consultants to help us navigate that. The consultant said, ‘You know, you really should try to make her look more representative of Latinos, because even though we have redheads with green eyes in Latin America, it’s more the exception rather than the rule.”

As for Dora possibly considering retirement, the creator snubbed all possibilities for the animated star’s departure by saying: “Dora is perpetually seven years old. [Laugh]. We’re just premiering a sixth season and we’re still as excited about it today as we were when we first started making it.”


http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/16/happy-anniversary-dora-the-explorer/

LatinTrends.Com: Famous Latinos Fight for Respect

Famous Latinos Fight for Respect
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by: Carl Lamarre

Writer, LatinTRENDS.com

For the past couple of weeks, influential Latino figures – Ozzie Guillen (manager for Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox, no relation to our publisher Juan Guillen) and actress Sofia Vergara – found themselves entangled in the media’s web of controversy as their displeasure for the treatment of their adored Latino culture surfaced within national tabloids and prominent publications.

Former baseball player, and now manager, Ozzie Guillen, found himself in defense mode as he was tackled with an array of questions in regards to his outlook on America’s national pastime. The ever so effervescent Guillen rhapsodized with the media for 25 minutes, highlighting his disappointment within the treatment of Latino players in contrast to Asian players after a victory nearly two weeks ago. “I always criticize why Japanese players have interpreters and Latinos don’t have one. Very bad,” Guillen said to reporters. “I always say that, why do they have that privilege and we don’t and we have more Latino players suffer. He would further voice his anguish towards the issue by saying: “Don’t take this wrong but they take advantage of us. We bring a Japanese player and they are very good and they bring all these privileges to them. We bring a Dominican kid, and it’s, ‘(The heck with) you, you go to the Minor Leagues, good luck. Good luck.’ And it’s always going to be like that. It’s never going to change. But that’s the way it is.”

Sofia Vergara approached the media differently, as she purported to Esquire Magazine that Hollywood had developed certain physical expectations for Latina women. “They have this stereotype that Latin people have to look like Salma Hayek,” she told the magazine. The actress who originally surfaced into Hollywood as a naturally breed blond, found herself having to defend her Latino roots, because many perceived her as one of different descent. “If you see my family, you wouldn’t believe it,” the Latina starlet said. “Everyone looks like they’re Polish. Blond with blue eyes. But I wasn’t getting any jobs in L. A. They were confused.” Once she made the jump from blond to brunette, the actress started noticing an immediate change. “The minute I made my hair dark, then they believed that I am Latina.”

http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/13/famous-latinos-fight-for-respect/

Opportunity

The Feelings Are Diminishing, We're In Need Of Replenishing....



The Love Lost, Because I'm Real Keen In Finishing What We First Started...



Granted, I Abandoned Our Bond.



While You Stood Still, Anxiously Waiting, Holding Open Ya Arms...



I Walked Around, Face Calm, Without A Care In The World...



Until Opportunity Came In The Form Of A Girl...



I Mean, Never Was Intentional. I'd Never Tried To Do It...



Opportunity Came Knocking, And God Told Me Pursue It...



So I, Pursued Opportunity While You Waited Home Frantically...



Candidly, I'll Say I Was Caught Up, Engulfed By The Windows Of Opportunity...



Her Eyes Did More Than Draw Me In, It Always Was Consuming Me...



Moving Me To Places That I Never Thought Existed...



Opportunity Came Knocking And I Couldn't Afford To Miss It...

Latin Trends: WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: “The Other Guys” tops “Inception”

By: Carl Lamarre

Actress Eva Mendes – who was featured in the star studded movie The Other Guys, starring Mark Walbherg, Will Farrell, Samuel Jackson, and The Rock – received brilliant news this weekend when her movie toppled Leonardo DiCaprio’s oeuvre Inception with a whopping $35.1 million take-home receipts.

The Latina starlet – known for her incredible acting fervor and immaculate figure – plays the wife of Will Farrell which certainly served as a huge contrast from her previous intimate counterparts in Denzel Washington in Training Day & Will Smith in Hitch. Either way, Mendez helped oust arguably the movie of the year in Inception, which had dominated theaters for the past three weeks at the top slot.

The success of her newest endeavor comes in timely fashion as earlier this week, it was speculated that Mendes had a sextape expected to leak on the net. But for those that actually prayed on the tape coming into fruition, Mendes slyly created a dummy tape on Will Farrell’s comedic website Funnyordie.com which was made to poke fun at the infamous Paris Hilton exposé.


http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/09/weekend-box-office-the-other-guys-tops-inception/

LatinTrends.Com: Felipe Esparza: Getting the Last Laugh?

Felipe Esparza: Getting the Last Laugh?
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by: Carl Lamarre

Writer, LatinTRENDS.com

On August 9th, Felipe Esparza will have one final opportunity to beguile and laugh his way into the hearts of viewers and critics alike on NBC’s series finale of the Last Comic Standing airing at 9 PM.

The East Los Angeles native is one of five remaining contestants fighting for a chance to win $250,000. Besides achieving monetary acclaim, Esparza will be hoping to garner respect from highly recognized comics. One comic who has shown significant interest in Esparza’s work is Mexican-born Paul Rodriguez. Rodriguez has conveyed his ongoing support for Esparza by publicly acknowledging his talents via Facebook, and highlighting his immense ability to entertain. Esparza is no stranger to fans as well: in 2008, he was introduced to the masses during Showtime’s Diamonds In The Rough, which enabled him to develop a steady fan base.

With a strong fan base, and highly respected comedians providing moral support on the sidelines, Esparza seems ready for combat. He, along with, Mike Destefano (Bronx, NY), Tommy Johnagin (Benton, IL), Myq Kaplan (Boston, MA) and Roy Wood, Jr. (Birmingham, AL) will all tarry impatiently, as three will be eliminated, leaving two comics to duke it out Idol style in hopes of receiving the grand price of $250,000. Voting will end soon. So be sure to vote for Felipe now at www.nbc.com/LastComic Standing.

Poem: Gentleman

Not to be conceited but I’m rarely ever defeated

Ya ex a four, I’m a nine, and before you were living heated

You explored, and even cheated, until you left, and conceded

You said I couldn’t do it; I need somebody to love me

Somebody to hold tight, somebody to come touch me,

Somebody to look into my eyes, and hold my hands so gently

A gentleman fond of settling to simply represent me...

You said you’ve never been loved, and love is so precarious

So you developed these walls, and mazes for men to overcome the barriers

Overran with insecurities dating from your first love

You walked into my arms, and felt loved on the first hug

You’re telling me, you’re lucky, I’m telling you we both are

We overcame our past, this our present, and we’ll go far.

Just as long as either of us is pedaling.

You found the love; now let’s see if you could keep the gentleman

Latin Trends.Com: Eva Longoria: WASP Rumor, New Desperate Housewives Season

Eva Longoria: WASP Rumor, New Desperate Housewives Season
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by: Carl Lamarre

Writer, LatinTRENDS.com

Before Eva Longoria became paparazzi eye candy (and Mrs. Tony Parker), she was Gabrielle Solis: a sassy and rambunctious character beloved by men and women alike on ABC’s hit show Desperate Housewives. On September 27, Longoria and her vivacious friends — including Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, and Marcia Cross — will embark on several controversial ramifications which will certainly leave their viewers in total awe and suspicion, according to the show’s creator Marc Cherry.

“What is revealed in the opening episode of the season is the ramifications of the friendship between Gabrielle and Bree (Marcia Cross) when Gabrielle finds out that Bree’s son, Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom), has run over Gabrielle’s mother-in-law. Then in the second episode, there is another hit-and-run accident that involves both families. The ensuing tension and conflict that occurs between the ladies is going to lead to some interesting situations as the season progresses.”

Asides from these woman being entrenched in controversy, viewers, and critics alike, pondered on the possibility of whether Longoria would expose her Mexican heritage during the show’s seventh season. At the Television Critics Association Tour, Longoria expressed her desire to add some Mexican flavor to the show, but to no avail. “I bring up Mexicans all the time for casting,” she said. “If this was reality, Gaby would have a lot more cousins, aunts and uncles hanging around.”

Aside from playing Gaby on DH, Longoria has been rumored to be featured in Marvel’s comic book series The Wasp. But she debunked the rumors: “I have been hearing these rumors that I think got started on the Internet,” she said. “I love comic book stuff, but I don’t know anything about that character. I think the rumors came out of the fact that I took a meeting at Marvel about a different movie. People saw me walking out and assumed I was there for the Wasp project. I think it is a fantastic rumor. Who knows — maybe it will get me hired.”

A graduate of Elmont Memorial Junior-Senior High School, Carl Lamarre is currently a student at CUNY Queens College. Lamarre’s work has appeared in Smooth Magazine, BallerStatus.com, and HipHopGame.com. In 2007, he won 3rd place for the Best National Sports Story from the Long Island Press.

http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/02/eva-longoria-wasp-rumor-new-desperate-housewives-season/