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By Michael Lopez

It looks the Latino baby boom is still in full effect. This week, actress and former “Doritos Girl” Ali Landry announced that she and husband Alejandro Monteverde are expecting their second child. Due this fall, the newest Monteverde will join 3-year-old big sister Estela.

Though not Hispanic herself, Landry definitely has quite a history with famous Latinos. Back in 2004 she entered a whirlwind two-week marriage with Extra host Mario Lopez. Following a string of infidelity accusations and some tabloid chisme, the marriage was completely annulled.

Since then, Ali has found longtime love with Mexican film director Monteverde. His 2006 feature Bella scored a top prize at the Toronto International Film Festival and he is currently in the middle of directing a Cantinflas biopic.

Landry is obviously thrilled with the news about baby #2. Though she had known about the pregnancy for quite a while, she purposely kept the details private until she was certain all health issues were in the clear.

Expressing her joy to the twitterverse, she posted,

“Thank u everyone for all o the well wishes! I have been dying to tell you all but wanted to make sure everything was ok with the baby first.”

Congratulations Ali and Alejandro!

Who do you think will be the next Latina celeb to get pregnant? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Alejandro Monteverde, Ali Landry, Baby Chisme, Celebrity Couples, Chisme, Hot Stuff

By Michael Lopez

Things are definitely looking up for Jencarlos Canela at the moment. His Hop collaboration has turned into a smashing success, he’s got a high-profile novela set to kick off this May, and he just turned 23! Several fans got to wish the Cuban-American star a happy birthday in person at an intimate Miami concert.

Held on a closed set at a television studio, Jencarlos’ musical birthday bash did get the attention of at least one paparazzo. Pix snapped from the concert showcase Canela singing an up close ballad to a female fan, tossing out roses to the audience, and getting a yummy chocolate birthday cake from two sexy ladies.

The entire event definitely touched Jencarlos, as he expressed in one of his latest tweets.

“Gracias por hacer d mi cumpleaños uno q no olvidare!”

But of course, one female “fan” was notoriously absent from the crowd. Though Canela’s rumored flame Gaby Espino was nowhere in sight, it’s clear that she is still very much on the singer’s mind. This past Monday, he made sure that she was included in his stream of daily tweets.

“@gabyespino gracias!!! Jajajaj que tengas un dia hermoso.”

Are you a fan of Jencarlos’ music? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Birthdays, Celebrities, Gaby Espino, Hot Stuff, Jencarlos Canela, Música

By Michael Lopez

Forget culture and food, these days it’s the massive waves that are attracting the tourists to Costa Rica and El Salvador. In recent years, both Central American countries have seen a major boost in boardriders looking to “hang ten” at their famous playas.

“Surfing is a billion dollar industry and growing,” Costa Rican resident Bram Shook told Fox News Latino. “The Americans that come down here think they are Spiccolli from 'Fast Times', but they are also executives, and professionals who come down with their families. They surf. The wives are here with kids as they play in the sand.”

Indeed, in 2011 Costa Rica has seen an increase in travelers from all over the world. Popular coastal destinations like Camaronal Beach and Playa Guiones have been thriving, leading to increased income for local shops, restaurants, and (not surprisingly) surf instructors.

And it’s not just the locals who are chiming in. This past January, a World Economic Forum report listed Costa Rica as the fifth most-popular country for American tourists in the Western hemisphere.

Of course, if you’re looking to ride swells with a little more flair, you may want head up north to the coast of El Salvador. Known for their unique “hollow” waves, the country’s legendary Puerto La Libertad Beach has attracted die-hard curl shooters for decades.

“The chances of getting crucified on these waves are less,” said local surf shop owner Roberto Rotherham. “[The waves] are hollow, not mush and [get you] in the tube.”

A hardcore rider for over 40 years, Rotherham has seen more and more tourists attempting to tackle El Salvador’s sweeping ocean crests, particularly since the country’s ongoing political turmoil has died down.

With perfect weather conditions and waves sturdy enough to handle both experienced pros and longboard amateurs, it seems like El Salvador and Costa Rica will give international wave fans a lot of exciting options to choose from this summer.

Have you ever surfed in Latin America? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Central America, Costa Rica, Cultura, El Salvador, Latin America, Surfing, tourism

By Sugey Palomares

Crazy mothers are a dime a dozen in Hollywood and Eva Mendes is adding one more to the list for her new movie "Ansiedad." The 37-year-old actress plays an immature mother who has an intense relationship with her daughter.

Mendes is also set to co-star along Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez. The movie directed by Patricia Riggen has already received lots of buzz for being one of the five finalist in the Nicholl’s Screenwriting Fellowship back in 2009.

Eva Mendes explained how excited she is about her new role:

"In the movie, my daughter always tells me 'mom, why did you name me Ansiedad? Why did you pick such an ugly name for me? I tell her, 'girl, it's a name of a song, un bolero.' I play an irresponsible parent. A young mom that's still a little guy crazy. Immature."

We can wait to see Eva on the big screen again! "Ansiedad" is slated to be released this fall.

Source: [Notimex]

Tags Ansiedad, Eugenio Derbez, Eva Mendes, Latinas, Movies, Patricia Riggen

By Sugey Palomares

The hardest list to get on since the high school honor role is finally here! "PEOPLE en Español" has announced their 50 Most Beautiful list for 2011 and we have all of the details on who made the cut! We all know beauty is more than skin deep, which is why some of the beauties left us amazed and while others... left us kind of stunned and shaking our heads.

This year's list has a few "OMG really?!" candidates. The year's "Most Beautiful" was, unexpectedly, Alejandra Guzmán, the Mexican rockera remembered for her hit "Eternamente Bella". We think her golden days of beauty have long since faded, along with fellow "Beautiful" list-maker Niurka Marcos. If you stripped the Cuban scene-stealer of her hair extensions, fake nails, spray tan, and colored contact lenses, you would be left with an average looking Habanera. Sorry, but we didn't come up with the list!

We love watching Ana María Polo on her hit show Caso Cerrado, but no amount of scandalous cases can win our verdict for most beautiful!

One of our favorite bellezas is Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete. She stole our corazones while winning the crown with her infamous red dress, but she has also become a crusader in the fight for AIDS as the newest “Madrina” of the Latino Commission on AIDS. Another top beauty is Mexican singer Lucero and telenovela actress Elizabeth Gutiérrez, who is engaged to everyone's fantasy lover William Levy! The Cuban actor also made the cut along with pop singer Enrique Iglesias and telenovela star Jencarlos Canela.

Here is the official list of "People en Español's 50 Most Beautiful" people for 2011. See and judge for yourself.

1. Alejandra Guzmán

2. Ana María Polo

3. Angelique Boyer

4. Blanca Soto

5. Carlos Baute

6. Chiquinquirá Delgado

7. Chiquis Rivera

8. Daniela Romo

9. Danna García

10. David Zepeda

11. Diana Reyes

12. Dulce María

13. Edgar Ramírez

14. Elizabeth Gutiérrez

15. Enrique Iglesias

16. Eugenio Siller

17. Gaby Spanic

18. Giselle Blondet

19. Gredmarie Colón

20. Guy Ecker

21. Ilia Calderón

22. Itatí Cantoral

23. Iván Sánchez

24. Jacqueline Bracamontes

25. Jason Canela

26. Jencarlos Canela

27. Jenni Rivera

28. Jorge Luis Pila

29. Julián Gil

30. Kate del Castillo

31. Lourdes Stephen

32. Lucero

33. Lupita Jones

34. Maite Perroni

35. Marlene Favela

36. Michelito Lagravere

37. Manuel Mijares

38. Natalia Jiménez

39. Ninel Conde

40. Niurka Marcos

41. Prince Royce

42. Rafael Amaya

43. Rebecca de Alba

44. Rogelio Martínez

45. Romeo

46. Sofía Vergara

47. Tommy Torres

48. Vadhir Derbez

49. William Levy

50. Ximena Navarrete

Source: [People en Espanol]

Who are your top favorite beauties and who do you think should be cut from the list? Leave your comments below or @MTV3.

Tags Alejandra Guzman, Ana Maria Polo, Elizabeth Gutierrez, Enrique Iglesias, Jencarlos Canela, Lucero, Niurka Marcos, People en Espanol Most Beautiful list, William Levy, Ximena Navarrete

By Larry Yepez Jr.

What do Colombian drug king pin Pablo Escobar and a little Argentine girl with Down Syndrome have in common?  Sure at first you might think "absolutely nothing", but they both were this year's audience choices for best films in the most respected Latino Film Festival.

The first, Pecados de Mi Padre, an autobiographical documentary made by Juan Pablo Escobar,  chronicles what was like growing up in the shadows of his infamous father.  And the second, a fiction film called Anita, tells the story of a girl with Down Syndrome whose life changes after the AMIA (Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina) bombing in 1994.

For the past two weeks, the windy city was witness to another very impressive rendition of the oldest Latino Film Festival in the U.S.  Backed up by the International Latino Cultural Center, the Festival's mission this year was to promote diversity in Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the U.S. by screening over 120 Films from 20 different countries.

The festival focused on very important subjects in special segments, such as "Made in USA", which showed films of Latinos made in the United States, and Latin Women in Film, a segment that showcased female filmmakers, directors and producers. The festival also took a firm stance against homophobia by screening several films portraying the lack of compassion towards the GLBT community.

The closing night film was Chicogrande, starring Mexican actor Damián Alcázar, who was awarded with the 2011 Gloria Career Achievement Award.

Tags Chicago, chicago film festival, damian alcazar, documentary, Festival, Film, juan pablo escobar, Latino, Movies

By: Vanessa Beatriz Soto

Last night in New York City Miss Universe 2010, Ximena Navarrete, was welcomed as Cielo Latino’s newest "Madrina" in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

In a beautiful reception on a high floor of Manhattan’s Time Warner Center, Guillermo Chacon, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS presented the Mexican beauty with flowers, a custom necklace with a pendant in the shape of a sun, a symbol of hope designed by a Mexican artisan, and a plaque naming her an ambassador for the cause. The honor officially recognizes her as a supporter and partner in the fight against the deadly virus, as part of Cielo Latino and the Latino Commission on AIDS’ continuing efforts to bring awareness of the disease to the Latino world.

She had the following to say to the press:

“Together we can make a difference. We must transmit a message of prevention, to fight discrimination. Get tested. Ask questions. Find out your status.”

This year’s Cielo Latino Benefit will take place on May 10^th at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The benefit will honor, among others, Anderson Cooper, Anchor of CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 and Jose “Pepe” Morales, who will be honored with awards created by the Commission to recognize leaders who, through their efforts, have contributed to improving the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS and to the fight against the disease in the Latino community. Also to be honored is Humberto Cruz, Director of the AIDS Institute. Attendees will include actress Rosie Perez, and Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza, and will feature live music by the New Swing Sextet.

Since Ximena Navarrete will be unable to attend Cielo Latino because prior commitments elsewhere, the Latino Commission chose to present her with the “Madrina” honors at last night’s reception. Tr3s.com sat down with Navarrete to talk about her message for Latino youth.

Tr3s: So now that you’ve been named the latest Madrina for the Latino Comission on AIDS, what would you like to say to young Latinos?

XN: Above all the most important thing is to prevent in order not to regret. I think that you must ask. Don’t be afraid to raise your hand and say ‘I don’t know.’

The Latino Commission on AIDS is a nonprofit organization which was founded more than a decade ago to curtail the spread of HIV/AIDS and addressing health challenges in the Latino community. The Commission serves Latinos in more than 40 states and Puerto Rico, providing services bilingually in health education, HIV prevention, advocacy and awareness and research.

Each year at the Cielo Latino fundraiser gala, the Latino Commission names its Madrinas and Madrinos for that year. The term, meaning ‘godmother’ or ‘godfather’ reflects the high importance of that role in Latino/Hispanic culture, as an “important family member on whom a family relies for support.” The Miss Universe (registered trademark) Organization, a joint venture of Donald Trump and NBC-Universal, empowers role models of beauty, health and leadership for young girls around the world. The organization is dedicated to increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS, with a focus on women’s health issues including reproductive health.

Tags Agentes De Cambio, Cielo Latino, Latino Commission on AIDS, Miss Universe, Ximena Navarrete

By Michael Lopez

You know you’re a superstar when your albums dominate countries that don’t even speak your language. Despite containing all-Spanish tracks, Maná’s new Drama y Luz record cracked the U.S. Billboard Top 5 this week, beating artists like Britney Spears and Rihanna!

And that’s only the beginning. As the figures for the album (which was released April 12) finally got tallied, it was apparent that nearly all of Latin America embraced the Mexican rockers’ return. Countries like Argentina, Chile, Spain, and Mexico saw it shoot straight to #1.

Not only that, the critics have embraced Drama y Luz as well, praising its bold lyrics and the overall musical growth of the band. Another interesting note is Maná’s newfound success in the digital realm. The guys recently posted some amazing iTunes stats from their Twitter account.

“¡Más de 6,000 personas jugaron a “Maná- Busca tu Luz” en 48 horas! Pues por algo será, ¿no? Juega aquí para ganar...”

If things keep going at this pace, Alex, Fher, Juan, and Sergio may want to stretch that summer tour out even longer.

Have you picked up Drama y Luz yet? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Billboard, Drama Y Luz, Hot Stuff, Mana, Música

By Michael Lopez

It’s obvious this season of American Idol has worked out well for new judge Jennifer Lopez. The ratings for the series have been very positive and it’s given J. Lo the chance to debut her new music to millions of fans. So the obvious question is, why not take those television ambitions even further? That seems to be exactly what Lopez is planning and she’s bringing her hubby Marc Anthony along for the ride.

News broke this week that the Anthonys are shopping a new Latino-based reality project to the major TV networks. Co-produced by Idol mastermind Simon Fuller, the show will reportedly be called Que Viva and focus on discovering musical talent within Latin America.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the series would have J. Lo and Marc traveling to Central and South America and meeting latinoamericanos crooners in person. But, of course, that begs the question of whether or not Ms. Jenny From The Block would be returning for next year’s Idol.

Though she’s only signed on to be a judge until the end of this season, there is a good chance Jennifer will be back. For one thing, Simon Fuller is heavily involved with A.I. and partnering with Lopez again proves that she’s still very much in Idol’s good graces. So if everything works out, we may see twice as much Jennifer on our TVs next season, with a little bit of Marc sprinkled in too.

Would you like to see J. Lo in another reality series? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags American Idol, Celebrity Couples, Hot Stuff, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Que Viva, Simon Fuller, Television

By Michael Lopez

We’ve got to give a lot of credit to American Idol’s most recent castoffs. When reflecting on their exits, each one has been surprisingly upbeat. This week’s eliminated Idol, Stefano Langone, was no different, expressing a very positive attitude about his experience on the show.

“I was completely at peace [with the decision],” Stefano told Tr3s on this week’s A.I. conference call. “I did everything I set out to do on the show.”

If by that he meant capture the heart of America, he most certainly did. Stefano’s offbeat attitude and sweet underdog qualities made him one of season 10’s most beloved contenders. Having been thrust to Idol’s Bottom 3 for the past three weeks, it may have been inevitable that the 22-year-old crooner would eventually say goodbye.

And it’s clear that Langone was appreciative of every vote that came his way.

“I got to seven. I got to lucky number seven! [Ultimately] it’s just a show. Now it’s time for me to move forward. There’s a wide open market and I’m ready to pounce on it!”

Though Stefano admitted on the call that he doesn’t have a record contract in place just yet (as opposed to recent castoff Pia Toscano), he's not worried one bit about his musical future. He even took a few moments to list off collaborators he’d love to work with in the studio.

“I’d love to sit down with Bruno Mars and John Legend. There are so many artists I would love to hook up with.”

It was clear from the beginning that Stefano was a big Bruno fan. He covered Mars’ classic “Just the Way You Are” back in February's first Hollywood round. Ironically, it was Ne-Yo’s “Closer” that ultimately became Langone’s swan song on the show.

As for Stefano’s upcoming plans, you can definitely expect to see him on more Idol reunion shows and he told us that he’s working feverishly to launch his L.A. recording career. When summing up the experience, Langone seemed very grateful about the advice he got from judges Randy, Jennifer, and Steven.

“I stuck in everything they said. I took everything to heart. [American Idol] is a star school. It really prepares you for what you’ve got to be ready for. And I have a lot of good stuff lined up!”

Were you sad to see Stefano go? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags American Idol, Bruno Mars, Exclusive Entrevistas, Hot Stuff, Música, Stefano Langone, Television