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By Michael Lopez

Time to start practicing those guitar licks. Juanes just announced that he will invite his "most talented fan" onstage during his Unplugged special, IF they can prove they've got the chops to perform one of his songs. The contest will be powered by our very own OurStage site and every Rockero fan has the chance to enter.

The way it works is pretty simple. Record yourself performing either "A Dios le Pido", "Me Enamora", "Fotografía" or "La Soledad" and post it on juanes.tr3s.com by January 9 2012. From December 12 through January 17, OurStage fans will be able to judge the performances and rank the Top 40.

From there, it's in the hands of El Rockero, who'll be selecting the winner himself. If it's you, you'll be sent on an all expense-paid trip to Miami to perform on Juanes Unplugged at the New World Center.

It's all pretty amazing, especially considering that you could be seen by millions when the special airs. And who knows? If you're good enough, you may even wind up on the Juanes live album that'll be recorded that night.

Good luck Rockero fans!

Do you think you're good enough to play with Juanes? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Hot Stuff, Jaunes, Juanes Unplugged, Música, Most Talented Fan Contest, MTV Unplugged, Ourstage, Tr3s Exclusives, Tr3s shows

By Michael Lopez

With his gossip stories and larger-than-life attitude, you knew it was only a matter of time before Perez Hilton popped up on a Spanish-language soap. And what novela could be better suited for the chisme king than Popland? Yup, Carla and company are getting paid a visit by the mighty Perez and he spoke to us exclusively about the experience.

"It was a lot of fun to act in Spanish," he said. "It was actually something I had never done before and I love trying new things. I love doing fun things like acting."

Perez is no stranger to TV. He's got an appearance lined up Beverly Hills 90210 and has done cameos for Victorious and The Hills. Hilton actually confessed that he's quite the fan of the small screen and even has plans to start his own television production company.

"I'm starting my own TV production company because I want to do more in television," he said. "I want something that's my own and that I'm a part of. So far, I've pitched a talk show and a singing competition for female vocalists."

Calling Perez ambitious is an understatement. Outside of his TV work, he's currently managing five successful sites. Besides his flagship PerezHilton.com domain, the wonder blogger oversees Teddy Hilton (for pets), Coco Perez (for fashion), Fit Perez (for health), and his newest venture, Perezitos.

"Having these sites is like juggling," he explained. "I have a lot of balls in the air. And you can't get bogged down if one of the balls drops. You've just got to keep on juggling."

Hilton confessed that he works around the clock to keep his empire running. And the fact that he loves to write certainly makes things easier. Perez even branched out into the world of children's literature, publishing The Boy With The Pink Hair.

And all of you bloggers out there, take note. Hilton offered some sound advice for those looking to break into the world of online journalism.

"The best advice I can give anyone is to get a gimmick," he said. "There are so many blogs out there. You need to stand out and do something different. Come at it from a new point-of-view."

You can catch Perez' big Popland! debut, January 19 on Tr3s! Watch a trailer here:

Who's your favorite online blogger? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Celebrities, Exclusive Entrevistas, Novelas, Perez Hilton, Popland, popnews, Television, Tr3s Exclusives, Tr3s shows

By Michael Lopez

You know your novela is off to a good start when there are tears, cop chases, and naked people in the first episode! And that's exactly what Popland! delivered with its big debut on Tr3s this week. Setting up what looks to be a fascinating story, it's got a sexy cast, a great soundtrack, and a nail-biting cliffhanger keeping us anxious for episode 2!

As the story kicks off, we meet Carla, a play-by-her-own-rules kind of girl who's eager to leave the small-town life behind. The problem is, the small-town life doesn't want to let go! She's got that needy boyfriend Diego and "Missing" posters popping up everywhere that beg for her to return.

The only thing is, Carla doesn’t want to go back. She split to the big city and happened to catch a ride with a very influential person. Katherine (or "K" as she likes to be called) runs the chic tabloid Popland! and happens to see quite a bit of potential in her new stowaway.

It's clear that Carla wouldn't mind mixing her photography skills with the celebrity world, but she's determined to make her own way. Eventually, she lands a gig as a hotel maid and hopes to first establish herself as an independent young woman.

The trouble is, Popland! keeps calling and sooner or later you know those worlds are going to collide. We get a hint of what's to come towards the end of the episode, when Carla takes some "revealing" snaps of a celeb at her hotel. After a dramatic chase (and scenes that are WAY too hot for American TV), we find her in the middle of quite a jam.

It's not a bad setup for Popland! #2 and a great way to introduce the characters. Star Sara Cobo has some celeb potential of her own and we get the feeling this show could be a major launching for an international acting career. Manuela Gonzalez also does a killer job in her role as K. Is she good? Is she bad? We can't wait to find out.

And best of all, Popland! has an awesome set of songs that play along during the action sequences. There's emo jams, alternative punk riffs, and even some English bands that'll get your feet tapping. Stay tuned for more episodes on Tr3s and grab your hankies. We're sure this novela will be one heck of an emotional rollercoaster.

What did you think about Popland’s premiere episode? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Manuela Gonzalez, Novelas, Popland, Sara Cobo, Television, Tr3s shows

Talk about an "exotic" episode. Quiero Mi Boda literally went international for Kendra and Moises' nuptials. These two traveled all the way to Guadalajara to say "I Do" and it turned out perfect. Even though we've profiled plenty of multicultural couples in the past, Kendra and Moises stood apart and truly accentuated the beauty of a blended family.

Just hearing their story, you can appreciate the devotion that K and M have for each other. She happened to meet him at a local concert in Mexico (he was the drummer) and what started as a weekend fling turned into a full-fledged romance.

Texas-based Kendra stayed in touch with Moises via Skype, online chats, and monthly visits. Then after a whirlwind weekend, he went and popped the question. Obviously there would be compromises in store and these two worked out a pretty good deal.

Moises would live with his new fiancée in Texas, but the wedding would be held in his Mexican hometown. And that's where the real fun begins! The entire planning process was like a cultural exploration for Kendra as she spruced up her Spanish, chose traditional decorations, and enjoyed the country's famous brands of tequila!

When the big day arrived, emotions ran high. Not because of any drama or bickering, but because of the significance this Boda held. For one thing, Kendra picked her deceased mom's birthday as the wedding date. And Moises truly let his feelings show when the sentimental vows came out.

It was actually rather endearing and led right into one of the most exciting receptions we've ever seen. This wild after-party had traditional Mexican dancers, lanterns in the sky, and even a sombrero-wearing donkey!

Destination bodas don't get better than this!

Where would your perfect destination wedding be?  Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Kendra & Moises, Quiero Mi Boda, Tr3s Exclusives

How can you beat two Bodas for the price of one? In what may be a QMB first, we got to experience back-to-back weddings in the same episode. Illustrating the true art of the compromise, Hindu groom Danny and Dominican bride Anny celebrated each other’s cultures and kept us very entertained.

Honestly, we think Anny and Danny are in for a long and happy marriage. Why? Because they’re problem solvers. Rather than butting heads over keeping things Hindu (per Danny’s parents) or following Anny’s Catholic traditions, they decided to do both! One wedding to honor his culture and one wedding to honor hers.

Though they came off strict at first, you couldn’t help but love Anny and Danny’s colorful parents. Usually the older generations are set in their ways, but here both sides decided to respect their children’s wishes and go with the doubled up ceremonies.

For the Hindu ritual, Anny decked herself out in a gorgeous sari gown, complete with a shimmering bejeweled veil (but no Henna tattoos). Danny put on quite a pre-wedding celebration and was literally carried into their Boda temple on what Anny dubbed “the flying carpet.”

For wedding #2, Ann and Dan went with Catholic traditions. He decked himself out in a distinguished black suit, while she walked down the aisle in a shimmering white dress. Part of what made the second Boda so great was seeing their raw emotions during the vow exchange. Even the second time around, these two were clearly gushing over each other.

Five years into their relationship, Anny and Danny are primed to start a new and happy life. With their brand new house and some very loving in-laws, things are definitely on the upswing. Plus, they have two different wedding albums to enjoy when they feel like being nostalgic.

Which of Danny and Anny’s Bodas did you like best? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Anny and Danny, Quiero Mi Boda, Weddings

By Michael Lopez

What are you doing this Saturday at 12 midnight PST (or 3 am for all you east coast night owls)? If you're a fan of Latin alternative music, you best be turning on Tr3s for our new series, La Hora Nacional! Curated by Nacional Records founder Tomas Cookman, it promises to showcase the hottest alternative jams of the week!

Bomba Estero, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, and "Spot" headliners Los Rakas are just a few of the alternative genre-hoppers you can expect to hear on the series. And seeing how Cookman also helped create the LAMC, you can bet there will be performances culled from that catalog as well.

"We are excited about a new focused program that will highlight rising stars as well as iconic acts across various genres," Tomas said in his La Hora announcement. "As the U.S. Latino demographic continues to evolve, it's essential to recognize the tremendous amount of groundbreaking talent which often do not receive as much attention from the mainstream Latin media."

And judging from episode one's playlist, you can tell Cookman is living up to his word. Expect jams from Ana Tijoux, Mano Negra, and MTV Iggy's newest darlings La Vida Bohéme. Plus with all the CARmaggedon drama going on, it makes a perfect late night escape!

Catch the premiere of La Hora Nacional this Saturday at 12am PST on Tr3s!

Who's your favorite alternative Latin artist? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Hot Stuff, La Hora Nacional, LAMC, Música, Television, Tomas Cookman, Tr3s shows

By Sugey Palomares

Call him the ultimate multitasker! Mario Lopez has been a busy papi since welcoming his baby girl, Gia Francesca, with longtime Courtney Mazza back in September, but that hasn't stopped him from shining in the spotlight by hosting "America's Best Dance Crew," starring in a new reality show showcasing life as a new dad in "Saved By The Baby," and hosting "Extra."

Now MTV Tr3s is offering a double dose of the hunky star by airing "Saved by the Baby” Mondays at 6:60pm and “America’s Best Dance Crew” on Wednesdays at 8pm.

When asked about fatherhood, Lopez confessed:

"My mornings are better because I get to see her. I enjoy coming home. No matter how hard of a day I had, I get to see her little face and everything works out."

Admit it, your Mondays and Wednesdays just got better too! Who doesn't need a little more Mario Lopez in their life? You are very welcomed!

Tags Courtney Mazza, Gia Francesca, Mario Lopez, MTV Tr3s

By Michael Lopez

It looks like we know where to shoot the next season of Quiero Mis Quinces. According to Fox News Latino, Texas is fast becoming the quinceañera capital of the U.S. With its now-famous Quince Expo, a growing Latino population and a wide variety of vendors, the state is helping this timeless Latin tradition thrive.

The Latino Bridal & Quince Girl Expo is held in five Texas cities each year, attracting more than 6,500 people to its recent show in Dallas. Featuring hundreds of vendors, the event unites families with dresses, hairtsylists, DJs, choreographers, and even horse-drawn carriages.

“Even during a bad economy I haven’t seen a drop in business,” said Raymond Macias, of Unique Promotions of Dallas. "There are so many quinces in one weekend that some churches hold mass for as many as 10 young women at one time."

According to Macias, families often spend as much as $60,000 for the one-night event. Dinners can go as high as $10,000 and DJs can often cost thousands more.

Fans of Quiero Mis Quinces are well aware of that. Memorable quinceañeras from past seasons have included fashion runways, decked out limousines, and even giant coffins in the middle of the dance floor. Obviously, none of that stuff comes cheap.

These dances have become so popular that new quince-centric businesses have opened to cater to the industry's growing clientele. Entrepreneur Oscar Mendoza recently opened Elegancia Formal Wear near Dallas, a dress and costume store dedicated to the quniceañera craze.

“There aren’t any other stores that cater to Latinos and quinceañeras in this area, so I might as well take a chance,” he said.

Other businesses, such as Coreografia Quality, have opened to teach routines to the birthday girl.

“We’re not cheap,” Coreografia Quality’s Daniel Sepulveda said. “We demand anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 per night.”

And that’s not all. With such trailblazers as QMQ’s Rene, it’s quite possible that quinceañeros could become the next big trend. Perhaps it's time to start investing in Texas tux shops, too.

Have you noticed an increase in quinceañeras lately? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Cultura, Hot Stuff, Quiero Mis Quinces, Quinceaneras, Texas

By Michael Lopez

Thirty-four episodes in, how could you not be hooked on Niñas Mal? There’s outspoken Adela and her mommy issues, Nina and her ability to “bend the truth,” and Greta’s out-of-control eating disorder. But beyond the onscreen drama, the novela has also built a rep for its top-notch soundtrack. And finding musical inspiration for the Niñas was a rather interesting task, as Colombian band Don Tetto explained exclusively to Blogamole.

Already a favorite with MTV Latin America fans, Don Tetto’s videos have been in heavy rotation for more than four years. Formed in 2003, the tight-knit quartet of Diego Puelo, Carlos Leongomez, Jaime Valderrama and Jaime Medina recently released their second album, which features the Mal track, “No Digas Lo Siento.”

“This second album gave us the opportunity to open ourselves more,” bassist Valderrama said. “Our first CD was more related to the punk scene. Now we are influenced by more variations of rock.”

Of course, the “punk scene” was a perfect fit for the bad girls of Niñas Mal. Valderrama went on to explain how many of their lyrics were inspired by the novela’s troublesome trio.

“When we were writing our latest batch of songs, our manager called and told us about MTV and Niñas Mal," he said. "We were really excited! It gave us the opportunity to write about those kinds of girls you meet that your mother doesn’t like. We liked the theme of the show.”

Also included on the soundtrack is Mexican songstress Belinda. Her “Lolita” video featured all three female leads causing trouble in typical Niñas Mal style.

Valderrama mentioned how grateful he and his bandmates were to be part of the musical project.

“All of our fans love the show! A lot of people have commented on it. They really love the actresses.”

By the sounds of things, earning a song on Niñas Mal can benefit both the artists and the show. Jaime also noted that the band’s Twitter and Facebook followings have greatly increased since the series premiere. Likewise, we’re sure Don Tetto’s punk fan base was eager to get wrapped up in the ongoing tantrums of Adela, Nina and Greta.

What is your favorite Niñas Mal song? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Don Tetto, Exclusive Entrevistas, Música, Ninas Mal, Novelas, Tr3s shows

By Rachael Coleman Thompson

Ricky Martin has experienced a whirlwind of changes in recent years. He became a father, came out about his sexuality, wrote a book and journeyed far into the depths of his own soul. The culmination of that spiritual catharsis has resulted in a deeply personal statement expressed the best way he knows how: through music.

Martin's ninth album, Música + Alma + Sexo, may be his first studio recording in six years, but that time wasn't idly spent. Shortly after winning two Latin Grammys for his MTV Unplugged in 2007, Martin became the father of twins, Mateo and Valentino, and, in late 2010, published his autobiography, Yo, an intimate portrait of his world and his personal journey of self-discovery.

Photo by Rachael Coleman Thompson/Tr3s

That journey was the foundation for Música + Alma + Sexo, a collection of songs that, according to Martin, represent "the three priorities of life."

"I've gone through a process that is so totally spiritual in these last— well, I'd dare say since I became a dad," Martin told Studio Tr3s in Spanish. "It was really, really intense, that searching, and many cycles opened and many cycles closed. And sex, it's part of everything, man. It's a part of life, it's also very spiritual, and it is nature. It's everything. And the music in this record talks about all of that."

The process of writing the album was a journey all its own. Writing both his book and his new songs required Martin to dig deep within himself to capture the essence that defines him as both man and musician.

"I emptied myself," Martin said. "There were periods of intense vulnerability. There were moments filled with doubt, filled with a lot of emotion, and also a lot of enjoyment. But this creative process really strengthened me. And working with Desmond Child — he's an amazing producer, someone that knows me very well. We're on the same frequency when it comes to living, spirituality, etc., so it was a very, very beautiful moment of my life. ... It's been very liberating, and this is only the beginning. I just can't wait to be on stage again."

But even when that process seemed difficult, Martin's young sons helped him keep perspective.

"Life gets complicated," Martin said. "While you're growing up and dealing with the truths of this wonderful life, one begins to forget the importance of simple things. ... Even laughing at yourself is very important, and you forget these things. My sons have taught me. They look at me and say, ‘Dad, relax. Everything is fine.' So that's the beauty of it. They teach me. They are like two small gurus with old souls that teach me a lot. They're the best thing that has ever happened."

The bilingual album features songs in both Spanish and English — including the Spanish-language duet "Lo Mejor De Mi Vida Eres Tú" with Spanish singer Natalia Jiménez and its English counterpart "The Best Thing About Me Is You" with British songstress Joss Stone — confirmation of Martin's desire to truly reach a global audience.

"You have to communicate," he said. "It's funny because when I tweet in Spanish, the Anglo-Saxons say ‘Hey, don't you speak English?' And when I tweet in English, the Latinos say, ‘Hey, brother, you're a Latino. What's the matter with you?!' And, well, the important thing is that they get the message. Fortunately, with my music I have noticed that language isn't a problem.... I like learning languages and I like trying to get the message across. But there are things that aren't translatable."

Just don't ask him to speak multiple languages at the same time.

While setting up for the interview, Tr3s host Carlos Santos told him he would be asking questions in both English and Spanish. "I've got to put some ‘Spanglishcito' in there," Santos said, to which Martin replied:

"That Spanglish is killing me!"

Studio Tr3s: Ricky Martin, featuring interviews with and performances by Martin, Jiménez and boricua reggaetón duo Wisin y Yandel, airs on Tr3s Saturday, Feb. 12.

Tags Carlos Santos, Hot Stuff, Natalia Jimenez, photo, Photos, Ricky Martin, Studio Tr3s: Ricky Martin, Wisin y Yandel