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By Michael Lopez

All across the country today, thousands of Jencarlos Canela fans are pumping up their iPods and earbuds. That's because his brand new album, Un Nuevo Dia, has finally arrived and the Cuban-American star couldn't be more excited about it.

"We worked so hard on this album," Canela proudly told Latina. "Sometimes we were working in the studio til three in the morning. I got to do some amazing collaborations with great friends of mine and artists that I admire, like El Cata and Pitbull, who's like my brother."

Another big asset of Un Nuevo Dia is its English single, "All I Need Is Your Love." The track happens to be Jencarlos' first non-Spanish recording and expectations are high that it could become a crossover smash.

"The best thing about this album is we have an English track," Canela explained. "I feel like I'm finally being honest with myself, by singing in both English and Spanish. I think we're going to definitely start moving in that direction [of recording more English language music], without abandoning the fans that brought me here."

Throughout the interview, Jencarlos also offered insight on his hit Spanish soap, his passion for charity work, and his close relationship with his parents. Interestingly, one topic that didn't come up was his alleged girlfriend, Gaby Espino.

When asked about his romantic status, Canela said,

"I don't have a girlfriend right now. I'm very happy right now. I’m in a very happy place."

Are you planning on picking up Jencarlos' new album? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags All I Need Is Your Love, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Hot Stuff, Jencarlos Canela, Latina, Música, Un Nuevo Dia

By Michael Lopez

Fans of NBC's The Today Show have been dealing with quite a shake up lately. After five years behind the desk, Meredith Vieira officially said goodbye this week, making way for her replacement Ann Curry. And Natalie Morales (who had co-hosted the third hour of the show) will now be bumped up to Ann's old position, full-time news anchor.

Obviously the promotion thrilled Natalie, who spoke about the change-up to Latina.

"I was actually blown away," Morales said. "It was one of those really surreal, out-of-body moments. And then there’s the bittersweet aspect of it because in order to move up, it meant Meredith was going away and I’ve loved every minute of the last five years working with her. I’m going to miss her dearly."

Natalie also expressed her admiration for the diversity exemplified by Today. Ann Curry was born in Guam, co-host Hoda Kotb is of Egyptian descent, and Natalie represents both Brazilian and Puerto Rican heritage.

"What you see when you look at The Today Show is true diversity and I'm thrilled that I can represent Latinas in such a positive way," she said. "I hope I am able to show my strengths in every way. I'd like to do some high-profile stories on Latin and South America as well and perhaps interview the leaders in those countries."

And at just 39-years-old, she's one of the youngest personalities in the Today ensemble. Just looking at her many accomplishments thus far, it's clear that Natalie has a very long and bright future ahead.

Are you a fan of The Today Show? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Latina, Meredith Vieira, Natalie Morales, Television, The Today Show

By Michael Lopez

It may be the #1 search engine on the planet, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few specific words that don’t agree with Google. Terms like “pornographer” and “panties” we understand, but “Latina?” Yup, believe it or not, that word is now officially banned by Google.

Now don’t get us wrong, your computer won’t explode if you type “Latina” in a Google search. But as an experiment, punch it in and you’ll notice that the term gets cut off the second you hit the “a.” Similarly, swap in an “o” for “Latino” and you’ll see a host of search options appear after your word.

So is Google sexist or what? Well, not quite. It seems the word “Latina” has been connected to numerous adult-oriented searches, which the company strongly discourages. Other terms they believe are tied to the genre, like “lesbian”, “teen”, and even “Paris Hilton” got axed as well.

So far, The Daily Beast has uncovered a total of 15 terms that have been officially blacklisted. And before you get all heated up about Googling stars like Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek Pinault, keep in mind that Blogamole has a nice little Search window right there at the top of the screen…and we never discriminate!

Source: [Daily Beast]

Are you a big fan of Google’s? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Chisme, Google, Internet, Latina, Paris Hilton, Technology

By Michael Lopez

It’s hard to believe, but in a society filled with YouTube clips, video games, and zillions of cable channels, reading just might be making a comeback. How do we know this? Just look at the stats for Apple’s iPad (3 million units sold) and the extra hot Kindle device (Amazon’s biggest seller!).

Now that we have the power to tote hundreds of books on the go, reading is “chic” again. Latina Magazine recently released their official summer reading recommendations. Here are a few we can’t wait to get digital with:

The Firefly Letters
Margarita Engle’s book of poetry-inspired writing is actually based on historical events surrounding a Swedish activist’s journey to 1800’s Cuba.

Try To Remember
Author Iris Gomez channels a bit of her own history into this intriguing semi-autobiographical tale. It offers a harsh, yet inspiring look at growing up as a Colombian immigrant in 1970’s America.

The Madonnas Of Echo Park
Brando Skyhorse’s debut novel is already getting tons of buzz. Set in SoCal’s Mexican-heavy Echo Park district, it illustrates the highs and lows of LA’s cultural melting pot.

Read more...

Tags Latina, list, MTV Tr3s, random cool, summer reading

Latinos continue to make us proud as they repesent our culture en la casa blanca!  President Obama and the First Lady are hosting a concert series called, "Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina."  Ay, que rico! The program celebrates Hispanic heritage and includes performances by salsero Marc Anthony, Jimmy Smits, Gloria Estefan, José Feliciano, George Lopez, Thalia, Tito "El Bambino", our favorite bachateros Aventura, and the Chicano rock band Los Lobos. 

Henry Santos Jeter from Aventura tweeted a clip from their live rehearsal earlier. Looks like it's going to be an amazing show!

Latinos in the White House...WEPA!!! Go Obama, Go Obama! Dale 'pa 'bajo!

Photos via Getty Images

Tags Aventura, concert at white house, George Lopez, Gloria Estefan, henry santos, Jimmy Smits, Jose Feliciano, Latina, Los Lobos, Marc Anthony, Tito El Bambino, white house

Shakira is set to guest star on an upcoming episode of Ugly Betty set to shoot in the Bahamas. Nice! So is she going to play someone else? Nope, la sexy Colombiana will star as herself!

Silvio Horta, the show's creator, has this to say:

"We're huge fans of Shakira. We had a very memorable moment in the third episode where Betty has a makeover that goes wrong and she struts down the street to 'Hips Don't Lie.' We've mentioned her several times over the course of the series and have always wanted to work with her. She's an enormous Latina icon, as is Betty, and we though it was a perfect fit."

We couldn't agree more!

Will you tune in to watch Shaki spice things up?

Photos Via Getty Images

Tags America Ferrera, Bahamas, latin, Latina, Shakira, Silvio Horta, TV, Ugly Betty

America Ferrera graces the cover of the October issue of Latina magazine and this Betty looks anything but ugly!

America is looking classier than ever! La actriz cleared the air about a few things we've all been wondering about in her interview, and she even dished on her alleged feud with Lindsay Lohan!

"Of course they want to make us look like we fought like cats and dogs, because people are going to believe it. And it’s total BS. It’s not true. It does such a disservice to the image of young women."

America also talked about her continued portrayal of strong Latinas in her acting roles.

"It's not anything I've done consciously.  I'm just drawn to the characters and trying to make them more than one-dimensional."

Keep doing what you're doing, America!  Que vivan las Latinas!  Check out more of America's interview in this month's issue of Latina.  [Hissip.com]

Tags America Ferrera, Latina, Lindsay Lohan, Ugly Betty

Perhaps Selena Gomez's recent appointment to ambassador at UNICEF will finally make those trick-or-treat cash collection boxes chic on Halloween.

Gomez, who worked on the 2008 Trick-or-Treat Halloween Campaign for UNICEF, is the youngest ambassador selected by the United States Fund.  The Wizards of Waverly Place actress will leverage her fame and talent to raise money for children's causes abroad and educate others about following the UNICEF mission, to reduce the percent of preventable deaths in children.

About her appointment, the young Latina told the press:

I know we can achieve this because every moment, UNICEF is on the ground providing children with the lifesaving assistance needed to ensure zero [deaths] becomes a reality.

Selena's UNICEF work will sure teach this pretty young thing to take on a more low maintenace routine.  As her first act of duty, Gomez will visit Ghana, one of the countries holding the highest rate of mortality in children under five.  There, the Disney actriz will observe the sordid conditions in which West African children live, and help propose solutions on how to improve their quality of life.

Gomez isn't the only celebrity on the UNICEF roster. The actress-singer joins fellow ambassadors Joel Madden, Lucy Liu, Clay Aiken, Alyssa Milano and Sarah Jessica Parker in the good fight for los niños. [Unicef.org]

Photos via Getty Images

Tags Disney, ghana, halloween campaign, Latina, Selena Gomez, Tr3s, Tres, trick-or-treat, UNICEF, west africa, wizards of waverly place

It looks like the outgoing Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela, just can't wait to get out of her sash and into... un escándalo?

Nearly, but not quite.  Mendoza, who will pass su corona to the new Miss Universe on August 23rd, posed for a spicy spread in an upcoming issue of men's mag Maxim.  Although the beauty queen didn't go full frontal para la revista, she did pose topless, with her arms covering up any XXX body parts.

The move is unusual for a Miss Universe title holder still in the public eye, pero she did not break any rules.  Pageant officials like Donald Trump gave the Venezuelan beauty their blessing to publish las fotos.  This isn't the first time that the Caracas model has had a run-in with the pageant committee.  Early on in her reign it was discovered she had taken provocative photos for a jewelry ad when she was fifteen.  The photos were deemed passable and she held onto her title.

The president of the Miss Universe organization, Paula Shugart, was content with Dayana's choice to bare herself, saying that the pics contained “nothing salacious" and were "just beautiful."

Looks like Mendoza will keep her record clean, rather than taking on a tarnished rep like troublesome reinas of beauty pageant past Tara Conner and Carrie Prejean. [MSNBC.com]

In other good looking news, this year's roster of Latinas for the Miss Universe pageant is looking fierce!  Check a few of the contestants below, and scope out the complete line-up on MissUniverse.com to see who would get your vote!

Mayella Mena, El Salvador

Karla Carillo, Mexico

Michelle Rouillard, Columbia

Images via Maxim Magazine and MissUniverse.com

Tags contestants, Dayana Mendoza, donald trump, ganadora, karla carillo, Latina, line-up, list, lista, mayella mena, michelle rouillard, Miss Universe, model, modela

Last night Los Angeles' Kodak theater packed in 3,000 dance fans for the finale of Fox's fifth season of So You Think You Can Dance.  After whittling down the final four to the best of the flexible, jumping and spinning --  Brandon Bryant, Kayla Radomski, Jeanine Mason and Evan Kasprzak -- la ganadora was announced.  We were thrilled to see that Latina Jeanine Mason took home el premio SYTYCD -- 250K (where can we find some dance lessons asap?!)

We knew Jeanine, a Cuban-American, had it in the bag when she pulled out a spicy solo this past Wednesday linking her flair for modern dance a sus raíces Latinas.  Jeanine, a Miami native, danced to the sultry "Por Una Cabeza" by The Tango Project.  About her solo, the So You Think You Can Dance contestant said: I'm Latina myself; I love Latin music."

Talking about momentos picantes, there's buzz that Jeanine is dating her SYTYCD co-star Jason Glover.  After sharing a steamy (and unscripted) beso on stage after their modern dance routine, everyone had something to say!

Felicidades Jeanine!

Images via Getty and Fox

Tags bailadora, brandon bryant, cat deeley, dancer, evan kasprzak, final four, ganadora, jason glover, jeanine mason, kayla radomski, Latina, Miami, So You Think You Can Dance, winner