Blogamole › Sonia Sotomayor

Last night, the White House became La Casa Blanca y nuestro Presidente brought out even more of his Latino side than he has already... At least that was the running joke from George Lopez, Eva Longoria Parker, and Jimmy Smits that started off the "Fiesta Latina" showcase last night.

The event not only hosted amazing Latino figures (including the first Hispanic to sit on the Supreme Court, Justice Sonia Sotomayor), it was really a celebration of our culture y nuestra música. Obama spoke about the global appeal of our ritmo Latino, and how all cultures can tune into it. Some of those bringing down the house were Gloria Estefan, José Feliciano, and Los Premios nominees for Best MTV Tr3s Artist, Aventura, among others. But our favorite performance came from Thalía who asked President Obama to dance with her and called him "Machooo!" Love it!  Watch the clip of Obama dancing with Thalía here!

The grand finale had all the celebs on stage together, dancing to Gloria Estefan's "Mi Tierra." A perfect end to an amazing night. Stay tuned to MTV News for exclusive coverage.

Click after the jump to check out some celeb photos for this event, including some of Aventura! Read more...

Tags Aventura, Eva Longoria Parker, George Lopez, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Smits, Los Lobos, Marc Anthony, MTV NEws, President Barack Obama, Sheila E, Sonia Sotomayor, Thalía

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama came out last Wednesday to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the CHCI 32nd Annual Awards Gala in Washington DC, an annual kickoff event that recognizes the achievements of Latinos en nuestro país.  Over 2,000 guests joined President Obama in celebrating Latino culture, including Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, John Leguizamo and Miss Puerto Rico to name a few.  El orgullo Latino was certainly soaring high!

President Obama's speech highlighted the success of some of today's most prominent Latinos (including Marc Anthony who won this year's CHCI Lifetime Achievement Award), and also touched upon his plan to help solve the school dropout crisis (sadly, Latinos have the highest dropout rate in the country), and pressing social issues like the economy, health care reform, and immigration. He gave a special shout out to Justice Sotomayor and said his proudest moment as President was when she became elected as the Supreme Court Justice of the United States!

Politics are no fun without some risas, so President Obama made sure to throw in a joke after New York Rep. Nydia Velazquez gushed about Marc Anthony.  El Presidente declared that Nydia must have a crush on Marc, and warned JLo to watch out porque apparently, she's not the only one who's got her eye on the legendary salsero.  Cuidado with your man, JLo!  Listen to Obama's chiste below!

Obama Tells JLo to "Watch Out"

Listen to more exclusive clips from Obama's Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Gala speech after the jump!

Read more...

Tags CHCI 32nd Annual Awards Gala, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Hispanic Heritage Month, J.LO, Jennifer Lopez, John Leguizamo, Marc Anthony, Michelle Obama, Nydia Velasquez, Politics, President Barack Obama, Sonia Sotomayor

Jennifer Lopez and Rosie Perez have reportedly let their claws out in the battle for who gets the rights to do a movie about Latina U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor.

Although las dos actrices boricuas have been friends in the past, both are very eager to make a film about the inspiring Latina judge.  La amistad has been put on the backburner in the race to be the first star to secure the rights to the biopic.

According to a source quoted in the National Enquirer:

Rosie resents Jennifer going after the project because she says she would have wanted to make the movie whether Sotomayor was confirmed or not. (Lopez) hosted a dinner party for Justice Sotomayor right after her confirmation. It was to butter her up because Lopez thinks a film about her life story would be huge. Considering this is Hollywood, before its over, there may be two film versions of Sonia Sotomayor’s life.

Hmm, we're a little disappointed about all this fighting!  We know Rosie Perez has been dying to take on the role, pero somehow we just don't think that a movie star batalla is the right way to celebrate the success of una poderosa e inspiradora Latina.

Bueno -- who do you think would make a better Sonia?  JLo or Rosie?  Leave a comment with your vote! [PopCrunch]

Photos via Getty Images

Tags J.LO, Jennifer Lopez, Rosie Perez, Sonia Sotomayor, supreme court justice, US Supreme Court

When you're Jenny from the Block, and you've moved it on up from a dlux 6 subway car to the lux life for realz, you value other hard-working, aspirational Latinos.

So naturally, it made sense when JLo invited another Bronx American Dream Latina to dinner, the newly-confirmed Sonia Sotomayor!  Lopez has shown her support not only of Sonia Sotomayor, but also of Barack Obama throughout his presidential campaign and inauguration.  With a powerhouse carrera, a full familia and a fashion line, es un milagro que JLo finds time to support the Democrat cause in such style!

JLo and hubby Marc Anthony invited twelve guests in total to their Long Island mansion for cocktails and dinner.  With Madre's now closed, it's good to hear that JLo can still throw together a mean Puerto Rican supper for VIP guests! [Latina]

Tags casa, cena, cocktail party, Dinner, Fiesta, house, J.LO, Jennifer Lopez, jenny from the block, long island, Mansion, Marc Anthony, Party, Sonia Sotomayor, supper

Struggling with how to spice up your wardrobe for back-to-school?  Save the brainstorming for your classes and let us show you el camino...

Karen Crawford, a Los Angeles ad exec raised in NYC's Spanish Harlem, has designed a line of stylish, statement-making and affordable (times are tough, güeys!) tees for Latinas.   With shirts bearing words como "Paz," "Amor," y "Mamacita," KC Los Angeles tiene una camiseta para todos, y una camiseta para cada causa.  Además, Crawford's work is dedicated to her mom; who doesn't love una hija leal?!

KC Los Angeles isn't just stylish, it's giving back to la comunidad.  Ten percent of sales proceeds from KC Los Angeles products are given to la fundación Para Los Niños, a family service organization that aims to better the lives of impoverished families in Los Angeles.

Which tee do we feel like wearing hoy?  Nos parece que esta es bastante adecuada, no? Now KC Los Angeles just needs to make a tee that says "Lo Hicimos! Gracias Sonia!"

Images via KC Los Angeles

Tags amor, clothing, designer, disenadora, Estilo, fitted tees, kc los angeles, Latina, Los-Angeles, Mamacita, moda, paz, ropa, shirt, Sonia Sotomayor, Style, tee, trendy

Noticias from the Hill...

Today the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to endorse Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice, prepping the Bronx native for a confirmation vote la semana próxima, a moment sure to go down in US and Latino history.

The panel voted 13 to 6 in FAVOR of Sonia.   Joining the Democratic voters backing Obama's appointment for the high court was Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who stated he was voting  "for a woman [he] would not have chosen," and that the addition of a Latina to the Supreme Court roster shows "America has changed for the better with her selection."

As expected, the Republican remainder on the panel voted against the 55-year-old Sotomayor.  The Republican lack of support may be linked to their claim that Sonia would rule with a impartial hand with regards to cases of race and gender, because of her sex and ethnic background.

Sotomayor has plainly stated that she would never let her personal experience cause bias in her rulings.  About the Puerto Rican Supreme Court nominee, Democratic Senator Pat Leahy from Vermont stated today:

She is a restrained, fair and impartial judge...There is not one example, let alone a pattern, of a ruling based on prejudice, bias or sympathy.

We look forward to the confirmation next week.  FELICIDADES SONIA and keep paving the way for Latinos en Los Estados Unidos!

[LA Times, Yahoo! News]

Tags breaking news, bronx, democrat, democrat pat healy, Hispanic woman, History, Latina, puerto rican, republican lindsey graham, senate committee, senate judiciary committee, senator, Sonia Sotomayor, supreme court justice, vermont

After endless public attacks, Sonia Sotomayor will finally get the chance to clear the air today...

The first Latina woman nominated to the US Supreme Court is facing the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearings, where she will get the chance to clear-up endless conservative attacks and speak-up as to why she deserves to be the next high court justice. Senators are set to question the Bronx native on topics ranging from abortion to same-sex marriage. The hearings are expected to last several days, but Sotomayor may be confirmed as soon as Thursday.

What topics do you think should be discussed during the hearing? [Reuters]

Photo via Getty Images

Tags Chisme, MTV, Musica Latina, Politics, Sonia Sotomayor, Tr3s, Tres, US Supreme Court

Rosie Perez to be the next Sonia Sotomayor?

Word is that the "White Men Can't Jump" star is willing to play the famous Latina Supreme Court nominated judge if a biopic ends up being confirmed. According to the Daily News, Rosie will have to battle it out with other Latina actresses that have been considered for the role including, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Mendes, and Sara Ramirez.

Rosie recently spoke to The Daily News about the role:

There needs to be a fearlessness in approaching that role. That's who she is. Balancing the human being versus the judge is the biggest challenge that would face me personally, but I also think that to play her, you have to dive in and discover her true spirit. Otherwise, don't even f-ing go there. Don't even f-ing try it.

Now that's true passion for the movie! Who do you think should be picked to play Sonia? [The Daily News]

Photos via Google Images

Tags Chisme, Gossip, Latin Music, MTV, Musica Latina, Rosie Perez, Sonia Sotomayor, Tr3s, Tres

Are you tired of the Sotomayor jokes?

Are you wondering why a Latina can't be nominated for a high ranking position without media/politicians slandering her? Well, so is the National Council of La Raza.  To take a stand against haters they've started a petition "asking Republicans to restore the debate on Judge Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination to a more appropriate level of civil discourse." AKA: start playing fair! The council is planning on presenting the petition to Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Friday, June 19.

What does that mean? It means if you are angered by the attacks on Sotomayor NOW is the time to use TU VOZ. Sign the petition here before Friday and condemn the attacks on Sotomayor. The countdown para la justicia starts now! [NCLR.org]

Tags John Boehner, Michael Steele, Mitch McConnell, National Coucil of la Raza, Noticias, politico, Politics, Sonia Sotomayor

It's been an interesting week in the news since the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor was announced...

The Nuyorican nominee has not only struck a cord with Latinos, but the GOP and media alike. Who knew a Judge could stir up such frenzy! Hateful remarks calling her an 'intellectual lightweight' and a racist have spiraled up from the conservative side, but everybody should be singing to a different tune. Sotomayor's education (graduating top of her class both at Princeton and Yale) and experience speak for itself. Question is, why can't Republican gringos pronounce her name right?!

Watch how Jon Stewart pokes fun at the Sonia Sotomayor media craze right below. What are your thoughts?

Photos via Getty Images

Tags Barack Obama, Jon Stewart, Latinos and Politics, MTV, MTV NEws, politica, Sonia Sotomayor, Tr3s, Tres