Los Angeles, CA – February 3, 2005 – At a news conference held today in Los Angeles, Telemundo announced the launch of one of Spanish-language television's most awaited shows: "Nuevas Voces de America" ("New Voices of America"). Produced by Latin music mogul Emilio Estefan, this exciting reality show has been designed to identify the next Latin superstar and will debut as a weekly show on Telemundo Sunday, February 13, at 8 p.m. (7/c).
After running a national search with thousands of auditions held in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Puerto Rico, San Antonio, as well as accepting mailed-in applications, 20 finalists have been selected to participate in the new reality program. Finalists will have the opportunity to be trained by Emilio Estefan, the renowned producer who has helped launch the careers of many Latin mega stars like Thalia, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Marc Anthony and Gloria Estefan. Emilio Estefan will be assisted by a team of experts in various areas of training.
"Nuevas Voces de America" will be hosted by 2003 Miss Universe Amelia Vega, who will be the face of the show. Co-hosting with Amelia will be Spanish TV personality Poncho de Anda, who will share detailed information about the participants with the audience. Judges include Mexican rock star Alejandra Guzman, Emilio Regueira, lead singer of rock band "Los Rabanes," and David Naranjo, a marketing and media executive who has worked on the careers of such known artists as Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, Julio Iglesias and Alejandro Fernandez. Joining them will be several other high-profile celebrities who will be appearing as guest judges.
The contestants will live in Miami Beach and will undergo intense weekly trainings led by Emilio Estefan, including health and fitness, makeovers, choreography, on-camera expertise, beauty and fashion, and singing lessons. This training is designed to transform every contestant into real stars. In addition, Estefan will create original tunes, taking into consideration individual voice ranges, to be interpreted by each finalist over the course of the show.
The judges will evaluate each participant's onstage work and their weekly progress. Each Sunday, two of the finalists will be threatened for elimination. TV viewers will have the last say; via telephone or text messages, every week they will vote to determine who will stay in the competition and have the opportunity to become the new Latin voice of America.
The final winner of "Nuevas Voces de America" will receive a grand prize that includes a $250,000 contract with a record company.
