by Antonio Mejías-Rentas
Christian de la Fuente
‘REAL’LATINOS: Hispanic performers fi gure prominently on several reality TV shows, including the fi rst Spanish-speaker on Dancing With the Stars.
Chilean actor Cristian de la Fuente makes his dancing debut this week on the popular ABC contest that has a live, two-part premiere for its sixth season on March 17 and 18. The 34-year-old actor, a pilot with the Chilean air force reserve, is set to break the stereotype of Latinos being naturally-gifted dancers. He told La Opinion last week he has had to train four to fi ve hours a day with partner Cheryl Burke for the competition.
De la Fuente is a rare crossover success. He appears frequently on Spanish-language TV (most recently on the Univision mini series Cómo ama una mujer) as well as English language shows (Ugly Betty on ABC).
Two seasons ago, Mexican-American actor Mario López became the fi rst Latino to compete on Dancing With the Stars. A dancer since childhood, he made it all the way to the finals.
Four Latino singers were among the 12 finalists on TV’s most popular reality competition, American Idol on Fox, including an ex stripper who became the first eliminated from the show last week.
Ex Miss Universe Lupita Jones
Just as the Idol finalists were being selected, a gay bar owner in Phoenix revealed that competitor David Hernandez stripped at the establishment for three years. The 24-year-old from Glendale, Ariz., went on to become the fi rst fi nalist eliminated during a broadcast this week.
Among the remaining 11: David Archuleta, 17, from Murray, Utah; Syesha Mercado, 21, Sarasota, Fla.; and Jason Castro, 20, Rockwall, Texas.
IN OTHER REALITY TV NEWS:
Julio Iglesias Jr. was named the winner of the Nashville-based Gone Country competition. The lesser-known son of Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias and older brother of pop top star Enrique Iglesias is now set to record a country album. He won the CMT reality show with The Way I Want You, a song he wrote himself.
A second season of the Univision beauty contest reality show, Nuestra Belleza Latina, began airing this week with former Mexican Miss Universe Lupita Jones as one of the judges. Twelve Latina beauties compete for the title while housed in a Miami mansion. Hispanic Link.
