Univision Announces 12 Finalists to Compete in “Nuestra Belleza Latina’

“The Univision Television Network announced today the 12 finalists who will compete in “Nuestra Belleza Latina” Our Latin Beauty, the extraordinary program that combines the glamour of a beauty competition with the excitement of reality television. Hosted by popular Univision personality Giselle Blondet, “Nuestra Belleza Latina” airs weekly on Tuesdays from 10:00 – 11:00 p.m. ET/PT 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. Central on Univision.

Representing the most captivating Hispanic women from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, the 12 finalists are: from Chicago – Angie Chavéz; from Houston – Elizabeth López, Joanna Parra; from Los Angeles – Alejandra Espinoza, Marlene Alvarez, Mayra Muñoz; from Miami – Martha López, Giselle Saouda; from New York – Raengel Solis, Lorraine Lara; from Puerto Rico – Yara Lasanta, Madelis Soto.

While living together in a beautiful Miami mansion, the finalists will face a series of weekly challenges that will test their talent and character. Viewers will get an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look as they endeavor to perfect their runway walk, work with stylists and make-up artists, sharpen their dance, singing and acting skills, and undergo a rigorous fitness regimen.

Viewer participation will be a key factor in helping a panel of judges including former Miss Universe, Venezuelan beauty Alicia Machado; Latin America’s most revered beauty coach Osmel Sousa; and entertainment host of “El Gordo y La Flaca” (The Scoop and The Skinny) Carlos Calderón. In the 2-hour grand finale, the contestant with the most votes will be crowned the very first “Nuestra Belleza Latina.”

“We are thrilled to be launching “Nuestra Belleza Latina.’ Beauty competitions are a rich tradition among Hispanics and this first-of-a-kind reality/beauty program is one more way to strongly connect with our viewers,” said Alina Falcón, Univision Network Executive Vice President and Operating Manager. “We are also excited to be working closely with our key marketing partners, and offering new ways to successfully integrate their powerful brands.”

In this dynamic new show, Univision has partnered with Cingular Wireless, the new AT&T; Ford Motor Company; JCPenney and Maybelline New York and Garnier. The partnerships will include significant in-show integration, providing valuable exposure for the brands through creative and compelling content for “Nuestra Belleza Latina.”

As the show’s major sponsors, Cingular Wireless, the new AT&T; Ford Motor Company; JCPenney and Maybelline New York and Garnier are providing the winner of “Nuestra Belleza Latina” with an array of prizes and cash. In addition to the title and coveted contract with Univision, the winner will receive a $50,000 cash prize from Cingular Wireless, the new AT&T; a 2007 Ford Edge valued at $35,000; and a $40,000 contract to represent JCPenney. Maybelline New York and Garnier will provide the winner and her guest with two all expense paid trips, one to New York for a shopping spree and one to Miami for a spa day, for a total value of $40,000.

As the exclusive telecom sponsor, Cingular Wireless, the new AT&T, is an integral part of each telecast and will provide viewers with the information to vote for their favorite contestants from week to week. Univision Móvil, the industry’s most comprehensive provider of Spanish-language mobile content, has partnered with Cingular Wireless, the new AT&T, to offer subscribers a chance to vote for their favorite contestants and enter a sweepstakes to win a trip for two to the show’s finale. Subscribers can also watch interviews, runway modeling and behind-the-scenes footage of the competition, all via their mobile phones.

Univision will work closely with Ford Motor Company, JCPenney and Maybelline New York and Garnier to co-create individualized programming content that seamlessly integrates each of their brands into the show via a sponsored challenge, which the contestants will face on a weekly basis. Ford Motor Company, JCPenney and Maybelline New York and Garnier will also provide an additional assortment of cash or prizes for their individual branded challenge.

Univision.com takes fans inside “Nuestra Belleza Latina” with exclusive content and video coverage of contestant bios, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. The interactivity does not stop with online. Whether it’s online or on the go, Univision.com and Univision Móvil ensure that fans do not miss a second of their favorite shows.

“Nuestra Belleza Latina” airs weekly on Tuesdays from 10:00 – 11:00 p.m. ET/PT (9:00 – 10:00 p.m. Central) on the Univision Television Network.

Univision Communications Inc. is the premier Spanish-language media company in the United States. Its operations include Univision Network, the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the U.S. reaching 99% of U.S. Hispanic Households; TeleFutura Network, a general-interest Spanish-language broadcast television network, which was launched in 2002 and now reaches 87% of U.S. Hispanic Households; Galavisión, the country’s leading Spanish-language cable network; Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 62 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group which owns and/or operates 69 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and 4 stations in Puerto Rico; Univision Music Group, which includes Univision Records, Fonovisa Records, La Calle Records and Mexico-based Disa Records as well as Fonomusic and America Musical Publishing companies; and Univision Online, the premier Spanish-language Internet destination in the U.S. located at www.univision.com. Univision Communications also has a 50% interest in TuTv, a joint venture formed to broadcast Televisa’s pay television channels in the U.S., and a non-voting 14.9% interest in Entravision Communications Corporation, a public Spanish-language media company. Univision Communications is headquartered in Los Angeles with television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States.

For more information, please visit http://www.univision.net. “

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