2012-03-25

Safura Alizadeh: an Azerbaijani singer and saxophonis

Safura Alizadeh (Azerbaijani: Səfurə Əlizadə; born: 20 September 1992; Baku, Azerbaijan) is an Azerbaijani singer and saxophonist. Alizadeh took part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, where she brought Azerbaijan on 5th place, with song "Drip Drop". She later released her debut album It's My War, which made its way into several European countries. Her second debut single "March On" was released in September.

Safura Alizadeh's father is a professional painter and her mother is a pianist and a fashion designer. Alizadeh began singing when she was very young and made her first stage appearance at age 6. In the course of her career, she sang in children's bands Sharg Ulduzlari and Bulbullar. Alizadeh took up violin lessons at the Baku Musical School No 2 but later also learned to play the piano and the saxophone. She became the winner of the national contest Yeni Ulduz (Season 8).Since the eighth grade Safura has been studying at the school no. 23 in Baku.

On 2 March 2010, Alizadeh won the Azerbaijani national final decided by jury and represented Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, which was held in Oslo, Norway. Alizadeh performed at the contest with the song "Drip Drop", written by Anders Bagge, Stefan Örn and Sandra Bjurman. Shortly after she performed on the concert in Ukraine and exchanged wishes with Ukrainian performer Vasyl Lazarovych. The video for the song was directed by a well known film director Rupert Wainwright, and choreographed by JaQuel Knight, who worked with Beyoncé and Britney Spears. Knight also designed the choreography of Safura's stage performance in Oslo.

On 1 May 2010, Safura began her promotional tour, and visited Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and Sweden. On 24 May she visited joint Ukraine—Germany party, attended by Alyosha and Lena Meyer-Landrut. After Meyer-Landrut's performance Safura gave a native Azerbaijani mat for Alyosha and an ancient horse shoe for luck to Lena.

After performing in the Semi-Final of the Eurovision on 27 May 2010 she qualified for the final two days later, where she came in fifth. On May 28, Safura took part in the celebration of Azerbaijan's Republic Day and performed on stage of Eurovision Village.

The singer performed at the gala hands in Poland in Bydgoszcz Hit Festival with the song Drip Drop. She was placed 5th. She was official spokesperson of televotes for Azerbaijan in Eurovision Song Contest 2011.

Miss XV: an upcoming Mexican tween television series

Miss XV (sometimes stylized as Miss 15) is an upcoming Mexican tween television series inspired by the 1987 telenovela Quinceanera. It will be produced by Pedro Damián for Nickelodeon Latin America and Canal 5.

Miss XV is inspired by the 1987 telenovela Quinceanera, starring Thalía and Adela Noriega. Producer Pedro Damián explained that the project was not a remake, nor is it an adaptation of the 1987 telenovela, Quinceanera. The project was first announced in late 2010. Filming began on October 12, 2011; the first episodes are expected to air in April 2012, with 120 episodes planned for season one and 80 for season two. The program will air on April 16, 2012 for Nickelodeon Latin America and May 16, 2012 for Canal 5.

In 2010, Miss XV (previously called Miss XV: Sueña Princesa) was announced as the latest television production from producer Pedro Damián as a collaboration for Canal 5, and Nickelodeon Latin America. Mexican actresses Danna Paola, Natasha Dupeyrón, and Renata Notni were all cast as leads for the telenovela. A trailer for the telenovela featuring all three actresses was released in late 2010. Mexican actor Eddy Vilard was previously attached to the project for a lead role alongside Danna Paola, but dropped out.

By the beginning of 2011, Miss XV was cancelled before production began for unknown reasons. However, in June 2011, the series was reformatted and recast. Most of the original actors previously attached to the project were dropped and their roles were recast. Casting was conducted in Mexico City during June and July 2011. Dupeyrón's role was not recast and she remained an original cast member. Danna Paola and Renata Notni were both dropped from the project. Danna stated that she was no longer interested and wished to work on her solo album.

Paulina Goto was cast as the lead protagonist, replacing Danna Paola. Eiza González auditioned for one of two lead roles. Gonzalez was considered for a part, but was later told that she lost the role because producers felt she was too old. Argentine singer and actress Brenda Asnicar also auditioned for a role, but did not receive a part.

In August 2011, producers had completed casting in Mexico City. Paulina Goto, Eleazar Gómez, Natasha Dupeyrón, Yago Muñoz, and Jack Durate were confirmed as the first five lead cast members. However, Pedro Damián revealed that producers were looking to cast third actress as the female antagonist "La Black Princess". In mid-August 2011, newcomer Macarena Achaga, an Argentine MTV Latin America television hostess and model, was confirmed as the lead female antagonist, Leonora Martínez . Miss XV is Achaga's international acting debut.

Gabriela Vergara: an actress and model

Gabriela Vergara Aranguren (born May 29, 1974 in Caracas, Venezuela) is an actress and model. She is best known as the 3rd runner-up in Miss Venezuela 1996. The following year she started acting in many telenovelas like Destino de Mujer as Vanessa in 1997 and La Mujer as Barbara Montesinos de Mutti in 2004. She recently gave birth to two twin girls on April 10, 2009. Their names are Alessandra and Emiliana.