Univision Picks Host for New Boy Band Competition La Banda

MIAMI: Mexican-born presenter and former reality show winner Alejandra Espinoza has been tapped to host La Banda, Univision’s upcoming boy band competition.

The show will see contestants from the U.S. and several Latin American countries battle it out for the chance to join a new Latino boy band. Espinoza will host the format, which is set to air next year. Espinoza joined Univision in 2007 after winning the reality contest Our Latin Beauty (Nuestra Belleza Latina), and has recently co-hosted the eighth season of that show.

Univision and Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment developed La Banda, with FremantleMedia Latin America co-producing.

“We are pleased to deliver on our commitment to innovation in programming through this collaboration with Simon Cowell and Syco Entertainment, and know that Alejandra will be a perfect fit for the show,” said Alberto Ciurana, the president of programming and content at Univision Communications Inc. “Her talent, poise and proven appeal among Univision’s viewers will be valuable assets as we embark on the biggest talent search in Latin music history in the hopes of creating an international superstar boy band. We are delighted to have Alejandra as host of La Banda.”

Cowell stated, “Alejandra is the obvious choice to host La Banda. She is a total star and I’m delighted she will be joining this team in the search for the ultimate Latino boy band.”

Espinoza added: “This is an amazing opportunity as well as a fabulous new challenge for me, and I am thrilled to be part of La Banda. With Univision and Simon Cowell behind it, I have no doubt that this unique TV and multimedia format will captivate audiences, while producing the next Latin music superstars. I can’t wait to start production.”