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83 English language aswell.” awesome tosee usrepresented inthe talk show hosts inthe Latin world, but it’s says Bailon. “She isthe end-all, of be-all and we did.Ilovedeverything, it.” exciting time for me. We wanted totry of infnitebubbles. It was avery ahugeuncorking champagne botle Univision in2010. “It was like says Saralegui, who retiredfrom andup talk—and boy, didthey talk,” “They told me Latinos would not open on TV aswell.” andneglected wants represented tobe demographic that for along time was the diversity. There isan entire is doing really well’ and itis recognize make the heads say, of networks ‘This thatof crazy itonly takes one show to women and ingeneral. people It’s kind to celebrate the diferences among multicultural hosts, and we’ll continue continue tohave more shows with probablysays Bailon. “They’ll shows, and we’ve made adiference,” ofpart that change talk indaytime now initsthirdseason. “We were a View daytime TV, from Rosie Perez on other Latinas totake the micon her signature thumbs-up salute. to mind ismost likely Saralegui giving show host,” the frst image that comes That’s why when you hear “Latina talk lovers—it was 50 shades of daytime TV. sexand addicts S&M interviewing Saralegui her was talk show, there with school totalk aboutdoing the deed, When ourmoms were shy too or old- 84 all access all access
“Cristina ahuge has been trailblazer,” El ShowdeCristina The host cubana paved for apath From winning EmmysFrom winning tobeing l to Adrienne Bailon on about sex.about taught us s Cristina r a t I na aralegui eally. .C om se P tem tv broke barriers. broke barriers. B er 2015 The Real The The , it, we say it.’My and peers friends the concept. The slogan is,‘You think and singer. “Iloved the name; Iloved saystelevision,” Bailon, also an actress was going tochange daytime wanted of part something tobe that are making diversity the norm.“I groundbreaking multicultural cast, this melting we pot know as America.” sorrows toassimilate asthey to tried and andhappiness and concerns did not have, toshare their opinions outbypeople many giving avoice they But for her, “nothing topshelping de Cristina language show, Saralegui and talk show aSpanish- host with star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for a handed keys tosnagging city the frst was honored with in 1999. in with honored was she which star, her to next set; on top)(From Saralegui Shows like earned plentyof accolades. The Real , known for , known its El Show El Show
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“talk shows are a great way to discuss and bring to light many issues that otherwise would not be touched upon.”
it on her admitedly short run on The View? And Univision is launching two daytime talk shows: variety-style Roxanna, with actress and comedian Roxanna Castellanos, and La Revista de Zuleyka, with actress and beauty queen Zuleyka Rivera. Having diferent faces on-screen means that topics are likelier to be diverse too. “Talk shows are a great way to discuss and bring to light many issues that otherwise would not be touched upon,” Saralegui says. “Latinas deserve to be represented in front of and behind the camera.”
Bailon concurs: “It’s important for ges. The Real and The View showcase a variety of Latina perspectives—not just a single voice. A us to have a presence on daytime talk M y I T
shows because we are the viewers. We T e g
will no longer be the minority soon, A have something to watch that really showing the commonalities among all I
and it’s important that entertainment C v b sounds like how we talk at dinner. women. “It helps for other races to refects that. When you’re growing up, /A O C
What people love about the show is recognize that we’re very similar in it’s important to see something that C O that it isn’t polished, and that’s what many ways,” she says. “We sort of represents your culture well; you can r u makes it so tangible and relatable.” become mainstream, and I think that’s watch it and say those are the O ; L L With actress Tamera Mowry- the ultimate goal.” It’s crucial to Bailon conversations or values you grew up A Housley, singer Tamar Braxton, comic that the program shows diversity, with. The best feedback I’ve goten is he re T
Loni Love, and fashion expert Jeannie including diversity within the Hispanic Latina viewers saying, ‘You are like a f O Mai rounding out the panel, community. Bailon tells stories about sister,’ or, ‘You are a prima.’” esy esy practically no subject (marriage, the growing up speaking Spanish with her Saralegui believes the landscape T ur single life, current events, and family, but recognizes the importance for Latina daytime talk show hosts O everything else under the sun) is of- of acknowledging that not all Latinas p: C looks promising. “There are many O T limits at The Real. The hosts’ honest, speak Spanish, since she wants to talented and charismatic ladies on air, M O personal takes are refreshing—as is connect with the next generation of so the future looks good,” she says. “I geting perspectives from a range of acculturated Latinas. hope that they can grow into their full phs, fr women. Bailon hopes that her team’s The Real isn’t the only panel known potential. Being unique is what makes A gr O backgrounds are a way to celebrate for no-holds-barred opinions. Who a talk show host great. It’s not good T O h their diferences for an audience while didn’t love watching Rosie Perez go for when everybody looks the same.” p
86 LATINA.COM sepTeMber 2015