- María Conchita Alonso
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María Conchita Alonso 
Background information Birth name María Concepción Alonso Bustillo Also known as Maria Conchita Alonso Born June 29, 1957 Origin Cienfuegos, Cuba Genres Pop, hip hop Occupations Actress, singer Instruments Vocals Years active 1979–present Website Official Website María Conchita Alonso (born June 29, 1957), better known as María Conchita, is a Venezuelan Grammy Award-nominated singer and actress.
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Early life
María Conchita Alonso was born María Concepción Alonso Bustillo in Cienfuegos, Cuba, the daughter of Ricardo Alonso and Maria Conchita Bustillo. Her family moved to Venezuela when she was five years old, in 1964. She had her first experience in show business when she was crowned Miss Teenager of the World in 1971, and was Miss World/Venezuela in 1975 where she became sixth runner-up in the Miss World pageant won by Puerto Rico's Wilnelia Merced; she quickly became a top model and a popular singer/actress in Venezuela.
Career
Alonso's first gold album and number one song in the charts was "Love Maniac" in 1979, her name as a singer back then was A'mbar, after that followed her second number 1 with "The Witch" and soon after "Dangerous Rhythm." In what is generally considered to be her best known song, she was asked by Giorgio Moroder to write the lyrics in Spanish and sing "Vamos a Bailar" which he had written to be part of the soundtrack for the film Scarface. The song instantly became a classic amongst Spanish speakers despite failing to garner any major attention outside of Cuba where it was recorded. As her two albums with Ambar and her solo debut were recorded in English, it was her second album "Maria Conchita" from 1984 that made her a singing star in the Spanish-speaking market, receiving a "Best Latin Artist" Grammy nomination for it in 1985[citation needed].
She made her Hollywood film debut in 1984 in Moscow on the Hudson with Robin Williams, and also starred in movies like The Running Man, Predator 2, The House of the Spirits, Vampire's Kiss, Colors and the TV reality show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. She was one of the few Latin-born actress to star in a Broadway show in 1995, playing Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman. Alonso also acted in romantic comedies Chasing Papi (2003) and The Last Guy on Earth (2006).
According to the ABC site, she raised $20,000 for charity organizations such as the US Humane Society, the Global Medical Relief Fund, and the Venezuela Without Boundaries Foundation.[1]
Alonso was cast to play Lucía, the mother of Gabrielle Solis, on the ABC hit show Desperate Housewives. The episode was aired on February 19, 2006. She starred in the live-action film of the comic book, El Muerto, and appeared in the film Material Girls (2006).
Alonso is currently hosting VH1's Viva Hollywood! on April 13, 2008 with Carlos Ponce. She portrayed Sam in the Werewolf horror film Wolf Moon, which was directed by Dana Mennie.[2]
Political views
Alonso at the Los Angeles LGBT pride parade in 2011
Alonso is an outspoken critic of Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, whom she has described as a "dictator" like "Hitler,"[3] and those who vote and support him as "terrorists."[4] She has appeared on Sean Hannity's Hannity's America on May 6, 2007, Hannity & Colmes on June 1, 2007[3] and Bill O'Reilly's The O'Reilly Factor on August 13, 2007 and March 11, 2009.
In the fall of 2008, Alonso endorsed the presidential campaign of Republican nominee John McCain, writing:[5]
As a Latina and a new American citizen, I believe in this country and its people, and I believe that we need more than just "change." We need a leader who can bring about the right kind of change, and John McCain has the experience and judgment necessary to lead us in these uncertain times. I grew up in Cuba and Venezuela, and I am appalled that Barack Obama apparently wants to emulate the "spread the wealth" economic policies of those countries and negotiate with their leaders.—Maria Conchita AlonsoMaría's brother, Roberto Alonso, was one of the four speakers who gave a speech at the closing of Senator John McCain's campaign in Florida.
Maria issued an Open Letter to Sean Penn online on March 29, 2010 regarding his support of President Hugo Chavez. She uses a point-by-point refrain of "WHY" in her letter questioning various issues occurring in Venezuela.[6]
Filmography
Year Film Role Notes 1979 Solon 1979 Estefanía Silvana Cataldo TV series 1979 Mabel Valdez, periodista TV series 1980 Natalia de 8 a 9 Mariana Brito TV series 1980 Mi hijo Gabriel TV series 1981 Marielena TV series 1981 Angelito TV series 1981 Luz Marina Luz Marina TV series 1981 El Esposo de Anaís TV series 1982 Claudia Claudia TV series 1982 Fantasy Island French Girl 1 episode 1982 Knight Rider Marie Elena Casafranca 1 episode 1984 Nacho playing herself TV series 1984 Moscow on the Hudson Lucia Lombardo 1984 Fear City Silver as Maria Conchita 1986 A Fine Mess Claudia Pazzo aka Blake Edwards' A Fine Mess (USA: complete title) 1986 Touch and Go Denise DeLeon 1987 Il Cugino americano Caterina Ammirati aka Blood Ties (USA: TV title) 1987 Extreme Prejudice Sarita Cisneros 1988 The Running Man Amber Mendez 1988 Con el Corazón en la Mano 1988 Colors Louisa Gomez 1989 One of the Boys Maria Conchita Navarro 1 episode 1989 Vampire's Kiss Alva Restrepo 1990 Predator 2 Leona Cantrell 1991 Cuerpos clandestinos (TV) Claudia 1991 McBain Christina 1992 Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story (TV) Carmen aka Power Play: The Jackie Presser Story (UK: video title) 1993 Roosters Chata 1993 The House of the Spirits Tránsito Soto 1994 Alejandra TV series Alejandra 1994 Texas (TV) Lucia aka James A. Michener's Texas 1994 MacShayne: The Final Roll of the Dice (TV) Cindy Evans 1996 Caught Betty aka Atrapados (USA: Spanish title) 1996 For Which He Stands Theresa Rochetti 1996 Sudden Terror: The Hijacking of School Bus#17 Marta Caldwell 1997 Women: Stories of Passion Sophia 1 episode 1997 Chicago Hope Emma Scull 2 episodes 1997 Robert Altman's Gun Marti 1 episode 1997 Catherine's Grove Charley Vasquez 1997 F/X: The Series Elena Serrano 2 episodes 1997 Acts of Betrayal Eva Ramirez 1998 Exposé Nancy Drake aka Footsteps (Philippines: English title) (USA: working title) 1998 Blackheart Annette 1998 The Nanny Concepcion Sheffield 1 episode 1998 The Outer Limits Marie Alexander 1 episode 1998 El Grito en el cielo Miranda Vega aka Shout Out (USA: festival title) 1998 My Husband's Secret Life (TV) Toni Diaz 1999 Touched by an Angel Dr. Sandra Pena 1 episode 1999 Dillinger in Paradise Lola 2000 Chain of Command Vice President Gloria Valdez 2000 Knockout Carmen Alvarado 2000 A Vision of Murder: The Story of Donielle (TV) Gloria 2000 Best Actress (TV) Maria Katarina Caldone 2000 High Noon (TV) Helen Ramirez 2000 Twice in a Lifetime Kat Lopez 1 episode 2000 The Princess & the Barrio Boy (TV) Minerva Rojas aka She's in Love (UK) 2001 The Code Conspiracy Rachel 2001 Resurrection Blvd. Julia Hernandez 3 episodes 2001 Birth of Babylon Lupe Velez 2002 Blind Heat Adrianna Scott 2002 Robbery Homicide Division Claudia 1 episode 2003 The Company You Keep Vera 2003 Kingpin TV mini-series Ariela 2003 Heart of America Mrs. Jones aka Home Room (Australia) 2003 Chasing Papi Maria 2003 Newton's Law 2004 Return to Babylon Lupe Velez 2004 CSI: Miami Marisela Gonzalez 1 episode 2005 English as a Second Language Consuelo Sara 2005 La Academia USA Judge 2005 Smoke Aurora Avila 2006 Desperate Housewives Lucia 1 episode 2006 Material Girls Inez 2007 The Dead One Sister Rosa 2007 maneater (miniseries)
2007 The Condor (V) Mrs. Valdez (voice) aka Stan Lee Presents: The Condor (USA: DVD box title) 2007 Saints & Sinners Diana Martin 62 episodes 2008 Richard III Queen Elizabeth 2008 Tranced Libra 2008 The Art of Travel Mrs. Layne 2008 The Red Canvas (post-production) Maria Sanchez 2008 Trópico de Sangre (filming) 2008 Two Minutes Of Hate (announced) Dos minutos de odio 2008 Unauthorized Clifford (announced) Des-Autorizado (Venezuela: wide-release title) 2009
"Dark Moon Rising" sherrif Sam.
Radio
- Recorded a public service announcement for Deejay Ra's 'Hip-Hop Literacy' campaign
- Official Youtube web site (requires flash)
Discography
- Love Maniac (Polydor/PolyGram, 1979)
- The Witch (Polydor/Polygram, 1980)
- Dangerous Rhythm (PolyGram, 1982)
- Te Amo (Polydor/PolyGram, 1983)
- María Conchita (A&M/PolyGram, 1984)
- O Ella o Yo (A&M/PolyGram, 1985)
- Grandes Éxitos (PolyGram, 1986)
- Mírame (PolyGram, 1987)
- Hazme Sentir (PolyGram, 1990)
- En Vivo México (Capitol/EMI Mexico, 1991)
- Imagíname (Columbia/SME Mexico, 1992)
- Alejandra: Boleros (PolyGram, 1994)
- Hoy y Siempre (ARDC/PolyGram, 1997)
- Grandes Éxitos (2004)
- Soy EP (Hypnotic, 2005)
- Greatest Hits (ARDC/Universal Latino, 2008)
- Mienteme (ARDC/Universal Latino, 2009)
Singles
Year Song Hot Latin Songs Album 1987 "Sueltame" 22 Grandes Éxitos 1987 "Otra Mentira Más" 24 Mírame 1988 "Y Es Que Llegaste Tú" 5 1990 "Hazme Sentir" 24 Hazme Sentir 1991 "A Él Lo Quiero" 35 1993 "Promesas" 20 Imagíname References
- ^ Error – ABC.com[dead link]
- ^ "Wolf Moon DVD Art and Special Features Revealed". Dreadcentral.com. 2010-04-14. http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36959/wolf-moon-dvd-art-and-special-features-revealed. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
- ^ a b "All those people are Chavistas, all those people are controlled by Chavez... So they say what Chavez wants them to say... No, he was not elected democratically. The first time he was elected democratically, but the last two time[s], the referendum and this last month of December, he was not. And I don't have the proof because I'm not into politics." Hannity & Colmes, Fox News. June 2007.
- ^ Geraghty, James. "After Watching Her Speak, Giuliani Was an Afterthought," National Review Online. May 1, 2007.
- ^ Press office. Maria Conchita Alonso Endorses John McCain JohnMcCain.com, October 31, 2008.
- ^ "Open Letter to Sean Penn". Mediaite.com. 2010-03-29. http://www.mediaite.com/online/actress-maria-conchita-alonso-writes-open-letter-to-sean-penn-on-venezuela/. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
External links
- Official website
- Official video web site (requires flash)
- Maria Conchita Alonso at the Internet Movie Database
- "Open Letter to Sean Penn"
Cris Judd · Melissa Rivers · John Melendez · Bruce Jenner · Downtown Julie Brown · Tyson Beckford · Nikki Schieler Ziering · Maria Conchita Alonso · Alana Stewart · Robin LeachLa Academia Seasons 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9Hosts Current: Rafael Araneda · Biby Gaytan
Former: Alan Tacher (2002–2005) · Mónica Garza (2006) · Ingrid Coronado (2009 - 2010)Judges Current: Arturo Lopez Gavito · Chacho Gaytán · Lola Cortés
Former: Óscar Sarquiz · Olga Tañón · Enrique Guzmán · Lizette · Raúl Quintanilla · Regina Orosco · Ilse · Mimi · Oscar Lopez · Amparo Rubín
Guest: María Conchita Alonso · Dulce · Marta Sánchez · Tatiana · Elvis Crespo · Ana Gabriel · Mónica Naranjo · Horóscopos de Durango · Eduardo Capetillo · Bibi Gaytán · Paty Chapoy · Gaby Spanic · Anette FraderaWinners Myriam Montemayor · Érika Alcocer · Carlos Rivera · Erasmo Catarino · Samuel Castelli · María Fernanda Alvo · Giovanna Paz · Esmeralda UgaldeRunners-up Víctor García · Marco Moré · Dulce López · Yuridia · Colette · Fabiola Rodas · Napoleón · Sebastián Martingaste · Carolina SotoOther alumni Nadia · Yahir · Raúl Sandoval · María Inés · Laura Caro · Rosalía León · Andrea · Jolette · Cynthia · Adrián Varela · Edgar · MennySpin-offs Related Categories:- 1957 births
- Living people
- American people of Cuban descent
- Cuban emigrants to the United States
- Hispanic and Latino American actors
- American beauty pageant winners
- I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! contestants
- La Academia judges
- Miss World contestants
- A&M Records artists
- Polydor Records artists
- Columbia Records artists
- Naturalized citizens of the United States
- People from Cienfuegos
- Venezuelan female singers
- Venezuelan film actors
- Venezuelan musical theatre actors
- Venezuelan television actors
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