Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony wanted a diversity in judging the talents in the upcoming show "iQ'Viva The Chosen." Instead of judging contestants from behind a panel, spinning around in oversized chairs or rejecting talent with a buzzer, Lopez and Anthony, along with choreographer/creative director Jamie King, traversed Latin America to handpick the talent for "Q'Viva," which premieres Saturday on Univision.The premise of the series has Lopez, Anthony and King vetting singers, dancers, musicians and artists for a Las Vegas spectacle. The 12-episode series chronicles the multi-country selection process and rehearsals in Los Angeles before a two-hour live finale in April.
During a recent show preview at Soho House in West Hollywood, the question of where "Q'Viva" fits into a landscape of juggernauts that includes "The X Factor," "The Voice," "America's Got Talent" and "American Idol" — where Lopez returned as judge for its 11th season — was quickly answered. In the previewed episode, Lopez assessed a capoeira troupe in Brazil and a malambo group in Argentina, while Anthony ventured into an abandoned warehouse in Colombia to watch salsa caleña dancers.
Though the show is focused exclusively on Latin artistry and culture, "Q'Viva's" ambitions don't wholly lie in the Spanish-language market. To strike a more universal appeal, the show was filmed in three languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese. It will also air in 21 countries across major TV networks in North, South and Central America. And Anthony revealed that Fox, home of "Idol," will broadcast the show in English in the spring, but the network has yet to formally announce any plans.
"American Idol" creator Simon Fuller and his XIX Entertainment will distribute the show outside the U.S. with the help of Dutch reality TV show producer Endemol ("Big Brother"/"Fear Factor").
 |
| Mark Anthony and Lopez in Puerto Rico for the reality show "iQ Viva, The Chosen" |
