HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 4/10/07 — A real standout in “Grindhouse” is actor Freddy Rodriguez and the cheers he’s been getting from movie audiences is sweet music to his ears. “Things have definitely changed for people of ethnicity in the entertainment industry. I mean look at the Oscars and how many Latin writers, actors and directors were nominated. I don’t think I’ve seen that before. There is a wave of Mexican directors like Alfonso Cuaron (“Little Children”) and Guillermo Del Toro (“Babel”) and Salma Hayek having her own television show (“Ugly Betty”) to Robert Rodriguez owning his own studio. Things are changing for Latinos in the industry and I’m a product of that.”

He forgot the richest Hispanic in showbiz, J-lo. The multi-hyphenate Ms. Lopez is producing Univision’s first miniseries, “La Flor Palida,” a five-hour musical drama. The newly-announced project will go before cameras in Mexico City within three weeks.