The longest-running beauty-focused reality competition on U.S. Spanish-language television is getting a makeover for its eighth season.
Univision’s Sunday success, Nuestra Belleza Latina, returns Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. ET slot with actress, model and Univision personality Chiquinquirá Delgado, actor and former ¡Mira Quien Baila! competitor Pedro Moreno and first-season NBL winner Alejandra Espinoza — now a co-host of Univision’s venerable Saturday-evening variety show Sábado Gigante — joining as co-hosts.
The trio will guide 12 new contestants through “a unique mix of unscripted behind-the-scenes intrigue, demanding new challenges and all the glitzy and glamorous elements of a beauty competition,” the network said.
Assisting as mentors for the contestants are former Miss Universe winners Denise Quiñones and Alicia Machado. Each will offer guidance on fashion, makeup and how to best own the runway. Machado appeared in the inaugural 2007 season of NBL.
Delgado, Moreno and Espinoza succeed Osmel Sousa, Lupita Jones and Julian Gil as hosts of NBL, who also serve as judges. Sousa had been associated with NBL since its first season; Jones joined as a judge in 2008, while Gil was a judge in 2008 and again from 2010-2013.
“Without a doubt, this will be the most exciting season ever for Nuestra Belleza Latina,” Alberto Ciurana, Univision Networks president of programming and content, said. “The new hosts and ex-Miss Universes will bring a fresh, new dynamic to the show, and we’ll be raising the entertainment bar by inviting even more superstar musical guests to perform spectacularly lavish numbers each week.”
Season eight will also feature more candid behind-the-scenes coverage of the 12 finalists’ after-hours drama as they settle into “Mansion Nuestra Belleza Latina” for the duration of the competition.
NBL contestants are young Latinas from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico vying for an exclusive contract with Univision, $200,000 in cash and prizes and a new car. Viewers decide who the eventual winner will be.
The show is also gearing up for a season full of social media content. Its official site, www.nuestrabellezalatina.com, features contestant spotlights and recaps of past seasons, in addition to exclusive video from where the contestants live, intimate video confessions from contestants, show recaps, photos and daily updates on NBL contestants. Fans can also view NBL videos on Univision’s UVideos App, access a stream of pictures and vignettes via Instagram and follow the conversation on two Twitter feeds, @NuestraBelleza and @ReinaNBL.
