PASADENA, Calif., April 16, 2000 — Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and Antonio Banderas were among those honored for their contributions to entertainment at the 2000 ALMA Awards on Sunday night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
The event brought out a multitude of stars, from film to television to music, all celebrating positive portrayals of Latinos in media. The recent Ricky Martin explosion certainly brought Latin music to the forefront, but veteran artist Jon Secada said it’s more than a trend.
“I think we’re only tapping the surface,” Secada said. “I feel very proud to have been part of the whole thing when my first album came out a few years ago. … I’m so happy for everybody and what’s been going on. It was about time, and I think it’s only the beginning.”
Veteran actress Lupe Ontiveros (“As Good As It Gets”) says awards like this one are necessary for Latinos to make their presence known.
“Unfortunately, [presence] has to be proven at the box office, and that is not to say that it takes away from the talent that is there,” Ontiveros said. “But you have to make a point financially about your presence, and I think we’ll catch onto it. It’s just a question of time.”
Presenters and performers included James Cameron, Reba McEntire, Jose Feliciano, Beck, Los Lobos, comedian Paul Rodriguez, Daisy Fuentes, Wilmer Valderrama (“That 70s Show”), boy band LFO and Esai Morales.
Here are the winners of the 2000 ALMA Awards, to be broadcast in June on ABC.
Male Entertainer of the Year: Ricky Martin
Female Entertainer of the Year: Jennifer Lopez
New Entertainer of the Year: Christina Aguilera
Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film: Antonio Banderas, “The 13th Warrior”
Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film: Cameron Diaz, “Any Given Sunday”
Outstanding Director of a Feature Film: Antonio Banderas, “Crazy in Alabama”
Outstanding Actor in a Television Series: Hector Elizondo, “Chicago Hope”
Outstanding Actress in a Television Series: Laura Cerón, “ER”
Emerging Actor in a Television Series: Wilson Cruz, “Party of Five”
Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Soap Opera: A Martinez, “General Hospital”
Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Soap Opera: Erika Page, “One Life to Live”
For Music Video Choreography: Tina Landon (Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony)
Acting on Three Primetime TV Shows Simultaneously: Ian Gomez (“Felicity,” “Norm,” “The Drew Carey Show”)
Outstanding Correspondent, Anchor and/or Host of a National News Program or Special: John Quiñones, “The Latin Beat”
Ten Outstanding Music Video Performers: Christina Aguilera, “Genie in a Bottle”; Mariah Carey, “Heartbreaker”; Gloria Estefan with ‘N Sync, “Music of My Heart”; Marc Anthony, “I Need to Know”; Enrique Iglesias, “Bailamos”; Jennifer Lopez, “If You Had My Love”; Ricky Martin, “Livin’ La Vida Loca”; Backstreet Boys, “I Want it That Way”; Rage Against the Machine, “Guerrilla Radio”; Santana featuring Rob Thomas, “Smooth”
NCLR/Kraft Community Service Award: Cristina Saralegui
