People En Español's 25 Most Beautiful Reveals Hottest 2004 Hispanic Entertainers

Salma Hayek, Andy Garcia, David Blaine, Thalia & Miss USA Top this Year’s List

New York, NY (Hispanic PR Wire) May 8, 2004 - People en Español’s hottest and most-anticipated issue, “The 25 Most Beautiful” hits newsstands on Monday, May 12 featuring the top 25 Latin celebrities whose superior talent and captivating beauty made news worldwide in 2004. People en Español enlisted leading photographers such as Greg Gorman and Kwaku Alston to capture the beauties at a host of enchanting, exotic and venturesome locations. From the urban streets of LA to the beaches of Brazil, each photo delivers an intimate and artistic look into the lives of these rising stars.

Gracing the cover is Mexican singing sensation, Thalia. The 31-year-old beauty has been Mexico’s hottest entertainment commodity for more than two decades with her top-selling albums and highly rated telenovelas. Following in the footsteps of past crossover hit makers such as Ricky Martin and Shakira; the petite singer will take on the general market with her self-titled English language album this summer.

“Thalia’s combined talents are a winning formula,” says Angelo Figueroa, former Managing Editor of People en Español. “Hispanic audiences have always loved her and I’m certain that the rest of the world will too.”

With a demanding career on the rise, the singer is happy to have found love with music mogul husband, Tommy Mottola. “We are happier today than we’ve ever been,” she says, “We’re spending a great deal of time together –both personal and professional.”

The picture-perfect performer also chimed in on her beauty philosophy, “ I love natural beauty,” she says. “But, anyone can look great with the right combination of makeup, clothing --and of course lighting.”

Also topping this year’s “25 Most Beautiful” list is Oscar nominee Salma Hayek. Her significant contributions to Hispanic Hollywood in 2004 made her a natural choice to appear on the pages. Beauty to Hayek goes way beyond the physical. Since the sultry actress was 14 years old, she has been fascinated with the late Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. “I had never come across a more impactful and authentic woman until I studied the story of Frida,” says Hayek. “Her paintings, while strange and shocking, always left me mesmerized.”

Confidence’s leading man Andy Garcia also took some time out with People en Español to share his thoughts about beauty, “When I think of beauty, I see Havana in the 1940’s,” says Garcia. “It was the like Paris but in the Caribbean. Regardless of social status, everyone was always dressed to perfection.”

“Our ‘25 Most Beautiful’ represent the true value and spirit of being Hispanic,” says Figueroa. "Their significant talents continue to make strides in all areas of arts and entertainment.”

This year’s complete “25 Most Beautiful” list includes:

Adam Rodriguez –CBS, “CSI: Miami”
Adolfo Angel – Mexican singer/composer
America Ferrara –HBO’s “Real Women Have Curves”
Ana Claudia Talancon – Mexican actress, El crimen del Padre Amado (The Crime of Father Amado)
Andy Garcia – Confidence
Bernie Williams – New York Yankees outfielder
Carmen Dominicci – Puerto Rican anchor, Univision, “Primer Impacto: Fin de semana”
Cesar Evora – Cuban actor, Univision, “Entre el amor y el Odio”
Charytin – Puerto Rican/Cuban TV host, Telefutura, “El Escandalo TV”
David Blaine –Magician and star of ABC’s “David Blaine” TV specials
Diego Luna – Mexican actor, Y Tu Mama Tambien and star of upcoming Dirty Dancing sequel Havana Nights
Eva Longoria – CBS, “Young & the Restless”
Gabriel Soto – Mexican actor, Univision, “La Vias del Amor”
Gina Torres – “The Matrix Reloaded”
Jennifer Pena – Mexican singer
Juanes – Latin Granny winner / Colombian singer/ rocker
Marian de la Fuente – Spaniard TV host, Telemundo, “De Mañanitas”
Susie Castillo –Miss USA
Mille Cortejer – Puerto Rican singer
Pablo Montero – Mexican singer
Patricia Manterola – Mexican pop singer/actress
Reynaldo – Brazilian actor, Telemundo, “Terra Esperanza”
Thalia – EMI international singing sensation
Salma Hayek -- Oscar nominated Mexican actress
Yancy Arias –NBC, “Kingpin”