Eva Longoria and Sebastien De la Cruz
The spotlight is on Sebastien De la Cruz, “El Charro de Oro,” who is currently filming—along with Eva Longoria—a new NBC comedy series scheduled to air in the spring of 2016.
Sebastien is a three-time champion of the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Vocal Competition, where he won third place in 2009, and first place in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, he appeared on the NBC television reality show America’s Got Talent, where he climbed to the rank of top-ten finalist. Following his appearance on that program, Sebastien was invited by the San Antonio Spurs to sing the National Anthem during the National Basketball Association (NBA) finals. He did this dressed in a traje de charro, which caused a controversial backlash. Texas born and bred actress, producer, director and activist Eva Longoria tweeted comments of support and encouragement for Sebastien via Twitter, and shortly after that the two met at a party. Sebastien and Eva instantly became friends, and Eva proudly became Sebastien’s madrina.
Earlier this year, Eva invited Sebastien to play the role of her nephew in the new television series she is featured in. Sebastien spent the third week of September at the NBC studios in Universal City, California with his dad Juan De la Cruz. Sebastien’s nine-hour workdays there included three hours of private tutoring between shoots—to ensure he wouldn’t get behind in his school homework!
Eva is thrilled to be working with Sebastien, and she plans to slowly introduce him as a regular character in her upcoming TV series. The scriptwriters were reportedly impressed with Sebastien’s acting skills as well. So we should expect to see lots of Sebastien early next year on NBC!
Sebastien is also busy shooting a film with Ricardo Chavirra, who played Eva’s husband on Desperate Housewives. Sebastien was hanging out with Ricardo at his home in San Antonio’s exclusive Dominion Neighborhood last week, looking over scripts for the short film that will be shot in this town during the first week of October.
In addition, Sebastien will attend the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in Little Rock, Arkansas on October 9, to be present at the showing of a short film produced and directed by Eva that tells the story of Sebastien’s experiences following the NBA Finals in 2013.
Lots of great things are happening for little Sebastien—who isn’t so little anymore. At 13 years old, he measures 5’2.5″, and is growing out of his trajes faster than they can be made! His love for acting is growing, too, as is his continued love for mariachi.
“Good luck to everyone who is submitting an entry into the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Vocal Competition this week,” says Sebastien. The deadline for the contest is Thursday, October 1. “¡Échenle ganas!” he yells out in a spirited grito.
—Cynthia
