Nominees Announced for the 2012 NCLR ALMA Awards(R), Airing Friday, September 21 (8:00-9:00 P.M. ET) on NBC, and ...

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2012 NCLR ALMA AWARDS(R), AIRING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (8:00-9:00 P.M. ET) ON NBC, AND ONLINE VOTING LAUNCHES AT ALMAAWARDS.COM

Nominees include Diego Boneta, Eva Mendes, Christina Aguilera, Bruno Mars, and Jennifer Lopez

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - July 9, 2012 -- The nominees for the 2012 NCLR (National Council of La Raza) ALMA Awards(R) have been announced, and fans can now vote for their favorite stars online at ALMAAwards.com. There, they can also enter for the chance to attend the show as an ALMA Awards VIP during the taping of the one-hour prime-time special to air Friday, September 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC.

The NCLR ALMA Awards will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month as a celebration of the entertainers who have upheld and promoted a socially proactive image of Hispanic culture in today's media. The telecast will showcase the spirit and accomplishments of some of the most prolific Latinos in the entertainment industry, spanning music, television, and film.

With the online voting system, fans will now have the power to drive in enough votes to see their favorite stars, musical performers, and shows receive the recognition and prestige that have become hallmarks of the famed awards show. Additionally, fans who cast their votes will get the chance to win a VIP experience for two including airfare, hotel, VIP tickets to the show, and an invitation to the VIP Post-Party. To vote, please go to www.almaawards.com. Voting ends on September 7, 2012.

Winners of the NCLR ALMA Awards will be determined by evaluating votes cast as well as box office, Nielsen, and Billboard rankings, and in consultation with the NCLR ALMA Awards Production Leadership Team. Selection rules and eligibility are posted at www.almaawards.com. Not all awards will be presented on-air during the NBC special. However, viewers can watch the remaining award presentations during the preshow streamed online via telemundo.com/almaawards.

This year the show will be produced by! Dick Cl ark Productions' executive producers Orly Adelson and Barry Adelman along with Eva Longoria and Janet Murgua, President and CEO of NCLR. NBC will air the initial broadcast; mun2 will present the ALMA Awards Red Carpet special and rebroadcast the show; Telemundo will host the official ALMA Awards website at www.telemundo.com/almaawards; and Comcast will leverage its cable outlets to both promote and provide the show to viewers via video on demand.

"Along with our partners NBCU/Comcast, PepsiCo, and of course, Eva Longoria, NCLR is revving up for what will surely be a fabulous show. With their partnership and with our strong and varied slate of nominees this year, we're looking forward to presenting an amazing show for our viewers and fans," stated Janet Murgua.

"We're excited to partner once again with the NCLR ALMA Awards to showcase the outstanding contributions and achievements of Latino performers," said Doug Vaughan, NBC's Senior Vice President, Specials and Late Night Programming.

Stated Orly Adelson, "We strongly believe in the message surrounding the ALMA Awards and are looking forward to working with Eva, Janet, and NBC to produce an exciting, meaningful, and prestigious show."

PepsiCo joins NBCU in renewing its partnership with the ALMA Awards, returning as the show's Presenting Sponsor.

For additional information, including announcements about the presenters and performers at this year's ceremony, please visit www.almaawards.com or follow the show on Twitter at @almaawards. Information is also available at www.nbc.com/alma-awards/.

2012 NCLR ALMA Awards Categories and Nominees

Favorite MovieAct of ValorFor Greater GloryGirl in ProgressPuss in BootsThe Way

Favorite Movie ActorDiego Boneta, Rock of AgesBenicio Del Toro, SavagesAndy Garcia, For Greater GloryRodrigo Santoro, What to Expect When You're ExpectingMartin Sheen, The Way

Favorite Movie Actress - Drama/AdventureSalma Hayek, SavagesEva Longoria, For Greater GloryEva Mendes, Girl in Prog! ressRose lyn Sanchez, Act of ValorZoe Saldana, Colombiana

Favorite Movie Actress - Comedy/MusicalBrnice Bejo, The ArtistPenelope Cruz, To Rome With LoveCameron Diaz, What to Expect When You're ExpectingJennifer Lopez, What to Expect When You're ExpectingAubrey Plaza, Safety Not Guaranteed

Favorite Movie Actor - Supporting RoleDemin Bichir, SavagesRubn Blades, For Greater GloryEmilio Estevez, The WayOscar Isaac, For Greater Glorydgar Ramrez, Wrath of the Titans

Favorite Movie Actress - Supporting RoleMia Maestro, SavagesCierra Ramirez, Girl in ProgressGenesis Rodriguez, Man on the LedgeHarmony Santana, Gun Hill RoadSofa Vergara, The Three Stooges

Favorite TV Reality, Variety, or Comedy Personality or ActChristina Aguilera, The Voice (NBC)Gabriel Iglesias, Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand-Up Revolution (Comedy Central)George Lopez, Take Me Out (FOX)Jennifer Lopez, American Idol (FOX)William Levy, Dancing with the Stars (ABC)

Favorite TV ActorBenjamin Bratt, Private Practice (ABC)Danny Pino, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC)Tyler Posey, Teen Wolf (MTV)James Roday, Psych (USA)Charlie Sheen, Anger Management (FX)

Favorite TV Actress - DramaJordana Brewster, Dallas (TNT)Julie Gonzalo, Dallas (TNT)Cote de Pablo, NCIS (CBS)Lana Parrilla, Once Upon a Time (ABC)Madeleine Stowe, Revenge (ABC)

Favorite TV Actress - ComedyVictoria Justice, Victorious (Nickelodeon)Aubrey Plaza, Parks and Recreation (NBC)Naya Rivera, Glee (FOX)Belle Thorne, Shake It Up (Disney Channel)Sofa Vergara, Modern Family (ABC)

Favorite TV Actor - Supporting Role in a DramaGuillermo Diaz, Scandal (ABC)Carlos Gomez, The Glades (A&E)Jon Huertas, Castle (ABC)Michael Trevino, The Vampire Diaries (CW)David Zayas, Dexter (Showtime)

Favorite TV Actor - Supporting Role in a ComedyHector Elizondo, Last Man Standing (ABC)Ian Gomez, Cougar Town (TBS)Adam Irigoyen, Shake It Up (Disney Channel)Oscar Nunez, The Office (NBC)Rico Rodriguez, Modern Family (ABC)

Favorite TV Actress - Supporting RoleCon! stance M arie, Switched at Birth (ABC Family)Sara Ramirez, Grey's Anatomy (ABC)Sarah Ramos, Parenthood (NBC)Gina Torres, Suits (USA Network)Lauren Vlez, Dexter (Showtime)

Favorite Male Music ArtistBruno MarsPitbullRicky MartinRomeo SantosSantana

Favorite Female Music ArtistGloria EstefanJennifer LopezDemi LovatoNaya RiveraEsperanza Spalding