Viewers Shaping Pop-Culture.

America’s craze with reality TV shows continues to grow in this new era of pop-culture. This TV trend has captured audiences around the world as more and more producers give viewers the option to decide who stays and who goes.

American Idol’s first sensation, Kelly Clarkson, has already proved to critics that she is not a passing fad. Her success, mostly due to audience on-line and call-in voting, continues to reach new heights with the release of her chart-topping album, “Thankful” and her upcoming new movie with American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini, “From Justin to Kelly” due in theaters next month.

Hispanic viewers have their hand at making stars, too. Telemundo’s Protagonistas de Novela and Protagonistas de la Música, a mix between American Idol and the Real World, provide the viewer with a new kind of entertainment-interactive TV. For the first time, audiences can cast their votes for their favorite star-hopefuls taking an active role in boosting newcomers into overnight success.

“This is a convergence of entertainment and public opinion,” said Manuel Bellod, Terra.com CEO. “Interactive Reality TV shows are empowering audiences by giving them the ability to define new icons of pop-culture,” Bellod said.

The Protagonistas shows became such a hit with Hispanic audiences that viewers eagerly awaited the release of Protagonistas de Novela II, which currently boasts a large following of fans, with over 1.5 million viewers each night. Viewers cast weekly votes on-line at www.terra.com to select who will be tomorrow’s singing or soap sensation. Their avid critiques and applause that fuel the chat lines on and forums may have an even bigger impact than Simon Cowell’s opinions on American Idol.

The female winner of the original Protagonistas de Novela show, Puerto Rico native Millie Ruperto, has just finished taping the Spanish soap opera “La Venganza” and is eager to continue her acting career. Fans are also excited about Telemundo’s new release, “Ladrón de Corazones” where Raul Arrieta, the male winner of the original Protagonistas de Novela show, acted along-side one of Mexico’s most famous stars, Humberto Zurita. Other Protagonistas de Novela participants, Pedro Moreno and Natalia Villaveces, are taking center stage on popular Telemundo TV programs where fans are watching their success unfold.

Soaps aren’t just in Spanish either. South Texas native, Maximiliano Alejandro’s participation on the reality show has led him to a role on ABC’s All My Children.

Like American Idol, Sony Discos is currently selling a CD with songs from Protagonistas de la Música winners Bárbara Higuera and Miguel Guzmán.