Nuevas Voces de America @ Telemundo.

Amelia Vega, Miss Universe 2003, and Spanish TV personality Alfonso “Poncho” de Anda have been selected to be the official hosts of “Nuevas Voces de América” (New Voices of America), a talent search reality TV series co-produced by Telemundo and Estefan Television Productions scheduled to debut on Telemundo early next year.

“Nuevas Voces de América” will find the next Latin superstar through a highly competitive selection process in which 20 contestants undergo intense coaching and makeovers that will prepare them for weekly tests by judges and television viewers who will cast their votes and ultimately select the new voice of America. The winner will receive a grand prize consisting of a recording contract with a major record label.

Amelia Vega, the first Dominican woman to have earned the title of Miss Universe, will be the face of “Nuevas Voces de America.” She will be in good company with co-host Alfonso “Poncho” de Anda, the renowned television personality, who will interact closely with participants, giving viewers a real behind-the-scenes look as they go through all the training, makeovers and preparations for the weekly tryouts.

During her 2003-04 term, Amelia Vega traveled extensively working as a goodwill ambassador for women around the world by representing the Miss Universe Organization with internationally recognized AIDS/HIV organizations, including the Global Health Council, the Harvard AIDS Institute, AmFAR, and the Center for Disease Control’s “Act Now” campaign. She has been signed by the internationally known Trump Model Management and has joined the ranks of top models as the new Face of Cover Girl, being the first Miss Universe to hold such a prestigious cosmetic endorsement.

Amelia, who hosted another Telemundo/Estefan production titled “Tributo a Nuestros Heroes” (Tribute to our Heroes), in addition to being a beautiful woman and well known public figure, is also a talented and up-coming musician with a growing career mentored by her uncle Juan Luis Guerra, the Grammy Award winning singer, producer, songwriter and author.

Poncho is a high-profile Spanish TV personality who hosts the entertainment segments for Telemundo’s morning newscast “Hoy en el Mundo”, and the morning variety show “De Mañanita.” In addition, he hosts a weekly entertainment segment for the top rated news magazine “Al Rojo Vivo con María Celeste.” He’s interviewed prominent personalities in the entertainment field such as Robert de Niro, Julio Iglesias, Shakira, Thalia, and Angelina Jolie, among others. Poncho’s TV and radio career began in Mexico City nearly 10 years ago. In 2001, he moved to the U.S. to host Fuzion, mun2 television’s edgy entertainment magazine.

In addition to his television background, Poncho, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Mexico’s Intercontinental University and a Masters from the University of Quebec in Montreal, is also a talented singer and composer.