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FEATURES
15 Young Icons
I•con [ay-kan] n.
One who is the object of great attention and devotion; an idol.
These Latino idols are courageous, committed
and extraordinarily talented. And they are all age 30 and under.
We look at who they are, what they do, and the qualities leading
them to greatness.
America Ferrera, 25
Just Getting Started
Although Ugly Betty, the sitcom that catapulted America Ferrera
into television-watching American homes, is coming to a close, the
end of the show is just another step in Ferrera’s evolution.
As the first Latina to win an Emmy for Best Comedic Actress, Ferrera
broke ground for Hispanic women in television. And she was one of
the first big stars who would represent—physically and culturally—millions
of young Hispanic women. Now the lovable brace face is developing
into a silver screen leading lady. Many of the films in which she
has starred and produced have told stories of significance to minority
audiences—from kidnappings in Colombia and alcoholism in Native
American communities to the struggles of second generation Mexican
Americans. Her latest film, The Dry Land, which recounts the struggles
of a GI coming home, and Our Family Wedding, a comedy focusing on
the blending of a black and Latino family, are expected to do the
same.
 Jessica
Alba, 28
American Beauty
Jessica Alba is not just another pretty face. Although she gained
fame for her looks and the figure she cut in the form-fitting garb
of the superhero roles that made her famous, there is a surprising
depth to Alba. With her vaguely ethnic look, she has often been
referred to as the representative of post-racial America, along
the lines of Barack Obama and Malcolm Gladwell. But Alba has all
but rejected that, instead defining herself on her own terms and
her newly embraced her Latino heritage.
 Mark
Sanchez, 23
All Eyes on Him
The Jets’ prized rookie quarterback has had a challenging
first year: expectations and pressure were sky-high and all eyes
were on him. With every win and loss, the responsibility fell on
Sanchez. After all, he seemed on track to become the first rookie
quarterback to make the Super Bowl. But that didn’t happen.
What did happen was that he helped lead the team to its first playoff
game in years. If Sanchez continues in this direction, the Jets
have a promising future.
 Aventura,
27-30
Kings of Pop
They are bachata’s first wildly successful boy band. Mixing
blantantly sexy lyrics and a hybrid sound, the boys of Aventura—Romeo,
Lenny, Max and Henry— have brought the genre to the forefront
of Latin music. Check the charts and you will consistently see Aventura
among the top 10, often at No.1, besting such acts as Alejandro
Fernández and Paulina Rubio. They have been credited by reviewers
for being among the first to fuse bachata with R&B, introducing
rap into their songs and otherwise making what was once just considered
Dominican folk music into the hottest Latin music on the market.
Audiences are responding: this year Aventura became the first Latin
act to sell out Madison Square Garden four times over.
 Herman
Cornejo, 29
The Virtuoso
There’s something to be said for good technique. Herman Cornejo
came to the American Ballet Theater during an era that saw a surge
of Latino dancers at one of the nation’s leading dance institutions.
But among those phenomenal Spanish and Latin American imports, Cornejo
stood out. His grace and virility have drawn comparisons to Mikhail
Baryshnikov. Cornejo, who began dancing at age 8 in Argentina, was
honored as a Peace Messenger by UNESCO. Currently he is a principal
dancer with ABT and one of the top performers at the company.
 Carolina
Correa, 19
A Commanding Presence
Carolina Correa considered herself lucky to spend her afternoons
at the Boys and Girls Club in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where she
learned English and excelled at swimming. She was so grateful, in
fact, that she turned the tables began mentoring and tutoring other
immigrants. For her community service, she was the first Latina
to be named the named “Youth of the Year” in the 63-year-old
organization’s history, and will serve as the 2010 teen spokesperson
for the club’s 4.5 million members nationwide.
 Kellee
Santiago, 24
The Game Guru
Kellee Santiago is at the forefront of revolutionizing the video
game. As president and co-founder of thatgamecompany, the native
Venezuelan has designed critically acclaimed new games that demand
more involvement from the participant than ever before. She produced
the award-winning “Cloud,” which is designed to illicit
emotional responses and simulate flight. She is also working on
“I Am More Than My Thumb,” a game that utilizes the
entire body for play. One of Kotaku’s 10 Most Influential
Women of the Decade, she has signed a deal with Sony to develop
games for Playstation. She was also named a 2010 TED Fellow.
 Diego
Luna, 30
Revolutionary Moves
Diego Luna is already a veteran. He has made about 30 films in his
30 years and today he is counted as one of the world’s most
famous Mexican actors (now also a producer and director). Through
his decades of acting, Luna has developed a taste for the offbeat,
and his success at those ventures has made him brave. Not many could
have pulled off such roles as a Michael Jackson impersonator with
an accent in Mister Lonely or a politician’s needy suicidal
boyfriend in Milk. Alongside Gael Garcia Bernal, he developed Canana
Films, which has produced J.C. Chavez, Luna’s directorial
debut documentary and Abel, his feature directorial debut.
 Selena
Gomez, 17
Lovely and Talented
Selena Gomez is one Disney’s most bankable princesses. The
star of Wizards of Waverly Place, several Disney films and a record
contract with a Disney label, Gomez is likely the first U.S. Hispanic
child star to earn such fame. A Texas native, Gomez has been called
the next Miley Cyrus for her multi-tasking achievements and her
booming legion of ‘tween fans. That fame caught the eye of
UNICEF, the global organization that made her their youngest U.S.
ambassador ever.
 Rafael
Nadal, 23
The Phenomenon
Still in his early 20s, Rafael Nadal embodies pro tennis. He’s
nicknamed the King of Courts for his Grand Slam titles on every
kind of turf. The world’s current No. 2 player is known not
only for his trademark exhaustive and aggressive play, but for his
masculine style. Donning longer pants, cut-off sleeves and a fearless
approach, Nadal, who is the highest ranked Hispanic player in professional
tennis, is the picture of dominance on the court.
 Albert
Pujols, 29
A Heavy Hitter
Quietly cultivating one of the most impressive careers in baseball,
Albert Pujols has played his entire career in the majors in the
midsize-market St. Louis Cardinals. Although he has not gained the
fame—nor the notoriety—of, say, an A-Rod, the first
baseman is widely considered one of the best in the game. The end
of 2009 season saw him as the player with the top batting average
and slugging percentage. Fans and journalists have taken note: he’s
the No. 1 fantasy team pick and he was ESPN’s best player
of the decade (00-09). He also is only the 10th person in history
to earn MVPs from the National League three times. Outside the clubhouse,
Pujols has established a foundation to assist families with children
affected by Down syndrome and other disabilities and to improve
the standard of living and quality of life for impoverished children
in the Dominican Republic through education, medical relief and
tangible goods.
 David
Archuleta, 19
American Idol
Now a mainstay of pop radio, Archuleta gained fame as the first
runner-up on American Idol in 2008. One of the youngest contestants
on the show, his boyish charm made him a favorite throughout the
competition. During its final moments, he registered more than 97
million audience votes in his favor. Forbes named him a breakout
star of 2008. His album has sold more than 900,000 copies globally.
 Lin
Manuel Miranda, 29
The Storyteller
Known as the Broadway phenom who created In the Heights, Lin-Manuel
Miranda has earned both critical and popular acclaim. He’s
the winner of a slew of awards including a Grammy, Tony, and was
one of three nominees for a Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 2009. He’s
credited with bringing renewed energy to Broadway and creating a
modern stage classic. While still packing in audiences on Broadway,
the show has also spawned a national tour. Fans eagerly await to
see whether it can translate to film. Miranda and Universal Pictures
are making In the Heights into a movie to be directed by Kenny Ortega.
He’ll also be reaching out to new audiences by creating an
animated feature with Dreamworks.
 J.R.
Martinez, 25
American Hero
As the national spokesperson for the Coalition to Salute America’s
Heroes, J.R. Martinez is not afraid to put his face in the limelight.
Injured in a Humvee explosion during his military tour in Iraq,
the severe burns on more than 40 percent of his body led to some
32 operations in 34 months. The son of Salvadoran immigrants, he
publicizes veteran’s causes through speaking engagements,
public appearances and his role as a veteran on the soap opera All
My Children.
 Diana
Lopez, 20
Environmental Champion
Diana Lopez has mobilized a union, drawn together a community and
created a source of fresh, whole food. A winner of the Brower Youth
Award, North America’s most prestigious prize for young environmental
leaders, she was the force behind one of the first community gardens
in San Antonio, providing an important step in the city’s
green development. Her one-acre garden has already inspired one
other in the city. She’s also organized clean-up of military
base contamination and rallied for energy policy change.
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