ViX, Mucho Mas Media, and De Line Pictures start of production for "Jenni"

ViX, Mucho Mas Media and De Line Pictures confirmed the start of production for "Jenni," a working title. The authorized biopic is set to premiere exclusively via ViX and in select movie theaters in the United States and Mexico later this year.  "ViX is thrilled to be the official home and distributor of this powerful story about Jenni Rivera. Our commitment to this project is paramount and, along with a fantastic production team and director, we know we will have a film that will captivate our audiences,” stated Augusto Rovegno, senior vice president, content ViX at TelevisaUnivision. 

"Jenni" will be directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero from a screenplay by Shane McKenzie, and Javier Chapa and Phillip Braun of Mucho Mas Media will produce the series alongside Donald De Line of De Line Pictures. Jenni Rivera Enterprises is executive producing the film alongside Annie Gonzalez, Simon Wise, Bruce Barshop, Vincent Cordero, and Kristopher Wynne.  Filming for the ViX Original has started in Bogotá, Colombia and will be completed in Los Angeles, California. Actress, singer, and dancer Annie Gonzalez will star as Jenni Rivera.

The cast is headlined by Actress, singer, and dancer Annie Gonzalez, who will star as Jenni Rivera. Manuel Uriza, will be playing Pedro Rivera, Jenni’s father and Regional Mexican entrepreneur. Other talent joining the cast of the film include Cinthya Carmona as Chiquis Rivera, singer, TV personality and the oldest daughter of Jenni, Jero Medina and Miguel Angel Garcia were casted to characterize Trino Marín, Jenni’s first husband and father of her three oldest children, at later and earlier stages in his life, respectively,  Gabriela Reynoso will be portraying Jenni’s mother Rosa Saavedra, J.R. Villarreal will play Juan “Cinco” Lopez, Jenni’s late second husband and newcomer Tatiana Juarez will be portraying the young Jenni Rivera.  “I am beyond honored to portray the essence of this phenomenal survivor that is Jenni Rivera who despite adversity at every turn was never a victim and showed her daughters, her family, and her audience what grace, forgiveness, and true authenticity is, liberating us all,” expressed Annie Gonzalez on portraying the icon, Jenni Rivera. “Jenni’s messages of feminism, civil rights, and nonconformity within her music was well before her time and made space for all of us to feel empowered. With the support of the Rivera family, I cannot wait to help tell the beautiful story and the impactful legacy of what Jenni means to me personally and what it will mean to women and Latinas everywhere.”   

A true story, the series will detail the life and journey of the late superstar Jenni Rivera, who became one of the most famous female regional Mexican artists on the charts, starting her career in her hometown of Long Beach, California, her meteoric rise in the music industry, and through the  last days before her tragic and unexpected death.  The title will also show the struggles that the  iconic Mexican American singer/songwriter, actress, producer and women’s rights activist endured in her personal life and how she became the artist fans all know and love today, and how she persevered  and found strength from within. This story of resilience and bravery shows the building blocks of what made Jenni Rivera who she was and the remarkable legacy she left behind. “My siblings and I are very excited for this Bio Pic. We know our mother’s story will impact generations to come. It has been an uphill battle, but we are happy to see one of our mom’s dreams come to fruition.” stated Jacqie Rivera, daughter of Jenni Rivera and CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises. “Although we still haven’t been able to get usedd to seeing someone portray our mother, we have faith Annie will do a great job.”