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 Clark Productions' executive producers Orly Adelson and Barry Adelman along with Eva Longoria and Janet Murguía, 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 Murguía.

"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 Movie
Act of Valor
For Greater Glory
Girl in Progress
Puss in Boots
The Way

Favorite Movie Actor
Diego Boneta, Rock of Ages
Benicio Del Toro, Savages
Andy Garcia, For Greater Glory
Rodrigo Santoro, What to Expect When You're Expecting
Martin Sheen, The Way

Favorite Movie Actress - Drama/Adventure
Salma Hayek, Savages
Eva Longoria, For Greater Glory
Eva Mendes, Girl in Progress
Roselyn Sanchez, Act of Valor
Zoe Saldana, Colombiana

Favorite Movie Actress - Comedy/Musical
Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
Penelope Cruz, To Rome With Love
Cameron Diaz, What to Expect When You're Expecting
Jennifer Lopez, What to Expect When You're Expecting
Aubrey Plaza, Safety Not Guaranteed

Favorite Movie Actor - Supporting Role
Demián Bichir, Savages
Rubén Blades, For Greater Glory
Emilio Estevez, The Way
Oscar Isaac, For Greater Glory
édgar Ramírez, Wrath of the Titans

Favorite Movie Actress - Supporting Role
Mia Maestro, Savages
Cierra Ramirez, Girl in Progress
Genesis Rodriguez, Man on the Ledge
Harmony Santana, Gun Hill Road
Sofía Vergara, The Three Stooges

Favorite TV Reality, Variety, or Comedy Personality or Act
Christina 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 Actor
Benjamin 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 - Drama
Jordana 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 - Comedy
Victoria Justice, Victorious (Nickelodeon)
Aubrey Plaza, Parks and Recreation (NBC)
Naya Rivera, Glee (FOX)
Belle Thorne, Shake It Up (Disney Channel)
Sofía Vergara, Modern Family (ABC)

Favorite TV Actor - Supporting Role in a Drama
Guillermo 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 Comedy
Hector 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 Role
Constance Marie, Switched at Birth (ABC Family)
Sara Ramirez, Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Sarah Ramos, Parenthood (NBC)
Gina Torres, Suits (USA Network)
Lauren Vélez, Dexter (Showtime)

Favorite Male Music Artist
Bruno Mars
Pitbull
Ricky Martin
Romeo Santos
Santana

Favorite Female Music Artist
Gloria Estefan
Jennifer Lopez
Demi Lovato
Naya Rivera
Esperanza Spalding