“I feel I have the same mentality of the dog or the breed for the simple fact that don’t believe in the word ‘lose’ — and when they do, fight to the death,” the Cuban musician told NPR in a recent interview. “And with me being in the music business, in the entertainment business, you constantly have to be on your toes, constantly being reinventing yourself, and constantly coming up with new ideas, and finding ways on how to be creative enough so it’s new, cool, sexy to the public. So with that said, that’s where ‘Pitbull’ comes from — the fight. You know, I’m in love with the fight.”

Chatting with NPR host Michel Martin, Pitbull touched on expanding his career to include film, business ventures and philanthropic causes, as well as a new leadership program in his native Miami which will engage children to stay in school through sports. It’s all about creating a positive influence on people, the 32-year-old said.

“The whole point is to touch as many people as you can, to get the message across. It’s something that my grandmother used to do with the food when I would eat. Lettuce and tomato, I didn’t necessarily like it. So what she would do is, she would put it under the rice and the steak, which I loved,” Pitbull revealed. “And next thing you know, after a couple bites or a couple meals, let’s say, I was asking for the tomato and the lettuce. Through the music, it’s the same philosophy, if you apply it. Because there is a message in the music. I am telling you things that really are happening.”

RELATED: “Fast & Furious 6”: Michelle Rodriguez thanks fans for bringing her back to feisty role

But that’s not to say he’s not having fun along the way. In “Epic” – out Friday in theaters nationwide – Pitbull plays Bufo, a tough, street-savvy guy who’s all about the cash.

“When they showed me who I would be playing, which is Bufo, a toad, businessman/hustler, entrepreneur — everything’s business, not personal — I said, ‘Yeah I’m definitely game, and would love to be a part of the Epic opportunity.’”

Pitbull – who has significantly upgraded his style since rocking bandanas and oversized jerseys in the early days of his career – explained it was only when he saw Bufo experience a style makeover similar to his own that he truly fell in love with the character.

“When I first seen the toad Bufo, he was naked,” Pitbull said. “When I came back for the second session, they had dressed him in a suit, and he was the only toad in the forest with a suit on. I loved it!”

The Puerto Rican singer took to Twitter to mobilize the support of his 8 million followers, asking them to take to social media and ask select members of Puerto Rico’s legislative body to vote in favor of Senate Bill 238.

Mi gente, pido q vayan a las siguientes páginas de Facebook y pidan a estos Representantes de la (cont) tl.gd/n_1rkdp24 @lgbtpr

— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) May 22, 2013

The proposed bill would ban discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in the workplace, whether in the government, public or private sectors.

Martin – who has been a staunch LGBT rights advocate since coming out in 2010 – has been a public supporter of the proposal. Earlier this month, he sent a letter to Governor Alejandro García Padilla and island legislators asking them to pass bill 238 and other legislation which would protect Puerto Rico’s LGBT community.

“The same rights for each and every citizen of Puerto Rico, that’s what we are asking and that’s what we hope to achieve, the country’s justice and peace that we want to achieve,” Martin said in a statement posted on his personal website. “Puerto Rico has to join all the countries in the world that are at the forefront of the issue of human rights and equality.”

Bill 238 will be the subject of debate and vote on the Senate floor on Thursday, May 23.

In addition to his political activism, the “Living La Vida Loca” singer seems to have a full slate of projects on his schedule: he just wrapped up his time as judge on “The Voice Australia,” is developing a new series for NBC and is working on a children’s book.

The actress – who became famous in her native Colombia with roles on soaps like “Amas de Casa Deseperadas” – has filmed an eight-episode “mini telenovela” that will be broadcast in every single Latin American country with the exception of Portuguese-speaking Brazil.

Sofia Vergara in character on the set of her new telenovela in Long Island, New York.

The 40-year-old star has already wrapped filming on the drama, which was produced in Long Island, New York and details regarding Vergara’s character and the plot of the show are being kept tightly under wraps.

“I had so much fun creating this project and I hope people throughout Latin America enjoy it,” said Vergara in a press release. “For now I’m not able to offer more details about it – it’s going to be a surprise.”

The untitled novela marks Vergara’s return to Spanish-language projects since joining the cast of ABC sitcom “Modern Family” in 2009, for which she since has been nominated for multiple Emmy awards.

The film, titled “The 33” will be directed by “Girl In Progress” filmmaker Patricia Riggen and actors Rodrigo Santoro (“300”) and Martin Sheen (“The West Wing”) have also joined the all-star cast.

Producer Mike Medavoy made the official announcement about casting at the Cannes International Film Festival, reports Variety, saying that Banderas will play the role of Mario Sepulveda, a miner nicknamed “Super Mario” and Santoro has been cast as “Florencio,” the first miner to merge from entrapment.

RELATED:  Why Chilean director Nicolás López bets his movie will scare you

Production on “The 33” is expected to begin this fall in Chile, where Medavoy – who has lived in Chile – will begin to shape the story about the miners who were trapped for 69 days half a mile underground before their dramatic rescue was captured via live broadcast around the world. More than 1 billion viewers watched as the rescue took place and according to Variety, the rescued miners and their families helped develop the project.

Banderas – whose previous films include “Puss in Boots” and “The Legend of Zorro” – will next be  seen on-screen this fall  in “Machete Kills,” the latest installment in director Robert Rodriguez’s “Machete” franchise.

“The crazy thing is, when you’re performing and you’re just kind of into it, you never know where it’s gonna go and where you’re gonna go with it, and how that might turn out,” Miguel told Billboard of his show choreography gone wrong.  ”So this is one of the less favorable moments.”

Even so, the 27-year-old singer was apologetic towards the fan whom he injured, tweeting his apology.

“Got caught up in the moment, thank goodness Khyati is ok,” tweeted the R&B star, who had been performing his hit tune “Adorn” when the accident occurred.

While Miguel may not have taken home an award – he had been a contender for “Top R&B” song, ultimately losing to Rihanna – he certainly earned his fair share of air time, thanks to his on-stage debacle. The hash tag #Miguel became one of the top five trends on Twitter and the dramatic dropkick went viral on Vine, YouTube and Google+.

The incident also became the subject of numerous memes, all poking fun at what’s sure to become a top moment in pop culture history.

#NowPlaying Miguel #Adorn Looool! Seen Some Of The Funniest Pics Today! Still Laughing! KCx twitter.com/ChoiceFM/statu…

— Choice FM (@ChoiceFM) May 20, 2013

And it looks like there was no serious damage done to Khyati, who not only received a public apology from the star but also received one-on-one time with him backstage afterwards.

“I’m very happy to bring my new friend, Khyati, we just met,” Miguel said when interviewed backstage while Khyati was icing her arm. “Unfortunately, we did not meet under the best circumstances, but I think we’re okay.”

I just KNEW Miguel was the White Ranger….I KNEW IT! twitter.com/SKTV_/status/3…

— Trav NEVER Chills (@SKTV_) May 20, 2013

And it looks like Khyati was just thrilled to have had her time with Miguel – no matter what the circumstances.

“I Adorn him,” she told Billboard.

Aguilera, who will soon return to “The Voice” as a coach, has struggled with her weight over the years, most particularly after the birth of her son in 2008. “I’ve been on all spectrums (weight-wise),” Us magazine reported she told reporters at a TCA conference in 2012.

To read the rest of the story go to www.today.com

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Christina Aguilera onstage during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 19, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Christina Aguilera, right, and Pitbull performs at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, May 19, 2013 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

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The singer, who is nominated for 11 Billboard Music Awards, was the show’s early leader with seven wins so far, including top Billboard 200 album and country album for “Red.” She topped it off with a colorful performance of her hit “22″ — starting backstage and working her way to the main stage on the back of a bike with help from a dozen background dancers and a flurry of red balloons.

Miguel, too, had a show-stopping performance, though he seemed to kick a fan when he jumped over the crowd during a performance of his hit “Adorn.” The R&B singer seemed to have landed part of his body on one girl, who walked away, and kicked another girl, who held her head low.

RELATED: Miguel rocks his first SNL appearance

Maroon 5 and fun. were also nominated for 11 awards and won honors in a pre-telecast announcement. Gotye and Rihanna are behind Swift with four awards each.

Bruno Mars and his band kicked off the show in silky red suits that matched their silky dance moves, with bright gold disco balls hanging above them. Mars performed his new single, the upbeat and old-school-flavored “Treasure.”

Justin Bieber, who won top male artist, is also up for the night’s biggest award, top artist. Other nominees include Swift, Rihanna, One Direction and Maroon 5.

“This is not just my award,” Bieber said, thanking his fans and team.

He performed his song “Take You” in leather pants, a leather vest and a black shirt that had one sleeve, as blue laser lights beamed.

Nicki Minaj, who is set to perform with Lil Wayne, won the first award in the live telecast for top rap artist, beating out Drake, Flo Rida, Pitbull and Psy.

“I definitely did not expect this one,” she said, wearing a bright red dress.

But the awards show, airing live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on ABC, is less about the trophies and more about the performances. Selena Gomez sang her seductive new hit, “Come & Get It,” while Chris Brown danced around the stage to his latest single, “Fine China,” though his voice began to crack during the performance. Duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis also performed their massive hit “Thrift Shop,” which won top rap song.

“First and foremost, gotta thank Goodwill, gotta thank Value Village,” Macklemore said to laughs.

Prince, who will receive the icon award, will also hit the stage. Madonna was named top touring artist.

“Thank you for supporting me for three decades. Without you I truly wouldn’t be here,” she said.

Bieber, Swift and Mars are also up for the fan-voted milestone award.

Comedian-actor Tracy Morgan is the show’s host, and he dressed as Psy in a bright yellow suit when the rapper-singer was onstage to present an award. They had a dance battle to Psy’s new single, “Gentleman.”

Pitbull made two appearances, one with Jennifer Lopez and another with Christina Aguilera. His hit with Aguilera, “Feel This Moment,” samples A-Ha’s “Take On Me” and Morten Harket came out to sing a line from the song.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 57-year-old Cuban actor has been cast in “Let’s Be Cops,” joining a host of talented actors including Damon Wayans Jr. (“Happy Endings”), Jake Johnson (“New Girl”) and Nina Dobrev (“The Vampire Diaries”).

RELATED: Andy Garcia talks new role in epic film based on Mexico’s secret civil war

The film will feature a laugh-out-loud story line centered on the story of pals (Wayans and Johnson) who borrow cop uniforms, just to find themselves in serious hot water when their paths become intertwined with a member of the Russian mob. And Garcia? Well, he’ll play the part of a detective who is charged with the case on behalf of the would-be cops.

The film will begin shooting this summer in Atlanta, Georgia and will be his first studio film since the release of “For Greater Flory: The True Story of Cristiada” in 2012.

Although Garcia’s film roles are less frequent since he first broke out as an actor in the 1980s, the Miami resident has added “producer” to his long list of credits. He’ll be producing “Hemingway & Fuentes” and another filmed titled “Middleton,” a film about a couple falling in love while touring colleges with their children, slated for release later this year.

Shakira won’t be back for another season of NBC’s “The Voice,” the Latin singing sensation has confirmed to E! News, making way for Christina Aguilera’s return to the hot (red leather) seat.

The 36-year-old explained why. “It was a hard decision for me to make, because I’m really fond of the coaches, the people in production and everybody around me,” she said. “And I really enjoyed The Voice, but I also have a musical career and I’m also a mother now and my poor baby’s so tired flying such long distances. He already has more miles than any pilot. So I think I have to give him a little break, and we’ll see what happens in the future.”

Click over to E! Online to read the rest of the story.

“Generally speaking, television doesn’t accurately portray the lives of Latinos today.  So even though I’m on TV, when I turn it on, I don’t see me,” Lopez said on stage Wednesday at NUVOtv’s media up fronts in New York City.  “America has changed, we’ve all changed but television is pretty much the same. It is pretty much impossible to find Latinos accurately portrayed in the media … Now, I am fortunate enough to be in a position to do something about it.”

Lopez – who has emerged as one of America’s most recognizable entertainment icons – said that when she was approached to become “the face” of NUVOtv, she immediately began to conceive of a network which would reflect a growing Latino audience that consumes English language content, but demands “culturally relevant” programming.

In her capacity as COO, Lopez oversees the network’s content, branding, distribution and marketing; with a lineup of seven shows to hit airwaves on July 18, the 43-year-old hopes she’ll be able to provide content that simply didn’t exist when she “was a young girl turning on the TV, never seeing anyone that looked like [me] on screen.”

And on the 2013-14 programming slate? A reality show about plus-sized models living in New York City (“Curvy Girls”), a comedy series showcasing Latino comics (“Stand Up And Deliver,” hosted by Julissa Bermudez and Jose Sarduy), a programming block dedicated to showcasing films by up and coming Latino directors, “Gotta Dance,” a show about professional dancers on J.Lo’s first world tour and a celebrity interview series hosted by “Extra” host Mario Lopez.

Having fun backstage with my girl @jlo at the @mynuvotv upfronts! #LopezOverload twitter.com/MarioLopezExtr…m

— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) May 15, 2013

Lopez – who recently announced that he will resume his “X Factor” hosting duties in the upcoming season in addition to producing a new reality show with boxer Oscar De La Hoya on MundoFOX – will play a significant role in NUVOtv’s upcoming programming. Beyond his new interview series on the channel, titled “Mario Lopez: One on One,” the Mexican-American television host will develop a scripted show for NUVO as part of its scripted programming lineup.

“As an artist in this industry, this is very exciting to me. This is the opportunity to tell stories in ways that we see them, relatable, more authentic and without stereotypes,” Lopez said of her new endeavors in television programming.

“But this is also smart business. It’s a new day and TV is getting a new face, a new voice.”