“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.”

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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 entertainer announced Wednesday that her newest business venture – named Viva Móvil by Jennifer – will offer cell phones, service plans and accessories through a national in-store and online shopping experience customized to the preferences of bilingual, bicultural U.S. Latinos.

“I have a drive to create things and create things that matter and change the world. That’s the basis for why I am artist and it’s not any different in my entrepreneurial ventures,” says Lopez, speaking from the CTIA Wireless 2013 Conference in Las Vegas. “I didn’t go into wireless because I think that’s where the future is; it’s not something I specifically targeted. I came from this from a creative standpoint, thinking about how the business could cater to a Latino market which I feel has been underserved. This is my way of empowering the Latino community.”

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Lopez is Chief Creative Officer and the majority stake holder of Viva Móvil, whose partners include mobile device manufacturer and distributor Brightstar and Moorehead Communications, one of the nation’s largest Verizon Wireless retailers.

Citing the fact that 75% of U.S. Latinos currently own smartphones, Lopez says that she has made sure that Viva Móvil fully addresses a wide range of needs across a rapidly growing Hispanic market that includes her family and friends.

“We have designed our stores with the way Latinos shop and this is for them,” Lopez explains, noting that the Hispanic purchasing power in the United States is expected to reach $1.5 million dollars by 2015. “That’s where the future is.”

The first Viva Móvil store will open in New York City on June 15 with other retail locations slated to open in major Hispanic markets like Miami and Los Angeles. All of the stores will be staffed by bilingual employees and will feature children’s play areas, as well as a “culturally relevant” store environment that encourages customers to linger as they test drive products.

Customers will also be able to purchase Jennifer Lopez-branded accessories,  standard Verizon phones and data plans on Verizon’s 4G LTE network via Lopez’s Facebook page, with the option to share news of their purchase with family and friends.

“Wireless is more important to Latinos than ever before and it’s a huge part of their lives – I think it empowers them to be successful in all areas of their lives,” says Lopez of creating a Hispanic business model for cell phone sales. She says that philosophy holds true for her own children, five-year-old twins Max and Emme.

“I’m just trying to raise them to be happy and healthy so they can go after their dreams and do what they love at the end of the day,” shared Lopez. “Because that’s what I’m doing. Everything I’m involved with is something I love. This community deserves to be catered to and has been overlooked for far too long.”

The announcement of Viva Móvil follows Lopez’s appearance at NUVOtv’s media upfronts in New York City, where she revealed her role as the cable network’s Chief Creative Officer charged with Latino programming. While the two ventures may seem worlds apart from Lopez’s early beginnings as a Fly Girl, the 43-year-old says her business dealings are an extension of her art.

“I’m just living my life and I’m an artist first,” Lopez divulged. “I tell everybody that even when I go into business with them. I’m an singer, dancer, actress and performer and everything I do beyond that is a blessing.”

Consider the math. When “American Idol” first hit television sets in 2002, America quickly fell in love with contestants vying for a chance at music industry success – to the tune of 30 million viewers during its heyday in 2006. By the time Jennifer Lopez was tapped to take a seat at the judges table in 2010, she was charged with re-energizing a franchise that had been steadily losing ratings across younger audiences.  Lopez left the show after two seasons (“I made the decision that I was going to go back on tour and after that focus on film for the next few years,” Lopez told NBC Latino of her decision to leave) and the result as proved nothing less than slightly disastrous for what was once one of the top English-language shows among U.S. Hispanics.

The damage? Last week’s “American Idol” season 12 finale came in at 14.3 million total viewers, making it the first time ever that the show had failed to reach the 20-million mark. With “Idol” earning a mere 3.6 rating among adults 18-49, reports The Hollywood Reporter, the show’s median viewer is 51.2 years old – hardly the younger audience that’s key to bringing in advertisers and the reason why show executives are scrambling to make changes that may include a return to “Idol” for Lopez.

“Latinos are the fastest growing minority group as well as the youngest,” says Gabriel Reyes, a Hispanic marketing expert and president of Reyes Entertainment, a communications and marketing agency. “Using Latino on-air talent on these shows gives them a second life by bringing an audience that is key to the success of these shows. Jennifer Lopez saved the ‘American Idol’ brand and she may do it again – I think we’re seeing a trend that’s here to stay.”

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According to Nielsen, there are 115.6 million homes in the United States where television is being watched, compounding a viewership of 294 million television viewers. An estimated 40 percent of those homes are Hispanic households, making networks anxious to capture Latino television audiences – especially because the U.S. Latinos have an annual buying power of more than $1 trillion.

Television executives have essentially remade the traditional television formula using “black-white imagery” in order to get Latino viewers and their coveted dollars, says Felix Sanchez, chairman of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA).

“The old formula for variety shows always incorporated a black sidekick,” explains Sanchez. “The use of Latino talent in these types of reality shows by television executives is something that has only happened recently and it’s a new formula that helps these shows hit the numbers they need for success.”

Take “The X Factor,” executive produced by “American Idol” alum Simon Cowell. Cowell seemed “almost contemptuous of Latino performers” in the early days of “Idol,” says Sanchez. Now Cowell has signed on returning talent Demi Lovato and Mario Lopez; with the addition of Paulina Rubio, Cowell has positioned himself to gain a strong Latino viewership.

“The Latino demographic, as we saw in the presidential election, is not monolithic – there are nuances with which you can reach different segments of the market,” says Reyes. “Demi Lovato will really resonate with American-born millennials that don’t have a lot of connection to Spanish-language media and someone like Paulina Rubio will resonate with those that are recent immigrants from Latin America, where she is a huge star.”

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The phenomenon of using Latin talent in reality singing competitions has even extended internationally, with Ricky Martin’s gig as judge on “The Voice Australia.” There are more Latino contestants on these shows than ever before as well, but Sanchez says network executives have a long way to go to truly incorporate Latinos on broadcast television.

“There’s a subliminal appearance that Latinos are part of mainstream America and that we are front and center,” states Sanchez. “But I don’t think on-camera talent is enough.”

“Unless you build a roster of talented producers and writers who are Latino to position these artists, correctly, meaningfully and authentically, our position in the industry will remain fairly superficial.”

“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.

“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.”

Credits:

Feliciano Garcia – Producer/Host

Brian Caraveo – Editor/Camera

Mike Tomczyk – Camera

Steven Diaz – Camera

Javier Garcia – Asst. Editor

Beats by Z Muzik for Humbled Soul Productions

Special Thanks to Peddy – Yuval Pery

The newly-slim Aguilera – who hosted the first three seasons of “The Voice” and left the show last year to concentrate on the release of her seventh studio album, Lotus – will be once again taking a seat in the red coach’s chair with a paycheck that could be as large as 17 million, The Wrap reports.

Aguilera made a reported 17 million during her time on Season 3 of the show and show insiders told The LA Times that “she could earn a figure as high as that again.” Other sources report that Aguilera would take home a paycheck closer to 12 million.

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To make room for the Grammy-Award-winning singer, Shakira – a current judge on season five of the NBC show – will most likely leave the show, reports The Wrap.

And Aguilera won’t be the only familiar face on “The Voice” next season, as former judge Cee Lo Green is rumored to be in negotiations to rejoin the show as well.

“I’ll be back,” Green told TODAY Show anchor Matt Lauer last October. The hit singer and producer had promised his absence was temporary, which show executive producer Mark Burnett had made a point to mention during Aguilera and Green’s departure last year.

“These are current touring artists, so it’s a matter of balancing schedules,” Burnett told The Hollywood Reporter last year of the original “Voice” foursome of Aguilera, Green Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. “They’re all in demand and we’re just balancing it all.”

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NBC announced Monday at its prime time upfronts that “The Voice” will remain at its current Monday time slot, although its Tuesday one-hour shows have been moved to 9 p.m. ET.

“The Voice” will return for the 2013-14 season with an entirely new crop of NBC prime time shows, including “Welcome to the Family” which features the story of Latino teen Junior Hernandez (Joseph Haro of “Akward” and “Glee”), whose plans to attend the prestigious Stanford University get slightly derailed when his white high school girlfriend Molly (Ella Rae Peck) reveals that she’s pregnant.

The show – co-starring “Desperate Housewives” alum Ricardo Chavira – promises to be a “crash course in culture blending as Molly and Junior decide they want to get married and, in doing so, bring together two very different families,” announces an NBC press release.

Watch the trailer for “Welcome to the Family” below.

“Aftershock” tells the story of an American tourist (played by “Hostel” actor/producer Eli Roth) and his Chilean pals (Ariel Levy and Nicolás Martínez), who find themselves in “living hell” when a devastating earthquake passes through the beach resort town of Valparaíso, Chile. In one scene, Gringo is seen partying the night away with friends and gorgeous gals; in the next, he finds himself in a landscape where glee has quickly given way to devastation and panic. The movie, which will be released simultaneously in theaters and VOD on May 10, is a revealing look at what can happen in during an earthquake’s aftershock – a story that López says is inspired by his own experience with the real-life earthquake that ripped through the central coastline Chile in the early hours of the morning in February 2010.

“Most of the people that lived in Chile and had the experience of going through that had many stories afterwards, including myself,” says López, who was a columnist at Chile’s El Mercurio newspaper before switching gears and becoming a film director. “There’s such randomness in life; one moment you could be clubbing and the next you could lose your entire family. There was something about it that I thought would make a great movie.”

“Aftershock” actors Andrea Osvart, Nicolas Martinez, Natasha Yarovenko and Lorenza Izzo.

But creating a documentary about the devastating effects of the earthquake wasn’t something López wanted to do (“I’m not a serious person, so I would never be able to make an official version of the earthquake”), so he set out to create “the ultimate horror movie” featuring two monsters: Mother Nature and human nature. And while the movie was filmed in Chile with a largely Latino cast, López says his film is “very American.”

“All the movies I have made were very American – but in Spanish,” explains López, who produced “Aftershock” with Roth, who contacted him initially as a fan of his previous films. “This feels like an American mainstream movie – it’s bilingual and you feel an ease with the way that Latinos are portrayed within the idea of a bigger story with very human elements.”

López, who is already immensely popular in his native Chile – his first film, a teen comedy called “Promedio Rojo” was a hit and “Que Pena Tu Vida” was the Chile’s highest-grossing film in 2010 – says he aspires to achieve mainstream success like Fede Alvarez or Guillermo del Toro.

“I want to make movies from Chile for the world,” says López, whose next project is a movie about cannibals in the Brazilian Amazon.

“My work, whether in English or in Spanish, is always going to be in a universal language of film. And my goal is to make films that appeal to anyone, regardless of where you come from.”