Local contestant Frank Díaz hit the right notes at the launch Sunday of the Spanish-language reality show "La Academia 2011," winning top marks for the best song interpretation of the night.
A total of 35 "students" began their quest to become the next Latin American entertainment star. By the night's end, five had been eliminated from the show aired by the Mexican television network Azteca América, leaving 30 who will compete in next week's show.
Díaz, 20, who grew up in Tijuana, sang "De mí enamórate" by Juan Gabriel, along with two other contestants, Denisha and Dariela.
The judges – Lolita Cortés, Arturo López Gavito and Chacho Gaytán agreed that the trio was the best performers of the night, after retracting their initial selection.
The judges, all entertainers, congratulated the instructors for doing an excellent work in teaching singing, dancing and acting to the contestants.
The trio made up of Díaz and the two young women closed Sunday's show, hosted by Mexican actress Biby Gaytán and Chilean host Rafael Araneda.
Elisa, Giselle, Arón, Yamileth and Yaky were eliminated from the program, and had to vacate the school.
The students, who have to live and practice together, will be videotaped 24 hours a day inside a building in Mexico City that's been adapted to use as school and performance space. Viewers can follow them every day in an hour-long show that airs at 2:30 p.m. (San Diego time). The public will decide the winner.
The week culminates with a four-hour gala performance that airs on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. in San Diego and 5:30 p.m. in Tijuana.
You can follow Díaz, through his Facebook page.
andrea.garcia@sandiegored.com
