TIJUANA Mexicali native Erick Sandoval de la Torre won Sunday night one of Latin America's most popular reality talent shows, "La Academia 2011."
Sandoval was a fan favorite throughout the show's 18-week season, which was broadcast by the Azteca América network to millions in Mexico, United States and Latin America.
Argentinian contestant Pablo Gabriel Balzano, 27, won second place and Carmen Daniela Rios, a 25-year-old from San Francisco, won third.
Sandoval, 26, is the brother of singer Raúl Sandoval, who participated in the show's first season, "Primera Generación de La Academia," in 2002.
Erick Sandoval won with his interpretation of "Qué nivel de mujer," "Tatuajes," "Te vi venir" and "Abeja reina."
He won a little more than half a million pesos (about $36,100) and a recording contract with the label Azteca Music.
The goal of Mexico City-based "La Academia" is to discover the best Latin American talent. The 2011 season began on Aug. 21 with 35 "students," who were singers from Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America and the United States.
They were "taught" during the week by well-known entertainers and performed during a Sunday night show for a panel of judges. The public had to text their support of each contestant.
One of the early contestants was Juan Francisco Díaz, who grew up in Tijuana, and performed on both sides of the border. However, he was voted off the show on Oct. 9.
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