Erick Sandoval Takes It All in the Grand Finale of Azteca America's La Academia 2011 Musical Reality Show

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Azteca America is pleased to announce the winner of Sunday's grand finale of La Academia 2011: Erick Sandoval, from Mexicali. He takes home $50,000 in cash, a recording contract with Azteca Music, and a full-paid scholarship to Azteca's CEFAT acting school, among other top prizes.

Carmen, who represented Azteca America from San Francisco, was successful until the final round, where she placed third. She has established herself as a role model within the U.S. Latino community as an example of someone who has struggled to make her dreams come true. Both she and Pablo, who placed second and hails from Argentina, received important recording contracts with Azteca Music.

Other Azteca America representatives who made it to the final concert were Ronald, from Miami, who placed fifth, and Gustavo, from Chicago, who placed sixth.

La Academia 2011 touched the hearts of millions of people on both sides of the border and throughout the Americas in the past four months. The spectacular finale took place in the beautiful Mexican state of Chiapas.

The international pop sensation LaToya Jackson, made a return for the final concert to wish luck to the ten finalists and sing one of her hits: "Just Wanna Dance."

Other international superstars in attendance were Marta Sanchez, who sang the theme song of the telenovela "A Corazon Abierto" together with Samuel, the winner of the fifth generation of La Academia, as well as grupero superstar Julio Preciado, who lent moral support to the contestants and sang a group number that included "Mi Gusto Es" and "El Sinaloense."

The star-studded event began with a red carpet ceremony featuring Azteca talent, including: Mauricio Islas, Gaby Spanic, Edith Gonzalez, Mauricio Barcelata, Luis Felipe Tovar, Lili Brillanti, Ivonne Montero, Alejandra Lazcano, Aline Hernandez, Ariel Lopez Padilla, Sergio Basanez, and more.

About Azteca America

Azteca America is the alternative choice in broadcast television for Spanish speaking families residing in the United States. Azteca America operates in 75 markets nationwide, and can also be seen on DIRECTV Mas Channel 441 (AZA 441) and DISH Network Channel 825. Wholly owned by Mexican broadcaster TV Azteca, S.A.B de C.V., Azteca America has access to the best programming from TV Azteca's three national networks, including a library with over 200,000 hours of original programming and news from local bureaus in 32 Mexican states. The network complements Mexican programming with an innovative line-up of shows from international producers and distributors to ensure the finest programming for Spanish-speaking viewers and unique advertising solutions for partners seeking to reach the most dynamic market in the country.

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SOURCE Azteca America