People en Español
People en Español is a Spanish-language American magazine published by Dotdash Meredith that debuted in 1996, originally as the Spanish-language edition of its publication People. As of 2009, it is the Spanish-language magazine with the largest readership in the United States, reaching 7.1 million readers with each issue.[2] Distinguishing itself from its English-language counterpart, People en Español's original editorial content combines coverage from the Hispanic and general world of entertainment, articles on fashion and beauty, and human interest stories. It was created and launched by Time Warner media executive Lisa Garcia.[3] Angelo Figueroa was the magazine's founding managing editor, who led the editorial department for its first five years.
Editor
History[edit]
Time Inc. launched the Spanish-language edition of People magazine in 1996. The company has said in The New York Times that the new publication emerged after a 1995 issue of the original magazine was distributed with two distinct covers, one featuring slain Tejano singer Selena and another cover with cast members from Friends; the Selena cover sold out while the other did not.
Though the original idea was that Spanish-language translations of articles from the English magazine would comprise half the content of the newer publication, People en Español over time came to have a mix of 90% original content and 10% translated material perceived by editors to have inter-cultural importance.[4]
Because the readership comprises Spanish-speakers of diverse backgrounds, the editorial staff goes to great lengths to use as neutral a variety of Spanish as possible. Staff member Betty Cortina told The Washington Post in 1996, "We police each other as we edit, making sure that we maintain a high-level, slang-free Spanish. We're trying to bust the myth that everyone wants a different kind of Spanish."
The magazine has received a number of accolades, including being named one of the "Most Notable Magazine Launches of the Past 20 Years" by Media Industry News (MIN).[5] In April 2006, its publisher at the time, Jacqueline Hernández,[6] was named Adweek Marketing y Medios' Executive of the Year.[7] In March, 2007, People en Español was listed on Adweek's Hot List "10 under 50" for the fourth consecutive year.
In February 2022, it was revealed that People en Español would end print circulation and switch to an all digital format.[8]
Special issues[edit]
Among the eleven issues that People en Español releases a year, there are several special issues including June's "Los 50 Más Bellos" (50 Most Beautiful), and December's "Estrella del Año" (Star of the Year). Special issues debuting in 2007 include February's "Los 100 Hispanos Más Influyentes" (100 Most Influential Hispanics) and November's "Sexiest Man Alive" issue, similar to People magazine's established franchise.
Exclusives[edit]
The magazine has been known to break world exclusives pertaining to Hispanic celebrities.
Puerto Rican actress Adamari López gave the magazine a world exclusive for their May 2006 issue, speaking for the first time since her breast cancer diagnosis kept her away from the media. Lopez shared with the magazine's editors the details of battling her illness and her relationship with the popular singer Luis Fonsi.
In an exclusive interview in the March 2007 issue, Mexican soap opera legend Verónica Castro, spoke about her estranged son, singer Cristian Castro, and the real reason for the animosity with daughter-in-law, Valeria Liberman. The actress also discussed her disappointment when Cristian Castro caused quite a media stir after his reconciliation with his father, comic Manuel Valdés.
In late August 2007, the magazine revealed that Cristian Castro had separated from his second wife. An exclusive interview was published in the October 2007 issue (on sale 9/3/07) with a cover line quoting "Quiero Ser Libre (I Want to Be Free)."[9] Despite personally speaking to the magazine, Castro later denied what he said in the interview and hiding the divorce suit he presented in Miami. Castro emphasized that he will always lie to the press about his personal life. "I don't want the press to know about my personal life. I'm not here to share it; I'm here to sing. I will always lie to the press. Always expect lies about my personal life." He has since admitted to filing for divorce, but withdrew papers the next day.
In the November 2008 issue, People en Español took an in depth look at the marital troubles between Cuban-American journalist Myrka Dellanos and her husband of only six months, Ulysses Alonzo. Friends and sources close to the couple spoke exclusively with People en Español detailing what really lead to Dellanos' frantic 911 call and the battery charges against Alonzo.