Xtrellas Announces New Platform to Showcase Global LatinX Talent

Influencer Daily Staff

Xtrellas is a new social media talent competition exclusively for Spanish-speaking Latino performers around the globe to showcase their skills. Open to all ages, Xtrellas awards winners increased visibility on social media and potential talent management contracts to help them break into the entertainment industry.

A New Stage In The Digital Age for Latino Talent

Xtrellas has officially announced the launch of its innovative virtual talent competition, custom-designed to discover and promote the diverse skills of Latino performers worldwide. The weekly competition offers a unique opportunity for Spanish-speaking artists to showcase their talents and gain visibility primarily through TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Contestants can submit talents across all genres, including music, dance, comedy, magic, or whatever they are into.

Xtrellas’s open format and exclusive focus on the Latino community set it apart from other talent shows. Performers submit their acts in Spanish to Xtrellas.com. Five acts are featured on Xtrellas’ social media channels each week, and the act that attracts the most audience engagement wins the week and a spot in the Xtrellas Hall of Fame.

More than just a talent show, Xtrellas celebrates the cultural richness and diversity of the Latino community. The platform taps into the power of social media to connect performers with audiences that span continents, providing a stage for them to demonstrate their unique talents and abilities and express their cultural and national pride.

Addressing Representation Gaps in Entertainment

Xtrellas was founded in response to the glaring underrepresentation of Latinos in mainstream media, particularly in Hollywood, where Latinos hold limited on-screen and behind-the-scenes roles in the entertainment industry.

The mission is personal for writer-producer-actor David E. Ballard, co-founder of Xtrellas. While volunteering as an ESL teacher in Los Angeles, David witnessed firsthand the immense talent and creativity in many of his Latino students while also realizing at the same time that most if not all, of them lacked the professional resources and connections necessary to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

So he pitched the idea for developing a talent show exclusively for Spanish-speaking Latinos to his longtime friend and production partner Woody Thompson, an entertainment industry veteran and co-creator of the 13-time Emmy-nominated VH1 series Pop-Up Video. After trying several different iterations of the idea, Woody and David eventually came up with the social media-based Xtrellas format – and they are now dedicated to making it the premier platform for Latino talent development in the world.

Leveraging Social Media to Empower Talent

Xtrellas was created by and for the social media landscape, where most Latinos consume their entertainment. With millions of Latinos in the U.S. and Latin America using smartphones exclusively to access content, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are essential for enabling Xtrellas to connect with a young, engaged audience.

By democratizing access to a talent competition, Xtrellas ensures that anyone—regardless of their economic background or location—can submit an audition and have a chance to be seen. The weekly competition format, where acts are featured and voted on through social media engagement, allows performers to gain real-time feedback and grow their fan base organically. This model provides visibility for contestants and fosters a sense of community among participants and viewers alike.

From Talent Showcase to Career Opportunities

“Xtrellas was created to break down barriers for talented Latino performers and give them a chance to be seen by global audiences.”

– David E. Ballard

Along with weekly prizes and social media recognition, Xtrellas offers performers a fantastic opportunity to turn their passion into a career. Performers typically need licensed talent agents to help them negotiate entertainment industry contracts, and that’s where Xtrellas is offering help and guidance. The weekly contest winners are offered the chance to sign talent management contracts, allowing Xtrellas to represent them legally. This means Xtrellas can promote these performers to legitimate talent agencies in the United States, helping them gain representation and access to opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise.

For Woody and David, the goal is clear: provide a platform that not only entertains but also empowers, offering Latino performers the chance to be seen, heard, and celebrated on a global stage.

Building a Stronger Future for Latino Talent

Xtrellas is not just an online competition; it’s also a platform for social impact. As part of its long-term vision, Xtrellas aims to partner with brands and charity organizations that support Latino communities through culturally relevant initiatives. By connecting sponsorships to projects that genuinely benefit Latino communities in the United States and Latin America, Xtrellas is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of aspiring performers of all ages, genders, and nationalities.

About Xtrellas

Xtrellas is an international social media talent show that celebrates the diverse performance skills of the Spanish-speaking Latino community. With a digital-first format, Xtrellas invites participants of all ages to compete to sign talent management contracts. The platform empowers Latino artists by providing visibility, representation, and career opportunities.