Overview
- Mexico’s government officially presented the seven U.S.-based semifinalists on July 23 and reported 16,289 total registrations split between Mexico (10,528) and the United States (5,761).
- The named U.S. semifinalists come from cities across the U.S. including Perris and Glendale, California; Tucson, Arizona; Castle Rock, Colorado; El Bronx, New York; Portland, Oregon; and Chicago, Illinois.
- Organizers say the contest targets 18–29-year-olds and used a multistage process of digital registration, council preselection and in-person auditions to reach the semifinal field.
- Semifinals will be held Aug. 23 at the Million Dollar Theater in Los Ángeles and Aug. 31 at Teatro Ángela Peralta in Mazatlán with live broadcasts on 45 public outlets and winners chosen by real-time public voting.
- Prizes include three professional development contracts, a Sept. 13 final at Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional and a performance slot in the Sept. 15 Zócalo civic celebrations, a pathway organizers say will raise visibility and career opportunities for young artists.