Fuentes named 'American Latino TV' host

NEW YORK, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- American Latino Syndication announced Tuesday it has hired Daisy Fuentes as host and co-executive producer of "American Latino TV."

The eighth season of the syndicated half-hour weekly magazine-format show is to begin airing the first weekend of October.

"Last spring, we shot a segment for the show with Daisy telling the story of her inspirational transition from starlet to businesswoman, and I think we both just realized that she was a perfect fit," David Morales, executive producer of both "American Latino" and its companion show "LatiNation," said in a statement. "Daisy is proud to be an American Latina and the shows have always been about the extraordinary accomplishments of people in our community."

"I've always been a fan of 'American Latino' because I relate to the people that are featured and feel inspired by the stories they share," added Fuentes, a model and former MTV personality. "My culture is a huge part of who I am, and the show captures this perspective in a very entertaining way, week after week."

"American Latino," an English-language TV show targeted to U.S.-born Latinos, is seen in more than 100 cities, representing more than 81 million homes, the show's producers said in a news release.