Freeform has teamed with Selena Gomez and Aaron Kaplan for a drama series project. Described as a Latina Empire, the untitled drama, now in development, is set in a low income Latino neighborhood and is told through the eyes of an 18-year-old girl destined for greatness. Gomez executive produces with Kaplan through his Kapital Entertainment and Mandy Teefey. Los Angeles high school senior Ana Cobarrubias serves as a consultant on the project, which is looking for a writer.
The project stems from an idea by Kaplan who got the inspiration while attending The Zimmer Children’s Museum Discovery Award Dinner last November to present an award to his attorney, James Mandelbaum, who was being honored alongside Freeform’s EVP programming Karey Burke. One of the speakers at the event was Cobarrubias, who captivated the audience, getting a standing ovation for her speech about making a difference in her poor East LA neighborhood and her determination to defy society’s expectations for someone like her by being a strong and confident young woman. Here is a video:
Inspired by Cobarrubia’s speech, Kaplan reached out to Burke with the idea for the series. Burke liked it, and the two approached Gomez, who came on board as an executive producer. There are no plans for her to act. The show will be co-produced by Freeform and Universal Cable Prods., whose president Jeff Wachtel, was an honorary chair at the Zimmer Museum’s dinner, organized by his wife Sheryl. Kaplan sought out Cobarrubias, who had said in her speech that she plans to pursue a career in cinematic arts so she could tell the stories of people from low-income neighborhoods like hers. She was brought in as a consultant on the project.
At Freeform, Kaplan also has a comedy starring Nicki Minaj, which recently shot a pilot directed by Tim Story. The project, based on Minaj’s childhood, has a series commitment. Previously, Kaplan executive produced the Freeform series Chasing Life and Kevin From Work.
Gomez and Teefey also are executive producing Netflix’s upcoming series 13 Reasons Why, which has set Tom McCarthy to direct the first two episodes. Gomez is repped by WME and Lighthouse Management and Media.





If Aaron Kaplan is involved, it will suck.
Time to lose the momager or she’ll end up like Victoria Justice. (remember her?)
She already fired her mom and got a new manager. She’s executive producing this with her own production company. Her mom is just her business partner.
If she is getting ahead and it seems everyday she is delivering something interesting how could you compare her to Victoria Justice? I think Selena’s mom did just fine until Selena was ready to spread her wings and now her mom is helping her produce quality projects. Don’t see the comparison. Explain!
Go Selena! Following the footing steps from other latin queens Jennifer Lopez and Salma Hayek
Go Selena! Following the footing steps from other latina queens Jennifer Lopez and Salma Hayek.
Beautiful!! Thats right selena
That’s why I love you!
With Salena you can do no wrong.. Absolute beauty & amazing ..you go Hottie
Excuse me. But what does Selena Gomez know about being an “executive producer”?? PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME!
Well, she previously produced Wizards of Waverly Place TV movie ‘Alex vs Alex’ which garnered over 6 million viewers in its 1st premiere. She is also the executive producer of her latest album which became #1 and has 2 #5 and 1 #7 hot 100 singles. So, she knows way better than you and me that’s for sure.
Her script notes are incredible. Some producers just cash a check, not Selena Gomez. She understands structure like no one else, has a brilliant ear for dialogue, and her casting instincts are even more incredible than her dating instincts. She’ll probably win a hundred Emmys as a producer.
With so much undiscovered talent in the Latino Community, why not hire an all Latino team to write,cast, direct,
produce, act etc?And why a copycat of Empire? Why is Hollywood so stuck on remakes, rehashes, and copy cats? There were two great shows that featured Latinos, The Bridge, and Gang Related, both had a cast that showcased the talent of actors, writers, directors. Both had a strong fan base, yet both were drop kicked by the network suits…Why??
That was a beautiful speech by Cobarrubia! So mature for her age.
Ana you go girl so young & beautiful!
You have a bright future in front of you.
So mature for your age.