U.S. teen second in Mexico’s ‘Idol’
An Arizona teenager finished second in “La Academia,” a Mexican version of “American Idol.”
Yuridia Gaxiola, of Mesa, Ariz., belted out a Spanish version of Robbie Williams’ “Angel” and a Mexican love ballad at the live four-hour concert held Sunday in Monterrey, Mexico. She won $92,000 and a car.
Erasmo Catarino Gonzalez, a 27-year-old teacher at an Indian school in southern Guerrero state, received the most votes from viewers of TV Azteca’s hit show, winning an SUV and $320,000.
Now in its fourth season, “La Academia” is a mix of “Big Brother” and “American Idol,” with 18 contestants living in a Mexico City talent academy for five months. The show has been such a hit that TV Azteca is launching “La Academia America,” a reality show for Latinos in the United States, slated to start in November.
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