Jenni Rivera To Be Played By Mexican Actress Itati Cantoral In US TV Series 'La Diva De La Banda'

Mexican actress Itatí Cantoral has confirmed that she will be playing singer Jenni Rivera in an American TV series on Estrella TV. The mini-series will have a 10-episode run and will begin filming in the Unites States at the end of September. In an interview with the Mexican radio show "Todo para la mujer" Itatí said she saw her role as Jenni Rivera as a challenge. Itati also said for this role she would not try and sing the way Rivera did. "She was a great singer who came to a soaring notes [and] had a much broader record then mine. But I can sing, I have facilities," the actress said.

Before Jenni Rivera died Itati said she had the opportunity to meet the singer. The soap opera star said she was taken aback by Rivera and was impressed by how "simple" the singer behaved. Rivera also wants to contact the late singer's family in order to get a better feel for the character she will be playing. Rivera said the last thing she wants to do is create a "cartoon" like portrayal of the singer. "I will have to get in touch with Jenni's family," Itatí said to Todo para la mujer.

Itatí said she has found memories of the Rivera family and looks to get as much information about the woman whose life she will be portraying as she can. "I am pleased and proud, I feel lucky to embody [Jenni Rivera]," Itati told the Associated Press. Itati began recording the songs she will sing as Rivera on September 25. No release date has been announced for the biographical series. Jenni Rivera died in December of 2012 as a result of a plane crash.

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