Alejandra Espinoza, the former winner and co-host of “Nuestra Belleza Latina” will host an unprecedented music-based TV and multimedia format talent search competition. “La Banda” will premiere on the Univision Network in 2015.

The show, developed through a partnership between Univision and Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and co-produced with FremantleMedia Latin America, aims to create the world’s ultimate Latino boyband through the biggest Latino talent search in TV history – across the U.S. and several Latin American countries. Representing Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico, contestants will compete for a place in “La Banda” and for a coveted recording contract with Sony Music Latin, label home to the most prolific Latin music artists, along with Syco Music, the recording label for the world’s biggest selling boyband – One Direction.

“We are pleased to deliver on our commitment to innovation in programming through this collaboration with Simon Cowell and Syco Entertainment, and know that Alejandra will be a perfect fit for the show,” said Alberto Ciurana, president, Programming and Content, Univision Communications, Inc. “Her talent, poise and proven appeal among Univision’s viewers will be valuable assets as we embark on the biggest talent search in Latin music history in the hopes of creating an international superstar boyband. We are delighted to have Alejandra as host of ‘La Banda’.”

Simon Cowell stated, “Alejandra is the obvious choice to host ‘La Banda.’ She is a total star and I’m delighted she will be joining this team in the search for the ultimate Latino boyband.”

“This is an amazing opportunity as well as a fabulous new challenge for me, and I am thrilled to be part of ‘La Banda’,” expressed Espinoza. “With Univision and Simon Cowell behind it, I have no doubt that this unique TV and multimedia format will captivate audiences, while producing the next Latin music superstars. I can’t wait to start production.”

Born in Mexico, Espinoza joined Univision’s on-air talent roster after winning the first season of the Network’s top-rated reality contest “Nuestra Belleza Latina” (Our Latin Beauty) in 2007. Since then, she has appeared regularly in “Sábado Gigante” (Giant Saturday) and “El Gordo y La Flaca” (The Scoop and the Skinny), and participated in several Univision Network specials such as the “Premio Lo Nuestro®” Latin Music Awards, “Premios Juventud” (Youth Awards) and the Latin GRAMMY® Awards. Earlier this year, Espinoza returned to the show that launched her TV career, this time as co-host of the 8th season of “Nuestra Belleza Latina.”