Popular performers Eva Longoria and George Lopez will return as co-hosts of the 2012 NCLR ALMA Awards®, a star-studded kickoff to Hispanic Heritage Month that will air Friday, September 21 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) on NBC.  Christina Aguilera, a five-time Grammy winner and popular coach on NBC’s Emmy-nominated hit series “The Voice,” will receive the 2012 NCLR Special Achievement Award for her incredible career and exceptional work in philanthropy.

Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Lochte, Robert Rodriguez, Zoë Saldana, Natalie Morales, Andy Garcia and Rafael Amaya will be presenters at the 2012 NCLR ALMA Awards®,  along with “Devious Maids” cast members Ana Ortiz, Judy Reyes, Dania Ramirez and Edy Ganem.  America Ferrera, Michael Peña, Nicole Richie and Wilmer Valderrama will also be on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of some of the most prolific Latinos in the entertainment industry, spanning music, television and film.

Rap sensation Flo Rida will perform with Roselyn Sanchez during the high-energy show, which will feature theme music written and performed by music powerhouse Pitbull.  In addition to serving as a presenter, Olympic Gold medalist Ryan Lochte will also be one of six Latino Olympic medal winners from this summer’s London Games saluted in a special Olympic tribute.  Also honored will be Brenda Villa and Jessica Steffens (water polo), Danell Leyva (men’s gymnastics), Leonel Manzano (track and field) and Marlen Esparza (boxing).

Hispanic cable network mun2 will present the ALMA Awards red carpet special and Telemundo will host the official bilingual ALMA Awards website at http://www.telemundo.com/almaawards  and stream the pre-show online. Comcast’s Xfinity TV customers will have access to the show on demand. Viewers can also watch the entire special online after it airs via http://telemundo.com/almaawards.

The 2012 NCLR ALMA Awards® are produced by dick clark productions’ executive producers Orly Adelson and Barry Adelman, along with Eva Longoria and Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR. 
For additional information, including announcements about the presenters and performers at this year’s show, please visit www.almaawards.com and follow the show on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/AlmaAwards.  Information is also available on  www.nbc.com/alma-awards/.