Model and television personality Alejandra Espinoza took a break from her busy schedule participating in auditions for Season 2 of "La Banda" to talk to Latin Post about the show's success, auditions, CNCO and her future plans.

Getting Started on Season 2

"La Banda," the show created by Simon Cowell created and produced by Ricky Martin for Univision, launched the careers of boy band CNCO in its first season. Now the competition is gearing up for Season 2.

The show -- recently nominated for a Shorty Award for Multi-platform campaign, which honors shows that engage bilingual millennials on several media platforms -- is currently holding auditions for its upcoming season, and Espinoza is making sure she's there to watch it all unfold.

This time around, producers are looking for young female talent as well as male groups. Espinoza explained the change to include both genders came from the show's popularity.

"I think we're looking at the result of a successful first season because we're seeing a lot of guys and girls that are so talented ... that didn't give a second thought to auditioning," she said.

As the show's host, Espinoza knows better than anyone what it's like to be a part of a reality competition.

The Mexican star became a fan favorite when she auditioned for Season 1 of Univision's other hit talent show "Nuestra Belleza Latina." Her humble personality, along with her beauty and brains, soon captivated audiences, leading her to win the show, an experience she says helped shape her hard working ethos.

Since then Espinoza has worked for Univision, a deal that is part of the "NBL" winner's package, hosting award shows and holiday events, working on "El Gordo y la Flaca" and eventually helming "La Banda."

"La Banda's" Success

Judges Martin, Laura Pausini and Alejandro Sanz, along with social media correspondent William Valdes, have contributed to the show's success. But, above all, Espinoza credits the fans with making it a hit, citing the Latin music market's need for their own One Direction or Fifth Harmony.

"The first season gave us a great group of guys. It's only fair and necessary that Season 2 offers that same chance to girls to form a girl group," she explained. "However, [La Banda] is a different program. Yes, it's about music, but it offers more than that I think. When I was young, I would have loved to have a group who I could follow and who I could identify with."

Espinoza revealed that, despite CNCO only winning the show recently, she was shocked to see the response from fans in New York when the group performed for the first time during Univision's "Feliz 2016!" She declared the performance a true testament to the success of both the show and the band. The 28-year-old compared the moment to one usually reserved for artists like Maluma, who has fans waiting outside hotels for him.

As a host, Espinoza also serves as a mentor to contestants behind-the-scenes. She revealed the advice she hopes to continue giving contestants.

"I always tell them to focus, to be humble and be able to accept when one makes mistakes or when you think you're better than you really are," she explained. "I think they have to enjoy their time on the show, which is unique, and gives them what they need. They leave the program stronger."

Plans for the Future

With "La Banda," participating in promotions for "Nuestra Belleza Latina," her Revlon global ambassador duties and a 1-year-old baby at home, Espinoza could be too busy to think about doing anything else. In fact, she has ideas about new projects to add to her resume.

Espinoza revealed she would love to continue working for Univision, but would also love to start acting. She also suggested, given her fashion sense, she may start her own clothing line in the long run. Being chosen as one of Revlon's beauty ambassadors has proven Espinoza's mass appeal to an audience beyond Spanish-speaking viewers, so a line inspired by her popular fashion choices wouldn't be a stretch.

"La Banda" will be hosting auditions in New York on Feb. 27, followed by Los Angeles on March 5.

Check out Espinoza's "Revlon Love is On #ChooseLove" advertisement:

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