La Academia

Format

Each year, 14-49 people are selected to live together in a house isolated from the rest of the world, spending their days taking classes in singing, dancing, acting, and related fields, each preparing one or two songs for a 3-hour concert which they give each Sunday evening for TV viewers and a live studio audience. Each week, one of the contestants is eliminated based on the number of votes each one receives, until 4 to 10 students become the finalists and compete for the top prize. Viewers can vote by telephone, but calls are not free. Each vote costs over MN$25.00 (around US$2.50). Since The Sixth Generation, voting is by text message and each one cost MN$3.00. Camino a la Fama aired during weekday afternoons, but it was cancelled after The Ninth Generation. This show taped what the students' lives within the La Academia house. It also demonstrated the singing, dancing, and acting classes.

Season 1: The First Generation (2002)

La Academia began on July 7, 2002. Fourteen were selected to be part of The First Generation, and Alan Tacher was selected to host. The National Auditorium in Mexico City served as the setting for the final concert, where the winner received a Coca-Cola touring contract, a worldwide trip, a brand new Chevrolet Trail Blazer and the top prize: MN$2.5 million and a recording contract.

Miguel Ángel, Myriam, Nadia, Víctor and Yahir reached the finale held on December 1, 2002. Myriam Montemayor Cruz was declared the winner of La Academia.

Season 2: The Second Generation (2003)

The Second Generation was presented at the final concert of The First Generation on December 1, 2002. Once again, the National Auditorium in Mexico City served as the setting for the final concert, where the winner received the top prize of MN$2.5 million and a recording contract.

Freddi, Manuel, Marco, Rosalía and Érika reached the finale held on March 30, 2003. Érika Alcocer Luna was declared the second winner of La Academia.

Season 3: The Third Generation (2004)

A year after the end of The Second Generation, The Third Generation, with far more production than before, began on March 14, 2004. The Teotihuacan Hall in Acapulco served as the setting for the final concert, where the winner received a brand new car and a larger top prize of MN$3 million and a recording contract.

This Season was the first to had a permanent judging panel.

Dulce, Melissa, César, Lety Lopez, Carlos and Israel reached the finale held on July 4, 2004. Carlos Rivera Guerra was declared the third winner of La Academia.

Season 4: The Fourth Generation (2005)

Almost a year after the start of The Third Generation, The Fourth Generation began on February 27, 2005. The Monterrey Arena in Monterrey served as the setting for the final concert, where the winner received the newly raised top prize of MN$3.5 million and a recording contract.

The Fourth Season was the most controversial of all, because of Jolette and her fights with the judged panel, and for the final results with Yuridia begin second place at the grand finale.

Yuridia, Adrian, Cynthia, Erasmo, Edgar and Silvia reached the finale held on July 3, 2005. Erasmo González Delgado was declared the fourth winner of La Academia.

Season 5: Generation of Light (2006)

The Generation of Light began on July 9, 2006, where the least number of contestants, four, became finalists. The boardwalk of the Port of Veracruz in Veracruz served as the setting for the final, and first open-air, concert, where the winner received the top prize of MN$3 million and a recording contract.

This was the first season hosted by a female with Monica Garza.

Colette, Renata, Samuel and Marbella reached the finale held on December 17, 2006. Samuel Castelán Marini was declared the fifth winner of La Academia.

Season 6: Last Generation (2008)

The Last Generation began on August 31, 2008. The Víctor Manuel Reyna Stadium in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas served as the setting for the final concert, where the winner received the top prize of MN$3 million, a recording contract and the new La Academia Trophy.

Perla, María Fernada, Fabiola, Luis Armando and Valeria reached the finale held on December 12, 2008. María Fernanda Alvo Díaz was declared the sixth winner of La Academia.

Later Maria Fernanda, Valeria, Perla, Jackie, Fatima and Alex formed a girl group called G6; Fabiola Rodas won the third season of Desafio de Estrelas a year later.

Season 7: New Generation (2009)

The New Generation was renewed due to the popular demand and led by the most outspoken critic, Lolita Cortés, beginning on October 4, 2009. This season featured 36 contestants, and seven, became finalists. The Víctor Manuel Reyna Stadium in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas once again served as the setting for the final concert, where the winner received the lowest top prize of MN$1 million and a recording contract.

Agustín, Oscar, Fabiola, Sebastián, Menny, Giovanna and Napoleón reached the finale held on December 20, 2009. Giovanna Nicole Paz was declared the seventh winner of La Academia.

*Jesús Antonio Guerrero is Daniel Solís's real birth name and 47 was his real age when he was expelled

Season 8: Bicentennial Generation (2010)

Bicentennial Generation was the name given to this season in honor of the 200 years of Mexican independence. It began on September 12, 2010, featuring 49 contestants, and 10 finalists, marking an all-time high for series. The Víctor Manuel Reyna Stadium in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas served as the setting for the finale for a third time. For the first time ever, two winners were announced: one was chosen by the panel of critics as well as Lolita Cortés and La Academia teachers, winning the International Prize of US$20,000; the other was chosen by the viewers, winning La Academia: Bicentenario and MN$1 million.

Luis, Eri, Gerardo, Esmeralda, Carolina, Johnny, Daniel, Edgar, Paolo and Edu reached the finale held on December 19, 2010. Esmeralda Ugalde Mota was declared the eighth winner of La Academia. Paolo Ragone won the first and only International Prize.

* Winner of the International Prize

Season 9: 2011 Generation (2011)

La Academia 2011 premiered on August 21, 2011, and it was the first reality show to be aired in 3D. It featured 35 contestants. The season was led by Eduardo Capetillo, and hosted by his wife Bibi Gaytán accompanied by Rafael Araneda. During the middle of the competition, on October 26, Eduardo Capetillo announced to the contestants that Magda Rodriguez was no longer the producer (she was fired due to low ratings). Juan Navarrete became the new producer. At the end of the 11th. Concert, Eduardo Capetillo announced that he would look for new contestants to join the competition. On the 12th. and 13th. Concert, 6 new contestants (Cecilia, Dianela, Héctor, Valeria, Alfonso, Gaby) were brought to the competition. After involving La Academia on a personal matter, Eduardo Capetillo and Bibi Gaytán were fired on December 7, 2011, 2 weeks before the finale. It was announced Julio Preciado would take his place as principal for the remaining weeks of the competition and Ingrid Coronado will return to host the semifinal and finale. The finale was held on December 18, once again in Víctor Manuel Reyna Stadium in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas. The winner received MN$500,000 in addition to the cash prize accumulated over the course of the competition and a recording contract.

Emanuel, Cecilia, Gustavo, Ronald, Gil, Yanilen, Erick, Hancer, Pablo & Carmen reached the finale. Erick Sandoval was declared the ninth winner of La Academia.

* The specific rank wasn't revealed, but the contestants are listed in order of elimination

Season 10: Decade Generation (2012)

The Decade Generation premiered on August 26, 2012, celebrating the tenth anniversary of La Academia. Fernando De Solar and his wife Ingrid Coronado were introduced as the new hosts of La Academia. On August 16, it was confirmed that the four judges will be Marta Sánchez, Julio Preciado, Cruz Martínez and First Generation's fourth place, Yahir. Chacho Gaytán, serve as the Principal of this generation. In this season, the contestants were no longer isolated as they could use the social media to keep in touch with fans and family. On September 16, the winner of The First Generation, Myriam, joined the judges panel. The finale was held on December 16, in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas. The Polyforum Chiapas, served for the first time as the setting of the final concert. The winner received a Recording Contract and MN$1,000,000.00.

Alexis, Chucho, Manuel, Rubí, Santana & Selene reached the finale. Alexis Montoya was declared the tenth winner of La Academia.

Season 1 (2013)

La Academia Kids was presented in 2010 at the Bicentenanial Generation finale with Tatiana as the host. On February 22, 2012, Tatiana announced on her twitcam that the show was officially cancelled due to production issues. On July 11, 2013, it was confirmed that La Academia Kids was in production again. Ingrid Coronado returned as the host, joined by Mauricio Barcelata and Mariana Torres. Alicia Villarreal, Lola Cortés and Luis Coronel serve as judges. On August 31, the show aired a casting special, while the first live concert took place on September 7, and the finale was held on December 21, where the winner received MN$500,000.

Adamaris, Cristopher, Eddy, Michelle, Nahomy & Ximena reached the finale. Eddy Valenzuela was declared the first winner of La Academia Kids.

Season 2 (2014)

Due the high ratings Azteca producer Roberto Romagnoli confirmed a second season of the kids version. On July 25, 2014, it was confirmed that Ingrid Coronado will return as the host, joined by Mariana Torres and Carlos Arenas. While Alicia Villarreal, Lolita Cortés, and First Generation's second place, Víctor García will serve as judges. The season premiered on August 16 with a two-week casting special episodes, the first live concert took place on August 30.

Angélica, Alexis, Karla, Nicole, Sarah & Sofía reached the finale. Karla Herrarte was declared the second winner of La Academia Kids, making her the first foreigner to ever win a season of the show.

Crew Information

Daily Recap Show Hosts:

Discography

Outstanding Careers

La Academia has been the most important reality show of Azteca, but not all of the contestants have transcended to a successful career. There are some examples of former La Academia contestants, that have been constantly under the spotlight:

1. Yuridia, earned the second place of The Fourth Generation, and has recorded 5 albums since, they have managed to sell 3.5 million copies in Latin America and have received Gold, Platinum and Diamond certifications.
2. María Inés Guerra, released only one album after her participation in La Academia. Instead, she kept going as an acknowledged hostess of important television shows in Azteca, furthermore she was the main antagonist of the 2003 soap opera Enamórate and hosted shows for other networks like Glitz, E! Entertainment Television and Disney Channel.
3. Carlos Rivera, was the winner of The Third Generation, and decided to switch from a singing career to musical theater. He has done five plays, one of them being The Lion King Musical in Spain which got him international recognition. Since 2015 he joined Azteca's rival network, Televisa. He plays in El hotel de los secretos ("The Hotel of Secrets"), a Mexican soap-opera based the Spanish TV series Grand Hotel.
4. Yahir was part of The First Generation of this reality, and so far he has been one of the contestants with the most achievements, he has starred in 4 soap-operas and recorded 7 albums which garnered different recognitions.
5. Nadia was the fifth place of The First Generation, and her 2003 album received Gold and Platinum recognitions, as well as having her duet with Yahir, Contigo Si, on the top charts for 24 weeks. She has recorded several albums in different genres, and one of them earned a Grammy nomination, in addition to 3 Gold and 1 Platinum certifications.
6. Myriam was the first winner of the reality show, and has sold many records throughout her career. Her discography consists of 6 studio albums and 3 compilations, which have received Gold and Platinum certifications.

Other former contestants have been in different plays (e.g. Lety Lopez, Hiromi, Mario, Vince), films (e.g. Laura Caro, Victor García), T.V Shows (e.g. Ricardo, Cynthia, Esmeralda, Melissa Barrera), or having at least one successful studio album (e.g. Victor, Raúl, Toñita, Erika, Erasmo, Colette, Ma.Fernanda, TOBBY), but have never been able to reach the popularity of the aforementioned.

Guest judges by season

Guest performers by season

Groups formed after La Academia

Former:

Current:

Desafio De Estrellas (2003, 2006, 2009)

Desafío de Estrellas is a Mexican musical show produced and distributed by Azteca, the second most important network in the country. The format of the Desafío is similar to American Idol with contestants eliminated every week and a grand finale with the top contestants competing to win the first place prize. Azteca has, until 2006, produced two versions of the program, one in 2003 and the other in 2006.

Homenaje a...(2003)

Tribute to... placed season 1 and 2 contestants against each other each Sunday to compete for MN$100,000.

La Academia USA (2005–2006)

This edition expanded the franchise to the United States, where Mariana Vargas was the winner.

Segunda Oportunidad (2010)

Second Chance premiered on March 21, 2010. This show featured former contestants from seasons 1 to 7 who competed for a second chance at the competition and the music industry. The show featured 53 contestants from the 7 generations of "La Academia" and "La Academia USA". On March 4, 50 contestants were announced, the other two will be chosen by voters on the internet. On March 10, they announced the composition of 13 teams of four members each.

Azteca Conecta

Conecta are several YouTube web-series, which are based on presenting former La Academia's contestants news, concerts, original songs, etc.

Contestant Summary

Placements for all contestants in their respective generation, Desafíos de Estrellas and Segunda Oportunidad.