Extreme Mess: Latin Edition
I have come across more information about Richard Perez-Feria getting fired from Time Inc. as People en Español’s Editor. Apparently, there were more reasons as to why Richard was let go. Richard was using the magazine to improve his own celebrity status, accepting a book deal and planning to produce East Side Story, a gay take on West Side Story.
Richard was also flying Eduardo Xol, from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, all over the country as his new boy toy, named him one of the “50 most beautiful”, got him a deal to design dish ware, gave him a column in the magazine naming him contributing editor, and also supposedly bought him a Tiffany’s watch and other gifts for his “contribution”, all while expensing this to the magazine.
Eduardo, of course, accepted all of this but is now getting the surprise of his life, as Richard is moving to LA in hopes of living together happily ever after. Now that Richard is gone from the magazine, it’ll be interesting to see if Eduardo’s gig at the magazine continues and even more interesting to see if Eduardo sticks around him now that Richard’s power has been diminished. Eduardo was starting to get an attitude close to that of Richard’s so perhaps it is better for him and his career that this is going down before it is too late.
So now Eduardo can selfishly move on to the next man who he will strategically bed to gain more fame and perks. Any takers? Apparently all it takes is a few public gigs and a watch.
I have included the official internal email from Martha Nelson of Time Inc. that announces that Richard is “leaving” his post after the jump.
From: Email_Announcements - IT
Sent: Fri Jun 30 05:35:59 2006
Subject: Staff AnnouncementJune 30, 2006
To: Time Inc. Employees
From: Martha Nelson
Re: Staff Announcement
It is with regret that I announce that Richard Pérez-Feria will be leaving his post as Managing Editor of People en Español. Richard, who is both bilingual and bicoastal, plans to pursue a number of West Coast-based projects in film and television. Guaranteed to give Simon Fuller a run for his money, Richard’s first project will be working with producer Nely Galán on a reality television program he conceived. Richard and Galán are also co-executive producing a feature film, East Side Story, which Richard describes as the first Latino gay romantic comedy. (I have already booked my table for the day he wins his first Indie Spirit Award.) And as proof that he is not leaving print behind, he is also at work on a memoir, slated for publication in 2007.
Since joining People en Español in April 2003, Richard has revitalized the title with a redesign and a series of exclusive and creative cover stories. His work has resulted in year-over-year rate base increases and steadily improving newsstand sales. Typical is his work on “Mas Bellos,� which he has made a marquee issue and hot-ticket event.
Every year under his tenure, People en Español has been on Adweek’s “10 Under 50″ List (a first for a Hispanic title), has won two FOLIO: “Gold” Awards as Best Entertainment Magazine, two Henry Luce Awards (Best Design, Cover of the Year), was the only Hispanic magazine on the Chicago Tribune’s 2005 list of Top 50 magazines (#9), and was one of MIN’s Top 20 Launches of the Past 20 Years. On a personal note, Richard just received two prestigious honors. From Ballet Hispanico, he received the “Inspiration Award” for empowering the Latino community. Last month, GLAAD honored Pérez-Feria at their Media Awards with their first-ever “Visibilidad Award.”
Richard will be working with me to find a new editor for the magazine, which he describes as “the best gig in my life.” Please join me in congratulating Richard on his achievements at People en Español and on his new career.
M. N.
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Melanie wrote:
I really like People en Espanol but always wondered why Richard’s face was always plastered all over the magazine. In the last issue, Richard’s picture is featured twice on the same page.
I don’t mean to be rude, but I didn’t subscribe to the magazine to see his face.
07.14.2006 | 5:17 pm | Link
Roberto wrote:
I’m surprised he never gave himself the cover! -
07.14.2006 | 5:18 pm | Link
Rosalba wrote:
I became a fan of People en Español over the last two years. The magazine looks great and it is very entertaining. I am sure going to miss reading about Mr. Perez’s housekeeping or his travels around the world; not to mention his sense of style! Undoubtedly, Mr. Perez had the vision to surround himself with very talented people. There is no other explanation to the success of the magazine and the increasing number of readers. For that he should get credit. Otherwise, I will be looking forward for editorial comments that better represent our Spanish heritage and our continuous impact on the entertainment world.
07.17.2006 | 8:01 pm | Link
Manny wrote:
I heard he was leaving for L.A. to film the first Latino gay romantic comedy, “Butt Pirates of the Caribbean.”
By the way, does anybody know what the heck he is wearing in that photo above? It looks like a figure skating outfit from the 1980 Olympics.
07.19.2006 | 12:44 am | Link
Brian wrote:
It is also said that Richard cut a very favorable deal moneywise with some of his full time staff to just have on his side keeping an eye on his interest, but neither was accounting for anything related to the magazine.
07.19.2006 | 2:39 pm | Link
Claudette wrote:
I have had the honor of knowing both Richard and Eduardo, and I can assure you this gossip is nothing short of blasphemous.
Richard is an honest man with a genuine passion for the magazine and this market. His relationship with Eduardo is a solid friendship. Richard belives Eduardo’s work is admirable, and therefore has given him adequate praise in the magazine. Eduardo’s feelings are mutual. He is a good hearted man without a pretentious bone in his body. I am sure that Richard and Eduardo’s friendship will continue and strenghthen when Richard moves to LA.
As for Richard’s dedication to the magazine…500,000 readers and growing. He’s the best thing that has happened to Hispanic print media! He will be missed.
07.20.2006 | 8:02 pm | Link
Latin Lover wrote:
Per Claudette’s entry, I too have met Richard, Eduardo and Eduardo’s life partner of over 5 years. They all seemed very nice. And Richard did a lot for the magazine - good and bad. But I also observed Richard and Eduardo together and partied with them. I don’t think it is blashpemy. Richard was very vocal about their relationship. Can anyone find the life partner for his comments?
07.22.2006 | 11:18 pm | Link
Jorge wrote:
It’s always amazing to me that some people have nothing better to do than create false rumors — this sort of thing gives all Latinos a bad name. Perez-Feria has been a huge asset to a magazine that we should all be proud of. It’s a sad day when the editor of the USA’s #1 magazine is critized incessently for things that cannot be proven or substantiated, yet folks like Anna Wintour, Bonnie Fuller and the editors of rags like “Mira!” and “TV y Novelas” are exempt from such vitriol. Folks - this is the real world, and for all his faults (at least those that people claim to know all about on this website) this editor has literally transformed a magazine that has become a trusted source of information for all Hispanics in the USA. Where others lie outright, Perez-Feria, in my opinion, has been a breath of fresh air. HIs personal life is HIS - not yours, not mine - and all I care about is that the product continue delivering wonderful exclusive stories about our world. We deserve it! And Mr. Perez-Feria deserves our respect - personally, I think most people are incredibly jealous of any Latino who achieves so much success. I’d hate to see his efforts at People be dismissed by ignorance and lies.
07.23.2006 | 12:18 pm | Link
Jorge wrote:
sounds to me like a few of the people adding comments here have a personal vendetta against Perez-Feria. Maybe Bernardo and the Latin Gossiper have been on the receiving end of one of his alleged misconduct. All I know is we should celebrate People’s Hispanic magazine for what it is - a terrific celebration of all that’s good and positive about our community in the USA and around the world. Posts that defame people like Perez-Feria seem to come from jealous, insecure people who have nothing better to do than to destroy an excellent editor’s reputation - not to mention that of Xol, Martin, Lopez and Montero. Let’s face it, every time we as a Latino community make allegations that are unsubstantiated they come back to haunt us and the US will continue to see us as back-stabbing, hateful people out to get those of us who succeed in business in America.
I congratulate everyone at People en Espanol for producing the #1 magazine for US Hispanics, which continues to be a trusted, valued source of information about our peeps! We should consider ourselves lucky and blessed that the magazine has been so successful under Perez-Feria’s watch! Let’s pray that whomever is named as his successor continues his legacy, because I for one, would hate to see the magazine go down hill as a result of allegations that are simply lies.
Interesting to note that celebrities continue to give the magazine exclusive stories that don’t appear anywhere else….from Adamari Lopez (a goddess) to Marc Anthony, Shakira, Juanes, and yes, even J-lo and Ricky Martin - ALL have benefited from Perez-Feria’s inimitable style. I’m sure his ego gets in the way and I bet more than one former employee is happy to see him raked over the coals by such comments, but I can sum up why in a single word - disgruntled.
All you need to know is People en Espanol is the number one magazine for us Hispanics and we need it to continue growing our visibility in America. The US Hispanic market doesn’t care about Jessica Alba or Lorenzo Lamas….give us Myrka, Luis Miguel, Chayanne, Adamari, RBD, Carlos Ponce, Mana, Charytin, Maria Celeste, and the world of Latin American celebrities who really deserve their place in US culture!
07.23.2006 | 12:34 pm | Link
LuckyLA wrote:
Richard did very well at People, of course MINUS the ridiculous Myrka DeLlanos Star of the Year fiasco.. this year he suffered from StarJones-itis.
Eduardo is certainly very very well credentialed to have his own dishline and write for People..be nice.
On the little blue box containing a watch and the move to LA….red flag Eduardo.. run don’t walk..
07.25.2006 | 8:15 pm | Link
Carla wrote:
Per Latin Lover’s and Claudette’s comments regarding Eduardo, Richard and Eduardo’s life parter (of 3 years not 5).
I have on several occasions partied with Richard and his crew and have known him from before his People en Espanol days. These rumors unfortunatley have much truth to them. Sadly, Eduardo is no longer with his life partner- who incase anyone is interested is the reason he is on the ABC Extreme Makeover show, AND has his own business. Just goes to prove that sometimes you don’t know what you had until it’s gone…
The watch, the expensive trips flights, hotels and dinners that Eduardo was ‘treated to’ I had seen them all. Richard has done wonders for the magazine and has helped build the People brand- but Richard dug his own grave and Eduardos for that matter.
Perhaps Richard should dig into his past- or a little deeper in his closet and try and find that XXL yellow Gap t-shirt that used to make him feel “oh so cute”.
I can’t wait to read his memoir, perhaps it will be on the New York Times FICTION best seller list.
I am a huge fan and subscriber of the magazine and was about to cancel my subscription because he turned People en Espanol into the Feria-Perez Inquirer…it is time for a new editor!!!! I believe People was smart…he had done all he can but now he is a liability!
07.25.2006 | 10:25 pm | Link
Ex-employee wrote:
All I have to say that Karma always comes back and bites you in the rear and I’m shocked this didn’t happen sooner.
08.02.2006 | 10:50 am | Link
Bernardo wrote:
Jorge (Response #9): You have no idea of how Richard used to treat his staff. It was always “My inner-circle and I are gods, the rest of you are nobodys.” He abused his position, but when his “protector” left the company it was too late for him to mend his ways.
Ex-employee said it very well: Karma bit him in the butt. Too bad Karma didn’t bite a little higher to take the love handles he carries for wearing clothes that are way too small for him.
But now the inner-circle is history. Actually it was history the minute he announced he had been fired (I mean, that he was going to Hollywood). At his farewell party, sources tell me, Richard was at one end of the room, while his “elfs” where clear at the other and none of them had the decency to say a few words (very revealing detail); they didn’t want to be associated any longer with their former benefactor and provider of fat paychecks and expense accounts.
They tell me that at one point Richard started crying (boo-hoo!). I’m sure those were “I screw myself” tears.
By now, I’d bet, if you mentioned Richard’s name, people there would say: Richard who?
The loyal subscribers and readers of People en Español won’t have to see his picture in the magazine again nor read about his barber, cleaning lady, his “fabuluous life” or any other nonsense.
One more thing: When he left, he took with him all the awards that the magazine received in the last three years, even the ones that were given to specific individuals. That was very wrong.
Now, People en Español has a new Managing Editor. A new era begins. An era that hopefully will bring equality (in work, pay and title) for the entire staff. My best wishes to all of them.
08.03.2006 | 11:06 pm | Link
cubanotes wrote:
I wrote a letter to Mr.Feria in spanish, complaining for using People en espanol as his stupid wacky kitschy diary. I also tell him that I paid my subscription no to read about his “fancy” life or to suffer with his ugly bold conehead plus size pictures, or to read about his fabulous “friends”.
Off course, my letter was never published or answered. Today his negative Karma is paying him back.
I hope that Mr Feria takes time to meditate about his mistakes before starting a new adventure in LA, were nobody care about his fancy life or his bald head.
Good luck! from Jose “cubano”
08.04.2006 | 4:32 pm | Link
Eduardo Xol Uses the Internet for More Than Email - Latin Gossip wrote:
[…] At least he is getting himself some. What do you think Design team captain Ty Pennington would say of Eduardo’s behavior? Worse yet, what do you think Richard Perez-Feria would say? […]
08.10.2006 | 3:14 pm | Link
RPFAficionado wrote:
I am so sad that RPF has been fired. I loved seeing his pointy conehead, his tacky clothing, his sexy hairy chest, and his bizarre choice in shoes. I thought he was super sexy in those Johnny Walker promo ads and I literally frothed at the mouth each month I bought my copy of People En Espanol as I couldn’t wait to read about his latest travels, adventures, and attempts to entice his latest boy toy, Shalim.
I also enjoyed seeing Gloria Estafan’s over made up face plastered to RPF’s butthole on every possible occasion. I am going to miss this greatly. I am glad I never wasted my time writing him a letter, as I am pretty sure he would have never published it unless my lips were firmly planted on his brown hole.
Thanks for the Memories…
RPF Fan.
08.12.2006 | 10:36 pm | Link
RPFAficionado wrote:
Oh, and I just wanted to note RPF was DEFINITELY stuffing a sock in his trousers. Although at Shalim’s birthday party, I think it was at least half-real…
Bone’s Up,
RPF Fan
08.12.2006 | 10:38 pm | Link