The casting of Ximena Navarrete as the new protagonist in the upcoming "La Tempestad" was a major surprise in the world of Mexican telenovela. William Levy will be her partner in the show, but it is rumored that the Cuban star is not completely content with his new co-star.
According to Mexican publication Gaceta, Levy wanted Thalia to be his love interest in "La Tempestad." The publication notes that Levy was hoping that negotiations with the Mexican star would be resolved. However, Thalia reportedly refused the role and Navarrete was chosen. There are even rumors that Levy got involved in the negotiations, but was ultimately trumped by Thalia.
Despite the rumors of dissatisfaction, Levy did congratulate Navarrete for being chosen on Twitter. "Welcome aboard 'La Tempestad' Ximena Navarrete and congratulations on this new achievement in your career," he wrote.
The search for the female lead was a lengthy process that featured auditions and offers for the top actresses in Mexico. Among them were Sandra Echeverria, Silvia Navarro, Myriam Abreu, Angelique Boyer, and even Levy's girlfriend Elizabeth Gutierrez. Gutierrez and Navarro were listed as finalist alongside Navarrete, but Levy was adamant about not working with Gutierrez, the mother of his two children. Echeverria and Boyer reportedly rejected the opportunity to work on the show with Levy due to busy schedules.
Upon hearing the news of being picked, Navarrete told the media that she is very lucky for the opportunity and stated that she was excited to work with producer Salvador Mejia because of his track record and the quality of soap operas he has produced. Navarrete won the Miss Universe beauty pageant in 2010. Her role in "La Tempestad" will be her first ever for a Mexican telenovela.
The soap opera is slated to start filming on March 4 in Veracruz and will start its television run in May in Mexico. Other major cast members in the novela include Daniela Romo, Diana Brach, and Cesar Evora.