Actress Deyra Barrera is the daughter to an important Latin television and radio producer.
According to TVyNovela, Barerra was chosen by director Francisco Joel Mendoza to portray Rivera in his biopic because her father is a TV and radio producer in the U.S.
Barrera will be making her acting debut in the role and was previously known for participating in a singing reality show in Mexico. Barrera will act alongside Mireya Limon who will also play Rivera.
The two actresses beat out 8,000 actresses including famed Mexican thespians Marianna Seoane, Ana Barbara, Angelica Vale and Venezuelan Alicia Machado.
The current Joel Mendoza project has made headlines due to the arguments the director has had with the Rivera family. The deceased singer's relatives feel that they are the only individuals with the rights to make the film and are against the current project. The family members have also questioned whether Rivera had ever met Mendoza and asserted that the deceased singer's sister Rosie never authorized the director to make a movie about "La Diva de la Banda." The family is currently working on its own biopic but no new details have been revealed.
Mendoza recently revealed a document that was signed by Rivera and gave him authorization to make the movie. He also stated that he knew the family would not approve but was ready to confront any legal issues and even go to jail.
According to reports the film will contain 80% of Rivera's life and will also have fictionalized events. The film is slated to cost $14 million.
"La Diva De La Banda" is currently in production with an expected 12-week production. The film will shoot on location in Mexico and US and is expected to be released in December with a DVD released shortly after.