Our friend Ausiello at EW.com has some interesting Ugly Betty scoopage:

Question: Regarding Ugly Betty, got any spoilers that don’t involve Matt and Betty? –Kelcy
Ausiello: Mode’s getting a new editor! Her name’s Amber, she’s in her 20s, she’s Asian, and is a master at the backhanded compliment. Casting is under way. Also, I’m hearing (and already laughing) about a possible mob subplot involving Hilda.

Interesting news about the new editor.  I like the backhanded compliment idea because it’ll add some missing snarkiness to the show (if you’ll remember, Charlie did this sort of thing all the time.)  It’s entirely possible that this character will be a rival to Betty, and will give America Ferrera a chance to show off her reactive comedic chops again.  Marc would still insult Betty directly, letting America use that “I can’t believe you just said that” look, and the new editor could say something that would cause Betty to use her “I’m trying to work this out to see if it’s an insult” look.

Of course, the new editor could be an ally to Betty (kind of a surrogate Christina).  After all not EVERYONE at Mode has to be mean to Betty when they first encounter her.

As for the mob subplot with Hilda, this is extremely intriguing.  Hopefully, Archie’s not mobbed up, but even if he is, this opens up all kinds of story lines, and I can see how Ana Ortiz would really embrace the story.  You can tell, the producers have been looking for a good story to tell at the Suarez house that fits the overall fell of the show – I think this might just do the trick.

Image: SplashNewsOnline.com

A spokesperson for Ugly Betty star Ana Ortiz says she and her husband Noah Lebenzon welcomed their baby girl on Saturday.

They named the girl Paloma Louise (what a beautiful name!).  They waited till the birth to choose the name.  She weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces.  The spokesperson says Ortiz has left the hospital and is now Back home in Broooklyn.

Ana recently told OK magazine that the first thing she’ll have to do with Paloma is introduce her to the family pets.  "I have to get the dog and the baby to know one another so that will be interesting," she explained.  

I can tell you from experience, that sometimes is easier said than done. 

About Paloma’s room:  “The nursery is beautiful and it’s all eco-friendly," explains Ana. "It was designed by a woman named Amanda Moore and she did an amazing job. It’s like this light blue wall and the accent colors are golden and orange and wood. It’s just fantastic.”

Ana thinks she’ll have no problem with work/home balance. 

“I’m excited. I’ve gotten so much support from the cast and so much support from the producers and my mother’s going to come with me to set and help out," she explains. "I couldn’t ask for a better husband, he’s willing to do whatever needs to be done. Everyone’s so excited to have the baby on set that if I even see the baby while I’m working I’ll be surprised.”

In fact, the crew has already set up an on-set nursery for the baby girl in Ana’s dressing room. "There’s a basinet in there and a rocker. It’s hooked up. I’m so lucky!”

Congratulations Ana and Noah!

Image: Bauer Griffin

Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz is primed and ready for when she goes into labor.  Her baby, a girl, is due tomorrow.

Ortiz tells OK Magazine, “The bag is packed – mostly.  I need to get some toothbrushes.”

If she’s down to toothbrushes, I’d say Ana is just about ready.  Ortiz also talks about why she’s looking so buff, even at 9 months pregnant:

“Because they didn’t write [my pregnancy] into the show, it was kind of important to me to try to stay as much in shape as possible. It’s the first time I ever worked with a trainer because I didn’t know how far to push everything.”

Wow - like I’ve said before, Ana is made of stout stuff.  Pregnant, in the summer, and she’s working out with a trainer?  I don’t know about how it’s been in New York, but where I live it’s been one of the hottest summers I can remember.  I just can’t imagine being almost about to deliver and still working out daily with a trainer.

Apparently, the pregnancy interrupted Ortiz’s summer plans.  “I was actually gonna audition for [Broadway's' Chicago] and then I got pregnant,” she admitted, adding that she will “definitely” try out for the parts of Roxie or Thelma after she delivers.

Ana can REALLY sing - check this out - a song Ortiz recorded with Kyle Puccia a while back.

If there are any - er - developments, I’ll pass the news along (probably first on Twitter).

She could easily be Roxie or Thelma, if Ugly Betty and her new baby allow her time.

Good luck and blessings to Ana and husband Noah Lebenzon.

Image: SplashNewsOnline.com

I ran across these photos of Ana Ortiz at the celebration of Vanessa Williams‘ CD release celebration last week, and I had to share them.  Ana is, as they say, about to pop.

It seems like the whole Ugly Betty crew was there.  I think America Ferrera is in LA shooting her new film, but otherwise, Ana, Tony Plana and Michael Urie were in attendance.

I’ll be doggoned if she isn’t wearing high heels in these pics.  I have been proven wrong.  (I said several times that Ortiz  would stop wearing heels when she got late in the pregnancy.  She is made of stout stuff).

On top of all that, she looks absolutely gorgeous.  I LOVE this form showing dress.

And, here is one of the cutest pics you’ll ever see, of Ana with Tony Plana and Michael Urie.

Heh.  When the baby gets older, this will be a fun one to look at.  Ana, the boys, and baby makes four!

I think she’s due early in July (and of course, shooting for the 4th season of Ugly Betty starts in early July).  But, like I said, Ortiz is made of stout stuff, so I have no doubt she’ll be in on the shooting in in no time.  At worst, Hilda may be on a “getaway” with Archie in episode 4.01.

Images: SplashNewsOnline.com

Someone call Alison Dubois.  Apparently Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz has gotten “the gift” during her pregnancy.

"Before I found out I was having a girl I dreamt that I was having a girl," Ortiz, 38, told PEOPLE at the Point Honors gala in New York City. "I even dreamt what her name was, so I guess that name should be her real name."

If I’ve learned anything in life, it’s this: never, never ignore female intuition.  If I were Ana’s husband, Noah Lebenzon, I’d go with the flow and be glad that a name for his daughter came from the heavens.

In actuality, Ortiz says, "We have a short list, but when we see her, hopefully, one of those names will fit. I’m hoping at least for a Latina flavor to it. But we’ll see."

When the conversation turns to “losing her baby weight”, Ortiz mentions something that’s a little unrealistic, I think:

"I’m not going to lie," says Ortiz. "I’m immediately going to try to get back into shape. We start work [on Ugly Betty] two weeks after I give birth. The pregnancy was not written in the show, so I wish I could be cool and let nature take its course, but no, I’m definitely going to try to get into shape."

TWO WEEKS???

Yes, I know Ortiz is a health nut and already has a vigorous workout routine.  Yes, I remember Rebecca Romijn’s quick post-baby weight loss.  But, geez…

"They say breast-feeding helps, so I’m going to be doing that, but there is this thing called the belly bandit and apparently that is suppose to help, but I’m going to pull out all the stops”, Ortiz adds.

Just make sure you consult your doctor first, Ana.  Please?  Oh, and please talk to Salma Hayek about the breast-feeding/weight loss thing. 

Image: SplashNewsOnline.com

  Time absolutely flies, doesn’t it?  Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz will be having her baby in July, and that’s just around the corner!

So, it must be about time for the baby shower.  And guess who’s hosting it?  Not America Ferrera.  Not new mom Rebecca Romijn.  Not Meade Mom Judith Light.  Oh, no doubt they’ll be there.  But this shindig is going to be hosted by Ugly Betty costume designer Patricia Field.

“She told me, ‘I’m going to throw you a baby shower,’ and I started crying,” the 38-year-old recently told OK Magazine.

“That’s how the whole show is — very much a family atmosphere!” The Ugly Betty cast and crew will be joining the celebration at Patricia’s loft for what Ana expects will be a “pretty awesome” affair.

“As long as I don’t have to play those corny games where they wrap me in toilet paper,” she says, “and I’m there with my friends and having a group of drunk people celebrating babies!”

Really?  Wrap the mother to be in toilet paper?  Is this the sort of thing they do a baby showers these days? 

Drunk people celebrating babies - now that’s something I can relate to!

Image: SplashNewsOnline

Here are some more photos from the set of Ugly Betty, shooting on location in Jackson Heights, Queens.  First, there’s America Ferrera, signing an autograph.

Ms Ferrera is no diva!  At every appearance, she takes time to sign a few autographs.  And once again, I love her hair!  (I had no idea until Beatrice B mentioned it that many Latina women spend a lot of time trying to straighten their hair.  Me, I like the curls.).  Her boots, with the side buttons, are interesting as well.

And I LOVE this photo:

Mother and son!  (Kind of…)  Mark Indelicato really strikes a pose, doesn’t he? Ana Ortiz has the most beautiful smile.  And until the last episode, 3.16, Things Fall Apart, the writers of the show haven’t given her character much reason to smile.  Of course, that’s about to change, since Archie Rodriguez is coming into Hilda’s life.  It may only end up being a friendship, but Hilda seems to brighten around Archie (when she doesn’t want to punch him in the stomach).  Then we’ll get to see that beautiful smile again.

I’ll have more pics soon!

Images: splashnewsonline.com

ABC has released the title of Ugly Betty Episode 3.19 (thanks, SpoilerTV).  It is “The Sex Issue”.  OMG, this looks like season 1 Ugly Betty.  Check out the synopsis:

Daniel and Wilhelmina hope that an issue of Mode devoted to sex will turn their fortunes around. Meanwhile, when Matt seems a little shy about taking his romance with Betty to the next level, Marc and Amanda team up to give Betty a sexy makeover, and Hilda is uncertain she wants to continue dating Archie (guest star Ralph Macchio).

Remember, in episode 3.18, A Mother of a Problem, the Suarez family is going to attempt to set up Hilda with Archie.  I’m holding out hope that the writers are going to run with my idea of incorporating Ana Ortiz’s pregnancy into the story lines, and making Archie the father (with the resulting political scandal that would ensue). Or not – either way, it would be nice to see them have a good run together.

The whole Sex Issue thing is classic, and let’s face it, realistic, if you pay attention to magazines, even fashion magazines.  And, something tells me that Marc and Mandy’s makeover of Betty is going to be similar to what Hilda did in episode 1.03, “Queens For a Day”.

Here’s the lineup for the rest of March:

March 5, Episode 3.17 - Sugar Daddy

March 12, Episode 3.18 - A Mother of a Problem.

March 19, Episode 3.19 – The Sex Issue

Looks like a pretty good lineup to me!

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Here are some recent Ugly Betty set photos with Ana Ortiz, Mark Indelicato, and America Ferrera at the Suarez “home”. 

America Ferrera has the most beautiful hair.  Ana Ortiz looks cold in this pic, though.

One great thing about filming in NYC, and I hope they continue to do so, is the wonderful on-location shots.  (And that’s not just because that means there’s more spoiler-ish paparazzi photos from outdoor shots, although that’s a great side effect). 

This one is of the three younger Suarezes reading the script.  Is it encouraging that something is making them smile, even laugh?  The show has really been on an uptick lately; the writing seems sharper, the acting more focused.  I think that’s a happy coincidence; I’m pretty sure the last two episodes were filmed before the announcement of the hiatus.  Hopefully the trend will continue, and Ugly Betty won’t have to go up against American Idol anytime soon; if word gets around that the show is improving, maybe the rise in ratings that happened in 3.15, No Place Like Mode will continue.

Images: splashnewsonline.com

This should make for an interesting spring. Ana Ortiz recently spoke with Latina Magazine confirming her pregnancy. (Congratulations again, Ana!) She was asked if the pregnancy would be incorporated into the plot of Ugly Betty.

Ortiz says, “They aren’t going to be writing it into the show, so I guess Hilda will be carrying a lot of boxes and standing behind her salon chair.”

This surprises me somewhat, but I guess it shouldn’t. The story lines for the end of Ugly Betty season 3 are either already written or on storyboards, I would imagine. A Hilda pregnancy would cause major upheaval in those story lines.

But, I think it would’ve been awesome. Think of it - let’s say Hilda turns up pregnant, and the father is Archie the councilman (Ralph Macchio’s character). The scandal! It’s so soapish - Gonzalez trying to save his career, and Hilda becoming NY tabloid fodder. Oh, well. Maybe it would be a little too much, even for Ugly Betty.

The show has had plenty of practice hiding baby bumps, with Rebecca Romijn’s pregnancy. They really had no choice in that one; her character doesn’t exactly have the plumbing to carry a child.

Michael Ausiello also mentions Hilda’s no-pregnancy in his Ausiello files post today.

Image: Pacific Coast News