Mexican Reality TV Hunts For Pint-Sized Stars

MEXICO CITY — Adriana Ahumada cut her baby teeth as a singer belting out Mexican folk songs and covering Spanish-language pop hits.

She also learned to hit the high notes by listening to recordings of Freddie Mercury, star of the 1980s-era rock band Queen, one of her father's favorite groups.

Today, Adriana is a 10-year-old star in her own right, after winning the top prize on "Codigo Fama" — Code Name Fame — a Mexican-made reality TV show considered one of the world's biggest searches for child talent.

Produced by the Mexican network Televisa, "Codigo Fama" has aired in 20 countries, including on Spanish-language channels in the United States. Televisa has also sponsored a Latin America-wide competition called "Codigo Fama Internacional."

"When I go out to the plazas here, people ask me for autographs a lot," said Adriana, flashing a delighted grin as she sat on her father's lap during an interview at Televisa in Mexico City.

Adriana was one of 16 finalists chosen last spring for the most recent competition of "Codigo Fama." More than 40,000 kids from all over Mexico sent in audition videos. The finalists were asked to move into a Mexico City house for two months, along with their mothers, who also bunked together in a dormitory.

As in adult reality shows, the finalists' lives were captured on TV cameras for millions of people to see — and judge. They received regular academic classes and were also coached on show biz techniques. Famous artists visited them.

While cameras rolled, they had fun, but they also fretted. They had to maintain group spirit, but also had to compete against one another for the limelight. Over time, TV viewers voted them on and off the show. Psychologists comforted the pint-sized losers, who sometimes burst into tears.

Since the series debuted in 2003, more than 60 million callers have judged the kids, a volume of viewer participation that demonstrates the popularity of "los reality" shows among Latin Americans. More than 140,000 kids between ages 7 and 13 have auditioned for the four rounds of "Codigo Fama" aired so far.

Winners like Adriana are put on salary, given a coveted slot in Televisa's acting school and a guaranteed starring role in a soap opera for children.

What's Adriana learning at Televisa?

"To improvise," she said, turning to reveal her profile, lifting her chin dramatically and unfurling her arms as if to bow.

Adriana and other kids recruited though "Codigo Fama" have natural talent and are fearless performers.

But they're still kids. On a recent day in their acting class, some who were not among the first to be chosen to act out a scene pushed their lower lips out in brief pouts. After regaining their composure, they began to listen to the coach attentively in between giggles and trading pokes in the ribs.

Adriana's mom, dad, two siblings and a pet Chihuahua have moved to Mexico City from their hometown, Hermosillo, a northern city near the Arizona border.

Adriana's father, Adrian, who owns a bakery in Hermosillo, is still stunned by his daughter's success.

"We noticed she could sing pretty well, but my wife and I didn't give it much thought before," he said. "Neither of us can sing."

Beaming proudly, he explained that Adriana has always listened to music from his youth, including songs by Queen and Bon Jovi. The little girl picked up the melodies and lyrics and in her high-pitched flexible voice she would effortlessly sing not just in tune but also with style.

Although she doesn't speak English, two of Adriana's favorite songs are Queen's "We Are the Champions" and "Another One Bites the Dust."

When she was 6, Adriana insisted on climbing on a stage to sing in a street talent show in Hermosillo. "She kept saying, 'I want to go up!'" her father said.

She sang a Britney Spears song and won. Soon she was invited to appear on a local TV variety show. Her big national break came with "Codigo Fama."

Now, while she gets her acting chops down, Adriana is working on losing her northern Mexican accent and developing a more neutral way of speaking acceptable throughout the Spanish-speaking world. She'll also be recording her own CD, another benefit for "Codigo Fama" winners.

When she's not at Televisa, Adriana likes to sightsee and play games at home. She also has a collection of Barbie dolls. "I like to sleep, too," she said with a sigh.