• The Hollywood Reporter, Tuesday, May 15, 2007 10:30 AM

Riding on the success of "Ugly Betty," executive producer Salma Hayek has cut a wider deal with ABC Studios. Under terms of the two-year pact, Hayek and partner Jose Tamez will develop new projects for ABC.

"I share with the industry an incredible respect for Salma's passion and business insight for developing quality storytelling that appeals to a broad audience," says ABC Studios president Mark Pedowitz said. He adds that "Ugly Betty" is the beginning of "what we hope is a long and successful partnership with Salma."

The show is based on a Colombian telenovela "Betty La Fea." Hayek was a telenovela star in Mexico before moving to Hollywood, while Tamez was a telenovela producer. "Working with Mark Pedowitz and his amazing team at ABC Television Studios on "Ugly Betty" has been a successful and collaborative experience," Tamez says. "Both Salma and myself are happy to embark on this new chapter."

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