L'Oreal Paris has signed actress Kate del Castillo to an exclusive North American contract (including the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean) as a spokesperson for the company and its beauty brands. Her first appearances will be in print and television advertising for Excellence hair color. The advertising was shot recently in Los Angeles and Paris and is scheduled to debut in the U.S. this September.

Ms. del Castillo is one of Mexico's most acclaimed and popular actresses, and is becoming a fast rising star in the U.S. as a result of her award-winning performance in the Fox Searchlight film, "Under the Same Moon." Currently, she is appearing as a guest star in several episodes of the fifth season of the Showtime comedy series "Weeds."