Jennifer Lynn Lopez, also known as J.Lo, is a multi-talented American singer, actress, dancer, and producer. She was born on July 24, 1969, in the Castle Hill neighborhood of the Bronx, New York City, to Puerto Rican parents Guadalupe Rodríguez and David Lopez. Lopez is the middle child of three sisters.
Growing up, Lopez was passionate about dance and took lessons in ballet, jazz, and flamenco. She also participated in track and field events, winning a national championship in the high jump during her senior year of high school. After graduating from Preston High School in the Bronx, Lopez attended Baruch College but dropped out after one semester to pursue a career in entertainment.
Lopez began her career as a dancer, appearing as a Fly Girl dancer on the television show “In Living Color” in the early 1990s. In 1993, she was selected as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson’s “That’s the Way Love Goes” music video and toured with Jackson for several months.
In 1995, Lopez landed her first acting role in the film “My Family,” playing the character of Young Maria Sanchez. She then appeared in the television series “South Central” and the film “Money Train” in 1997. That same year, Lopez was cast in the lead role of the film “Selena,” based on the life of the late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning Lopez widespread recognition for her acting abilities.
Following the success of “Selena,” Lopez signed a record deal with Sony Music and released her debut album, “On the 6,” in 1999. The album, named after the subway line she used to take from the Bronx to Manhattan, included the hit singles “If You Had My Love” and “Waiting for Tonight.” The album reached the top ten on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified triple platinum.
Lopez continued to release successful albums throughout the 2000s, including “J.Lo” (2001), which included the hit singles “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” and “I’m Real,” and “This Is Me…Then” (2002), which featured the hit single “Jenny from the Block.” In 2005, she released the album “Rebirth,” which included the hit single “Get Right.”
In addition to her music career, Lopez also became a successful actress, starring in a number of films throughout the 2000s. Some of her notable films include “The Wedding Planner” (2001), “Maid in Manhattan” (2002), and “Monster-in-Law” (2005).
Lopez is also known for her fashion sense and has launched several successful clothing and fragrance lines. In 2003, she launched her first fragrance, “Glow by J.Lo,” which became a huge success and spawned several additional fragrances over the years.
Lopez has also been involved in philanthropic work throughout her career. She has worked with a number of charities and foundations, including the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the American Red Cross.
Lopez has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. She received a Golden Globe nomination for her role in “Selena,” and has been recognized with multiple awards for her music and acting, including the MTV Video Music Award, Billboard Music Award, and American Music Award. In 2013, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In addition to her successful career, Lopez is also known for her high-profile relationships. She was married to Cuban actor Ojani Noa from 1997 to 1998, dancer Cris Judd from 2001 to 2003.
