Jennifer Lopez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jennifer Lopez
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Lopez in 2025
|
|
| Born |
Jennifer Lynn Lopez
July 24, 1969 New York City, U.S.
|
| Other names |
|
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1989–present |
|
Works
|
|
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Lynda Lopez (sister) |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | |
| Signature | |
 |
|
Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July 24, 1969), also known by her nickname J.Lo, is an American singer, actress, dancer, and businesswoman. She is considered one of the most influential Hispanic performers of all time. She helped break down barriers for Latino actors in Hollywood and was a major part of the Latin pop music movement.
Lopez began her career as a dancer on the TV show In Living Color in 1991. She became a famous actress after starring as the singer Selena in the 1997 movie of the same name. This role made her the highest-paid Latin actress at the time. She also starred in popular movies like Anaconda (1997) and Out of Sight (1998).
She then moved into music with her first album, On the 6 (1999). In 2001, she became the first woman to have a number-one album (J.Lo) and a number-one movie (The Wedding Planner) in the same week. She is well-known for starring in romantic comedies like Maid in Manhattan (2002) and Shall We Dance? (2004).
After a few years away from the spotlight, Lopez returned to fame as a judge on American Idol. She also voiced the character Shira in the Ice Age movies and starred in the TV series Shades of Blue (2016–2018).
Lopez has sold over 80 million records worldwide. Her movies have earned more than $3.1 billion. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has won many awards. Besides entertainment, she has successful beauty and fashion lines, a production company, and a charity foundation.
Contents
Early life
Jennifer Lynn Lopez was born on July 24, 1969, in the Bronx, a part of New York City. Her parents, Guadalupe Rodríguez and David Lopez, were from Puerto Rico. Her father was a computer technician, and her mother was a gym and kindergarten teacher.
Lopez is the middle of three sisters, and they all shared one bedroom. She has described her childhood as "strict" and was raised in a Catholic family. In school, Lopez was very athletic. She ran track, did gymnastics, and played softball. She also loved to perform and had a lead role in her school's production of the musical Godspell.
From a young age, Lopez knew she wanted to be an entertainer. She and her sisters would put on shows for their family. She took dance lessons and even taught dance to younger students. After high school, she worked at a law firm and went to college for one semester.
At 18, she decided to leave college to pursue a career in dance. Her parents were not happy with her choice, thinking it was a foolish dream. After a disagreement with her mother, she moved out of her family's home and into an apartment in Manhattan. For a few months, she even slept in the office of her dance studio.
Career
1989–1996: A Dancer's Dream
Lopez's first professional job was as a dancer in a musical show that toured Europe in 1989. In 1991, she got her big break as a "Fly Girl" dancer on the comedy TV show In Living Color. She moved to Los Angeles for the job and took acting classes at night.
After two seasons on the show, Lopez left to become a backup dancer for singer Janet Jackson. She appeared in Jackson's music video for "That's the Way Love Goes". She was supposed to go on tour with Jackson but decided to focus on her acting career instead.
Her first movie role was in the 1995 drama My Family. She then starred in the action movie Money Train (1995) and the comedy Jack (1996) with Robin Williams.
1997–1999: Breakthrough with Selena and On the 6
In 1997, Lopez became a major star when she played the singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in the movie Selena. For this role, she became the first Latina actress to earn $1 million for a film. The movie was a success, and critics praised her performance. She was even nominated for a Golden Globe award.
After Selena, Lopez starred in the horror film Anaconda and the crime film Out of Sight with George Clooney. Her performance in Out of Sight was highly praised and established her as a top Hollywood actress.
Inspired by her work on Selena, Lopez decided to start a music career. She signed a record deal with Sony Music. Her first album, On the 6 (1999), was named after the subway line she used to take from the Bronx to Manhattan. The album was a huge success. Her first single, "If You Had My Love", was number one on the charts for five weeks. Another hit, "Waiting for Tonight", became a popular party song.
2000–2009: Superstar Status and Challenges
In 2000, Lopez wore a famous green Versace dress to the Grammy Awards. The dress got so much attention that it led to the creation of Google Images because so many people were searching for pictures of it online.
In 2001, Lopez made history. She became the first woman to have a number-one movie, The Wedding Planner, and a number-one album, J.Lo, in the same week. Her album J.Lo sold 12 million copies worldwide and included hits like "Love Don't Cost a Thing" and "I'm Real".
She continued to star in successful movies, including the romantic comedy Maid in Manhattan (2002). She also released more hit music, like the album This Is Me... Then (2002), which featured the popular song "Jenny from the Block".
During this time, not all of her projects were successful. Her 2003 movie Gigli was not a hit at the box office. Lopez later said this was a low point in her career. However, she bounced back with the successful movie Monster-in-Law (2005) and her album Rebirth (2005). In 2007, she released her first all-Spanish album, Como Ama una Mujer.
2010–2018: Career Revival
A major turning point in Lopez's career came in 2011 when she became a judge on the TV show American Idol. The show was very popular and introduced her to a new generation of fans. People saw a different side of her: a hardworking and caring mentor.
Her music career also took off again. She signed a new record deal and released the album Love? (2011). The album's single, "On the Floor", was a massive worldwide hit. It became one of the best-selling songs of the year.
In 2012, Lopez went on her first headlining world tour, the Dance Again World Tour. She also returned to movies, voicing the character Shira in the animated film Ice Age: Continental Drift. From 2016 to 2018, she starred as a police detective in the TV drama Shades of Blue. She also had a popular concert show in Las Vegas called Jennifer Lopez: All I Have.
2019–present: Continued Success
.jpg)
In 2020, she co-headlined the Super Bowl LIV halftime show with singer Shakira, a performance seen by millions around the world.
She has continued to star in and produce movies, including the romantic comedy Marry Me (2022) and the action film The Mother (2023).
In 2024, Lopez released a special project called This Is Me... Now. It included a new album, a musical film called This Is Me... Now: A Love Story, and a documentary. The project explored her personal journey with love and life over the past 20 years.
Personal life
Jennifer Lopez's personal life has often been in the public eye. She has been married four times. Her past husbands include Ojani Noa, dancer Cris Judd, singer Marc Anthony, and actor-director Ben Affleck.
With Marc Anthony, she has two children, fraternal twins Emme and Maximilian, who were born in 2008. Lopez has said that her family is very important to her.
Her relationship with Ben Affleck in the early 2000s was very famous, and the media called them "Bennifer." They reconnected almost 20 years later and were married from 2022 to 2025.
Helping Others
_(cropped).jpg)
Lopez is involved in many charitable causes. In 2009, she and her sister Lynda started the Lopez Family Foundation. The foundation helps women and children get better access to healthcare. It has helped open medical centers in Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Bronx.
She has supported many other charities, including the Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the American Red Cross. After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, she donated $1 million and helped raise over $35 million for disaster relief.
Lopez also uses her platform to encourage people to get involved in their communities. She has supported political candidates and encourages her fans to vote. In 2021, she performed at the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden, singing "This Land Is Your Land" and "America the Beautiful."
Artistry and Impact
Lopez is known as a "triple threat" because she is a talented actress, singer, and dancer. Her music is often a mix of pop, R&B, and Latin styles. Her high-energy dance performances are a famous part of her music videos and live shows.
She is considered a pop culture icon and a trailblazer for Latino entertainers. Before Lopez, it was rare to see Hispanic women in leading roles in Hollywood. She opened doors for many other artists.
Her style has also had a big impact on fashion. The green Versace dress she wore in 2000 is one of the most famous dresses of all time. It was so popular that it led to the creation of the Google Image search tool. In 2019, the Council of Fashion Designers of America gave her the Fashion Icon Award for her influence on style.
Discography
- On the 6 (1999)
- J.Lo (2001)
- This Is Me... Then (2002)
- Rebirth (2005)
- Como Ama una Mujer (2007)
- Brave (2007)
- Love? (2011)
- A.K.A. (2014)
- This Is Me... Now (2024)
Filmography (selected)
A selection of her major films includes:
- Selena (1997)
- Anaconda (1997)
- Out of Sight (1998)
- The Wedding Planner (2001)
- Maid in Manhattan (2002)
- Shall We Dance? (2004)
- Monster-in-Law (2005)
- Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) (voice)
- Marry Me (2022)
- The Mother (2023)
- Atlas (2024)
Tours and Residencies
Headlining tours
- Dance Again World Tour (2012)
- It's My Party Tour (2019)
- Up All Night: Live in 2025 (2025)
Residencies
- Jennifer Lopez: All I Have (2016–2018)
See also
In Spanish: Jennifer Lopez para niños
- History of women in Puerto Rico
- List of artists who reached number one in the United States
- List of dancers
- List of Puerto Ricans
- Mami (hip hop)
- Nuyorican
- List of most-followed Instagram accounts
