Jennifer Peña facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jennifer Peña
Background information
Birth name	Jennifer Marcella Peña
Born	(1983-09-17) September 17, 1983 (age 41)
Origin	San Antonio, Texas U.S.
Genres	Tejano, Latin, pop, CCM
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1995–present
Labels	EMI Latin (1995–2000) Univision Music Group (2002–2008) Universal (2008)

Jennifer Marcella Peña (born September 17, 1983) is a talented Mexican-American singer. She is famous for her Tejano and Latin pop music. Many people know her as "The Princess of Tejano." Jennifer has sold over 3.5 million records around the world! She was born in San Antonio, Texas, and is the youngest of three daughters. Her parents are Jaime and Mary Peña.

Jennifer's Music Journey

Starting with Los Jetz

Jennifer Peña first became well-known in 1995. She sang at a special concert in Houston, Texas, to honor the late singer Selena. This was Jennifer's first big performance. She sang Selena's hit song, "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom."

At that time, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., Selena's father, helped manage Jennifer's music career. Jennifer's first album, Dulzura, came out in 1996. She was only 12 years old! This album was part of a group called Jennifer y Los Jetz. Songs like "Dulzura" and "Ven a mí" (which means 'Come to me') helped her gain many fans.

The album sold very well and won several Tejano Music Awards. Tejano music was very popular back then. Jennifer was a new young star in the music scene. Some people compared her to Selena, but Jennifer still won over many fans.

In 1997, she released her second album, Jennifer Y Los Jetz. Songs like "Tu Castigo" ('your punishment') and "Yo Te Vi" ('I saw you') were also very successful. This album also sold a lot of copies. The musicians in Los Jetz are still active in music today.

Becoming "The Princess of Tejano"

Jennifer released her album Mariposa in 1998. The song "Tengo Miedo" ('I’m scared') became a big hit. This album was also very popular in Mexico, where Jennifer toured a lot.

By 2000, Jennifer was one of the most famous female Tejano singers. People started calling her "La Princesa de la Música Tejana" (the princess of Tejano music). Her album Abrázame y Bésame ("hug me and kiss me") came out in 2000. It was very popular and showed a more grown-up sound for Jennifer. The main song was a duet with DJ Kane. Other songs like "Si Tú Te Vas" ('if you go') were also big hits. This album earned Jennifer a Grammy nomination in 2001.

Moving to Latin Pop

After working with Q Productions for several years, Jennifer signed with a new music company called Univision Music Group.

In 2002, Jennifer released the album Libre. This album had huge hits like "El Dolor de Tu Presencia." This song was number one on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks for eight weeks! Another song, "Vamos al Mundial," was chosen as the song for the 2002 FIFA World Cup on Univision. Libre sold over 300,000 copies and was nominated for a Grammy in 2003.

Jennifer continued to be very successful. In 2004, she performed for over 61,000 fans at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This is a very big event that hosts famous artists. She also released a live album from this show. Jennifer even performed for former United States President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush in 2006.

Jennifer also cares about important causes. She has helped with campaigns to raise awareness about hepatitis, AIDS, and teen depression.

Acting and Latest Music

Jennifer has also tried acting. She appeared in the MTV movie All You've Got in 2006. She was also in the movie Amexicano in 2007.

Her album Dicen que el tiempo was released in 2007. The songs "Como Entender" and "Tuya" were promoted from this album. "Tuya" reached number 5 on the Billboard charts. This album was also nominated for a Grammy in 2007.

Jennifer's Life

In 2007, Jennifer announced she was engaged to singer-songwriter Obie Bermúdez. They got married in Texas in June 2007. They welcomed their first child, a son, in November 2007. Later, they had a daughter and a third child in 2019.

Jennifer and her husband separated in 2023, and their divorce was final in 2024. This has led Jennifer to return to making music after some time away. In 2024, Jennifer started a tour with Grupo Siggno called the "Casate Conmigo" Tour. Jennifer now lives in Texas and performs in Texas and Mexico.

Jennifer's Albums

Jennifer's Songs

• Ven A Mi (1996)
• Pura Dulzura (1996)
• Tu Castigo (1997)
• Yo Te Vi (1997)
• Coranzoncito Ven A Mi (1998)
• Si Tu Te Vas (2000)
• Abrázame Y Bésame (2000)
• El Dolor De Tu Presencia (2002)
• Entre El Delirio y la Locura (2003)
• A Fuego Lento (2004)
• Hasta El Fin Del Mundo (2004)
• Vivo Y Muero En Tu Piel (2004)
• No Hay Nadie Igual Como Tu (2004)
• Si Yo Me Vuelve A Enamorar (2004)
• Como Entender (2007)
• Tuya (2007)
• Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu (2015)
• Fuerte (2023)
• Casate Conmigo (as a feature with Siggno) (2024)

Awards and Recognitions

Jennifer Peña has won many awards for her music!

Grammy Awards and Latin Grammy Awards

• 1999: Nominated for Best Tejano Performance for "Mariposa"
• 2002: Nominated for Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album for "Libre"
• 2003: Nominated for Best Grupero Album for "Libre" at the Latin Grammy Awards
• 2007: Nominated for Best Latin Pop Album for "Dicen Que El Tiempo"

Latin Billboard Awards

• 2003: Won Regional Mexican Album Of The Year for "Libre"

Premios Lo Nuestro

• 2004: Won Best Female Artist in Mexican Music

Tejano Music Awards

• 1997: Won Female Entertainer Of The Year
• 1998: Won Most Promising Band Of The Year
• 1998: Won Female Entertainer Of The Year
• 1999: Won Female Vocalist Of The Year
• 1999: Won Female Entertainer Of The Year
• 2001: Won Female Vocalist Of The Year
• 2001: Won Female Entertainer Of The Year
• 2003: Won Female Vocalist Of The Year
• 2003: Won Female Entertainer Of The Year

South Texas Music Awards

• 2002, 2003: Won Female Vocalist of The Year
• 2002, 2003: Won Female Entertainer of The Year

Movies and TV Shows

• All You've Got (2006)
• Amexicano (2007)
• Top Chef VIP (2022) - a reality show

See also

In Spanish: Jennifer Peña para niños