Jessica Bendinger facts for kids

Jessica Bendinger was born on November 10, 1966. She is an American writer who creates movie scripts and novels. She is known for writing popular films like Bring It On and Aquamarine. She also directed the movie Stick It.

Early Life and Education

Jessica Bendinger went to Columbia University and finished her studies in 1988. While she was a student, she worked at SPIN magazine, which is about music. After she graduated, she worked for MTV News. This helped her learn a lot about the entertainment world.

Becoming a Filmmaker

Jessica Bendinger started her career in the early 1990s.

Directing Music Videos

In 1991, Jessica directed a music video for the famous singer Queen Latifah. The song was called "Fly Girl." This video was even nominated for a Billboard Music Award. This was a big step for her in the film industry.

Writing Movies and TV Shows

Jessica Bendinger has written many movies that you might know.

• She wrote the script for Bring It On in 2000. This movie is about cheerleading and became very popular.
• She also wrote First Daughter in 2004.
• In 2006, she wrote Aquamarine, a fantasy film about mermaids.
• Jessica also worked as a writer and creative helper for the TV show Sex and the City.
• She was a producer for the movie The Wedding Date in 2005. A producer helps make sure the movie gets made.

Directing Her Own Film

In 2006, Jessica Bendinger wrote and directed her first movie, Stick It. This film is about gymnastics and was released in April 2006. It was exciting for her to both write and direct a movie.

From Modeling to Writing

Before she became a famous writer, Jessica Bendinger was a model. She worked for a designer named Stephen Sprouse. She even appeared on a runway in a movie called Slaves of New York.

Writing Books and Music

Jessica Bendinger is not only a screenwriter; she also writes books and songs.

Her First Novel

In 2009, Jessica published her first novel, a book called The Seven Rays. It was published by Simon & Schuster. The story is about a 17-year-old girl named Beth Michaels. Beth discovers magical things as she learns more about herself.

Writing Songs

Jessica Bendinger has also helped write songs for music artists.

• In 2011, she co-wrote a song called "Hurts to Think" for Miranda Lambert's album Four the Record.
• She also co-wrote "Mostly Grey" with Emerson Hart. This song appeared on his 2014 album Beauty in Disrepair.

Hosting a Podcast

In 2019, Jessica Bendinger started a podcast called Mob Queens with her friend Michael Seligman. A podcast is like a radio show you can listen to online. In their podcast, they share the forgotten story of Anna Genovese. Anna was married to a famous mobster, but she spoke out against him in court. She also ran popular drag clubs in Greenwich Village.

Awards and Recognition

Jessica Bendinger has received special honors for her work.

• In 2005, Glamour Magazine named her one of Hollywood's "Most Powerful Women Under 40."
• In July 2014, Jessica Bendinger was invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). This is the group that gives out the Oscars!

Filmography