Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lynn Lopez(born July 24, 1969), also known by her nicknameJ.Lo, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and businesswoman. Lopez is regarded as one of the most influential Latin entertainers of her time,credited with breaking barriers forLatino AmericansinHollywoodand helping propel theLatin pop movementin music. She is also noted for herimpact on popular culturethrough fashion,branding, and shiftingmainstream beauty standards.
Lopez began her career as a dancer, making her television debut as aFly Girlon thesketch comedyseriesIn Living Colorin 1991. She later rose to prominence as an actress, with leading roles in the filmsSelena(1997),Anaconda(1997) andOut of Sight(1998) establishing her as the highest-paid Latin actress. She successfully ventured into the music industry with her debut album,On the 6(1999). In 2001, she became the first woman to simultaneously have the number one album and film in the United States with her second album,J.Lo, andromantic comedyThe Wedding Planner. She has since become known for starring in romantic comedies, includingMaid in Manhattan(2002),Shall We Dance?(2004), andMonster-in-Law(2005). Lopez released two albums in 2002:J to tha L–O! The RemixesandThis Is Me... Then, the former becoming the first remix album to top the USBillboard200.
Media scrutiny and the failure of her filmGigli(2003) preceded a career downturn. Her subsequent albums includedRebirth(2005) andComo Ama una Mujer(2007); the latter broke first-week sales records for a debut Spanish album. In 2011, Lopez returned to prominence as a judge onAmerican Idoland released the albumLove?. In the latter 2010s, she embarked on a concert residency titledJennifer Lopez: All I Have, starred in thepolice dramaseriesShades of Blue(2016–2018), served as a judge onWorld of Dance(2017–2020), and garnered critical praise for her performance in the crime dramaHustlers(2019). She has since produced and starred in the filmsMarry Me(2022),The Mother(2023),This Is Me... Now: A Love Story, andAtlas(both 2024), which were successful onstreamingservices.
With over 80 million records sold, Lopez's most successful singles include: "If You Had My Love", "Waiting for Tonight", "Let's Get Loud", "Love Don't Cost a Thing", "I'm Real", "Ain't It Funny", "Jenny from the Block", "All I Have", "Get Right", and "On the Floor".Heraccoladesinclude a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame, theBillboardIcon Awardand theMichael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. She has been ranked among the100 most influential people in the worldbyTimeand theWorld's 100 Most Powerful WomenbyForbes. Lopez has a large social media following, being one of themost-followed individualsonInstagram. Her other ventures include alifestyle brand, beauty and fashion lines, fragrances, aproduction company, and acharitable foundation.
Jennifer Lynn Lopez was born on July 24, 1969, inthe Bronx, aborough of New York City, and raised in itsCastle Hillneighborhood.Her parents, Guadalupe Rodríguez and David Lopez, were born inPuerto Ricoand met in New York City.After serving in the Army, David worked as a computer technician atGuardian Insurance Company.Guadalupe was a homemaker for the first ten years of Lopez's life and later worked as aTupperwaresalespersonand a kindergarten and gym teacher.They divorced in the 1990s after 33 years of marriage.
Lopez is a middle child; she has an older sister, Leslie, and a younger sister,Lynda.The three shared a bedroom.Lopez has described her upbringing as "strict".She was raised in aRoman Catholicfamily; she attended Mass every Sunday and received a Catholic education, attending Holy Family School and the all-girlsPreston High School, aprivate school.In school, Lopezran trackon a national level, participated in gymnastics and was on the softball team.She danced in school musicals and played a lead role in a production ofGodspell.She described herself as a "tomboy" and "very athletic".
There was "lots of music" in the typically Puerto Rican household,and Lopez and her sisters were encouraged to sing, dance, and create their own plays for family events.West Side Storymade a particular impression on the young Lopez, who wanted to be an entertainer from an early age.As a teenager, she learned flamenco, jazz, and ballet at theKips Bay Boys & Girls Cluband taught dance to younger students, includingKerry Washington.After graduating from high school, she had a part-time secretarial job at a law firm and studied business at New York'sBaruch Collegefor one semester.At age 18, she enrolled as a full-time student at Manhattan's Phil Black Dance Studio, where she had already taken night classes in jazz and tap dance.Her parents were unhappy with her decision to leave college to pursue a dance career. According to Lopez, her parents felt it was "foolish" because "no Latinas did that".Her mother asked her to move out of the family home and they stopped speaking for eight months.Lopez moved to Manhattan, sleeping in the dance studio's office for the first few months.
Lopez's first professional job came in 1989 when she spent five months touring Europe with the musical revue showGolden Musicals of Broadway. She was upset at being the only member of thechorusnot to have a solo, and later characterized it as a pivotal moment where she had to "try harder and become that much more committed".In 1990, she danced alongsideMC Hammerin an episode ofYo! MTV Raps,and traveled around Japan for four months as a chorus member inSynchronicity.When she returned to the United States, she was hired as a backup dancer forNew Kids on the Block's performance of "Games" at the1991 American Music Awards.She also traveled around America with regional productions of the musicalsJesus Christ SuperstarandOklahoma!.During this period, Lopez also danced in music videos includingDoug E. Fresh's "Summertime", Richard Rogers' "Can't Stop Loving You",EPMD's "Rampage",andSamantha Fox's "(Hurt Me! Hurt Me!) But the Pants Stay On".Lopez stated: "I'd dance in a piece-of-garbage rap or pop video for 50 bucks and make the money last a whole month."
Her most high-profile job as a professional dancer was as aFly Girljazz-funk danceron the sketch comedy television seriesIn Living Color. The show's choreographer,Rosie Perezsaid she chose Lopez because "she had that look that I knew the audience would tune in to".Lopez moved to Los Angeles in late 1991 for the job; she filmedIn Living Colorduring the day and attended acting classes taught by Aaron Speiser at night.Lopez felt ostracized by the other Fly Girls because of her "voluptuous figure", and also clashed with Perez.The head ofVirgin Recordsconsidered signing The Fly Girls as a girl group to rival theSpice Girls, but the deal fell apart.After appearing as a Fly Girl in seasons three and four ofIn Living Color, Lopez left to work as a backup dancer forJanet Jackson, and appeared in the music video for "That's the Way Love Goes".She was scheduled to tour with Jackson on herJanet World Tourin late 1993 but opted to pursue an acting career instead.Lopez hiredIn Living Colorproducer Eric Gold as her manager. He advised Lopez to lose weight if she wanted to succeed as an actress.
Lopez's first professional acting job was a small recurring role on the television showSouth Central(1994). She was invited to audition for the pilot by a casting director who had seen her speak to camera during a behind-the-scenesIn Living Colorsegment.She then acquired an agent and was cast in theCBSshowSecond Chances; the series was quickly cancelled, but her popularity with viewers led to her being cast in its spin-offHotel Malibu.She subsequently appeared in the television filmLost in the Wild(1993).For her first major movie role, inGregory Nava's 1995 dramaMi Familia, Lopez received a nomination for theIndependent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress.She then starred in the action comedyMoney Train(1995). The film was not a box office success, though her performance was reviewed positively,which led to her being further noticed in Hollywood.In 1996, Lopez had a supporting role oppositeRobin Williamsin the comedyJack, which directorFrancis Ford Coppolacast her in after seeing her performance inMi Familia.She next starred oppositeJack Nicholsonin the neo-noir thrillerBlood and Wine(1996), where David Rooney ofVarietyfelt she delivered in "juggling" the "smoldering and soulful sides" of the character.
With her casting as the singerSelena Quintanilla-Pérezin the biopicSelena(1997), Lopez became the first Latina actress to earn $1 million. She described her salary for the film as a "statement to the world",but expressed disappointment that other Latina actors were not being afforded the same opportunities.Despite having previously worked with the film's director Gregory Nava onMi Familia, Lopez participated in an intense auditioning process and spent time with the late singer's family inCorpus Christi, Texasbefore filming began.Selenawas a box office hit, and Lopez's performance received critical acclaim.Roger Ebertof theChicago Sun-Timesdescribed it as "a star-making performance" and wrote: "She has the star presence to look convincing in front of 100,000 fans."Lopez received her firstGolden Globenomination for the performance. Nava asked the heads of Warner Bros. to fund an Academy Award campaign for Lopez but was told the Academy would "never nominate a Latina."Later in 1997, Lopez starred oppositeIce Cubein the horror filmAnaconda, which received negative reviews from critics but was a box office success.Joe LeydonofVarietyfound the film "silly" but said it deserved "a little credit" for being "the first movie of its kind to have a Latina and an African-American" as its stars.In the crime filmU Turn(1997),Lopez appeared topless in a sex scene that was added by directorOliver Stoneduring filming. Speaking in 2003, Lopez said it was not something "I would have chosen to do" and that she and Stone fought over it: "It's hard being the only woman on a set."
Lopez starred oppositeGeorge Clooneyin the crime caperOut of Sight(1998),Steven Soderbergh's adaptation of theElmore Leonard1996 novel.Cast as a deputy federal marshal who falls for a charming criminal, she won rave reviews for her performance.Janet MaslinofThe New York Timesdescribed it as her "best movie role thus far, and she brings it both seductiveness and grit; if it was hard to imagine a hard-working, pistol-packing bombshell on the page, it couldn't be easier here."Turan of theLos Angeles Timesdescribed Lopez as "an actress who can be convincingly tough and devastatingly erotic" and said the film solidified "her position as a woman you can confidently build a film around."In 2021, Peter Bradshaw ofThe Guardiannamed Lopez and Clooney's partnership as one of the best examples of on-screen chemistry in cinema history.Also in 1998, Lopez provided the voice of Azteca in the animated filmAntz,and ventured into product endorsement, becoming a national spokesperson forCoca-ColaandL'Oréal.
Lopez decided to pursue a music career after working onSelena, realizing that she had missed "the excitement of the stage".Her new managerBenny Medinasought to position her as "a brand name that will cross over into all media."Lopez, who was "really feeling [her] Latin roots",recorded a Spanish-language demo for circulation among prospective labels. With Lopez being a high-profile personality, a bidding war ensued.Tommy Mottola, the head ofSony Music'sWork Group, signed her but suggested that she sing in English instead.Her record deal with Sony was described as "lucrative", having outbid other offers fromCapitol RecordsandEMI Latin.While Lopez worked on her debut album, Sony "began a major push" to feature her with other high-profile entertainers, leading her to appear in theSean Combsmusic video "Been Around the World" (1997).
Her debut album,On the 6(1999), named after the6 Subway linewhich connected her childhood home in the Bronx to Manhattan,was met with positive reviews and further propelled her public profile.The album was a success and Lopez's debut single, "If You Had My Love", topped the U.S.BillboardHot 100for five consecutive weeks,with another single, "Waiting for Tonight", reaching number eight and becoming a celebratory anthem for the new millennium.Other singles from the album included "Let's Get Loud", which became one of Lopez's signature songs, and "No Me Ames", a duet with future husbandMarc Anthony.In July 1999, she performed "If You Had My Love" and "Let's Get Loud" at the1999 FIFA Women's World Cupclosing ceremony. It was watched by over one billion viewers worldwide, exposing Lopez's music career to a larger international audience.
In February 2000, Lopez and then-boyfriendSean Combsattended theGrammy Awards, with Lopez wearing a plunginggreen Versace silk chiffon dress.The dress generated worldwide attention and became the most popular search query in Google's history, leading to the creation ofGoogle Images,while boosting Lopez's album and movie ticket sales.Later that year, Lopez starred in the psychological thrillerThe Cell, for which she received a $4 million salary.The film, where Lopez played a psychologist who uses radical experimental therapy to enter the mind of a killer, received mixed reviews but was a box office success.David Edelstein ofSlateremarked that the "imperious" Lopez was "trying to look waifishly expectant"while Amy Taubin ofThe Village Voicenoted that she appeared to be engaged "in some kind of pouting competition" "in lieu of acting."
Lopez became the first woman to have a number one film and album simultaneously in January 2001, with the release of her second album,J.Lo, and her romantic comedyThe Wedding Planner, which co-starsMatthew McConaughey.The Wedding Plannerreceived highly negative reviews but became a box office success.Jessica Winter ofThe Village Voicefound Lopez miscast as a "buttoned down, celibate" woman in the film.Lopez titled her albumJ.Loafter the nickname which her fans and the media had been increasingly referring to her as. She also adopted J.Lo as her stagename.J.Loreceived polarized reviews from critics but became the most successful album of her career, selling 12 million copies worldwide.It included the singles "Love Don't Cost a Thing", which reached number one in various countries,"I'm Real" featuringJa Rule, which peaked atop theBillboardHot 100,"Ain't It Funny", and "Play". In support of the album, Lopez performedtwo-concert residencyin Puerto Rico, which was later broadcast in November 2001 as anNBCspecial,Jennifer Lopez in Concert. It was one of the most-watched concert specials of the year in the United States, with an audience of almost 12 million.
In other 2001 work, Lopez launched her first business venture, the clothing lineJ.Lo by Jennifer Lopez. The line catered to women of all sizes, as Lopez felt "the voluptuous woman [was] almost ignored" in the fashion industry.She also founded her production company,Nuyorican Productions, with manager Benny Medina. Her next film was the romantic dramaAngel Eyes, starring oppositeJim Caviezel.Lopez's performance was well-reviewed,though the film was a critical and commercial disappointment.She was slated to star alongsideRicky Martinin a remake ofElvis Presley'sViva Las Vegas, but this did not eventuate.
Lopez released two albums in 2002. The first wasJ to tha L–O! The Remixes, which became the first remix album in history to debut at number one on theBillboard200.Its singles included "Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)" and "I'm Gonna Be Alright", which reached number one and ten on theBillboardHot 100, respectively.Lopez's third studio album,This Is Me... Then, was released in late 2002, and was heavily influenced by her relationship with then-fiancéBen Affleck. It received mixed critical reviews;Billboard's Michael Paoletta noted the "considerable growth she reveals as a performer and tunesmith" on the album,whileJon Caramanicacalled it "the least interesting music on the pop charts today."The album became a commercial success, achieving the highest opening sales week of her career. The album's lead single, "Jenny from the Block", which peaked at number three on theBillboardHot 100, was viewed as a response to the notion that Lopez had alienated her "core fan base: the black and Hispanic hip-hop community."The album also spawned the number one single "All I Have".
Lopez starred as an abused wife who fights back in the thrillerEnough(2002), a role which required her to learnKrav Maga.An overworked Lopez suffered anervous breakdownin 2001 while filming it.The film received negative reviews;Ebert of theChicago Sun-Timesfelt it was "tacky material" and was surprised to see "an actress like Jennifer Lopez" involved with the project.Her next film was the romantic comedy,Maid in Manhattan(2002), in which Lopez starred oppositeRalph Fiennesas a maid and single mother from the Bronx.It became the highest-grossing film of her career.ReviewingMaid in Manhattan, A. O. Scott ofThe New York Timesenjoyed Lopez as a romantic lead and said "her greatest skill as an actress" was "her ability to melt without cracking the hard shell of composure she wears."In 2002 business ventures, Lopez opened Madre's, a Los Angeles restaurant serving Latin cuisine,and released her first fragrance,Glow by JLo. It became the top-selling fragrance in the U.S.
Lopez became the subject of widespread media criticism in 2003 due to her public relationship with Ben Affleck and thetabloid depiction of heras a demanding diva.She fired both her personal manager Benny Medina and her publicist in mid-2003;The New York Timesreported that movie executives had become frustrated by having their communications with Lopez "largely filtered" through Medina.That year, Lopez starred opposite Affleck in the romantic comedyGigli, which was abox-office bomband is consideredone of the worst films of all time.Rex Reed ofThe Observercriticized the lead actors, calling them "pathetically incompetent" in both "craft and talent".Roger Ebertagreed that the movie "doesn't quite work", but found Lopez and Affleck "appealing in their performances" and noted the couple's chemistry.Later in 2003, she released her second fragranceStill Jennifer Lopez, and became the face ofLouis Vuitton's fall advertising campaign.
Lopez had a minor role opposite Affleck in the filmJersey Girl(2004). Following test audiences' negative reactions to the onscreen couple, her screen time was halved.Lopez later described this as the lowest point of her careerand admitted she felt "eviscerated" by the media coverage surroundingGigli: "I lost my sense of self, questioned if I belonged in this business, thought maybe I did suck at everything. And my relationship self-destructed in front of the entire world. It was a two-year thing for me until I picked myself up again."Months later, she starred oppositeRichard Gerein the romantic comedy-dramaShall We Dance?, which was a box-office success.Lopez's clothing lines and two fragrances generated over $300 million in revenue throughout 2004.
The marketing for the romantic comedyMonster-in-Law(2005), in which Lopez starred oppositeJane Fonda, played up her "Gigli-and-tabloid tarnished image", and it became a box office success.She released her fourth studio album,Rebirth, in early 2005. Its title was symbolic of Lopez's hopes for "a new professional beginning".It was recorded during a period where Lopez felt "a little bit lost, trying to get my footing in a new life", "I had just gotten married [to singerMarc Anthony] ... I wasn't with Benny [Medina]."In a review ofRebirth, journalistAlexis Petridisremarked that the title "suggests even Lopez has realised that something is amiss with her career ... Despite the highlights, you're still left pondering the question: what happened to Jennifer Lopez?"The album reached number two on theBillboard200, but failed to replicate the sales of her previous albums.Its lead single, "Get Right", however, reached number twelve on theBillboardHot 100, becoming one of her most successful songs.Also in 2005, Lopez launched her second fashion label, Sweetface, which was geared towards "high fashion" in comparison,and appeared in aKill Bill-inspiredPepsicommercial withBeyoncéandDavid Beckham.The next year, she returned to the top five of theBillboardHot 100 as a featured artist on "Control Myself", the lead single fromLL Cool J'stwelfth studio album.
Lopez's next three movie projects were box office failures. She starred alongsideRobert RedfordandMorgan Freemanin the dramaAn Unfinished Life(2005). Ebert of theChicago Sun-Timespredicted that the typical review would be unkind: "It will have no respect for Jennifer Lopez, because she is going through a period right now when nobody is satisfied with anything she does ... Give Lopez your permission to be good again; she is the same actress now as when we thought her so new and fine."In 2006, she reunited with director Gregory Nava  to star in the crime dramaBordertownas a journalist investigatingfemale homicides in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.The film was negatively reviewed and received adirect-to-videorelease.David D'Arcy ofScreen Dailyfound Lopez "unconvincing" as a journalist.In 2007, she starred opposite her then-husbandMarc Anthonyin the music biopicEl Cantante, which told the story of Puerto RicansalsasingerHéctor Lavoeand his wife Puchi.It did not perform well at the box office and received mixed reviews from film critics; Lopez's performance, which she expressed pride in,drew both praise and criticism.
Lopez released two studio albums in 2007. Her fifth album,Como Ama una Mujer, was her first to be recorded entirely in Spanish.Chris Willman ofEntertainment Weeklyacknowledged that the album offered "fairly persuasive proof" that Lopez can sing, but was unimpressed by the "flaccid torch songs."It became the fifth Spanish album to debut in the top ten of theBillboard200, and achieved the highest first-week sales for an artist's debut Spanish album at the time.The lead single, "Qué Hiciste", reached number 86 on theBillboardHot 100 while the second single, "Me Haces Falta", failed to chart. Lopez's sixth studio album,Brave, released later that year, was her lowest-charting album worldwide.Jonathan Bernstein ofEntertainment Weeklywas disappointed that Lopez had returned to "listless vocals" for her "back-to-the-dance-floor album."The album debuted at number 12 on theBillboard200and produced two singles, "Do It Well" and "Hold It Don't Drop It". The first peaked at number 31 on theBillboardHot 100chart, while the latter failed to chart. While pregnant with twins, Lopez embarked upon her first ever concert tour,a show co-headlined by Anthony, in September 2007; the tour was well received.She also created, produced and was featured in the MTV showDanceLife, which she described as a "passion project".
After giving birth to twins in February 2008, Lopez took a career break.Her restaurant Madre's closed permanently,as did her two fashion lines.After rehiring former manager Medina,Lopez released two songs in late 2009, "Louboutins" and "Fresh Out of the Oven". The songs were intended for her seventh studio album but failed to make an appearance on theBillboardcharts, leading to her departure from Sony Music andEpic Records.
Lopez's first theatrical role in three years was in the romantic comedyThe Back-up Plan(2010).Manohla Dargis ofThe New York Timeswas unimpressed by the movie and described Lopez as "an appealing screen presence with a disappointing big-screen track record. That's probably not all her fault: romantic roles for women often are the provenance of the bland or the blonde."A "big turning point" in Lopez's career came when she joined the judging panel of the singing competition seriesAmerican Idolfor itstenth season, replacingSimon Cowell. Despite being advised that it was a "huge gamble",she accepted the job, as she was "not getting offered a whole bunch of movies".Lopez's appearance onAmerican Idolin 2011 returned her to prominence.Hannah Elliot ofForbesdescribed it as "a remarkable comeback", writing: "Idolhumanized her. Viewers who knew only an attention-grabbing siren met a hardworking, self-made, empathetic single mother, who got emotional when contestants did well and when they failed."
Lopez subsequently experienced whatBillboardcalled "the most impressive reality-TV-based rejuvenation of a music career ever."After signing a new recording contract withIsland Records, her seventh studio album,Love?, was released in early 2011. While the album itself was a moderate commercial success,the single "On the Floor" was the year's highest-selling single by a female artist.It reached number three on theBillboardHot 100, becoming her highest-charting single as a lead artist since "All I Have".The album produced two more singles, "I'm Into You" and "Papi", which did not achieve similar success .Around this time, Lopez became a brand ambassador forL'Oréal,Gilette Venus,TousandFiat.She also launched theJennifer Lopez Collection, a clothing and homeware line withTommy HilfigerforKohl's; the collection generated an estimated $3 billion in sales during its first year.
Lopez returned as a judge forAmerican Idol'seleventh seasonin 2012, earning a reported $20 million.That year, she released her greatest hits album,Dance Again... the Hits, to fulfil her contractual obligations with her former label Epic Records.Lopez, who was divorcing Anthony and navigating the "breakup of a family", felt as if the album's sole single, "Dance Again", had come to her at the "perfect moment"."Dance Again" reached number 17 on the U.S.BillboardHot 100. Lopez launched theDance Again World Tour, her first headlining concert tour, in mid-2012. It grossed over $1 million per show.Also that year, she launchedTeeology, a luxury T-shirt brand.
Lopez returned to the big screen in 2012, starring alongside anensemble castin the filmWhat to Expect When You're Expecting, which is based on the 1984 bookWhat to Expect When You're Expecting.Lopez voiced Shira, a saber tooth tiger, in the animated film,Ice Age: Continental Drift, the fourth film in theIce Agefranchise.Also in 2012, a talent show,¡Q'Viva! The Chosenfollowed Lopez, Anthony, and director-choreographerJamie Kingas they travelled across 21 countries in Latin America to find new talent for aLas Vegasshow.In 2013, Lopez starred alongsideJason Stathamin the crime thrillerParker, in which she played Leslie. Her performance earned positive reviews, with theChicago Tribunecommending the role for giving Lopez "an opportunity to be dramatic, romantic, funny, depressed, euphoric and violent. The audience stays with her all the way".That year, Lopez released the single "Live It Up", founded the mobile phone retail brandViva Móvil,and was namedchief creative officerofNuvoTV.She also served as an executive producer of the television seriesThe Fosters(2013–2018), a show about a lesbian couple raising a family. Lopez's desire to work on the series was driven by her late aunt, who was gay.
After a one-season absence, Lopez returned toAmerican Idolfor itsthirteenth season, earning a reported $17.5 million.Her eighth studio album,A.K.A., was released in mid-2014 throughCapitol Records, experiencing lacklustre sales, becoming her lowest-selling album in the U.S.The album produced three singles: "I Luh Ya Papi", featuringFrench Montana, "First Love", and "Booty", featuringIggy Azalea. They reached 77, 87 and 18 respectively on theBillboardHot 100. Also that year, Lopez released "We Are One (Ole Ola)", the official song for the2014 FIFA World Cupalong withPitbullandClaudia Leitte. Lopez partnered with Endless Jewelry on a range of jewelry,and released a book,True Love, which became aNew York Timesbest-seller.
2015 saw the release ofThe Boy Next Door, an erotic thriller that Lopez both co-produced and starred in as a high school teacher who becomes involved with a student, which eventually leads to his dangerous obsession with her.The film received negative reviews from critics.Despite this, it became her most successful opening at the box office for a live action film sinceMonster-in-Law.Lopez had a voice role in the animated featureHomeand contributed the single "Feel the Light" to the film's official soundtrack.She also starred in the independent drama filmLila & Eve, alongsideViola Davis.
In January 2016, Lopez commenced a concert residency show,All I Have, atPlanet Hollywood'sZappos TheaterinLas Vegas.She performed 120 shows during the three-year run, grossing over $100 million in ticket sales.At the beginning of the residency, Lopez signed a multi-album deal with her former label Epic Records,and released "Ain't Your Mama", one of her most successful singles during the 2010s.Also in 2016, she began starring inNBC's crime drama seriesShades of Blue, which she also executive produced. She playedHarlee Santos, a single mother and police detective who goes undercover for the FBI to investigate her own squad.The series' premiere brought NBC its most-watched Thursday debut in seven years.Starring alongsideRay Liotta, Lopez's performance received critical praise.That year, she also reprised her voice role as Shira in the animated filmIce Age: Collision Course(2016),and designed a capsule collection of shoes and jewelry in collaboration withGiuseppe Zanotti.
Lopez was executive producer and judge on NBC's dance competition seriesWorld of Dance,which was a ratings success upon its May 2017 premiere.That year, Lopez released the singles "Ni Tú Ni Yo" and "Amor, Amor, Amor", which were intended to be included on her second Spanish-language album,Por Primera Vez,which was ultimately shelved. In late 2017, she was announced as the new face of clothing companyGuess, becoming the oldest spokeswoman in the company's history.
In 2018, Lopez released a string of Spanish andSpanglishsingles: "Se Acabó el Amor", "El Anillo", "Dinero" featuringDJ KhaledandCardi B, and "Te Guste" withBad Bunny.Forbesnoted that the songs were unable to "completely connect on a crossover, mainstream level", but were more successful on US-based Latin charts, nearly all of them reaching number one on theBillboardLatin Airplaychart.In collaboration withInglot Cosmetics, she launched a limited-edition makeup collection.She later starred in and executive produced the comedy filmSecond Act(2018), directed byPeter Segal;she also recorded the single "Limitless" for its soundtrack.Second Actearned mixed reviews from critics,but performed well at the box office, grossing $72.3 million during its theatrical run.
In the first half of 2019, Lopez embarked on an international concert tour,It's My Party, to celebrate her 50th birthday. The tour grossed an estimated $54.7 million from thirty-eight shows.Varietyreported that most shows were sold out.She also signed with new labelHitco Entertainmentand released the single "Medicine" featuring French Montana.In other 2019 activities, she became the global face of theCoachbrand,launched a collection of sunglasses with the brand Quay Australia,and modeled an updated version of herGreen Versace dressatMilan Fashion Week. She also became executive producer of two television series,Good TroubleandThanks a Million.
Lopez executive produced and starred in the crime drama filmHustlers(2019). Directed byLorene Scafaria, the film is inspired by a true story, following a group ofManhattanstripperswho con wealthy maleWall Streetclientele.Lopez's portrayal of a veteran stripper inHustlersgarnered acclaim from critics, with some deeming it the best performance of her acting career.The film also gave Lopez her highest opening weekend at the box office for a live action film, grossing $33.2 million.Her performance received nominations for Best Supporting Actress at theGolden Globe Awards,Screen Actors Guild Awards,Critics' Choice Movie AwardsandIndependent Spirit Awards.The success ofHustlerswas regarded by various media outlets as a comeback as an actress for Lopez.
In February 2020, Lopez co-headlined theSuper Bowl LIV halftime showinMiami, FloridaalongsideShakira; the performance included an appearance by her child Emme Muñiz.The performance was widely praised and became the most-watchedSuper Bowl halftime showto date.Later that year, Lopez released the singles "Pa' Ti" withMaluma―which became her most successful song since 2017―and "In the Morning", before headlining the 2021Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrestspecial live fromTimes SquareonABC.
In January 2021, she performed at the2021 inaugurationof PresidentJoe Bidenin Washington, D.C.In business, Lopez focused on investments and creating her own brands. She launched her skin care line, JLo Beauty,released a shoe collection in partnership withDSW, and invested in companies includingHims & Hers Health,Bodyarmor SuperDrink, Goli nutritional supplements and meal delivery serviceWonder.In mid-2021, she signed a multi-year deal withNetflixto produce a range of films and television shows through her own Nuyorican Productions,and released thereggaetonSpanish single "Cambia el Paso" withRauw Alejandro.
Lopez co-produced and starred oppositeOwen Wilsonand Maluma in the romantic comedyMarry Me, which was released in February 2022.The film grossed over $50 million at the box office while becoming the most-streamed day-and-date film onPeacock,and received generally mixed reviews from critics.Lopez also released asoundtrack for the film, with Maluma, which generated the singles "On My Way" and "Marry Me". In March 2022, Lopez was appointed as the chief "entertainment and lifestyle" officer of the cruise line,Virgin Voyages.Her next project was the documentaryJennifer Lopez: Halftime, which focuses on her life following the release ofHustlersand in preparation for her Super Bowl performance.Released on Netflix in June 2022 following its premiere at theTribeca Film Festival, it garnered generally positive reviews from film critics.In September, Lopez was announced as the global ambassador of Italian lingerie labelIntimissimi.The following month,Jimmy Fallonand Lopez released a children's book,Con Pollo: A Bilingual Playtime Adventure, which became aNew York Timesbest-seller.
Lopez co-produced and starred oppositeJosh DuhamelandJennifer Coolidgein the action-comedyShotgun Wedding, which was released onAmazon Prime Videoin January 2023. It became one of the top-streamed films on Prime Video that year.She also led and co-produced the action thriller featureThe Mother, directed byNiki Caroand released on Netflix in May 2023.The film received mixed reviews,but became the most-watched film on the platform in 2023and one of themost-watched original films on the service of all time.That September, she entered a "recording and publishing" partnership withBMG Rights Management, in conjunction with her Nuyorican Productions.Lopez's business ventures in 2023 included: launching aspritzbrand named Delola,a collaboration between her lifestyle brandJ.Lo by Jennifer Lopezand fashion retailer Revolve,and a footwear line, JLO Jennifer Lopez, which was released as three collections in March, May, and June.
Lopez's ninth studio album,This Is Me... Now, a sequel album toThis Is Me... Then(2002), was released by Nuyorican and BMG on February 16, 2024.The album formed part of a "three-part multimedia project" which included a companion musical film,This Is Me... Now: A Love Storydirected byDave Meyers, and a documentary,The Greatest Love Story Never Told, both of which were released on Prime Video.Lopez plays a fictionalized version of herself inA Love Story, which was described as an "autobiographical musical rom-com action sci-fi";Tim JonzeofThe Guardiansuggested that Lopez had possibly invented the "therapy-musical biopic" genre.After potential partners backed out, Lopez financed the film herself for $20 million before Amazon subsequently purchased it."Can't Get Enough" was released as the album's lead single,followed by "Rebound" featuring rapperAnuel AA.To promote the album, Lopez performed "Can't Get Enough" withLattoandRedman, and the album's title track onSaturday Night LiveonFebruary 3, 2024;she also conducted an exclusive concert at theOrpheum Theatrein LA, which was recorded and released as a concert film on Apple Music andApple TV+on February 21.Additionally, she released a lingerie collection with Intimissimi which was inspired by the album.In May 2024, Lopez co-hosted the annualMet GalainManhattan, marking her 14th attendance at thehaute coutureevent.Also that month, she and Australian music producerFisherreleased a "contemporary" remix of "Waiting for Tonight", 25 years after the song's release.Lopez was set to embark on theThis Is Me... LiveNorth American tour beginning June 2024, but cancelled it in order to spend more time with her family.
Lopez co-produced and starred in thesci-fithrillerAtlas, the third project under her Netflix deal.Released in May 2024,Atlasreceived negative reviews from critics,but was successful on Netflix where it was the most-watched movie in 71 countries on its first day.In a positive review of the film,The New York Timespraised Lopez's performance and called the film "an intriguing concept."Lopez starred alongsideJharrel Jeromein the biographical wrestling dramaUnstoppable,based on the life of wrestlerAnthony Robles, produced by Ben Affleck andMatt Damon.The feature premiered at theToronto International Film Festivalin September, followed by a limited theatrical release in December 2024.Lopez portrayed Judy, Robles's mother, in the film; Owen Gleiberman ofVarietycalled it "the fullest screen performance she has ever given".
Lopez starred in andexecutive producedtheBill Condon-directedKiss of the Spider Woman, a film adaption of theBroadway1993 musical of the same name.It is her first role in a full-fledged musical; filming occurred from April to May 2024 inNew Jersey.Lopez will co-produce and star oppositeBrett Goldsteinin Netflix'sOffice Romance.She will also co-produce a series adaptation ofEmily Henry's 2023 novelHappy Placefor Netflix.She has also committed to lead and co-produce Netflix's film adaptation of the bestselling novel,The Cipher.Lopez has several projects in the works as a producer.
Lopez was in a nearly decade-long relationship with David Cruz, her high-school boyfriend, until the mid-1990s.They were engaged at one point, and Cruz relocated to Los Angeles to be with her when she began pursuing her career.She later said of Cruz, "You get lucky, you have a first love like that."She was married to Cuban waiter Ojani Noa from February 1997 to January 1998. In subsequent court cases, Noa was prevented from publishing a book about their marriageand from using private honeymoon footage of Lopez in a documentary.
Lopez was in anon-again, off-again relationshipwith record producer and rapperSean Combs(then known as "Puff Daddy") from 1999 to early 2001.On the night of December 27, 1999, Lopez and Combs were arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and possession of stolen property, after leaving the scene of a shooting at aTimes Squarenightclub. Charges against Lopez were dropped within an hourwhile Combs was acquitted of all charges at trial in March 2001.They broke up shortly thereafter.Lopez later said that, while she had "cared very much" about Combs, their "crazy, tumultuous" relationship "was always something I knew would end."She was married toCris Judd, her former backup dancer, from September 2001 to January 2003.
Before her divorce with Judd was finalized, Lopez was in a relationship with actor and filmmakerBen Affleckfrom mid-2002 to early 2004. Although they had crossed paths several times before (including at the70th Academy Awardsand at the premiere ofArmageddon,both in 1998), their first major meeting was on the set ofGigli(2003) in December 2001.They later worked together on the music video for "Jenny from the Block" and the filmJersey Girl(2004).Her albumThis Is Me... Thenwas dedicated to and inspired by Affleck. Their relationship was extensively publicized.Tabloids referred to the couple as "Bennifer", a portmanteauVanity Fairdescribed as "the first of that sort of tabloid branding".They became engaged in November 2002,but their planned wedding on September 14, 2003, was postponed with four days' notice because of "excessive media attention".They ended their engagement in January 2004.Years later, Lopez said Affleck's discomfort with media scrutiny was one reason for their splitand described it as her "first real heartbreak": "I think different time, different thing, who knows what could've happened, but there was a genuine love there."
After her relationship with Affleck, Lopez stopped discussing her personal life in interviews.She was married to singerMarc Anthonyfrom June 2004 to June 2014;they had previously worked together and dated for a few months in the late 1990s.Their wedding took place five months after the end of her relationship with Affleck. During their marriage, they collaborated on music and performed together, as well as co-starring inEl Cantante(2006).Lopez gave birth to fraternal twins, a boy and a girl, inLong Islandin February 2008.Peoplepaid a reported US$6 million for the first photographs of the twins, making themthe most expensive celebrity pictures ever takenat the time.In 2009, Anthony and Lopez purchased a stake in theMiami Dolphins.They announced their separation in July 2011. Anthony filed for divorce in April 2012and it was finalized in June 2014. Lopez retained primary physical custody of the two children.Lopez occasionally performs with her daughter.
Lopez had an on-again, off-again relationship with her former backup dancer Casper Smart from October 2011 to August 2016.She datedNew York Yankeesbaseball playerAlex Rodriguezfrom February 2017 to early 2021.They became engaged in March 2019but postponed their wedding twice due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. In response to tabloid speculation about the state of their relationship, they released a statement in March 2021, saying they were "working through some things".They announced the end of their relationship in April 2021.
In April 2021, Lopez and Affleck were reported to be dating again,with Lopez publicly confirming their rekindled relationship that July.In April 2022, Lopez announced their second engagement, 20 years after the first proposal.They were married in Las Vegas on July 16, 2022,and held a wedding celebration for family and friends the following month.On August 20, 2024, Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck, citing April 26, 2024, as the date of their separation.She also requested that her legal name be changed back to Jennifer Lynn Lopez.On January 6,  2025, the divorce was finalized.
Following theSeptember 11 attacks, Lopez was heavily involved incharitable activities. Joining other artists, she was featured on charitable singles such as "What's Going On" and "El Ultimo Adios (The Last Goodbye)", which benefited people affected by the tragedy.In February 2007, Lopez was honored with the Artists for Amnesty prize byAmnesty Internationalfor her work inBordertown, which shed light on the hundreds offeminicides in Ciudad Juárez. Lopez described it as "one of the world's most shocking and disturbing, underreported crimes against humanity".That year, one dollar from each ticket sold at Lopez and Anthony'sco-headlining North American concert tour, which grossed an estimated $10 million, was donated to the Run for Something Better program, which fights childhood obesity.
Lopez has been a long-time supporter of theChildren's Hospital Los Angeles. Her albumRebirth(2005) is dedicated to Paige Peterson,an eleven-year-old cancer patient she befriended at the hospital who died in 2004. Lopez stated that "[she doesn't] like to do [her] charity work in public. That's not what you do it for."In 2009, Lopez launched theLopez Family Foundation(originally known as the Maribel Foundation) alongside her sister, Lynda. The organization works to increase healthcare access for underprivileged women and children, including through atelemedicineprogram in partnership with the Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The foundation has facilitated the expansion of medical facilities inPanamaand Puerto Rico, and created the Center for a Healthy Childhood atMontefiore Medical Centerin the Bronx.
In December 2012, Lopez held a charity drive to benefit her three favorite charities: theGloria Wise Boys and Girls Club, the Children's Hospital Los Angeles and theAmerican Red Cross, mainly benefiting victims ofHurricane Sandy.In May 2015, she became the first celebrity spokesperson for theChildren's Miracle Network Hospitalsand theBC Children's Hospital Foundation(BCCHF), appearing in a campaign entitled "Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are".That September, she became the first Global Advocate for Girls and Women at theUnited Nations Foundation.This role sees her mobilizing action to address issues including maternal health care programs, education and violence against women.
In September 2017, followingHurricane IrmaandHurricane Maria, Lopez donated $1 million from the proceeds of her Las Vegas residency tohumanitarian aidfor Puerto Rico.Along withMarc Anthony, she launched a humanitarian relief campaign entitled Somos Una Voz (English: We Are One Voice), an effort supported by various celebrities to rush supplies to areas affected by Hurricane Maria.Lopez and Anthony presented a subsequent concert and telethon for disaster relief, "One Voice: Somos Live!", which raised over $35 million.She was also among various artists featured onLin-Manuel Miranda's charity single "Almost Like Praying", which benefits Puerto Rico.
As of 2021, Lopez continues to regularly donate to and support charities.In September 2021, she launched her own philanthropic organization, Limitless Labs, that supports and empowers Latina entrepreneurs and business owners. Lopez announced a partnership between the venture and the10,000 Small Businessesinitiative.In June 2022, Lopez and Limitless Labs partnered with nonprofitGrameen Americaas a national ambassador to empower women-led Latina businesses with $14 billion in business loans and "6 million hours of financial education and training by 2030."Lopez has performed at charity concerts throughout her career, including theLos Angeles DodgersFoundation's Blue Diamond Gala in 2022, which raised $3.6 million for education, health care, homelessness and social justice causes.
A supporter of theDemocratic Party, Lopez has a long history of backing Democratic candidates for public office.She endorsed PresidentBarack Obamain his2012 presidential campaign, speaking in television advertisements and attending fundraising events for Obama.She endorsed Democratic presidential nomineeHillary Clintonin 2016, headlining a free concert in Florida in support of her that October.
Lopez has been critical of PresidentDonald Trump.During herSuper Bowl halftime showperformance in 2020, she performed her song "Let's Get Loud" while cloaked in a largePuerto Rican flag, with children in metal cages displayed on the field. It was interpreted as a statement about theMexico–United States border crisisand Trump'simmigration policy.TheNFLattempted to remove the cages from the performance but Lopez refused.She endorsed PresidentJoe Bidenin his2020 presidential campaign.She later performed at Biden's2021 inauguration, where she sang "This Land Is Your Land" and "America the Beautiful", while reciting the last phrase of thePledge of Allegiancein Spanish.She also worked "Let's Get Loud" into the performance as a "reprise" to her political message at the Super Bowl.Lopez endorsedKamala Harrisduring her2024 presidential campaign. She spoke at a Las Vegas rally for Harris,pushing back on remarks made at Trump'srally at Madison Square Gardenwhich were deemed offensive to Puerto Ricans.
Lopez is an avid supporter ofLGBT rights, and has raised millions of dollars forHIV/AIDS research.In June 2013,amfARpresented her with its humanitarian award for her philanthropic work.That September, she was awarded the Ally for Equality award presented by theHuman Rights Campaign, for her support of the LGBT community.The following year, she received theGLAAD Vanguard Award.In July 2016, Lopez released a single entitled "Love Make the World Go Round", a collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda, which benefits victims of theOrlando nightclub shooting.She was also featured on the song "Hands" along with numerous other artists, also benefiting those affected by the Orlando shooting.Lopez signed an open letter fromBillboardmagazine to theUnited States Congressin 2016, which demanded action ongun control.
In June 2020, Lopez attended aBlack Lives Mattermovement protest in Los Angeles, in connection with the broaderGeorge Floyd protests.Lopez has also been an active advocate for theTime's Up movement.In January 2022, she became one of the co-chairs forMichelle Obama's When We All Vote.She expressed solidarity with the people of theGaza Stripduring the2023 Israel–Hamas war. As part of a group calledArtists4Ceasefire, she signed a letter urging President Joe Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Lopez has citedMadonnaas her "first big musical influence", explaining "It was all about Madonna for me. She inspired me to want to sing, to dance, to work hard."Her other major influences includeTina Turner,James Brown, andMichael Jackson.Another major influence on Lopez isBarbra Streisand, stating that, "watching her career over the years, watching her sing and act and direct, was very inspiring to me."Lopez has citedJanet Jacksonas a major inspiration for her own dance and videos, stating that she "probably started dancing" because of Jackson's music video for "The Pleasure Principle".She also looked to the careers ofCher,Bette MiddlerandDiana Ross,and has been inspired by younger artists such asLady Gaga.
Growing up, she was influenced by Latin music styles ranging fromsalsatobachata, and artists includingCelia CruzandTito Puente. However, it was the hip hop song "Rapper's Delight" (1979) byThe Sugarhill Gangthat she said changed her life.Another key inspiration for Lopez in her youth was Puerto Rican actressRita Moreno's performance in the musical filmWest Side Story(1961). Moreno was the only performer Lopez was able to identify with, at a time when Latinos were rarely on television.
Musically, Lopez is described as a "chameleon" by outlets likeVarietyandForbes, having been known to experiment and jump between genres.Her music strongly identifies with hip hop while exploring the "romantic innocence" of Latin music.Billboardobserved that she has "never been one to downplay her Latinidad, and always makes sure to display it" in her music, "regardless of genre".On the 6andJ.Lo, described by Lopez asLatin soul, fuse a wide range of Latin genres withR&Band hip hop, while also containingdance-pop.While mostly English, the albums include some Spanish and bilingual songs such as "Cariño",with Lopez also speaking in Spanish and asserting her Latin identity on songs like "Let's Get Loud".A departure from her previous work,This Is Me... Thenblends 1970ssoulwith "streetwise" hip hop.Rebirthwas noted for its "relaxing" atmosphere, whileComo Ama una Mujerwas characterized as "silkily SpanishSadeworship".
Described as autobiographical,much of Lopez's music has centered around the "ups and downs" of love.Lyrically,This Is Me... Thenis largely focused on her relationship withBen Affleck, with the song "Dear Ben" being described as the album's "glowing centerpiece".Its sequel album,This Is Me... Now, was informed by her reunion and marriage with Affleck; Lopez called it an "emotional, spiritual, and psychological journey of the past two decades".Como Ama una Mujerfeatures introspective lyrics about romance, heartache and self-loathing.RegardingLove?, Lopez stated: "There's still so much to learn and that's why the question mark."Other recurrent themes in Lopez's music have included her upbringing in the Bronx,social classandwomen's empowerment.
Lopez has received mixed reviews for her "light"soubrettevoice,which critics have deemed limited, "radio-friendly" and overshadowed by her music's production.WithOn the 6,The Baltimore Sunregarded Lopez as having a "breathy" stylistic range but lacking personality,whileRolling Stoneremarked: "Instead of strained vocal pyrotechnics, Lopez sticks to the understated R&B murmur of a round-the-way superstar who doesn't need to belt because she knows you're already paying attention ... She makes a little va-va and a whole lot of voom go a long way."
In reviewingLove?,AllMusiccalled her voice "slight" and wrote: "Lopez was never, ever about singing; she was about style".Pitchforkdescribed her "notoriously serviceable, airy and light" voice as being "stronger than ever" onThis Is Me... Now, while noting that "the thinness of the voice has often been beside the point, if not a boon to her early career", which was marked by "Bronx regularness".Lopez has been criticized for her use of background vocals fromdemosingers, prompting rumors ofghost singers' vocals being used in place of her own.The rumors have been debunked by producers and background singers who worked with Lopez.Christina Milian, who is credited as a writer and background singer on "Play", called the controversy "funny" and said: "It's no different than Michael Jackson having background singers on songs orBritney Spears. This is what music is made of."
Considered one of dance's "greatest success stories",Lopez has received praise for her highly choreographed dancing,and is noted for her technical skill.Lopez, who felt an emotional connection to dance since her youth,has been trained in a range of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, flamenco, ballroom,pole dancing,breakdancing, street dance, and hip hop.A dominant figure onMTVsince early in her career, she is known for her body-emphasizing music videos and provocative choreography.CNN's Holly Thomas stated that "Lopez's years of professional dance experience gave her a captivating, commanding presence in her videos."Madeline Roth of MTV wrote: "Her diverse videography encompasses some of the most memorable visuals of the 21st century",withRolling Stonewriter Brittany Spanos observing that her "dancing skills and ability to toy with her own celebrity have made her videos an important part of the new millennium's pop canon".Her videography has sometimes attracted controversy for its sexual suggestiveness,and has been noted for its influence on2000s fashiontrends.
On stage, Lopez is recognized for her showmanship, sex appeal, and costumes, which often includebodysuits.Author Priscilla Peña Ovalle stated inDance and the Hollywood Latina: Race, Sex and Stardom(2011) that Lopez was one of the Latin stars who "used dance to gain agency as working performers with mainstream careers, yet many of their roles paradoxically racialized and sexualized their bodies".Troy Patterson ofEntertainment Weeklyalso observed that she used her body for emphasis on stage, "She turned herself out as the fly girl hyperversion of postfeminist power, flaunting her control by toying with the threat of excess. In consequence, her star went supernova."Her signature movements include "clock-wise pivoting with salsa hip circles and sequential torso undulations".While being noted to lip sync in the early stages of career,Lopez's Dance Again World Tour was praised for showcasing live vocals and choreography synchronously.In a review of her Las Vegas residency All I Have,Los Angeles Timeswriter Nolan Feeney remarked that her dancing is "undoubtedly the centerpiece of the show".
Her provocative stage performances have also drawn scrutiny at times.Robin GivhanofThe Daily Beastcriticized Lopez's performance at the2011 American Music Awardswhere she wore a nude bodysuit, stating that it "cried out for attention in all the wrong ways" and was "banalexhibitionism".In May 2013, her performance on the finale of the television seriesBritain's Got Talentwas deemed inappropriate for family-friendly television, and drew viewer complaints toOfcom.Following her controversial performance at the musical festivalMawazinein 2015, Moroccan Prime MinisterAbdelilah Benkiranecalled it "indecent" and "disgraceful", while an education group claimed that she "disturbed public order and tarnished women's honor and respect".
Lopez's films often see her playing "relatable everywomen",with Cady Lang ofTimewriting: "A longtime hallmark of Lopez's filmography is her penchant for stories about survivors. Her characters are never shrinking violets."Discussing the roles she is drawn to, Lopez said in 1998: "I don't think of them as strong women ... I like characters that are really part of the story as opposed to window dressing, but I think the interesting thing is that they are real people. Nobody walks around being strong all the time."
Film criticStephanie Zacharekdescribed Lopez as "one of the most gifted and appealing performers of the past two decades ... and yet the movies have rarely known what to do with her and her significant gifts as an actor."While Lopez received acclaim for her early film work,The New York Timeswriter Kyle Buchanan noted that her tendency to star in romantic comedies, and her pop music career, "lowered her critical bona fides".Taylor Hackford, who directed Lopez inParker, said she "can really act": "She knows how to transmit nuances, to make the subtlest of shifts. Does she have humor? Yes. But at the same time she can get into the deepest dramatic areas."Lopez, who identifies the romantic comedy as her favorite film genre,has been referred to as the "Patron Saint of Romantic Comedies"and the "Queen of Romantic Comedies".
In her early films, Lopez played stereotypical roles which signified her as a "racialized, exoticized"other. In films such asBlood and WineandU Turn, her body is fetishized "through extreme close-ups" and "framed as animalistic, primitive, and irresistibly dangerous to the Anglo American male characters."This shifted with her role inSelena, which "affirmed her Latinx identity, and won her the loyalty of that significant section of the U.S. and global audience."She has also been criticized for playing ethnically ambiguous parts and tapping into "the ability to perform apanethnicother" to commodify herself.Her role as an Italian woman inThe Wedding Plannerhas been described as "a case of classic Hollywood whitewashing."
Lopez has been a polarizing figure in popular culture.Andrew Barker ofVarietywrites that she "exhibits a plethora of contradictions", observing: "Despite a carefully cultivated image as an imperious pop empress in ludicrously expensive outfits, her signature hits bear the titles 'I'm Real' and 'Jenny From the Block'."In 2002, Lynette Holloway ofThe New York Timesdescribed Lopez's image as including "a dash ofghetto fabulousness" and "middle-class respectability" for mass appeal.The media discerned a shift in her public image upon joiningAmerican Idolin 2011,withEntertainment Weeklywriting: "Gone was her old cut-a-bitch swagger; J. Lo 2.0 is an all-embracing,Oprahfiedearthmadre."PeopleeditorPeter CastrosaidAmerican Idolmade Lopez "a celebrity of the people" whereas before, "there was a huge distance with the American public."
Lopez is widely celebrated for her curvaceous hourglass figure,which earned her the nicknameLa Guitarra(the guitar).Vanity Fairdescribed her buttocks as "in and of themselves, a cultural icon".Recounting her experience on early films, Lopez stated: "I've always had costume people looking at me a little weary and immediately fitting me out with things to hide my bottom."She often wears revealing outfits to accentuate her curves.Author Mary Beltrán opined that for Lopez to "unashamedly display her well-endowed posterior during this time period" could be viewed as "a revolutionary act with respect to Anglo beauty ideals".However, she was also criticized for perceived changes in her image upon launching her music career,which included "weight loss and lightening her hair".
Considered a fashion icon, Lopez is known for her sense of style and "breaking fashion rules".She is recognized for both her "bold" red carpet fashion,including fourteen appearances at thehaute coutureMet Galain New York City, and her everyday street style, which is "discussed ad infinitum by the fashion press."British Voguesaid she "added megawatt glamour to every outfit she wore",withBillboarddescribing her style as "scantily clad".Lopez's style has been influenced by "women who epitomize old Hollywood glamour likeRita Hayworth", as well as her Bronx upbringing andNuyoricanidentity.Described as the "ultimatesex symbol" of the early 21st century,various publications have ranked her as the most beautiful or sexiest woman in the world, includingPeople,People en Español,Vibe,Details,andFHM, with Lopez topping the latter's100 Sexiest Womenlist twice.Lopez has criticized "this funny notion in America that you can't be a mom and be sexy", stating: "The truth is that women can be sexy until the day they die."She has a large following on social media, being the14th most-followed individualon Instagram and having one of the50 most-followed accountson Twitter.On theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA)'s "Music Fuels" ranking, Lopez is the eighth-most-followed musician across Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.She is the richest Latin actress, with an estimated net worth of US$400million.
Described as "one of the most photographed women in the world",Lopez has long been a tabloid fixture, and admits to having a "less-than-perfect" public image.Frances Negrón-Muntanerwrote that by 1999, "Internet chat rooms exploded with anti-Lopez babble" and she became "one of the easiest moving targets for cheap laughs as well as anxieties about working-class 'loud' sexuality and specifically Latino visibility."Much of the media coverage surrounding Lopez in the 2000s "focused on her dramatic private life",with several writers describing her as overexposed at the time, despite her continued success.Media outlets often liken her to actressElizabeth Taylor, due to her numerous failed relationships and glamorous public persona.Her high-profile relationship with Combs was described as having "defined an age",withVanity Fairwriting that they entered "the pantheon of slightly notorious celebrity couples:LizandDick, Frank and Ava."
Throughout her career, she has also received a bad reputation as being a demanding and outspoken "diva",something which she denies, stating: "I've always been fascinated by how much more well-behaved we have to be than men."Some of the backlash and fabricated tabloid stories surrounding Lopez have been attributed to her 1998 interview withMovieline, in which she was quoted as criticizing various actors and directors. Lopez, who "cried for hours" after the article was published, said the comments were made in jest and she was "so misquoted and so taken out of context".In 2003,Lawrence DoneganofThe Guardianposited that "indefensible" misogyny and racism were to blame for her position as "the most vilified woman in modern popular culture".In 2021,Ben Afflecksaid: "People were so fucking mean about her; sexist, racist, ugly vicious shit was written about her in ways that if you wrote it now, you would literally be fired for saying some of the things you said."
Lopez is regarded as one of the most influential Latin entertainers of all time, credited with breaking racial barriers in the entertainment industry.She was described as "the first Latina superstar" by writerNed Zeman,and the "embodiment of theAmerican Dream" by Robert C. Cottrell inIcons of American Popular Culture(2009).Often dubbed the "Queen of Dance",she is considered atriple threatperformer,and was one of few actors to successfully cross over into music.Rachel SklarofThe Huffington Postcalled Lopez a trailblazer, writing: "Beyoncé,Miley, Gaga, any actress who's ever released an album — they are all standing on the shoulders of J.Lo. She was a true triple threat — actress, singer, dancer ... and packaged it sometimes outrageously but always sexily."Lopez is considered apop icon,withVH1ranking her at number 15 on their list of200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons,number 16 on 100 Greatest Women In Music,and number 21 on 50 Greatest Women of the Video Era.
The highest-paid Latina actress in history,Lopez's film career has been credited with paving the way for greater representation ofLatino Americansin Hollywood,which was historically a "whites-only preserve".Biographer Kathleen Tracy opined that "Lopez blazed a trail no openly Latin actress had gone before", noting that previous Latina stars cosmetically downplayed their ethnicity and changed their names.WithOut of Sight(1998), she achieved "ethnic 'blind' casting",making her an "anomaly in the traditionally white space" of mainstream Hollywood.By deliberately avoiding stereotypical roles, biographerJames Robert Parishsaid Lopez "helped minimize racial boundaries in show business."Her perceived Academy Award snub forHustlers(2019) was referenced by Los Angeles mayorEric Garcettiwhen announcing a new initiative for Latino representation in Hollywood.
With her musical debut, Lopez contributed to the 1990s "Latin explosion" in entertainment;The Recording Academycalled her the "breakout female star" of the Latin pop movement in American music.HistorianRoger Brunsconsidered her "an influential force in driving a growing Latin cultural influence in popular music" at the time.Her career ascent has been credited with paving the way for American-born Latina pop artists includingSelena GomezandBecky G,and for Latin American pop artists to venture into English music, includingShakira,ThalíaandPaulina Rubio.Along withRicky Martin, she helped increase the visibility of Latin music in international markets including East Asia and Canada.Due to her "multi-tasking career", she has been described as "the next-generationMadonna",and "the first woman to demonstrate that a Madonna could be a Latina".
Lopez's music has been credited with helping influence the trajectory of2000smusic,including dance music,Latin music,R&B,andpop rapcollaborations.Billboardnamed her theGreatest Pop Starof the year 2001.ScholarMiriam Jiménez Románsuggested that Lopez, who represents the "often-suppressed" history of Puerto Ricans in hip hop culture, was "able to traverse the difficult racial boundaries".In 2011, following her return to prominence, Lopez was deemed the "world's greatest musical comeback act", based on a study which analysed over one billionGooglesearches since 2004.In 2019, she was named among the most powerful people in entertainment byThe Hollywood Reporter.From 2022 to 2024, Lopez was included in the magazine'sPower 100list, as one of the most powerful women in entertainment.In July 2023,Madame Tussauds New Yorkunveiled a wax figure of Lopez inspired by her performance at theSuper Bowl LIV halftime show.In 2024,Billboardincluded Lopez among the honorable mentions of its25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Centurylisticle; the magazine stated that "no one defined celebrity at the beginning of the 21st century quite like [Lopez]" and that she "helped define an era where hip-hop, R&B and pop all got more cuddly together than ever before".
Lopez was named one ofTime's100 most influential people in the worldin 2018.In 2012,Forbesranked her as theworld's most powerful celebrityand the38th most powerful woman.Latinamagazine founderChristy Haubeggerattributed Lopez's influence to her being "the first icon that generationally fits" young Latino Americans who followedcelebrity culture.Lopez was featured on the first cover ofLatinain 1996, with editor Galina Espinoza writing in 2011 that there is "no recounting of modern Latina history without Jennifer".
Jonathan Van Meter ofVoguedescribed Lopez as having "changed the face of modern celebrity."Her ability to start trends has prompted the usage of the phrase "the J.Lo effect" in popular culture, which has been used in various different contexts,including the trend of networks hiring "big name" judges for reality competition programs after Lopez's successful casting onAmerican Idol.With her moniker J.Lo, Lopez started a trend of celebrities being given abbreviated nicknames, while "Bennifer" began the convention of celebrity couplename blending.
Described by scholar Helene A. Shugart of theUniversity of Utahas "arguably the most visible Latina in contemporary mainstream popular culture", Lopez has been the subject of considerableacademic analysis, including in relation to ethnicity, class, "body politics",race, Latin culture, and gender.While credited with opening "the door to [Latino culture having a] broader appeal",Lopez has also been a polarizing figure, generating "often vehement disagreement about what is and isn't Latino."
As a result of thepublic emphasis onher curvaceous figure, Lopez has been credited with influencing a shift in culturalbeauty standards.The surge in popularity ofbuttock augmentationsurgery in the early 2000s was attributed to Lopez.InLatin Sensations(2001), Herón Marquez wrote: "Because she wasn't rail thin, Lopez had broken the mold ... Suddenly, it was okay for women to have hips, curves, and a big backside."This has been considered a sign of Lopez's social power in "changing cultural standards within the mainstream media as a whole".
In 2014, scientists named a species of aquaticmitefound in Puerto Rico,Litarachna lopezae, after Lopez.InTok Pisin, a language spoken inPapua New Guinea, the termpalopais used to describe non-heteronormative people whose identities may correlate with western definitions of homosexual men or trans women; its etymology is derived from the name Jennifer Lopez.In 2019, she was presented with keys to the city ofMiami Beach, with July 24 being declared "Jennifer Lopez Day".
TheCouncil of Fashion Designers of Americapresented Lopez with its Fashion Icon Award in 2019 for her "long-standing and global impact on fashion".Hergreen Versace "Jungle Dress"was voted the fifth most iconic red carpet dress of all time in a poll run byThe Daily Telegraph.The dress had a significant impact on the fashion industry, celebrity endorsements, and the evolution ofred carpet fashion.The images of Lopez wearing the dress became the most popular search query of all time at that point, and subsequently led to the creation ofGoogle'simage search.Lopez has been credited with popularizing various fashion and beauty trends throughout her career.In 2003, she inspired a trend of curviermannequinsbeing designed, which fuelled a rise in sales for manufacturers and retailers.Lopez's personal style and brand deals have had a considerable effect on sales in the fashion industry.The success ofLouis Vuitton's fall 2003 campaign, for which Lopez was the brand's model, led to more Hollywood stars "becoming image models of fashion and cosmetic labels".In 2021,The Daily Telegraphreported that she was among ten celebrities whose personal style choices drove the greatest spikes in searches and news coverage for brands.Her appearance atMilan Fashion Weekin 2019 generated over $31.8 million in total media impact value.
Described as a "branding pioneer", Lopez has been credited with ushering in a new era ofcelebrity branding.Her first fragrance,Glow by JLo, influenced the rise of celebrity fragrances in the 2000s.Her fragrance line became the most successful celebrity line in the world, with sales exceeding $2 billion as of 2012.Lopez'sclothing brandwas one of the first celebrity fashion lines;scholars have credited her with redefining "how fashion is produced and entwined with other artistic endeavors",and popularizing a trend of utilizing racial ambiguity for branding purposes in fashion and cosmetics.As of 2022, her business ventures have cumulatively earned over US$5 billion in sales globally.
As of 2022, Lopez has sold more than 80 million records worldwide and amassed over 15 billion streams; her films have grossed a cumulative total ofUS$3.1billionwhile her business ventures have cumulatively made overUS$5billionin consumer sales.She remains the only female entertainer to have a number one album and film simultaneously in the United States.WithJ.Lo(2001), Lopez became the first female solo recording artist underEpic Recordsto achieve a number one album in the United States since its inception in 1953.J to tha L-O! The Remixes(2002) was acknowledged by theGuinness World Recordsas the first number oneremix albumon the U.S.Billboard200.Lopez's single "On the Floor" is among thebest-selling singles of all time, and its music video was recognized as the "Highest Viewed Female Music Video of All Time" byGuinness World Recordsin 2012.Billboardnamed Lopez the topHot 100female artist and the greatest pop star of 2001.The magazine ranked her as the ninth-greatest dance club artist of all time in 2016, having scored 18 number-one songs on itsDance Club Songschart.She was named the top Latin touring artist of the decade byPollstarin 2021.In 2024,Billboardlisted Lopez among the honorable mentions of its "25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century" listicle, writing that "no one defined celebrity at the beginning of the 21st century quite like [Lopez]".
In 2010, Lopez was honored by theWorld Music Awardswith the Legend Award for her contribution to the arts.In 2013, she was presented with the prestigious landmark 2,500th star on theHollywood Walk of Famefor her musical contributions,andUnivisionpresented her with the World Icon Award in itsPremios Juventud.In 2014, she became the first female recipient of theBillboardIcon Award.In 2017, she was awarded theTelemundoStar Award at theBillboardLatin Music Awards.In 2018, Lopez received theMichael Jackson Video Vanguard Awardat the2018 MTV Video Music Awards, making her the first Latin performer to receive the honor since its introduction in 1984.In 2022, she received theGeneration Awardat theMTV Movie & TV Awardsfor her contributions to film and television,and theIcon Awardat theiHeart Radio Music Awards.
Films starred
Lopez has written a memoir and co-written a children's book.
Headlining tours
Co-headlining tours
Residencies
Cancelled tours