How Jennifer Lopez built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Jennifer Lopez, or J.Lo, is an influential American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and businesswoman. She is recognized for breaking barriers for Latino Americans in Hollywood and boosting the Latin pop movement in music. Lopez is also known for her impact on popular culture through fashion, branding, and altering mainstream beauty standards.
With the release of J.Lo in 2001, Lopez became the first female solo recording artist under Epic Records to achieve a number one album in the United States since its inception in 1953.
Since the introduction of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, Jennifer Lopez was the first Latin performer to receive the honor.
In 1989, Jennifer Lopez embarked on her first professional job, spending five months touring Europe with the musical revue show Golden Musicals of Broadway, marking an early step in her performance career.
In 1990, Jennifer Lopez danced alongside MC Hammer in an episode of Yo! MTV Raps and traveled around Japan for four months as a chorus member in Synchronicity, gaining experience as a dancer and performer.
In 1991, Jennifer Lopez made her television debut as a Fly Girl on the sketch comedy series In Living Color, marking the beginning of her career as a dancer and entertainer.
In 1991, Jennifer Lopez worked as a backup dancer for New Kids on the Block's performance at the American Music Awards and traveled with regional productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Oklahoma!, building her experience in the entertainment industry.
In late 1991, Jennifer Lopez moved to Los Angeles for the Fly Girl job on In Living Color, juggling filming during the day with acting classes at night, marking a significant step in her career.
In 1993, Jennifer Lopez appeared in the television film Lost in the Wild, an early role in her acting career.
In 1993, Lopez starred in and executive produced the Bill Condon-directed Kiss of the Spider Woman, a film adaption of the Broadway musical of the same name.
In 1993, after appearing as a Fly Girl in seasons three and four of In Living Color, Jennifer Lopez left to work as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson but ultimately opted to pursue an acting career, hiring Eric Gold as her manager.
In 1994, Jennifer Lopez secured her first professional acting job with a small recurring role on the television show South Central, marking the start of her acting career.
In 1996, Elmore Leonard wrote the novel Out of Sight, which was used to adapt into film in 1998, and Jennifer Lopez starred in.
In 1996, Jennifer Lopez had supporting roles in the comedy Jack and the neo-noir thriller Blood and Wine, further establishing her presence in the film industry.
In 1996, Jennifer Lopez was featured on the first cover of Latina magazine, marking a significant moment in her career and her representation in media.
In 1997, Jennifer Lopez rose to prominence as an actress with leading roles in the films Selena and Anaconda, establishing her as the highest-paid Latin actress and showcasing her acting abilities.
In 1997, Jennifer Lopez starred as Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in the biopic Selena, becoming the first Latina actress to earn $1 million for a film role. The film was a box office hit and her performance received critical acclaim, earning her a Golden Globe nomination.
In 1997, while working on her debut album, Jennifer Lopez appeared in the Sean Combs music video "Been Around the World" as part of Sony's major push to feature her with other high-profile entertainers.
In 1998, Jennifer Lopez said she prefers characters that are part of the story and real people, rather than window dressing.
In 1998, Jennifer Lopez starred in Out of Sight, solidifying her acting career and showcasing her versatility in a leading role.
In 1998, Jennifer Lopez starred opposite George Clooney in Out of Sight, receiving rave reviews for her performance. She also provided the voice of Azteca in Antz and became a spokesperson for Coca-Cola and L'Oréal, expanding her career beyond acting.
In 1998, with her role in Out of Sight, Jennifer Lopez achieved what was called "ethnic 'blind' casting", marking a significant moment in Hollywood by breaking barriers within the traditionally white mainstream.
In July 1999, Jennifer Lopez performed "If You Had My Love" and "Let's Get Loud" at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup closing ceremony, which was watched by over one billion viewers worldwide, exposing her music career to a larger international audience.
In 1999, Jennifer Lopez successfully ventured into the music industry with her debut album, On the 6, marking the beginning of her music career and expanding her entertainment presence.
In February 2000, Jennifer Lopez and then-boyfriend Sean Combs attended the Grammy Awards, with Lopez wearing a plunging green Versace silk chiffon dress that generated worldwide attention and became the most popular search query in Google's history, leading to the creation of Google Images.
In January 2001, Jennifer Lopez became the first woman to have a number one film and album simultaneously with the release of her second album, J.Lo, and her romantic comedy The Wedding Planner, marking a significant achievement in her career.
In November 2001, Jennifer Lopez's two-concert residency in Puerto Rico was broadcast as an NBC special, Jennifer Lopez in Concert, becoming one of the most-watched concert specials of the year in the United States.
In 2001, Billboard named Jennifer Lopez the Greatest Pop Star of the year, recognizing her impact on music.
In 2001, Billboard named Jennifer Lopez the top Hot 100 female artist, recognizing her impact on music.
In 2001, Herón Marquez wrote in Latin Sensations that Jennifer Lopez influenced a shift in cultural beauty standards, making it acceptable for women to have curves and a fuller figure.
In 2001, Jennifer Lopez became the first woman to simultaneously have the number one album and film in the United States with her second album, J.Lo, and the romantic comedy The Wedding Planner, marking a significant achievement in her career.
In 2001, Jennifer Lopez launched her first business venture, the clothing line J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez, catering to women of all sizes. She also founded her production company, Nuyorican Productions, with manager Benny Medina, expanding her career into business and production.
In 2002, J to tha L-O! The Remixes was recognized by Guinness World Records as the first number one remix album on the U.S. Billboard 200.
In 2002, Jennifer Lopez expanded her business ventures by opening Madre's, a Latin cuisine restaurant in Los Angeles, and released her first fragrance, "Glow by JLo", which became the top-selling fragrance in the U.S.
In 2002, Jennifer Lopez released "J to tha L–O! The Remixes", the first remix album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. She also released her third studio album, "This Is Me... Then", influenced by her relationship with Ben Affleck, which achieved commercial success and the highest opening sales week of her career.
In 2002, Jennifer Lopez released the album This Is Me... Then, to which her 2024 album is a sequel.
In 2002, Jennifer Lopez released two albums: J to tha L–O! The Remixes and This Is Me... Then, with the former becoming the first remix album to top the US Billboard 200, marking another achievement in her music career.
In 2002, Jennifer Lopez starred in the thriller "Enough", playing an abused wife. She also starred in the romantic comedy "Maid in Manhattan", which became the highest-grossing film of her career.
In 2003, Jennifer Lopez faced widespread media criticism due to her relationship with Ben Affleck. She also starred in the film "Gigli", which was a box-office bomb.
In 2003, Jennifer Lopez inspired a trend of designing curvier mannequins, which boosted sales for manufacturers and retailers in the fashion industry.
In 2003, the failure of Jennifer Lopez's film Gigli marked a career downturn following media scrutiny.
Later in 2003, Jennifer Lopez released her second fragrance, "Still Jennifer Lopez", and became the face of Louis Vuitton's fall advertising campaign.
In 2004, Jennifer Lopez befriended Paige Peterson, an eleven-year-old cancer patient at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
In 2004, Jennifer Lopez had a minor role in "Jersey Girl". Later that year, she starred in the romantic comedy-drama "Shall We Dance?", which was a box-office success.
In 2004, Jennifer Lopez starred in the romantic comedy Shall We Dance?, furthering her acting career in popular romantic comedies.
Jennifer Lopez's clothing lines and two fragrances generated over $300 million in revenue throughout 2004.
Since 2004, a Google search analysis contributed to her consideration as world's greatest musical comeback act in 2011.
Also in 2005, Jennifer Lopez launched her second fashion label, Sweetface, and appeared in a Kill Bill-inspired Pepsi commercial with Beyoncé and David Beckham.
In 2005, Jennifer Lopez dedicated her album "Rebirth" to Paige Peterson, a cancer patient she befriended at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
In 2005, Jennifer Lopez released the album Rebirth, following a career downturn.
In 2005, Jennifer Lopez starred in "Monster-in-Law", which became a box office success. She also released her fourth studio album, "Rebirth", symbolizing a new professional beginning.
In 2005, Jennifer Lopez starred in the drama "An Unfinished Life", alongside Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman.
In 2005, Jennifer Lopez starred in the romantic comedy Monster-in-Law, continuing her presence in popular romantic comedies.
In 2006, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony co-starred in the film "El Cantante" during their marriage.
In 2006, Jennifer Lopez starred in the crime drama "Bordertown", which received negative reviews.
In February 2007, Jennifer Lopez was honored with the Artists for Amnesty prize by Amnesty International for her work in Bordertown.
In September 2007, while pregnant with twins, Jennifer Lopez embarked upon her first ever concert tour, co-headlined by Marc Anthony, and created and produced the MTV show DanceLife.
In 2007, Jennifer Lopez released her first Spanish album, "Como Ama una Mujer", and her sixth studio album, "Brave".
In 2007, Jennifer Lopez released the album Como Ama una Mujer, which broke first-week sales records for a debut Spanish album, marking a comeback in her music career.
In 2007, Jennifer Lopez starred opposite her then-husband Marc Anthony in the music biopic "El Cantante", which received mixed reviews.
In 2009, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony purchased a stake in the Miami Dolphins.
In 2009, Jennifer Lopez launched the Lopez Family Foundation (originally known as the Maribel Foundation) with her sister, Lynda.
In 2009, Jennifer Lopez released two songs, "Louboutins" and "Fresh Out of the Oven", which led to her departure from Sony Music and Epic Records.
In 2009, Robert C. Cottrell described Jennifer Lopez as the "embodiment of the American Dream" in Icons of American Popular Culture, highlighting her success and influence.
In 2010, Jennifer Lopez starred in the romantic comedy "The Back-up Plan".
Around 2011, Jennifer Lopez became a brand ambassador for L'Oréal, Gilette Venus, Tous and Fiat. She also launched the Jennifer Lopez Collection with Tommy Hilfiger for Kohl's.
In 2011, Galina Espinoza stated that modern Latina history cannot be recounted without mentioning Jennifer Lopez, emphasizing her cultural impact.
In 2011, Jennifer Lopez joined American Idol, which media outlets observed as a shift in her public image, becoming an "all-embracing, Oprahfied earth madre."
In 2011, Jennifer Lopez joined the judging panel of American Idol, marking a turning point in her career and returning her to prominence.
In 2011, Jennifer Lopez released her seventh studio album, "Love?", and the single "On the Floor", which became the year's highest-selling single by a female artist.
In 2011, Jennifer Lopez returned to prominence as a judge on American Idol and released the album Love?, marking a resurgence in her career.
In 2011, Jennifer Lopez was considered the "world's greatest musical comeback act" following her return to prominence, based on a study analyzing Google searches since 2004.
In 2011, Jennifer Lopez's performance at the American Music Awards, where she wore a nude bodysuit, drew criticism.
In 2011, Priscilla Peña Ovalle's "Dance and the Hollywood Latina: Race, Sex and Stardom" noted Jennifer Lopez's use of dance to gain agency as a working performer.
In December 2012, Jennifer Lopez held a charity drive to benefit the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club, the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and the American Red Cross, primarily benefiting victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Also in 2012, Jennifer Lopez released her greatest hits album, "Dance Again... the Hits", and launched the Dance Again World Tour.
By 2012, Jennifer Lopez's fragrance line became the most successful celebrity line in the world, with sales surpassing $2 billion.
In 2012, Jennifer Lopez endorsed President Barack Obama in his presidential campaign.
In 2012, Jennifer Lopez launched Teeology, a luxury T-shirt brand.
In 2012, Jennifer Lopez returned as a judge for American Idol's eleventh season.
In 2012, Jennifer Lopez starred in the film "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and voiced Shira in "Ice Age: Continental Drift".
In 2012, Jennifer Lopez starred in ¡Q'Viva! The Chosen, as they travelled across 21 countries in Latin America to find new talent for a Las Vegas show.
In 2012, Jennifer Lopez's single "On the Floor" was recognized by Guinness World Records as the "Highest Viewed Female Music Video of All Time".
In May 2013, Jennifer Lopez's performance on the finale of the television series Britain's Got Talent was deemed inappropriate for family-friendly television, leading to viewer complaints.
In June 2013, amfAR presented Jennifer Lopez with its humanitarian award for her philanthropic work.
From 2013 to 2018, Jennifer Lopez served as an executive producer of the television series "The Fosters".
In 2013, Jennifer Lopez founded the mobile phone retail brand Viva Móvil and was named chief creative officer of NuvoTV.
In 2013, Jennifer Lopez starred alongside Jason Statham in the crime thriller "Parker", and released the single "Live It Up".
In 2014, Jennifer Lopez released "We Are One (Ole Ola)", the official song for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and partnered with Endless Jewelry on a range of jewelry.
In 2014, Jennifer Lopez released her book, "True Love", which became a New York Times best-seller.
In 2014, Jennifer Lopez returned to American Idol for its thirteenth season and released her eighth studio album, "A.K.A.".
In May 2015, Jennifer Lopez became the first celebrity spokesperson for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and the BC Children's Hospital Foundation (BCCHF).
In 2015, Jennifer Lopez had a voice role in the animated feature Home and contributed the single "Feel the Light" to the film's official soundtrack.
In 2015, Jennifer Lopez released "The Boy Next Door", an erotic thriller that Lopez both co-produced and starred in.
In 2015, Jennifer Lopez's performance at the Mawazine festival in Morocco caused controversy, with some calling it "indecent" and "disgraceful".
In January 2016, Jennifer Lopez began her "All I Have" concert residency in Las Vegas, signed a multi-album deal with Epic Records, and starred in the NBC crime drama "Shades of Blue", marking a significant expansion of her career across music and television.
In July 2016, Jennifer Lopez released a single entitled "Love Make the World Go Round", a collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda, which benefits victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.
In 2016, Billboard ranked Jennifer Lopez as the ninth-greatest dance club artist of all time, with 18 number-one songs on its Dance Club Songs chart.
In 2016, Jennifer Lopez endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, headlining a free concert in Florida in support of her.
In 2016, Jennifer Lopez starred in the police drama series Shades of Blue, showcasing her acting skills in a television role.
In May 2017, Jennifer Lopez served as executive producer and judge on NBC's dance competition series "World of Dance", which achieved significant ratings success upon its premiere.
In September 2017, following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, Jennifer Lopez donated $1 million from her Las Vegas residency proceeds to humanitarian aid for Puerto Rico and launched the Somos Una Voz campaign with Marc Anthony.
In 2017, Jennifer 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".
In 2017, Jennifer Lopez served as a judge on World of Dance, showcasing her expertise in dance and entertainment.
In 2018, Jennifer Lopez concluded her role in the police drama series Shades of Blue.
In 2018, Jennifer Lopez released several Spanish and Spanglish singles, including "Se Acabó el Amor" and "El Anillo", and launched a makeup collection in collaboration with Inglot Cosmetics, expanding her presence in both the music and beauty industries.
In 2019, Jennifer Lopez embarked on her "It's My Party" international tour to celebrate her 50th birthday, signed with Hitco Entertainment, became the global face of Coach, and launched a sunglasses collection with Quay Australia, marking a year of significant career achievements and brand partnerships.
In 2019, Jennifer Lopez garnered critical praise for her performance in the crime drama Hustlers, marking a high point in her acting career.
In 2019, Jennifer Lopez received the Fashion Icon Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and her appearance at Milan Fashion Week generated over $31.8 million in media impact value.
In 2019, Jennifer Lopez starred in and executive produced the film "Hustlers", earning critical acclaim and multiple award nominations for her performance as a veteran stripper.
In 2019, Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti referenced Jennifer Lopez's perceived Academy Award snub for her role in Hustlers when announcing a new initiative aimed at improving Latino representation in Hollywood.
In February 2020, Jennifer Lopez co-headlined the Super Bowl LIV halftime show with Shakira in Miami, Florida, a performance that was widely praised and became the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show to date.
In June 2020, Jennifer Lopez attended a Black Lives Matter movement protest in Los Angeles.
In 2020, Jennifer Lopez concluded her role as a judge on World of Dance.
In 2020, Jennifer Lopez performed at the Super Bowl halftime show, which included a political statement about the Mexico–United States border crisis and Trump's immigration policy.
In January 2021, Jennifer Lopez performed at the 2021 inauguration of President Joe Biden and launched her skincare line, JLo Beauty, expanding her business ventures.
In September 2021, Jennifer Lopez launched her own philanthropic organization, Limitless Labs, to support and empower Latina entrepreneurs and business owners.
In 2021, Jennifer Lopez headlined the Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest special live from Times Square on ABC.
In 2021, Jennifer Lopez performed at President Joe Biden's inauguration, singing "This Land Is Your Land" and "America the Beautiful."
In 2021, Jennifer Lopez was named the top Latin touring artist of the decade by Pollstar, showcasing her concert success.
In 2021, The Daily Telegraph reported that Jennifer Lopez was among ten celebrities whose style choices greatly increased brand searches and news coverage.
In January 2022, Jennifer Lopez became one of the co-chairs for Michelle Obama's When We All Vote.
In February 2022, Jennifer Lopez co-produced and starred in the romantic comedy "Marry Me" alongside Owen Wilson and Maluma, and released a soundtrack for the film.
In March 2022, Jennifer Lopez was appointed as the chief "entertainment and lifestyle" officer of the cruise line, Virgin Voyages.
In June 2022, Jennifer Lopez and Limitless Labs partnered with nonprofit Grameen America to empower women-led Latina businesses with business loans and financial education.
In June 2022, Jennifer Lopez's documentary "Jennifer Lopez: Halftime" was released on Netflix, garnering generally positive reviews from film critics.
As of 2022, Jennifer Lopez has sold over 80 million records worldwide and amassed over 15 billion streams; her films have grossed a cumulative total of US$3.1 billion.
As of 2022, Jennifer Lopez's business ventures have cumulatively earned over US$5 billion in sales globally, showcasing her entrepreneurial success.
In 2022, Jennifer Lopez produced and starred in the film Marry Me, which was successful on streaming services, showcasing her versatility as a producer and actress.
In January 2023, Jennifer Lopez co-produced and starred in the action-comedy "Shotgun Wedding", which was released on Amazon Prime Video.
In May 2023, Jennifer Lopez led and co-produced the action thriller feature "The Mother", released on Netflix, becoming the most-watched film on the platform in 2023.
In July 2023, Madame Tussauds New York unveiled a wax figure of Jennifer Lopez, inspired by her Super Bowl LIV halftime show performance, celebrating her career.
In 2023, Jennifer Lopez produced and starred in the film The Mother, which was successful on streaming services, further demonstrating her versatility as a producer and actress.
In 2023, Jennifer Lopez, as part of Artists4Ceasefire, signed a letter urging President Joe Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
In 2023, Lopez co-produce a series adaptation of Emily Henry's 2023 novel Happy Place for Netflix.
On February 3, 2024, Jennifer Lopez performed "Can't Get Enough" and the album's title track on Saturday Night Live to promote her new album.
On February 16, 2024, Jennifer Lopez released her ninth studio album, "This Is Me... Now", as part of a multimedia project including a film and documentary on Prime Video.
Filming for "Kiss of the Spider Woman", starring and executive produced by Jennifer Lopez, occurred from April to May 2024 in New Jersey.
In May 2024, Jennifer Lopez's sci-fi thriller "Atlas" was released on Netflix, achieving high viewership despite mixed reviews.
Jennifer Lopez was set to embark on the This Is Me... Live North American tour beginning June 2024, but cancelled it in order to spend more time with her family.
In December 2024, Jennifer Lopez starred in the biographical wrestling drama "Unstoppable", which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and received positive reviews for her performance.
In 2024, Billboard included Jennifer Lopez among the honorable mentions in its list of the 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century, emphasizing her significant impact on celebrity culture and the blending of hip-hop, R&B, and pop music.
In 2024, Jennifer Lopez endorsed Kamala Harris during her presidential campaign, speaking at a Las Vegas rally.
In 2024, Jennifer Lopez produced and starred in the films This Is Me... Now: A Love Story and Atlas, both successful on streaming services, demonstrating her continued presence in the entertainment industry.
By 2030, Jennifer Lopez's partnership with Grameen America aims to provide women-led Latina businesses with $14 billion in business loans and 6 million hours of financial education and training.