How Jennifer Lopez built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Jennifer Lopez, also known as J.Lo, is a multifaceted American entertainer celebrated as a singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and businesswoman. She's recognized as a highly influential figure who broke barriers for Latino Americans in Hollywood and significantly contributed to the Latin pop movement. Furthermore, Lopez has made a substantial impact on popular culture, particularly through her influence on fashion, branding, and evolving mainstream beauty standards.
In 1953, Epic Records was founded, and Jennifer Lopez was the first female solo recording artist to have a number-one album under the label, which she achieved in 2001.
In 1961, Jennifer Lopez was inspired by Rita Moreno's performance in the musical film West Side Story, as Moreno was the only performer Lopez could identify with, given the lack of Latino representation on television at the time.
In 1979, Jennifer Lopez was profoundly impacted by the hip hop song "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang, which she credits with changing her life.
In 1989, Jennifer Lopez's first professional job involved touring Europe for five months with the musical revue show Golden Musicals of Broadway.
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.
In 1991, Jennifer Lopez danced for New Kids on the Block at the American Music Awards and participated in regional productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Oklahoma!.
In 1991, Jennifer Lopez made her television debut as a Fly Girl on the sketch comedy series In Living Color.
In late 1991, Jennifer Lopez moved to Los Angeles for the Fly Girl job on In Living Color, filming during the day and attending acting classes at night.
In 1993, Jennifer Lopez left In Living Color to work as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson, but opted to pursue an acting career instead.
In 1993, the Broadway musical Kiss of the Spider Woman debuted, which Jennifer Lopez is adapting into a film in which she will star and executive produce.
Jennifer Lopez appeared in the television film Lost in the Wild in 1993.
In 1994, Jennifer Lopez's first professional acting job was a recurring role on the television show South Central.
In 1996, Jennifer Lopez had a supporting role in the comedy Jack and starred opposite Jack Nicholson in the neo-noir thriller Blood and Wine.
In 1996, Jennifer Lopez was featured on the first cover of Latina magazine, marking a significant moment in her career and influence.
The Elmore Leonard novel, Out of Sight, which Jennifer Lopez would later star in the adaptation of, was released in 1996.
In 1997, Jennifer Lopez decided to pursue a music career. She also appeared in the Sean Combs music video "Been Around the World".
In 1997, Jennifer Lopez starred as Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in the biopic Selena, becoming the first Latina actress to earn $1 million. She also starred in Anaconda.
In 1998, Jennifer Lopez expressed her preference for playing characters integral to the story, emphasizing that she likes characters that are real people rather than window dressing.
In 1998, Jennifer Lopez played a leading role in Out of Sight, establishing herself as a prominent actress.
In 1998, Jennifer Lopez starred opposite George Clooney in Out of Sight. Also in 1998, Lopez provided the voice of Azteca in the animated film Antz, became a spokesperson for Coca-Cola and L'Oréal.
With Out of Sight in 1998, Jennifer Lopez achieved "ethnic 'blind' casting", making her an "anomaly in the traditionally white space" of mainstream Hollywood.
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, watched by over one billion viewers worldwide.
In 1999, Jennifer Lopez successfully ventured into the music industry with her debut album, On the 6.
In January 2001, Jennifer Lopez achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first woman to have a number-one film, The Wedding Planner, and a number-one album, J.Lo, simultaneously. The Wedding Planner, co-starring Matthew McConaughey, was a box office success despite receiving negative reviews.
In November 2001, Jennifer Lopez's two-concert residency in Puerto Rico was broadcast as an NBC special, Jennifer Lopez in Concert. The event was a major success, drawing an audience of nearly 12 million viewers in the United States, making it one of the year's most-watched concert specials.
In 2001, Billboard named Jennifer Lopez the Greatest Pop Star of the year.
In 2001, Herón Marquez noted that Jennifer Lopez's curvaceous figure had broken the mold, making it acceptable for women to have hips, curves, and a big backside.
In 2001, Jennifer Lopez became the first woman to simultaneously have a number-one album, J.Lo, and a number-one film in the United States, with her album J.Lo, and the romantic comedy The Wedding Planner.
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. Her film Angel Eyes was released in 2001, starring opposite Jim Caviezel; while Lopez's performance was praised, the film was a critical and commercial disappointment.
In 2001, with her album J.Lo, Jennifer Lopez became the first female solo recording artist under Epic Records since 1953 to achieve a number-one album in the United States, also remaining the only female entertainer to have a number-one album and film simultaneously in the United States.
In 2002, Jennifer Lopez released two albums: J to tha L–O! The Remixes and This Is Me... Then. J to tha L–O! The Remixes became the first remix album to top the US Billboard 200.
In 2002, Jennifer Lopez released two albums: J to tha L–O! The Remixes, which made history as the first remix album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200, and her third studio album, This Is Me... Then, which was heavily influenced by her relationship with Ben Affleck. "Jenny from the Block" was viewed as a response to criticism that Lopez had alienated her "core fan base".
In 2002, Jennifer Lopez starred in the thriller Enough and the romantic comedy Maid in Manhattan. Also, in 2002 she opened Madre's, a Los Angeles restaurant, and released her first fragrance, Glow by JLo, which became the top-selling fragrance in the U.S.
In 2002, Jennifer Lopez's album J to tha L-O! The Remixes was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the first number-one remix album on the U.S. Billboard 200.
In 2003, Jennifer Lopez faced widespread media criticism due to her public relationship with Ben Affleck. She starred opposite Affleck in the box-office bomb Gigli. Also in 2003, she released her second fragrance Still Jennifer Lopez, and became the face of Louis Vuitton's fall advertising campaign.
In 2003, Jennifer Lopez inspired a trend of curvier mannequins, leading to increased sales for manufacturers and retailers.
In 2003, the failure of Jennifer Lopez's film Gigli contributed to a career downturn.
In 2004, Jennifer Lopez starred in the film Jersey Girl in a minor role and starred opposite Richard Gere in Shall We Dance?, which was a box-office success. In 2004, Lopez's clothing lines and fragrances generated over $300 million in revenue.
In 2004, Jennifer Lopez starred in the romantic comedy Shall We Dance?
Jennifer Lopez's "world's greatest musical comeback act" in 2011 was based on a study which analysed over one billion Google searches since 2004.
In 2005, Jennifer Lopez dedicated her album "Rebirth" to Paige Peterson, an eleven-year-old cancer patient who had befriended at the hospital who died in 2004.
In 2005, Jennifer Lopez starred in Monster-in-Law, a box office success that played up her "Gigli-and-tabloid tarnished image." She also released her fourth studio album, Rebirth, and launched her second fashion label, Sweetface. Also in 2005, she appeared in a Kill Bill-inspired Pepsi commercial with Beyoncé and David Beckham.
In 2005, Jennifer Lopez starred in the drama An Unfinished Life alongside Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman. Critics expressed that they were not satisfied with anything she did at that time.
In 2005, Jennifer Lopez starred in the romantic comedy Monster-in-Law.
In 2006, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony co-starred in the movie El Cantante.
In 2006, Jennifer Lopez reunited with director Gregory Nava to star in the crime drama Bordertown as a journalist investigating female homicides in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The film was negatively reviewed and received a direct-to-video release.
In February 2007, Jennifer Lopez was honored with the Artists for Amnesty prize by Amnesty International for her work in "Bordertown", a movie that shed light on feminicides in Ciudad Juarez.
In September 2007, while pregnant with twins, Jennifer Lopez embarked upon her first ever concert tour, a show co-headlined by Anthony. The tour was well received.
In 2007, Jennifer Lopez released Como Ama una Mujer, which broke first-week sales records for a debut Spanish album.
In 2007, Jennifer Lopez starred opposite her then-husband Marc Anthony in the music biopic El Cantante, which told the story of Puerto Rican salsa singer Héctor Lavoe and his wife Puchi. It did not perform well at the box office and received mixed reviews from film critics.
In February 2008, Jennifer Lopez gave birth to twins and subsequently took a career break. Her restaurant Madre's closed permanently, as did her two fashion lines.
In 2009, Billboard ranked Jennifer Lopez number 50 on its Decade-End list, recognizing her as one of the most successful artists of the 2000s.
In 2009, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony purchased a stake in the Miami Dolphins.
In 2009, Jennifer Lopez and her sister, Lynda, launched the Lopez Family Foundation (originally known as the Maribel Foundation).
In late 2009, after rehiring former manager Medina, Jennifer Lopez released two songs, "Louboutins" and "Fresh Out of the Oven". However, the songs failed to chart on Billboard, leading to her departure from Sony Music and Epic Records.
In 2010, Jennifer Lopez was honored with the Legend Award by the World Music Awards for her contribution to the arts.
In 2010, Jennifer Lopez's first theatrical role in three years was in the romantic comedy The Back-up Plan. The film was not well-received and Jennifer Lopez was described as an appealing screen presence.
In 2011, Jennifer Lopez joined the judging panel of American Idol for its tenth season, replacing Simon Cowell. This appearance marked a significant turning point in her career, leading to a remarkable comeback.
In 2011, Jennifer Lopez returned to prominence as a judge on American Idol. She also released the album Love? in the same year.
In 2011, Jennifer Lopez was deemed the "world's greatest musical comeback act", based on a study which analysed over one billion Google searches since 2004.
In 2011, the media discerned a shift in Jennifer Lopez's public image upon joining American Idol, noting a transition from a "cut-a-bitch swagger" to a more "all-embracing, Oprahfied earth madre" persona.
In early 2011, Jennifer Lopez released her seventh studio album, Love?, after signing with Island Records. The single "On the Floor" became the year's highest-selling single by a female artist. Around this time, 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 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, with a focus on aiding victims of Hurricane Sandy.
As of 2012, Jennifer Lopez's fragrance line, which started with Glow by JLo, became the most successful celebrity line in the world, with sales exceeding $2 billion.
From 2012, Jennifer Lopez voiced Shira in the animated Ice Age franchise.
In 2012, Forbes ranked Jennifer Lopez as the world's most powerful celebrity and the 38th most powerful woman.
In 2012, Jennifer Lopez endorsed President Barack Obama in his presidential campaign, appearing in television advertisements and attending fundraising events for Obama.
In 2012, Jennifer Lopez returned as a judge for American Idol's eleventh season and released her greatest hits album, Dance Again... the Hits. She also launched the Dance Again World Tour, her first headlining concert tour and launched Teeology, a luxury T-shirt brand.
In 2012, Jennifer Lopez starred in "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and voiced Shira in "Ice Age: Continental Drift". She also appeared in the talent show "¡Q'Viva! The Chosen" which showcased Latin American talent.
In 2012, Jennifer Lopez's music video for her single "On the Floor" was recognized by Guinness World Records as the "Highest Viewed Female Music Video of All Time."
In June 2013, Jennifer Lopez was presented with amfAR's humanitarian award for her philanthropic work.
In 2013, Jennifer Lopez starred in the crime thriller "Parker", released the single "Live It Up", founded the mobile phone retail brand Viva Móvil, was named chief creative officer of NuvoTV, and served as an executive producer of the television series "The Fosters".
In 2013, Jennifer Lopez was presented with the 2,500th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her musical contributions, and Univision presented her with the World Icon Award in its Premios Juventud.
At the 2014 Billboard Music Awards, Jennifer Lopez became the first female recipient of the Billboard Icon Award.
In 2014, Jennifer Lopez returned to American Idol as a judge, released her album "A.K.A.", performed "We Are One (Ole Ola)" for the FIFA World Cup, partnered with Endless Jewelry, and released her book "True Love".
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), participating in the campaign "Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are".
In 2015, Jennifer Lopez starred in "The Boy Next Door", had a voice role in the animated feature "Home" and contributed the single "Feel the Light" to the film's official soundtrack. She also starred in the independent drama film "Lila & Eve".
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, noting she had scored 18 number-one songs on its Dance Club Songs chart.
In 2016, Jennifer Lopez continued as a judge on American Idol. She also starred in the police drama series Shades of Blue.
In 2016, Jennifer Lopez endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, headlining a free concert in Florida in support of her that October.
In May 2017, Jennifer Lopez was an executive producer and judge on NBC's dance competition series World of Dance, which premiered that month.
In September 2017, following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, Jennifer Lopez donated $1 million from the proceeds of her Las Vegas residency to humanitarian aid for Puerto Rico and, along with Marc Anthony, launched the Somos Una Voz humanitarian relief campaign.
From 2017, Jennifer Lopez served as a judge on World of Dance.
In 2020, it was noted that Jennifer Lopez's song "Pa' Ti" with Maluma became her most successful song since 2017.
In 2018, Jennifer Lopez concluded her role as executive producer of the television series "The Fosters".
In 2018, Jennifer Lopez finished her role in the police drama series Shades of Blue.
In 2018, Jennifer Lopez received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award during the MTV Video Music Awards, becoming the first Latin performer to receive the honor since its 1984 introduction.
In 2018, Jennifer Lopez released a series of Spanish and Spanglish singles, launched a makeup collection with Inglot Cosmetics, and starred in and executive produced the film "Second Act".
In 2018, Jennifer Lopez was named one of Time's 100 most influential people in the world.
In 2019, Jennifer Lopez embarked on the "It's My Party" international concert tour, signed with Hitco Entertainment, became the global face of Coach, launched a sunglasses collection with Quay Australia, modeled an updated version of her Green Versace dress and became executive producer of television series, Good Trouble and Thanks a Million.
In 2019, Jennifer Lopez garnered critical praise for her performance in the crime drama Hustlers.
In 2019, Jennifer Lopez starred in and executive produced the crime drama film "Hustlers", which garnered critical acclaim and award nominations.
In 2019, Jennifer Lopez was named among the most powerful people in entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter.
In 2019, Jennifer Lopez's perceived Academy Award snub for her role in Hustlers was referenced by Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti when announcing a new initiative for Latino representation in Hollywood.
In February 2020, Jennifer Lopez co-headlined the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in Miami, Florida alongside Shakira, receiving widespread praise.
In June 2020, Jennifer Lopez attended a Black Lives Matter movement protest in Los Angeles, in connection with the broader George Floyd protests.
In 2020, Jennifer Lopez finished her role as a judge on World of Dance.
In 2020, during her Super Bowl halftime show performance, Jennifer Lopez performed "Let's Get Loud" while cloaked in a large Puerto Rican flag, with children in metal cages displayed on the field as a 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 skin care line, JLo Beauty, and a shoe collection with DSW, and invested in companies including Hims & Hers Health, Bodyarmor SuperDrink, Goli nutritional supplements and meal delivery service Wonder.
In September 2021, Jennifer Lopez launched her philanthropic organization, Limitless Labs, which supports and empowers Latina entrepreneurs and business owners.
In 2021, Jennifer Lopez performed at President Joe Biden's inauguration, where she sang "This Land Is Your Land" and "America the Beautiful", while reciting the last phrase of the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish.
In 2021, Jennifer Lopez was named the top Latin touring artist of the decade by Pollstar.
Jennifer Lopez headlined the 2021 Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest special live from Times Square on ABC.
In January 2022, Jennifer Lopez became one of the co-chairs for Michelle Obama's When We All Vote.
In February 2022, Jennifer Lopez released the film "Marry Me" and its soundtrack, featuring the singles "On My Way" and "Marry Me".
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 as a national ambassador to empower women-led Latina businesses.
In June 2022, the documentary "Jennifer Lopez: Halftime", which focuses on her life following the release of Hustlers and preparation for the Super Bowl performance, was released on Netflix.
As of 2022, Jennifer Lopez had sold over 80 million records globally and amassed over 15 billion streams. Her films had grossed US$3.1 billion, and her business ventures had exceeded US$5 billion in consumer sales.
As of 2022, Jennifer Lopez's business ventures have cumulatively earned over US$5 billion in sales globally.
From 2022 to 2024, Jennifer Lopez was included in The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100 list, as one of the most powerful women in entertainment.
In 2022, Jennifer Lopez had a leading role in the film Marry Me.
In 2022, Jennifer Lopez received the Generation Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards for her contributions to film and television, and the Icon Award at the iHeart Radio Music Awards.
In January 2023, Jennifer Lopez's film "Shotgun Wedding" was released on Amazon Prime Video.
In May 2023, Jennifer Lopez starred in and co-produced the action thriller "The Mother", released on Netflix.
In 2023, Jennifer Lopez co-produced a series adaptation of Emily Henry's novel "Happy Place" for Netflix.
In 2023, Jennifer Lopez had a leading role in the film The Mother.
On February 3, 2024, Jennifer Lopez performed "Can't Get Enough" and the title track from her album "This Is Me... Now" on Saturday Night Live.
On February 16, 2024, Jennifer Lopez's ninth studio album, "This Is Me... Now", a sequel to her 2002 album, was released by Nuyorican and BMG.
In May 2024, Jennifer Lopez co-hosted the Met Gala and released a remix of "Waiting for Tonight" with Fisher.
In May 2024, Jennifer Lopez's film "Atlas" was released on Netflix and became the most-watched movie in 71 countries on its first day. The New York Times praised Lopez's performance in their review.
In December 2024, Jennifer Lopez's film "Unstoppable" received a limited theatrical release after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
In 2024, Billboard included Jennifer Lopez among the honorable mentions of its 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century, noting her significant impact on celebrity culture and the integration of hip-hop, R&B, and pop.
In 2024, Jennifer Lopez endorsed Kamala Harris during her presidential campaign and spoke at a Las Vegas rally for Harris.
In 2024, Jennifer Lopez had leading roles in the films This Is Me... Now: A Love Story and Atlas.
In April 2025, Jennifer Lopez announced the Up All Night Tour, which is scheduled to commence on July 8.
Billboard ranked Jennifer Lopez at number 22 on its 2025 "Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century" list.
In 2025, Jennifer Lopez is scheduled to appear in Kiss of the Spider Woman.
By 2030, Jennifer Lopez's partnership between Limitless Labs and Grameen America aims to empower women-led Latina businesses with 6 million hours of financial education and training.
Pepsi is a cola-flavored carbonated soft drink and the flagship...
Coca-Cola is a globally recognized cola soft drink produced by...
Selena Quintanilla-P rez known as Selena was an influential American...
Michelle Obama is an American attorney author and former First...
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll a Colombian singer-songwriter dubbed the Queen...
Google LLC is a multinational technology company specializing in online...
56 minutes ago Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry's Relationship Drama Unfolds After New Song Release.
57 minutes ago Brooks Nader's Wimbledon Wardrobe Mishap: TikTok Video Sparks Period Normalization Discussion
2 hours ago Christian Horner reportedly sacked by Red Bull after 20 years as team principal.
3 hours ago James Gunn updates on 'The Brave and the Bold' and Matt Reeves' 'The Batman 2'.
3 hours ago Kehlani Unfollows Chrisean Rock Amidst Intimacy Denial and Deportation Speculation on Instagram.
4 hours ago Trump's Tariff Easing on Serbia: Aims for Trade Deal with President Vucic
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
KPop Demon Hunters is a animated musical fantasy action comedy...
Candace Owens is an American conservative and far-right political commentator...
A blue moon is defined in several ways most commonly...
Chuck Schumer is a prominent American politician currently serving as...
Starbucks is an American multinational coffeehouse chain established in Seattle...