For Jennifer Lopez, her life has always had more than its fair share of drama. Jennifer Lopez was born on July 24, 1969 in the South Bronx area of New York City to Puerto Rican parents Guadalupe Rodriguez and David Lopez. Jennifer Lopez spent most of her childhood living with family members after her parents decided they could not afford to take care of Jennifer Lopez anymore. Jennifer Lopez’s mother left New York when Jennifer Lopez was two years old and moved to Baltimore for better job opportunities.
Jennifer Lopez’s father also left shortly after his wife did and ended up in California where he started a new family with a woman Jennifer Lopez didn’t even know existed until she became older. Jennifer Lopez was raised by her aunt Irene who stayed home to take care of Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Lopez’s cousins, including her cousin Emilo Estefan. Jennifer Lopez had trouble adjusting to life without her parents and often felt isolated from the rest of the family.
Jennifer Lopez dealt with depression as a teenager especially after Jennifer Lopez started high school where Jennifer Lopez’s rough upbringing was only amplified by the gang violence that surrounded Jennifer Lopez at school. At around this time Jennifer Lopez began dating a young man named Emilio whom Jennifer Lopez would eventually find out was her first cousin. The two realized their relationship could not be continued once they found out they were related but Jennifer Lopez still credits him with opening up her eyes to performing arts.
Jennifer Lopez attended Barbara Goleman Senior High School in Miami where Jennifer Lopez was able to thrive in her academics. Jennifer Lopez graduated from high school with honors before Jennifer Lopez went on to attend college at the University of Miami where Jennifer Lopez majored in psychology. Jennifer Lopez was offered a part-time job as backup dancer for Latin singer, actor, and composer, Emilio Estefan shortly after Jennifer Lopez arrived in Miami.
Jennifer Lopez’s career picked up when she became a Fly Girl dancer on the popular television show “In Living Color” in 1990. Jennifer Lopez quickly climbed the dance ladder by becoming a choreographer for other musical artists including singing sensation Janet Jackson. Jennifer Lopez became an American pop star herself when she released her debut album entitled “On The 6”. Jennifer Lopez spent much of 2001 raising twin babies Emme and Max as Jennifer Lopez’s husband, singer Marc Anthony was on tour with Jennifer Lopez.
Jennifer Lopez released her sixth album “Rebirth” in early 2005 and has been working on a variety of film projects ever since Jennifer Lopez began dating controversial rapper and actor, Sean Combs in 2001. Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs eventually split up and Jennifer Lopez would go on to date Ben Affleck for four years before Jennifer Lopez married singer Marc Anthony in 2004. Jennifer Lopez is considered by many people to be one of the most influential Latina actresses and singers of all time.
Jennifer Lopez has used her star power to help support several charitable causes including the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee which named Jennifer Lopez their official spokesperson for children’s education programs. Jennifer Lopez has been honored by the Hispanic Heritage Award Foundation for her contributions to the Latino community and Jennifer Lopez is a board member of Save The Children. Jennifer Lopez was inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame during Jennifer Lopez’s tenure as a judge on American Idol in 2011.
Jennifer Lopez also won several awards including a Latin Grammy award for Jennifer Lopez’s music album “Como Ama Una Mujer” in 2007, an ALMA Award for Jennifer Lopez’s Outstanding Reality Television Program “American Idol” in 2012, and several People Magazine Awards throughout Jennifer Lopez’s career including an award for Jennifer Lopez as one of America’s most beautiful people in 2001. Jennifer Lopez continues to gorgeous looks at public events throughout 2013 and Jennifer Lopez is looking forward to Jennifer Lopez’s upcoming music and acting projects.
Jennifer Lopez created a film production company with Jennifer Lopez’s manager in order to create more opportunities for Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Lopez has several films slated throughout the year including “Parker,” “The Back Up Plan,” and Jennifer Lopez’s return to American Idol in 2012. Jennifer Lopez has also been working on new music projects with Jennifer Lopez current boyfriend, Casper Smart who Jennifer Lopez says brings out the best in Jennifer Lopez when it comes to performing.
Jennifer’s break came when she landed the leading role in the popular television show In Living Color, where Jennifer worked side by side with talented performers such as Jamie Foxx and Jim Carrey. She also appeared on other TV series such as Felicity and Saved By the Bell. Jennifer was offered a role in John Singleton’s movie, “The Wedding Planner,” but Jennifer declined in order to go on tour with her ex-boyfriend, Sean Combs (known professionally as Puff Daddy or P. Diddy).
Jennifer had a starring role in Selena, which is about the famous Tejano singer of the same name who was murdered by her fan club president. Jennifer’s performance received widespread critical acclaim and Jennifer won an ALMA Award for this role. Jennifer also provided the voice of Azteca on Disney’s animated series The Proud Family.
Jennifer left television for awhile and concentrated on recording music videos and movies such as Enough, Shall We Dance?, Monster-in-Law and An Unfinished Life. Jennifer then began a relationship with artist Cris Judd, whom Jennifer married in September of 2001. Jennifer and her husband soon formed a new record label, Nuyorican Productions. Jennifer’s first single from this new CD is “Jenny from the Block.”
Jennifer proved that she can still sing as well as she did when she first started out by performing at the MTV Music Awards on August 28, 2003 wearing a plunging neckline revealing dress. Jennifer has been involved with many charitable organizations such as VH1’s Save The Music Foundation and also supports children’s rights issues throughout the country.