Jennifer Lynn Lopez, born July 24, 1969, in the Bronx, New York, is a multifaceted American entertainer known as J.Lo. Of Puerto Rican descent, she grew up in the Castle Hill neighborhood, raised by parents Guadalupe Rodríguez, a teacher, and David Lopez, a computer specialist. She has two sisters, Leslie and Lynda. Lopez’s career spans acting, singing, dancing, and business, making her one of the most influential Latino entertainers in Hollywood, credited with breaking racial barriers and propelling the Latin pop movement.

Early Life and Career Start: Lopez began dancing at age five, taking lessons in singing and dance, and performed in school musicals. She attended Holy Family School and Preston High School, excelling in athletics like track, gymnastics, and softball. At 18, she left home to pursue dance, working briefly in a law office while taking night classes. Her break came in 1991 as a Fly Girl dancer on In Living Color, followed by dancing for Janet Jackson and a minor role in the 1986 film My Little Girl.

Acting Career: Lopez rose to fame playing Selena Quintanilla in Selena (1997), earning an ALMA Award and becoming the first Latina actress to earn $1 million for a role. She solidified her status with films like Anaconda (1997), Out of Sight (1998), which earned another ALMA Award, and romantic comedies such as The Wedding Planner (2001) and Maid in Manhattan (2002). In 2001, she made history as the first woman to have a number-one film (The Wedding Planner) and album (J.Lo) simultaneously. Recent roles include the sci-fi thriller Atlas (2024), which topped Netflix charts despite mixed reviews, and Unstoppable (2024), where her portrayal of Judy Robles was praised. She’s set to star in the musical Kiss of the Spider Woman and produce projects like Office Romance and Happy Place for Netflix. Her films have grossed over $3.1 billion globally, and she’s noted as the highest-paid Latina actress in Hollywood history, paving the way for greater Latino representation.

Music Career: Lopez debuted with On the 6 (1999), featuring hits like “If You Had My Love,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100. Her second album, J.Lo (2001), and remix album J to tha L-O!: The Remixes (2002) were major successes, with songs like “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” and “Ain’t It Funny.” She’s released nine studio albums, including Como Ama una Mujer (2007), the best-selling Spanish album debut in the U.S., and This Is Me… Now (2024), inspired by her relationship with Ben Affleck. Hits like “On the Floor” with Pitbull and “Jenny from the Block” cemented her pop icon status. She’s sold over 80 million records, won three American Music Awards, and performed at the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in 2020 with Shakira.

Business and Influence: Lopez launched J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez, a clothing line, in 2001, followed by beauty, fragrance, and lifestyle brands. She co-founded Nuyorican Productions and has a charitable foundation. Her influence extends to fashion and beauty standards, with a massive Instagram following. She’s been named among Time’s 100 most influential people (2018) and Forbes’ World’s 100 Most Powerful Women (2012).

Personal Life: Lopez has been married four times: Ojani Noa (1997–1998), Cris Judd (2001–2003), Marc Anthony (2004–2014), with whom she has twins Max and Emme (born 2008), and Ben Affleck (2022–2025). Her relationships, including with Sean Combs and Alex Rodriguez, have drawn media attention. Her divorce from Affleck was finalized in January 2025, and she’s expressed being “done” with marriage after four divorces.

Recent Activities: In 2024, Lopez canceled her U.S. tour amid personal challenges but announced a 2025 overseas Up All Night tour, with sold-out shows like in Warsaw, Poland. She released a new single, “BIRTHDAY,” in July 2025. Posts on X suggest she’s considered moving to Puerto Rico, though this remains unconfirmed.

Lopez’s trailblazing career, marked by resilience and versatility, continues to shape entertainment and cultural representation.