VivirLatino

VLMIL Candidate #2: Jennifer Lopez

12:21 H | Topics: Celebrities - Entrepreneurs - Fashion - Movies - Music - Polls2006 - VivirLatino - Women

Name: Jennifer Lopez aka J-Lo.

Age: 36

Occupation: Singer, actress, dancer, designer

Place of Residence: Los Angeles and New York City

Bio: Jenny from the block was born Jennifer Lynn Lopez in the Castle Hill section of the boogie down Bronx to Puerto Rican parents Guadalupe Rodríguez and David Lopez. She has two hermanas, Lynda and Leslie. Jenny from the block was educated in Catholic schools and paid for her own singing and dancing lessons since she was 16. She completed one semester at City Univeristy of NY Baruch College before leaving to persue her dreams of dancing and acting.

She worked in a legal office, took dance classes, and performed in Manhattan clubs at night. She won a few roles in rap videos and and was given a guest spot on the American Music Awards. After being rejected for the role twice, Lopez gained her first regular high profile gig was as a "Fly Girl" dancer on the television comedy program, In Living Color in 1991. Soon after Lopez became a back-up dancer for famed Pop star Janet Jackson and made an appearance in her video That's The Way Love Goes. Scheduled and contracted to go on Janet Jackson's World Tour, she asked the superstar to be let out of her contract to pursue her acting dreams.
Lopez broke into the big screen in 1995, in the Gregory Nava drama My Family/Mi Familia.

Lopez's début album, On the 6, a reference to the subway line she used to take growing up in Castle Hill, was released on June 1, 1999 . She has since released 6 albums.

Jennifer Lopez also has her own clothing line, perfume line and has her own restaurant in the South Lake district of Pasadena, California Madre's.

Why she's Loved: Besides her obvious physical assets (pun completely intended),she is considered a darling of the Rican community who admire her spirit and the tabloids love whatever chisme they can get (or make up) on her.

Why she's Hated: Jennifer Lopez has been criticized for her less than stellar acting and singing skills. She's infamous for going through husbands like people change underwear and has somewhat of a reputation as a diva.

Why she's Influential: Love her or hate her, this Latina has power and makes things happen. Lopez is the first actress and singer to have a movie (The Wedding Planner) and an album (J. Lo) at #1 in the same week. Her perfume, "Glow," made history in 2001, by being the #1 perfume in more than nine countries in less than four months. Lopez is the 1st woman who has been placed #1 two years in a row in FHM magazine's list of the 100 Sexiest Females in the World and 100 Sexiest Females in the U.S. Lopez made the 2004 Fortune list of the wealthiest entertainers under the age of 40. Her wealth is estimated at $255 million. Lopez made the highest debut of 2003 on the U.S. charts with "All I Have" debuting at #1. Shehas 4 #1 hits in the U.S. and a combined 20 weeks at #1 and she is is one of the top 10 highest paid actresses in Hollywood.

VOTE for Jennifer Lopez as VL's Most Influential Latino 2006.

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