by Jennifer Lopez is renowned worldwide as one of the most successful entertainers of all time.
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With a career spanning over three decades, Lopez has proven herself as a talented singer, dancer, actress, and businesswoman. While she hasn’t explicitly stated her top three favorite artists, Lopez has openly expressed admiration for several iconic musicians who have clearly left a mark on both her personal and professional life. Through her own comments over the years, we can gain insight into some of the primary musical influences that helped shape Jennifer Lopez into the multi-hyphenate superstar she is today.
Kelly Clarkson
One singer Lopez has repeatedly praised is Grammy Award-winning powerhouse vocalist Kelly Clarkson. Clarkson rose to fame in 2002 as the inaugural winner of television’s American Idol. Since then, she has sold over 25 million albums globally and received numerous accolades for her songwriting talents and ability to connect with audiences through raw, emotional performances.
Lopez first met Clarkson in person during a 2019 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. On the talk show, Lopez gushed about Clarkson’s voice, calling her “one of my favorite voices ever.” She admired Clarkson’s gift for putting her heart and soul into every song. Lopez also complimented Clarkson on being “so real” and authentic in both her music and personality.
The admiration is clearly mutual, as Clarkson is also a longtime Lopez fan. During their 2019 interview, Clarkson revealed she grew up listening to Lopez’s music and was inspired by her ability to seamlessly blend different genres like pop, Latin, and R&B. Clarkson said Lopez helped pave the way for artists like herself by proving a singer didn’t have to fit into a single box.
Lopez and Clarkson later collaborated musically as well, joining forces for a show-stopping live performance of “Jenny from the Block” and “Ain’t Your Mama” at the 2020 American Music Awards. Their powerful duet highlighted just how well their vocal styles complement each other. Lopez applauded Clarkson’s talent again afterward on social media, declaring they “killed it” together on stage.
Clearly, Lopez sees Clarkson as one of the best vocalists of her generation. She appreciates Clarkson’s raw talent and the authentic way she shares her heart through song. Both superstars have proven the ability to cross over genres and find success on both the pop and country charts. Their mutual admiration shows how much they respect each other’s accomplishments and artistry over the past two decades.
Barbra Streisand
Another legendary singer who has served as a role model for Lopez is Barbra Streisand. Often called “The Queen of Broadway” for her iconic roles in musicals like Funny Girl, Streisand is renowned as one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th century. With a career spanning over 60 years, she holds the distinction of being the only artist to achieve number-one albums in six consecutive decades.
In a 2012 interview, Lopez cited Streisand as a major influence on both her singing and acting abilities. She admired Streisand for seamlessly moving between music, film, television, and stage projects while maintaining full creative control over her career. Lopez was also impressed by Streisand’s unwavering confidence in herself as an artist and businesswoman.
Like Streisand, Lopez strives for versatility across different mediums. She doesn’t want to be pigeonholed or limited by genre labels. Both women blend pop, jazz, and Broadway-style vocals to create their own unique sound. They also produce and star in their own films to ensure their visions are fully realized on screen.
Streisand’s pioneering spirit no doubt inspired Lopez to blaze her own trails in the entertainment industry. From founding her own production company to taking on starring roles in acclaimed films like Selena, Hustlers, and Marry Me, Lopez follows in Streisand’s footsteps of maintaining an impressive level of creative control. She continues to break boundaries just as Streisand did as one of the first women to write, direct, and produce major studio movies. Both superstars redefined what it means to be a female artist and entrepreneur in Hollywood.
Celia Cruz
Another influential musician who served as a role model for Lopez’s career is the legendary Cuban-American salsa singer Celia Cruz. Often referred to as the “Queen of Salsa,” Cruz helped popularize Latin music worldwide and earned 21 Grammy Award nominations over her illustrious six-decade career.
Cruz’s infectious energy, powerful vocals, and iconic stage presence clearly left a mark on Lopez. In a 2017 interview, Lopez said watching Cruz perform as a child made her fall in love with music and inspired her own passion for dancing. She admired Cruz’s ability to command an audience through both her talent and vibrant personality.
Lopez paid tribute to Cruz’s legacy by portraying her in the 1997 biopic Selena. To prepare for the role, Lopez immersed herself in Cruz’s discography and studied archival footage of her performances. She worked tirelessly to master Cruz’s distinctive singing style, choreography, and captivating stage presence. Lopez’s nuanced portrayal helped introduce Cruz to a new generation of fans and demonstrated her deep respect for the artist.
Like Cruz, Lopez is proud of her Puerto Rican-Mexican heritage and works to bring Latin music to the mainstream. She seamlessly blends salsa, merengue, bachata, and other Afro-Caribbean rhythms into her pop-infused songs. Lopez also commands the stage with the charismatic showmanship of a natural performer, just as Cruz did. Both superstars serve as inspirational figures who prove Latin artists can find global success while staying true to their cultural roots.
Through her own comments over the years, it’s clear Lopez holds Kelly Clarkson, Barbra Streisand, and Celia Cruz in the highest regard. While she may not publicly name her definitive “top three,” these iconic singers clearly had immense influence on shaping Lopez’s artistry and career path. Their talents, perseverance, and trailblazing spirits no doubt continue to motivate Lopez as one of the most accomplished Latina entertainers of all time. By following in the footsteps of role models like Clarkson, Streisand, and Cruz, Lopez has undoubtedly carved out her own legacy as a triple threat superstar.
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