by The Making of a Star: How Jennifer Lopez’s Role in “Selena” Launched Her Music Career
When Jennifer Lopez was cast as Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla in the 1997 biopic “Selena,” it was a career-making role for the relatively unknown actress and dancer. While JLo wasn’t exactly transformed by Selena in terms of singing style, portraying the beloved singer on the big screen introduced her to a much wider audience and gave her the opportunity to showcase her vocal talents. This exposure helped launch Lopez’s successful music career, leading to a lucrative record deal and debut album just two years later. Though Selena didn’t change JLo’s core singing style, playing her opened doors and helped establish Lopez as a multi-talented entertainer with staying power in both film and music.
JLo’s Background Prior to “Selena”
Before landing the role of a lifetime, Jennifer Lopez was a dancer making her way in the entertainment industry. Born in 1969 in the Bronx, New York to Puerto Rican parents, Lopez showed an early passion for dance and the arts. After graduating high school, she studied dance at her local community college and began dancing professionally in music videos and on tour with artists like Janet Jackson. Lopez also started getting small acting roles in TV shows and films throughout the late 80s and early 90s.
By 1995, Lopez had a breakout role on the critically acclaimed series “South Central.” She was also starting to get bigger movie roles, appearing in films like “Jack” alongside Robin Williams in 1996. However, she was still relatively unknown compared to established Hollywood stars. That changed when director Gregory Nava chose Lopez to portray Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in his biopic about the beloved Tejano singer.
The Impact of Playing Selena
When “Selena” was released in March 1997, it was an immediate box office success, earning over $35 million in its opening weekend. The film received widespread acclaim and critical praise for its storytelling and Lopez’s performance as Selena. Playing the iconic singer who was tragically murdered at the peak of her career at just 23 years old was undoubtedly the role that launched Lopez into superstardom.
Lopez threw herself into fully embodying Selena, from mastering her singing voice and Tejano music stylings to mimicking her dance moves and mannerisms. Audiences were captivated by JLo’s raw talent and ability to transform into Selena on screen. The late singer had been an inspiration to many, especially within the Latino community, and Lopez’s heartfelt portrayal resonated deeply with fans.
Overnight, America fell in love with Jennifer Lopez due to her star turn as Selena. She received widespread acclaim for her performance, including a Golden Globe nomination. “Selena” introduced Lopez to a much larger mainstream audience and established her as a serious actress with immense star potential. The film also gave JLo the platform to showcase that she had a beautiful singing voice of her own that could carry songs effectively.
Launching JLo’s Music Career
Buoyed by the success of “Selena,” major record labels came calling with lucrative deals for Lopez. She signed with Work Group in 1998 and released her debut single “If You Had My Love” that May. The dance-pop song was an instant hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart and putting JLo on the map as a recording artist.
Her self-titled debut album “On the 6” followed in June 1999, featuring production from iconic hitmakers like Cory Rooney and Dan Shea. Bolstered by smashes like “If You Had My Love,” “Waiting for Tonight,” and “Feelin’ So Good,” the album was a commercial success, selling over 8 million copies worldwide. JLo’s blend of Latin, pop, R&B, and dance sounds resonated with audiences, as did her sexy and confident persona.
The album launch was accompanied by high production music videos showcasing Lopez’s skills as a dancer, as well as her burgeoning sex symbol status. Her physical beauty, style, and charisma were a huge part of her appeal. JLo also supported the album with her debut headlining tour, reinforcing her status as a multi-talented entertainer.
By the end of the 1990s, Jennifer Lopez had cemented herself as a triple threat – actress, singer, and dancer. She proved that Latin artists could cross over and find mainstream success with bilingual music. Her self-titled album became one of the best-selling albums of 1999 and 2000. JLo had officially arrived as a bonafide pop star, thanks in large part to the platform and exposure she received from “Selena.”
Continued Success in Film and Music
In the 2000s, Jennifer Lopez continued riding high on the wave of success that began with “Selena.” She established herself as a top box office draw, starring in hit films like “The Wedding Planner,” “Maid in Manhattan,” and “Shall We Dance.” Musically, Lopez delivered more multi-platinum albums including “J.Lo” and “This Is Me…Then” that spawned ubiquitous hits. She also explored acting in other genres with roles in “Out of Sight” and “Monster-in-Law.”
By the mid-2000s, JLo had cemented her status as a true triple threat entertainer and one of the biggest Latinx crossover stars of all time. Her success has paved the way for other Latin artists to find mainstream popularity. Lopez has sold over 80 million records globally during her career.
While Selena didn’t necessarily change Lopez’s core singing style, playing her in the biopic “Selena” was undeniably the role that launched JLo’s music career. The exposure from such an impactful film introduced her to the world and provided a platform to showcase her many talents. It established Lopez as a bankable star and helped propel her to international superstardom. Over 25 years later, Jennifer Lopez remains one of the most famous entertainers in the world—and it all began with her star turn as Tejano icon Selena Quintanilla.
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