JENNIFER LOPEZ: Style star of the week

Stylists watch as her fashion line, new album and movies inspire America

Schuntel Reddock / Reporter

The most notable style star of the week is Jennifer Lynn Lopez. She has graced the red carpet with style, elegance and charisma over the past 10 years. She always makes it her duty to challenge contemporary outfits in the industry.

Born in the Castle Hill section of South Bronx, N.Y. on July 24, 1970, she always had an eye for fashion and entertainment. Growing up in a Hispanic community and being of Puerto Rican descent, Lopez had to find her way through life by trial and error.

Her biggest, if not greatest influences came from Rita Moreno in the musical “West Side Story.” At a young age Lopez already had her foot in the entertainment industry. She took dancing and singing lessons at the age of five. In Lopez’s youth she attended a prestigious Catholic school in which she was actively involved in sports such as track and field and tennis. Then, at the age of 18 Lopez moved out of her parent’s home and began working on a career that would lead her to places she had never even imagined. Lopez was working in a law firm while working two dancing jobs to help her through rough times.

Her biggest break came when she landed the role of a ‘fly girl’ on “In Living Color.” Through her praised dancing in the comedy “In Living Color,” Lopez moved to greater heights by dancing in R&B singer and dancer, Janet Jackson’s videos. With her eye-catching dance moves it was only a matter of time before she was introduced to the world of glamour, glitz and fashion.

Lopez’s first major film was Gregory Nava’s “My Family” (1995) and from then on her career as an actress was steadily on the rise. Two years later Lopez’s role of slain singer Selena Quintanilla Perez in “Selena” (1997) made people realize that she was here to stay. Later, gracing red carpets everywhere, this diva was spotted at all the nightclubs, bars, movie premieres and music awards shows letting it be known to everyone that her presence was and still is a necessity.

From then on Lopez appeared in many award nominated movies such as “Out of Sight,” “Enough,” “The Wedding Planner,” “Maid in Manhattan” and her newest flick “Monster-In-Law.” Along with playing main characters she also took a dive in the music industry. Lopez made chart topping hits with many artists and prestigious producers like Ja- Rule, Fat Joe, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and rapper Jada Kiss.

As her career went full throttle Lopez opened her own restaurant, launched a clothing line and a perfume, which has dominated the markets in the past year. With all this in place Lopez not only took fashion to a new level in 2005, but she defined her style in her newest and trendiest clothing line, Sweet Face. What has made Lopez so unique is her poise, desire and passion in everything that she lays her hands on. She has given back to the Hispanic community and continues to reach out and conquer new heights. By utilizing her glamorous red carpet appearances Lopez deserves all that she is credited for and her style will live on.

Contact Schuntel Reddock at pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247.

Photos courtesy of http://www.ivillage.com

As her career went full throttle Lopez opened her own restaurant, launched a clothing line and a perfume, which has dominated the markets in the past year.

Fun Facts about our Style Star

- Jennifer Lopez is known to many as J.Lo.

- She is one of the highest paid Hispanic actresses in the film-making industry.

- She is married to Latino singer Marc Anthony.

- In her first fashion show during New York’s Fashion Week a pair of her signature jeans cost $2 million. They had a diamond encrusted button.