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Biography
Occupation: Actress & Singer
Date of Birth: July 24, 1970
Place of Birth: Bronx, N.Y., USA
Height:5'6"
Sign: Sun in Leo, Moon in Aries
Jennifer Lopez is an idealist and an actress--one
of Puerto Rican descent--who is convinced she can transcend the stereotypes
mainstream Hollywood tends to attach to her heritage.
Interestingly enough, Jennifer
Lopez also is a realist and an actress who, through her idealism and hard
work, actually has managed to transcend those very stereotypes to
personify such diverse characters as an Apache Indian, a Cuban jewel thief and
a Tejano singing sensation. Her credits range from being a "fly
girl" on In Living Color to a transit cop in Money Train .
"You have to be able to
change your voice," says Lopez, who steps into the pop music limelight
this month with her starring role in Warner Bros' Selena. The musical
biopic covers the short, but dynamic, life and career of the top-selling
Tejano singer who was gunned down by an unstable member of her own entourage.
"Selena was a Texas girl and a Mexican, but she had a strong Texas twang
and didn't have a Spanish accent like some people think."
And though Selena's own voice is
used in the movie's concert sequences--a condition on which the artist's
father sold the rights to the film--Lopez was eager to speak in a cadence that
would meld with Selena's singing tone. "I didn't have to sing in the
movie, but I learned how to sing her songs her way, Selena's way. I lip synced
to her songs but it appears I'm singing because I am singing. You just
can't hear my voice."
But, despite the fact that Lopez
is virtually a lock for the part--even when it comes to the physical
resemblance--the role didn't come easily, Lopez reflects. She had to endure a
grueling audition even though she had worked with Selena director Gregory
Nava on the film My Family.
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