Recently, Jennifer Lopez returned to TV in NBC's new police drama Shades of Blue, which also stars movie veteran actor Ray Liotta (Goodfellas, anyone?). But fifteen years ago, she officially became J. Lo when her hit album J.Lo dropped — and pushed her into the superstar spotlight big time. Her life dominated headlines and I thought it was time to remember everything that happened to Jennifer Lopez in the early 2000s that may have slipped your mind over the years. Because remember how J. Lo dated P. Diddy/Puff Daddy, married backup dancer Cris Judd and was engaged to Ben Affleck? The aughts were a wild time.
At the same time as J.Lo's release, Lopez starred in the hit movie The Wedding Planner opposite Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey. Both the album and movie hit No. 1 in the country, becoming the first person to ever master movies and music at No. 1 in the same week. But after that, Lopez went on to star in two movies that garnered lukewarm box office and reviews: Romantic drama Angel Eyes and the female empowerment movie Enough. And 2003, she starred opposite Affleck in the movie, the myth, the mega-flop known as Gigli.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's start from the beginning.
2000 — That Green Versace Dress & The Cell
It was dress that launched millions of downloads. J. Lo showed up to the Grammy Awards with Sean "Puff Daddy/P. Diddy/Diddy" Combs and wearing this iconic silk chiffon dress that stunned, well, everyone. It remains one of Versace's most well-known dresses today.
Oh yeah, and Lopez also starred in the thriller film The Cell with Vincent D'Onofrio.
2001 — No. 1 Everywhere
J.Lo was No. 1 on the music charts and its hit singles "Love Don't Cost A Thing" and "Play," which were charting high. The Wedding Planner helped us all embrace J. Lo as a romantic comedy herione. Call it a banner year for Ms. Lopez.
She married backup dance Cris Judd, but the union would only last for nine months and they would divorce in 2002.
2002 — Bennifer, This Is Me...Then, & Maid In Manhattan
And that brings us to the Bennifer Era, when the press decided to give the epic coupling of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez a cutesy portmanteau name. They were all the tabloids would talk and gossip about — and let me remind you, this was pre-TMZ and social media. Imagine that.
Lopez dedicated her album This is Me...Then to Affleck, who she would get engaged to in November 2002. She also starred in the movies Enough and Maid in Manhattan.
2003 — Postponed Wedding & Gigli
Then there was Gigli. Oh my, boy was there Gigli, heralded by many as the worst movie of all time and one of Hollywood's major super flops. It's so bad that the film has a 6% Rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Ouch.
But the tabs were still mega-obsessed with Bennifer and it led to Affleck and Lopez to postponed their nuptials, which were originally planned in the fall.
2004 — Bennifer Breakup, Jersey Girl, & Marc Anthony
If at first you don't succeed, try again and that's what Bennifer did. Affleck and Lopez were co-stars once again in Kevin Smith's Jersey Girl, but only for a few minutes (no spoiler). It would be the last breath for what was Bennifer, as Affleck and Lopez broke up in January of that year.
And then Lopez began seeing longtime friend Marc Anthony, whom she would marry that June. They would go on to have twins in 2011 and divorce in 2012.
A whole lot happened in four years, but the early '00s were a magical time after all.
