These days you're more likely to find singers, actors and models alike recovering in The Priory than on stage, film sets and cat walks. But then again, all you have to do to be a 'Celebrity' now, it would seem, is to appear on a TV reality show and turn up to the opening of an envelope. Gone are the days where people with ambitions would travel for hundreds of miles just for a thirty second audition for a part as an extra in a downtown show. Gone is the hard work and the stress of coping with knock back after knock back and yet still trying to force yourself to carry on. For one woman though, all that hard work has paid off.
Born on 24th July 1970, Jennifer Lopez grew up in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx. She came from a tight family who believed in working hard and not missing school or church. In a recent online interview http://www.blinkbits.com/blinks/jennifer_lopez she said: "Our parents had a strong work ethic - there wasn't really any other way," she says looking back, her childhood obviously prefiguring the woman she became. From the moment she could walk she knew all she wanted to do was be a star. Her family did not have much money so it was difficult for Jennifer to attend all the dance, singing and acting lessons she adored so much. Sacrificing boyfriends,
drinking and drugs Jennifer focused everything she had on achieving her dream. If people told her to wake up, she'd walk away with her head held high.
When Jennifer was old enough to travel alone she started taking the infamous 'Six train' to auditions in Manhattan everyday. Jennifer eventually won a scholarship to a dance school in Manhattan, switching her time between her full time course in a law office and dancing - proving she was well prepared and dedicated to her dreams. When one of Jennifer's auditions resulted in her gaining a small part in a small TV show she quit her Law studies and began getting to know the ins and outs of show business. From
then on Jennifer never looked back.
She has since sold 40 million records worldwide so far, had 15 smash films and won Grammies and music awards all over the globe. Not bad for girl from a poverty-stricken family.
Okay, so she has had five fiancés and been married three times, but this only goes to affirm Jennifer's attitude that if you do not try, you will never know. Rumours Jennifer is a diva are not met with the usual response of "That's just the media making me out to be something I'm not." She admits she is very headstrong and likes people to know where they stand. For if she didn't have this drive in her would she really be on the road to success she is on now? Not everything Jennifer has done has been successful, for
example her 2004 flick Gugli, but to her that's all part of life, taking the good with the bad. Jennifer doesn't just take chances - she creates opportunities. Where one flop at the box office would have been enough to finish any scarlet's career Jennifer's commitment to her career enables her to maintain her true star status as a Hollywood A-lister. You have never heard of Jennifer falling out of clubs showing all she owns at four in the morning, or her having a secret drink and drugs problem. She clearly shows that you don't need these things to be able to cope with life in the public eye. Jennifer seizes every opportunity so when she isn't getting married she as a successful music and film career to attend to as well as designing and promoting her own clothes, jewellery and even her own perfume range. Jennifer even finds time to help support the Beverley Hilton hotel children's hospice where she once won the Children's Humanitarian Award .
Appearance is something the world is obsessed with. If there is a nail slightly chipped, a hair out of place and even a pound gained you can pretty much guarantee if you're a celebrity you will punished for this for years ahead. ashion and celebrity make a gruesome twosome with girls, boys, women and men all looking up to those in the public eye. Is it any wonder the number of people suffering with eating disorders, depression and drug abuse has soared in the last ten years?. Jennifer is, of course, going to be looked upon for her appearance and she is well aware of this. She even has her own personal eyebrow assistant , but this only goes to show how aware she is that one error can be your downfall and your career cannot afford it. Her Latino beauty, demure
fashion sense and more famously her prized asset - her beloved curves - make Jennifer one of the most desired women in the world, men want to be with her and women want to be like her. In a time where painfully thin is in I think most would agree that they breathe a sigh of relief that finally a healthy woman with curves is around, and - more importantly - extremely successful. Jennifer actually benefits from breaking out of the mould, her
determination not to stand in the shadows only makes her more attractive.
Although now in the wrong end of her thirties Jennifer can still show youngsters how to do it. In twenty years time I think Jennifer will still be around. Her determination, confidence and ability will see her through it. Jennifer craved for so long to be a superstar and I highly doubt Ms Lopez would be willing to give it all up without a fight. She goes to
show anything is possible, and breaks so many stereotypes that it's hard not to admire her. Whatever critics say about her, Jennifer sails through it all, she fights for what she believes in and doesn't crave fame for anything other than what she deserves. In my eyes any woman that encourages others not to take the easy way out, to appreciate everything in life and be proud of who they are is a true role model.
Joanne is due to become the first member of YCN's youth advisory board helping us to develop how we work with young people.
