42 Facts About J.Lo the Birthday Girl

In honor of her 42nd birthday, a few facts about our favorite former Fly Girl.

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1.• Jennifer Lynn Lopez was born in the Bronx, NY, on July 24, 1969.

2. • She has two sisters, Lynda and Leslie.

3. • She took dancing and singing lessons beginning at age 5.

4. • She went to all-girl schools, graduating from the Bronx’s Preston High School..

5. • After graduation, she did a stint in Japan dancing in the musical Synchronicity.

6. • One her first big gigs was dancing behind New Kids on the Block at the American Music Awards. (Jay Leno unearthed tape that can be seen here.)

7. • Her first break was when she became a Fly Girl on “In Living Color,” under choreographer Rosie Perez. (Here’s a clip of her being introduced for the first time.)

8. • Her first major film was Gregory Nava’s “Mi Familia: My Family”

9. • In an interview, she later claimed both Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes had made passes at her while the trio filmed “Money Train,” and that when she turned Snipes down, “He wouldn't talk to me for two months. I was like, 'What an a-----.'”

10. • She also said Stephen Dorff made a pass at her while they were filming “Blood and Wine” with Jack Nicholson in Miami in 1998. He “got really upset” after being denied, Lopez related, she told him, “Look, I'm just not interested at this point in my life, but don't pull a Wesley on me!'”

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11. • It was also while filming Blood and Wine that she spotted Cuban waiter Ojani Noa, then 23. She’d go on to make him Husband #1.

12. • One guest at her first wedding was Oliver Stone, who had directed her in U-Turn.

13. • The marriage lasted 13 months.

14. • She was on the first cover of Latina magazine in 1996.

15. • Her first headlining role was as Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in 1997’s “Selena.”

16. • In 1998, she starred as a sexy federal marshal with George Clooney in Out of Sight. The film was later nominated for an Oscar.

17. • She became the highest-paid Latina actress in Hollywood history.

18. • This Vanity Fair photo threw fuel on the never-confirmed rumor that her famous assets were insured for $1 billion.

19. •In an infamous 1998 Movieline interview, Lopez dissed a slew of female celebs, including Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek, Cameron Diaz, Claire Danes, and Winona Ryder.

20. • About Gwyneth, she said, "I swear to God, I don't remember anything she was in. Some people get hot by association." She then added: "I heard more about her and Brad Pitt [who Gwyneth dated] than I ever heard about her work."

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21. • Lopez’ 1999 debut album, On the 6 was named after the subway train that shuttled her between her Bronx home and Manhattan dance auditions.

22. • It produced five hit singles and went triple platinum.

23. • Lopez started dating “On the 6” producer Sean “Puffy” Combs.

24. • On December 27, 1999, Combs and Lopez were taken into police custody after fleeing gunshots fired at Club New York, a midtown Manhattan nightclub. At the police station, Lopez reportedly requested a nail file.

25. • The low-cut, see-through green Versace dress she wore to the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000 caused such a sensation, it has its own Wikipedia page.

26. • In January 2001, she was the first woman to have a movie (“The Wedding Planner") and an album (“J.Lo”) at number one in the same week.

27. • She met Husband #1, Cris Judd, while filming the video for "Love Don't Cost A Thing": He was a dancer. She was linked to him even while still dating Combs.

28. • In what was rumored to be a desperate attempt to keep the relationship going, Combs released 100 white doves and 100 pink balloons outside her house. No matter: They broke up three weeks later, on Valentine’s Day.

29. • She marries Judd, Husband #2, in September.

30. • “Jenny from the Block” was the first single off her third album, "This is Me... Then," in 2002.

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31. • She met Ben Affleck when they both signed on to film “Gigli.” In March 2002, he took out a $3000 full-page ad in The Hollywood Reporter complimenting Lopez on her "graciousness of spirit, beauty in courage, great empathy, astonishing talent, real poise and true grace."

32. • By end of July, she and Judd had filed for divorce, and “Bennifer” was born. In November, he gives her an engagement ring featuring a 6.1-carat pink diamond.

33. • “Gigli” earns scathing reviews, and Bennifer breaks up in January 2004.

34. • Three weeks later, she’s dating old flame Marc Anthony.

35. • This 2005 Washington Post article pondered, basically, The Meaning of J.Lo.

36. • Anthony becomes Husband #3 in June 2004, just days after his divorce from former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres is finalized.

37. • Marc’s nickname for her was, “Lola.” (his divorce lawyer better hope it doesn’t stand for, “Whatever Lola wants…”)

38. • She was a guests at Tom Cruise's and Katie Holmes’ 2006 wedding ceremony in Italy.

39. • In November 2007, she confirms whispers that had been swirling for months: She’s pregnant. Twins Max and Emme are born in 2008.

40. • People magazine reportedly paid $6 million for photos of the twins.

41. • She was asked to join season 10 of “American Idol,” which ended up reviving her career.

42. • She and husband Marc Anthony announced they would end their 7-year marriage on July 15.

China's competitors prepare for Miss Universe 2011 pageant

Luo Zilin (L), winner of 2011 Miss Universe China Pageant, receive stage walking training by instructor Lu Celania Sierra, at 2011 Miss Universe China National Director Yue-Sai Kan's residence in New York, the United States, July 23, 2011. Luo Zilin and Li Zihan are in New York for a month-long training to prepare for the final round of the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, scheduled in September.

Li Zihan (L), runner-up of 2011 Miss Universe China Pageant, receive stage walking training by instructor Lu Celania Sierra (R), at 2011 Miss Universe China National Director Yue-Sai Kan's residence in New York, the United States, July 23, 2011. Luo Zilin, winner of 2011 Miss Universe China Pageant, and Li Zihan are in New York for a month-long training to prepare for the final round of the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, scheduled in September.

Jesinta Campbell: the next Jennifer Hawkins?

She handed over her Miss Universe Australia crown only last week, but for Miss Congeniality 2011 winner Jesinta Campbell, it's only the beginning.
Talking to Fairfax Media at the Maxim launch, the journalism student (who deferred her scholarship to Bond University) has moved back to Sydney and is ready to work towards her dream of a panel-style television show.
"When I handed the crown over you'd think I would turn into this old fossil - but I'm doing my best to make sure that isn't the case!" Campbell says.
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"I'm heading to India in September to be part of a big fashion show and having meetings while I'm there.
"There's also modelling and I'm going back to study via correspondence."
Campbell says the relentless pageant schedule has been tough but worthwhile.
"It's been demanding but rewarding and there have been so many doors opened, it's a matter of which path do I choose?" she says.
One thing the Gold Coast girl has, though, is a business sense.
"I have a few business ventures outside of the entertainment industry - I'm trying to be wise and be a businesswoman."
Fellow Aussie models Elle Macpherson and Jennifer Hawkins should watch out.

Scherri-Lee has brekkie break

Scherri-Lee Biggs looked every inch the beauty queen when she arrived at her official Homecoming Breakfast in Perth yesterday.

The reigning Miss Universe Australia glowed in a GASP dress and Novu shoes as she posed for Access All Areas on the waterfront in Mosman Park.

At the event at Mosmans Restaurant, Biggs was effervescent as she mingled with friends, family, media and local sponsors and organisers of Miss Universe WA.

It has been a whirlwind ride for the Watermans Bay beauty since she won the Australian title on July 7.

"It has been almost three weeks but it feels like four days," Biggs said.

The former St Mary's Anglican Girls' School student said she loved spending time with her family and being back in her old bed at her parents' house.

It's something she will enjoy for the week while she takes some time off to catch up with friends before heading up to Darwin next weekend for the races.

"When you land in Perth you certainly get that warm fuzzy feeling of how exciting it is to be home."

The 20-year-old will fly to Brazil in three weeks for preliminary events and appearances before the Miss Universe

Interview Miss Universe Amelia Vega for Obesity Campaign UK

Supporting New Obesity Campaign UK, Miss Universe Amelia Vega shared her secrets to stay healthy and fit.

Amelia Vega became the first Dominican woman to be named Miss Universe, in 2003. Amelia is the niece of the Grammy Award–winning singer Juan Luis Guerra.  She has appeared in the cover of several magazines, such as Cosmopolitan, Caras, Vanidades, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, Selecta.
Amelia debuted as a singer with her uncle "Juan Luis Guerra" in Madison Square Garden and American Airline's Arena. Her film debut was in 2005, co-starring in the film The Lost City directed by Andy García. She had a special in Homie Spumoni, a motion picture starring Donald Faison. and Whoopi Goldberg, among others and was scheduled and released in summer 2008.
In 2010 she became the host of the Mexican reality show "Segunda Oportunidad" with the Chilean Rafael Araneda. Amelia's first single 'Pasa un Segundito' was released by Itunes on April 26, 2010 and became the top Latin song within two days. Her cd Agua Dulce will be released in the summer 2010.
1Q)How would you describe yourself as a person and what are your hobbies?
A;I am an animal lover, I love to take care of the  earth and a Huge dreamer; My hobbies are to play guitar and exercise by taking dancing classes.
2Q)When did you thought of preparing for Miss universe pageant and any  difficulties you face?
A:It was never on my mind until someone approached me at the gym and asked me if I was interested in entering the Miss Dominican Republic but I was only 17 yrs old.
Some difficulties were that many people did not belive in me and that just made me stronger to become a better contestant and do the best I could to represent the best way possible my country.
3Q)Tell us about your role and experience in the film "The Lost City"  directed by Andy García.
A: It was a great experience being able to work with such a professional as Andy Garcia and it opened up an interest on how interesting and amazing it is to interpret someone that you are not.
4Q)Please tell us about your venture in the music industry as a singer  and your first single 'Pasa un Segundito' and future release.
A:What people do not know about me or know just a little is that ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of being a singer/performer, ever since I was about seven years old.  I have had family members that played the guitar, piano and a my uncle Juan Luis Guerra influenced me musically a whole lot.
5Q)Tell us about your boutique in Miami, Florida named Essence by Amelia  Vega and what are your future plans?
A:I love fashion and there was a part in my life where I wanted to have my own boutique so I decided to put my efforts and make it happen and now we have a beautiful women's boutique in Miami,Florida.
Future plans are to keep making music and composing songs that would reach people in different parts of the World.
6Q)Did you ever felt discouraged in life specially during your  entrepreneurship phase and if yes, what thoughts made you recover?
A:There are always moments in life in general where you feel discouraged or angry that something does not come out the way you would want it to but I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and that if   you continue to make your best efforts and never to give up on your dreams great and better things would come your way.
7Q)Please share with us your secret of staying in top shape?
A: Honestly I try to watch what I eat as much as possible (not to the extreme) but I compensate with going to the gym and drinking a lot of water on a daily basis. On the weekends I cheat by eating whatever I want.
(8Q)Please tell us about your normal diet (eg. generally what do you eat  for breakfast, lunch, dinner).
A:For breakfast I eat a nice cereal with organic fat free milk . Lunch: I eat carbs and protein and for dinner just protein. (most of my meals I try to eat them with organic food)
(9Q)Could you please tell us about your workout routine.
A:My workout routine is to try to visit the gym to do either yoga, dancing classes or just to do cardio for about an hour 3x a week and on the weekends I love to ride bike.
(10Q)How have you motivated yourself so long to eat healthy in daily life?
A: The only motivation truly is to feel good about yourself and feel confident with what you have and knowing that if you feel beautiful that's how people are going to look at you.
(11Q)What message / advice would you like to give to our obesity campaign  UK readers as how they can get rid of obesity.
A:The message that I could give to the Obesity Campaign is to let people know that taking care of our body is a way of life, it's a necessity, our body is a motor  that needs to be taken care of. Taking care of our bodies is not about being skinny or looking like a model it is just a way of you as a person taking care of one of the most precious things that you have your BODY.

Thank you very much for your time Amelia and for supporting New Obesity  Campaign UK.
Read more about Subodh Gupta by Subodh Gupta

Galleria Spring Festival

Centro Galleria Spring Festival  will be a three-week festival of fashion, fun and style with plenty of free activities.

The festival will run from September 12 to October 3 at the shopping centre on Walter Road, Morley.

A highlight of the festival will be an appearance by former Miss Universe, Jennifer Hawkins, on Sunday October 3. The centre will be open for trade on this day and Hawkins will sign autographs and meet fans at 11am and 1pm.

This will be followed by Myer store parades at 12pm and 2pm featuring the latest spring looks including Cozi, Hawkins line of swimwear.

Further highlights include cooking displays from top TV chefs Josh Catalano and Kate Rodrigues from September 12-18, free performances from Dreamworks' Madagascar show from September 28 to October 2 as well as competitions and prize draws.

Miss Universe Finalist Says She Was Sabotaged

The Miss Universe pageant is a cutthroat contest filled with girls willing to do anything to win the crown, even if it means pulling a Tonya Harding and sabotaging their competitors.
"I put [the dress] on just before I was due to go out on parade but I felt these sharp pains when something stuck into my back," Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell told the Herald Sun. "I took the top off and found all these pins had been stuck into it."
The 2010 Miss Universe concluded a few weeks back in Las Vegas, but the dirt behind the scenes is still fresh in the mind of Campbell as she recalls the alleged mischief backstage.
Campbell finished in third place -- Miss Universe Mexico Jimena Navarrete took the title -- but Campbell isn't sweating the backstabbing.
"The sabotage was a bit harsh, but you have to laugh at these things and not take it too seriously and it did give me a story to tell when I got home," Campbell told the Herald Sun.
Campbell doesn't know who supposedly sabotaged her national dress out of the 82 competitors, but she said certain countries from Central and South America (including eventual winner Mexico) were especially competitive.