Lopez began her career as a dancer, making her television debut as a Fly Girl on the sketch comedy series In Living Color in 1991. She rose to fame as an actress, starring as singer Selena in the film of the same name (1997), and established herself as the highest-paid Latin actress, with leading roles in Anaconda (1997) and Out of Sight (1998).

Lopez has sold over 80 million records worldwide, while her films have cumulatively grossed over US$3.1 billion.