news archives

September 30, 2002 - Popdirt.com's new poll asks 'Which female pop star is the LEAST fan friendly?' Vote for someone other than Jennifer Lopez here.

September 30, 2002 - WBLS shock jock Wendy Williams played host to Jennifer Lopez on Friday where she was grilled on whether she had cheated on Cris Judd with Ben Affleck while they were married, a charge made by Judd's father in the National Enquirer. "No. Contrary to what everyone believes, I'm a very faithful person," she said. "I believe in loyalty." As for whether she knew people called her the derogatory nickname 'J.Ho', Lopez said, "I'm sure they do, but you're the first person who has ever said it to my face." Read more.

September 30, 2002 - Globe magazine reports Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck had their first public argument when J.Lo refused to leave the car she was hiding in until all the excited, autograph-seeking fans who had gathered left. Ben wanted her to sign a few autographs, but the singer disagreed, crying that she hated being looked at. Ben appeased the fans himself by signing autographs while J.Lo remained in the car. "He was great," a fan gushed of Affleck. "He let me take pictures of him holding my baby and everything. He was so nice!" J.Lo finally gave in and emerged from the vehicle, embracing Affleck and posing for pictures. Read more.

September 29, 2002 - Ruven Afanador on photographing Jennifer Lopez showing off her infamous booty in Entertainment Weekly: "It was during that whole time that her butt was what everyone was talking about. I told her I wanted to do something with it. She was like, 'No, no, no." ... She was serious at the beginning, but I knew I could talk her into it."

September 29, 2002 - Simon Cowell chatted with News of the World and the 'American Idol' judge says he's no fan of Jennifer Lopez. "I've never met her, but from what I've heard about her-I can't stand her," he says. "Anyone turning up at Top Of The Pops with an entourage of 70 is just a joke. She sends minions in to check restaurants to see if everything is acceptable. Oh give me a break! I can't bear that attitude." Read more.

September 28, 2002 - MTV News reports Jennifer Lopez has set a release date for her new album 'This Is Me' after the first single 'Jenny From the Block' was leaked on the Internet and eventually made it to the radio on Thursday. The album drops on November 26. Read more.

September 27, 2002 - The brand new single from Jennifer Lopez entitled 'Jenny From the Block' is available at jloplatinum.com. It was the most played and requested song on Y-100 in Miami. You can download the ripped version here.

September 27, 2002 - Star magazine reports things are getting serious between Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck after Ben took her to meet his grandmother. Affleck visits her grandma regularly at Forestview Nursing Home in Wareham, Mass., but recently J.Lo tagged along. The trio arranged to meet in a special room to have privacy. Excited locals in Wareham gathered outside where they waved at the couple leaving in Lopez's Bentley convertible.

September 27, 2002 - WENN reports Jennifer Lopez will enjoy a steamy smooch with 'Sex and the City' star Kim Cattrall in the new series of the hit show. "The plot is outrageous," Lopez said. "I'm playing a slut who seduces Kim Cattrall only to wind up stealing her boyfriend. It's my favorite show. I'm a New York girl so I can relate to those characters." Read more.

September 26, 2002 - Us Weekly reports Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have found a love shack. The pair are renting an entire floor in the Philadelphia apartment complex The Phoenix, shelling out $17,000 a month. Meanwhile, Ben recently bought matching platinum Rolexes for Lopez and her mother, putting him back $50,000.

September 26, 2002 - Ben Affleck says of his girlfriend Jennifer Lopez to Swedish paper Aftonbladet, "She stands with both feet on the ground... People think that she’s a diva. But she’s just a normal family girl from the Bronx." And it is sounding like the actor is ready to walk the aisle with J.Lo. "It feels like a family life is waiting for me," he said. "I’m almost surprised that I don’t dread it. But the most important things in life are family, love and the relationships you have."

September 24, 2002 - The Enquirer reports Jaime Pressly attended the September 14 Oscar De La Hoya fight in Las Vegas with Jennifer Lopez's ex-husband Cris Judd, who was looking to mend his broken heart. "Jennifer cheated on him with Ben Affleck during their marriage, so Cris shouldn't feel guilty looking at other women now," a friend declared. The pal added, "Cris was very reluctant to get back on the dating scene. He cried to his closest friends that he didn't think he could ever trust a woman again, no less go out with women. But we told him he had to dust himself off and go on with his life. And now he's doing just that."

September 24, 2002 - The new Lycos 50 is out today and it sees Britney Spears rise a spot to #7, maintaining her dominance as the most searched for human. Others on the list include Eminem rising 5 to #19, Avril Lavigne dropping 3 to #23, Nelly jumping 4 to #25, Jennifer Lopez rising a notch to #37, Shakira up 3 to #40, and Tupac Shakur up 5 to #42. 'American Idol' dropped out of the top 50. Read more.

September 24, 2002 - The Daily Star reports Jennifer Lopez had a bit of trouble with her new Bentley convertible, a gift from boyfriend Ben Affleck. She set off the alarm system by accident and couldn't turn it off. A crowd gathered and J.Lo admitted, "It's new and I don't know how it works yet."

September 24, 2002 - The Boston Herald's Inside Track reports "somebody who knows somebody who knows Ben Affleck's mom says the Hollywood hot shot has told the family he's planning to propose to his galpal, Jennifer Lopez." Read more.

September 23, 2002 - The New York Post reports that while those close to Jennifer Lopez are denying she's pregnant, she is thinking about marrying current boyfriend Ben Affleck. "She and Ben [Affleck] have been getting very close and marriage talks have come up," said a source. "There was some talk of December for a wedding but that has now changed and it's pushed back a bit." Read more.

September 23, 2002 - Hit making producer 7 Aurelius spoke with Rolling Stone about working with Jennifer Lopez, who he was "was the easiest to work with" of the many artists he's helped create hits for. "She had sweats on and - I'm talkin' real here - J.Lo's ass is phenomenal. It goes out and then it has, like, a balcony in the middle. Distracting as hell."

September 21, 2002 - Star magazine reports that Jennifer Lopez was shocked to learn boyfriend Ben Affleck owned several Mariah Carey albums. J.Lo rolled her eyes and asked Ben, "Do you really LIKE these?" Ben squirmed his way out of the situation saying they were gifts. While Lopez left it go, friends of Affleck say she would hit the roof if she knew he used to play Carey's music all the time.

September 21, 2002 - The Daily Star reports that while Jennifer Lopez may be delighted to reportedly be two months pregnant with Ben Affleck's baby, her record company, Sony are not. Despite the official veil of silence from Sony, if true, J.Lo's baby will be due at the same time she is meant to be releasing a new record, and therefor she won't be able to promote it.

September 20, 2002 - Online Petition Says 'Say No To J.Lo' -- To: The Black and Hip-Hop Communities at Large. In the great tradition of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, this petition serves to put Jennifer Lopez on notice that we of the Black and hip-hop communities are financially boycotting all of her entertainment endeavors. This boycott will include, but not be limited to, Ms. Lopez’s music, clothing, restaurant, movies, television shows, and perfumes. Read more.

September 20, 2002 - Ted Casablanca of E! Online reports that despite denials from their publicists, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are set to get married on Valentine's Day next year. Insiders say Affleck has already purchased a pricey wedding ring for J.Lo, and Ted thinks, "Something tells me this tough East Coast duo just might be up to the task of making it the real thing. At least for now." Read more.

September 20, 2002 - Jennifer Lopez's ex-father-in-law Larry Judd did a tell-all interview with the National Enquirer and said Lopez started cheating on her husband Cris Judd with Ben Affleck after just five months of marriage. He says his son and Jen had a happy marriage until she started filming 'Gigli' with Affleck. "She was leaving the house at 5 a.m. and she wouldn't return until after 10 p.m.," he said. "Jennifer was spending more time with Ben, and Ben made [Cris] feel unwelcome... Then in May, she told Cris that their marriage was over and she would be seeking a divorce... Jennifer did not conduct herself as a married woman, and Ben did not respect the fact that she was my son's wife." Read more.

September 18, 2002 - Globe magazine reports the simple black off the rack dress Jennifer Lopez wore to the MTV Video Music Awards wasn't the diva's original choice of attire. It seems J.Lo's $9,000 beaded gown was late arriving, so she had to ask a friend who was also going to the event to switch dresses. The pal arrived later in the pricey gown, and as thanks, Lopez let the friend keep the dress.

September 18, 2002 - The Lycos 50 is out and interest in September 11 caused Britney Spears to dip to the #8 spot, though she's still the most searched for person. Others on the list include Avril Lavigne dropping 3 to #20, Eminem tumbling 11 to #24, Nelly jumping 11 to #29, Jennifer Lopez dropping 5 to #38, Shakira dropping 19 to #43, Tupac Shakur jumping to #47 after the LA Times report on his death, and 'American Idol' freefalling from the #14 spot to #49. The show's winner Kelly Clarkson jumped though to the #60 spot. Read more.

September 18, 2002 - The New York Daily News reports Jennifer Lopez is - yet again - not pregnant, according to her spokesperson. Neither is J.Lo making wedding plans with Ben Affleck, at least this week.

September 18, 2002 - Us Weekly reports Jennifer Lopez paid her ex-huband Cris Judd big to keep quite about their short marriage. "At one point, he was going to write a book," said a source. "but she freaked out." The $15 million divorce agreement reportedly says Lopez would give Judd "$15 million and that he would not write a book about her."

September 18, 2002 - Kevin Smith's 'Jersey Girl' diary has the film's director calling it "hands-down, the best movie we've ever made." As for the two stars Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, he says, "If you're ever shooting a movie about two people falling in love, I can't urge you strongly enough to cast a pair of people who are actually falling in love. The chemistry between Ben and Jen is so palpable, you could almost bottle it and sell it as an aphrodisiac. Take after take, we watched Ben and Jen (who we couldn't have cast as love-at-first-sighters at a better time in their lives) flirt through a rapid-fire-dialogue dance of movie meet-cute. But this wasn't just art imitating life; somehow in the midst of all that smolder, they managed to provide us with a pair of performances that reminded this little black duck why he's always worshipped at the Altar of Affleck, and is now currently constructing a Lopez Basilica as we speak. Honestly, the performances they gave were nothing short of spellbinding." Read more.

September 15, 2002 - Entertainment Weekly has a short profile on Jennifer Lopez in their fall music preview. Producer Andre Harris says J.Lo is "trying to take it to another level" in her yet-to-be-titled tentatively to be released in December album. "Singing-wise, song-structure-wise, theme-wise, she's trying to give the audience a little more this time out - more substance lyrically, vocally, and musically. This will be a well-rounded project."

September 13, 2002 - More details on the Jennifer Lopez refusal to allow any of her songs to be included on the Music of Black Origin Awards annual compilation album, 'MOBO 2002.' A source at MOBO said of J.Lo's claim that her music is Latin and ''not of black origin", "Who does she think she's kidding? ... Besides, she just accepted the hip-hop award at the MTV Video Music Awards!'' A spokesman for Lopez says her record label is responsible for negotiating things like the compilation album and those kinds of negotiations ''often can be quite complicated and difficult to finalize.''

September 12, 2002 - Stu Bykofsky of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that after Jennifer Lopez reportedly said on the MTV Video Music Awards - that the town "she was currently filming in is not so great," or words to that effect according to a spy, she suffered the consequences. "It caused some people in Paulsboro to go to her trailer in the parking lot of Rita's Water Ice and egg it," the Spy reports. Read more.

September 11, 2002 - The latest Lycos 50 is out today, and Britney Spears remains the most searched for human at #6. Eminem jumps to the #13 spot, just ahead of 'American Idol'. Avril Lavigne slips to #17 while Shakira falls to #24. Jennifer Lopez jumps to #33 and Nelly jumps to #40. For the complete list, click here.

September 10, 2002 - IMDB.com (WENN) reports actor Ralph Fiennes is furious after spotting photos of him dining with his 'Maid in Manhattan' co-star Jennifer Lopez, convinced J.Lo's people tipped off the media in a bid to make her then husband Cris Judd jealous. Fiennes says, "I couldn't help thinking the whole thing wasn't quite organic."

September 8, 2002 - The Scottish Daily Record reports Lopez has refused to let any of her songs be included on the MOBO 2002 (Music Of Black Origin) album. An insider explained her refusal saying, "No one at MOBO could believe it when J-Lo told them why she didn't want to be on the compilation. If she'd just said she didn't want to be on it, then fine. But to claim her music isn't of black origin is a joke. On what grounds is it Latino music? It's not like she's singing in Spanish. It will be nice to hear what people like P. Diddy, Ja Rule and Nas think of her comments. Without them she probably wouldn't have had so many hits or number one albums." Read more.

September 7, 2002 - Asked which Hollywood couple she was obsessed with, Mandy Moore responded, "Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. What's up with that? All of us on the set clamor to the drugstore to buy the magazines when they come out, so we can read up on all the gossip."

September 7, 2002 -  Jay Leno joked about 'American Idol' during his Tonight Show monologue on Friday, "According to the gossip columns, and I checked this one out. I heard this was true. Jennifer Lopez -- the lovely Jennifer Lopez gave her boyfriend, Ben Affleck, naked photos of herself for his birthday. Well, that didn't make sense. I mean, giving Ben Affleck naked pictures of her. He's already seen her naked. What does he need those pictures for? Hey, I got a birthday coming up. [Laughter] That would be a great present for me. I haven't seen her naked. Send me the pictures! I want the pictures!"

September 7, 2002 - Number 55 on the Mirror's list of the top 100 most irritating people is Jennifer Lopez. The 3AM girls write, "La Lopez, who has an entourage of up to 100 people, insists on 20 security men and even had the audacity to make demands during the recording of a charity record in aid of September 11 victims - unbelievably ordering a 45ft trailer and, again, a white dressing-room with white flowers, tablecloths, curtains, candles and couches." Read more.

September 7, 2002 - The National Enquirer's Mike Walker reports Ben Affleck freaked out when his girlfriend Jennifer Lopez disappeared for a day. Ben got nervous that she might be with her ex Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs so he called and called but didn't get an answer. She finally showed up and they got into a fight but J.Lo soon had Ben eating out of her hand again.

September 7, 2002 - Groovevolt.com reports Jennifer Lopez is not ready to release a fourth album, but her label Sony is pushing it anyways. They also report Michael Jackson is in studio with Murder Inc.'s Irv Gotti, though his Sony Records deal may have his hands tied in releasing new material. Read more.

September 6, 2002 - E! Online gossip guru Ted Casablanca reports flack for Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have been denying reports that the pair are planning a wedding. Ted's opinion? "Accept it: No matter how many times celebs trot down the aisle (and with whom), it's their friggin' biz, not ours." Read more.

September 6, 2002 - WENN reports Jennifer Lopez has said she needs a man that can cope with her incredible success. "Women today are much more independent than before because social values have changed and men find that frightening," she said. "Men are used to being the breadwinners and having the upper hand. On the one hand, I believe in these traditional values, on the other the modern woman in me is screaming for independence." Read more.

September 6, 2002 - The Sun has photos of sexy Pop Idol loser Sarah Whatmore from her photo shoot in New York last week. During her stay, she was able to check out the MTV Video Music Awards and see Jennifer Lopez in the flesh, the woman she's being touted as the UK's answer to. "The comparison is flattering," she admits. "But I’m just starting out. I saw J-Lo at the awards. She is so beautiful in the flesh, it’s unbelievable." Check out the pictures here and watch her new video 'When I Lost You' here.

September 5, 2002 - The London Star reports Jennifer Lopez has been exhibiting more diva like behavior. Lopez had stern words for a builder working on her Los Angeles mansion. Why? For making eye contact as he spoke to her. She asked if he wouldn't mind staring at her shoes as he addressed her. The report is similar to one that said extras on the video for 'I'm Real' were also banned from looking at Lopez because it made her feel 'uncomfy.'

September 4, 2002 - The Boston Globe reports Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck visited the Onset Village Market on Saturday, where J.Lo was gracious signing autographs and mugging for photos with fans, including local teens Colleen and Chelsea Rackette. "She was being so sweet and he was controlling," said the Rackette sister's mom. "He didn't seem to like all the attention." Read more.

September 3, 2002 - Newaskew.com has video captures of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck filming a scene from their new movie 'Jersey Girl' that was shown on Extra last week. Check them out here.

September 1, 2002 - The Boston Herald reports Jennifer Lopez and Cambridge native Ben Affleck, strolled into the L Street Tavern in South Boston yesterday afternoon, holding hands. L Street barkeep Brian Sullivan said the two arrived in a silver Bentley Azure convertible, stayed for 10 minutes, didn't order anything, and left. Ben was there to show his lady love the Southie watering hole he made famous in his Oscar-winning screenwriting debut, 'Good Will Hunting.' "They just sat down," Sullivan said. "Ben asked how business was. She just smiled. She's a pretty woman. Holy good grief!" Read more.

Click here for August news headlines and links