She may be Jenny from the Block, born and raised in New York City, but Jennifer Lopez is very much in touch with her Puerto Rican heritage. Her family are from the Caribbean island and she is a frequent visitor to the unincorporated US territory. So it’s not surprising that she would feel inclined to want to help out the island – and region – after the devastating natural disaster it’s going through at the moment.
Hurricane Maria has made a huge impact on Puerto Rico and, even a full fortnight after it struck, the place is still experiencing a nightmare. The place was torn to absolute shreds. It needs help and funds in a big way. And actor and musician Lopez has stepped up to the plate. Alongside her ex-husband Marc Anthony – himself a native New Yorker from a Puerto Rican family – are rallying friends and the public to help.
Not only that, but J-Lo herself is throwing more than one million US Dollars into the pot to help those worst affected by the tragic events. And she’s not alone. Latino stars Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Leguizamo, Ricky Martin, Pitbull and Alex Rodriguez have also joined the effort.
“Alex Rodriguez and I, who are both New Yorkers, are utilizing all our resources and relationships in entertainment, sports and business to garner support for Puerto Rican and Caribbean relief efforts,” Lopez recently said.
“Hurricane Maria has devastated our island,” Ms. Lopez said during a live-streamed Twitter announcement. “Given the loss and devastation, we need to pay attention and to urgently support Puerto Rico and the Caribbean through donations and contributions.”
“Puerto Ricans are American citizens and today Puerto Rico needs our help,” Lopez went on.
Lopez is hardly strapped for cash, either. She’s had a fabulously successful career to date, starring in many big Hollywood movies like Anaconda, Maid in Manhattan, U-Turn and Out of Sight. She’s also sold millions of records and is currently performing what is now the seventh leg of her hugely popular Las Vegas residency, All I Have, which started back in January 2016. All I Have was easily the most successful Vegas residency of 2016 and the shows have raked in over $50m to date.
Puerto Rican singer-rapper Daddy Yankee has also dug deep. He donated $100,000 to the Red Cross during a recent telethon on Telemundo, a figure matched by the show’s host Don Francisco.
“I still live in Puerto Rico so I know the struggle that we’re going through right now,” Yankee told CNN host Alisyn Camerota.
Daddy Yankee’s Despacito collaborator Luis Fonsi is also helping to raise funds for the clean up operation over in Puerto Rico.
We wish everyone the best of luck and hope they raise as much as possible to assist those that need it most.