Jennifer Lopez Signs Deal With Universal TV

Singer/actor Jennifer Lopez and her Nuyorican Productions company signed a first-look deal with Universal Media Studios to develop a slate of new TV programs, reports Variety.

The exclusive two-year pact was announced Monday by Universal Media Studios co-chairman Ben Silverman. Lopez also developed a sitcom at NBC based on her experiences growing up in the Bronx and guest starred several times on "Will & Grace." Silverman says, "Lopez is a multi-faceted superstar and we are thrilled to be in business with her. NBC has been fortunate to have worked with her previously with her music specials, and now this first-look deal gives us an opportunity to explore a variety of projects which will result in some outstanding television." Lopez says, "Universal Media Studio is the perfect home for Nuyorican, and I look forward to a successful, creative partnership."

Nuyorican Productions develops and produces feature films and television series geared to both mainstream and Latino audiences. Nuyorican was founded in 2003 by Jennifer Lopez and is run by Lopez and veteran producer Simon Fields.

Under Lopez and Fields, Nuyorican has been busy expanding its TV development, having sold a small screen version of the Lopez feature "Maid in Manhattan" to ABC, as well as the project "Amigas" to Disney Channel. The company has produced projects including the film Shall We Dance which grossed over $170 million worldwide and Bordertown, the political thriller which starred Lopez.

In other Jennifer Lopez news, Natalie Portman has replaced the actress in the upcoming film "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits," an adaptation of an Ayelet Waldman novel. The story revolves around a young woman who finds the key to recovering her marriage in her relationship with her precocious stepson. The film will begin shooting in Manhattan on Nov. 10.

Jennifer Lopez Overcame "Challenging" Relationships

Jennifer Lopez says that when it came to becoming happy and fulfilled in a relationship, it came later on in her life.

"I have been in a few challenging ones," Lopez, 39, said Wednesday at The Women's Conference in Long Beach, Calif. "I have been in relationships that can make you doubt who you are and what you are capable of, and doubt what you deserve. It took me a bit little longer to get it right."

The actress, who didn't mention by name any of her exes, has been married twice and publicly dated Sean "Diddy" Combs and Ben Affleck before quietly marrying Marc Anthony, 40, with whom she had twins.

Raising children, she told the conference being attended by 14,000 women and hosted by California First Lady Maria Shriver, "can make you more aware and more loving, and make you aware there's nothing they don't deserve. Your eyes open. Your heart opens."

Eva Mendes Doesn't Like Comparisons to Jennifer Lopez

Eva Mendes has said she doesn't like being compared to Jennifer Lopez just because they’re both from Latin backgrounds.

Mendes, who recently was featured on a provocative advertising campaign for Calvin Klein, is quoted as saying recently: “I would like to think I will have a more serious career than [Jennifer]".

“We may both be of Latin origin but that’s where the comparisons stop. “She manages her career like the head of a big corporation, whereas the only thing I care about is becoming the best actress possible.”

We think Mendes still has a long way to go yet.

Would You Wear Jennifer Lopez's Dress?

Statement necklaces are the hot accessory this season, but how about a dress with a statement necklace built in?

Jennifer Lopez’s Givenchy dress is just that — a black long-sleeved mini blinged out with layers of gold and silver chains. It certainly takes the guesswork out of accessorizing!

For a bit of extra sparkle, Jennifer adds gold heels, flashy earrings and a large cocktail ring. Would you wear a dress with built-in necklaces like Jennifer’s?

Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini Are Good Friends

Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini were very close recently at Elle's Women in Hollywood Tribute. The two arrived hand in hand and then went through the predinner cocktail reception still holding hands. As soon as they made it to their seats, they hung out like a couple of cool chicks in the cafeteria.

They talked, laughed, and they took photos of each other with their BlackBerrys. They also excused themselves from their table (which included Jenny McCarthy and the emcee for the night, E!'s Chelsea Handler) at least twice to go to the washroom. And yes, they walked to and from the bathroom holding hands.

Still stuck to each other at the end of the night, they spent their last few minutes there talking with Nicole Kidman. Some people think Lopez is just giving more evidence to claims that she's become a Scientologist like Remini, but who really knows what's going on there.

Jennifer Lopez In Dolce & Gabbana Dress

The star is runway-ready in her tight-fitting Dolce & Gabbana white corset dress and great bouffant hairstyle at the designers' Milan show.

Jennifer Lopez Likes Victoria Beckham's New Hairstyle

Jennifer Lopez was with Victoria Beckham the day Victoria decided to cut off all her hair and dye it black.

Lopez admits that she was quite shocked when she first saw Posh with the new do, but she liked it. She says, "I was so shocked. I arranged to meet up with her the day she had it done. She didn't tell me what she was doing, so I turned up and there was she was with this incredibly short black hair. I was knocked out. I told her she looked like Audrey Hepburn. I think she's such a great girl."

She also mentioned that she is excited for Victoria’s new clothing line. She says, "I was so excited for her that her fashion collection went so well. Everyone loved it. I'm really proud of her." There were rumors going around that these two were just fake friends but it doesn’t sound like it to us.