Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Meet the other Ben in J.Lo’s life, her long-time manager Benny Medina: Jennifer Lopez was seen plant shopping with the IRL ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’, who also worked with Mariah Carey and Will Smith
STORYFaye Bradley
![Talent manager Benny Medina has been by Jennifer Lopez’s side for more than a quarter of a century. Photo: @benny__medina1/Instagram](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/768x768/public/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/19/2f46370a-82a8-4aad-af72-88c9518d9eea_9f7b04c1.jpg?itok=gvxfaENr&v=1721377313)
- Jennifer Lopez didn’t spend the Fourth of July with her husband Ben Affleck this year, but instead hung out with Benny Medina, her long-time manager and godfather to her kids
- Medina is known as the ‘real life Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ after revealing that Will Smith’s character on the show was based on his own journey; Medina also executive produced the 90s sitcom
Ben Affleck didn’t spend the Fourth of July with his wife Jennifer Lopez this year, but she was spotted hanging out with another Ben – her manager, Benny Medina.
![Benny Medina considers Jennifer Lopez “family” these days, and is godfather to her children. Photo: @benny__medina1/Instagram Benny Medina considers Jennifer Lopez “family” these days, and is godfather to her children. Photo: @benny__medina1/Instagram](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/19/486a5a64-2489-4d75-879c-fedc1855b53a_7390c88c.jpg)
According to People, Lopez hung out with pals in New York for the holiday, while the Gone Girl actor stayed in Los Angeles. The 54-year-old pop star was seen shopping for plants in the Hamptons with Medina during her visit, adds the source.
Advertisement
Here’s what we know about the “other” Ben in J.Lo’s life:
Is Benny Medina The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?
![Benny Medina is the “real life” Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Photo: @benny__medina1/Instagram Benny Medina is the “real life” Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Photo: @benny__medina1/Instagram](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/19/c5985c2d-afc9-4145-8782-7227c568e000_7390c88c.jpg)
Yup, it’s true. According to The Wall Street Journal, Medina is considered the “real-life” Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Sportskeeda adds that the popular 1990s sitcom – which stars Will Smith as the lead actor – is based on Medina’s own journey. Medina also executive produced the show.
Who does Benny Medina work with?
![Benny Medina previously managed Mariah Carey. Photo: @benny__medina1/Instagram Benny Medina previously managed Mariah Carey. Photo: @benny__medina1/Instagram](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/19/5ab48131-8ee9-4440-8850-b4dcd57243ba_48ea8f71.jpg)
Per Deadline, Medina has worked with Mariah Carey and Will Smith in the past, and currently serves as Lopez’s manager.
How long has Benny Medina worked with J.Lo?
![Talent agent Benny Medina with Jay-Z, long-time client Jennifer Lopez, and her then partner Alex Rodriguez. Photo: @benny__medina1/Instagram Talent agent Benny Medina with Jay-Z, long-time client Jennifer Lopez, and her then partner Alex Rodriguez. Photo: @benny__medina1/Instagram](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/19/86b487ac-1500-41b0-8ada-fad45930e8a6_82832968.jpg)
Medina helped Lopez launch her career in 1999, so the pair have been working together for more than 25 years. It wasn’t always smooth sailing between Lopez and Medina though. According to a 2003 New York Times article titled “When Jenny Dumped Benny”, Lopez fired Medina that year after claiming he illegally contracted work on her behalf and misappropriated over US$100,000.
![Benny Medina, who executive produced The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, based Will Smith’s character on his own journey. Photo: @benny__medina1/Instagram Benny Medina, who executive produced The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, based Will Smith’s character on his own journey. Photo: @benny__medina1/Instagram](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/19/c08f0732-594f-42be-bce5-0a1ab6605d58_7390c88c.jpg)