J. Lo Sued Over Her Own Glamour Shot

Jennifer Lopez performing during the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony for Joe Biden in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021. U.S. Department of Defense photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II, courtesy of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Public domain.

Jennifer Lopez has made headlines for decades — as a singer, actress, and entrepreneur. But now, she's in the spotlight for a different reason — posting photos of herself online.

The Photos in Question

The dispute centers around two snapshots taken on Jan. 4, 2025, outside the Amazon MGM Studios and Vanity Fair pre Golden Globes^® party at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Lopez, dressed in a white slip gown and faux fur coat, posted the images on Instagram^® and X the following day with the caption "GG Weekend Glamour," according to the BBC.

But those glamorous photos weren't just flattering selfies. They were captured by paparazzo Edwin Blanco and co-owned by celebrity photo agency Backgrid USA. According to the legal filings, Lopez didn't seek permission to post them — and that's where things get legally complicated.

Copyright Law: Not as Clear as You'd Think

It may seem strange — being sued for posting a photo of yourself — but under U.S. copyright law, the person who takes a photo typically owns the rights, not the person in the picture. So, unless you take it yourself or have a license, you're not automatically allowed to share it, even if your face is front and center.

Backgrid and Blanco argue Lopez used the photos for "commercial" purposes — to promote herself, her fashion choices, and her brand partnerships. The images went viral, with fashion pages and fan accounts reposting them widely, potentially increasing Lopez's social media engagement and visibility. That visibility, they allege, has value — and they want compensation.

A Deal Gone Cold

According to the lawsuits, Lopez's representatives did respond when contacted and began negotiating a financial settlement. However, Blanco and Backgrid now say she never signed the agreement or paid the agreed amount.

In addition to copyright infringement, the complaints include breach of contract for allegedly backing out of the informal settlement. Blanco and Backgrid are seeking damages that could reach $150,000 per photo and have requested a jury trial.

Not Her First Rodeo

This isn't Lopez's first time facing this type of lawsuit. She was previously sued in 2019 for sharing a paparazzi photo with then-boyfriend Alex Rodriguez. That case was later dropped, but her attorneys were made aware of the potential legal risks back then — a detail Blanco's attorney pointed out to support claims of "willful disregard," according to The Blast.

And Lopez isn't alone. A growing number of celebrities — including Gigi Hadid, Dua Lipa, and Justin Bieber — have faced similar legal challenges over sharing paparazzi content on social media without proper licensing.

Bigger Picture: Who Owns Fame?

This case touches on a broader debate of who really "owns" a celebrity's image? Paparazzi agencies argue that their work is a business — often a grueling, risky, and thankless one. But critics of the system question whether stars should be penalized for sharing a moment from their own lives.

As of now, Lopez has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, and the images remain up on her Instagram — a quiet, unspoken stance, at least for now.

The legal showdown remains far from over.

References: Jennifer Lopez sued over posting paparazzi photos of herself | Jennifer Lopez sued in copyright case for posting photos of herself | Jennifer Lopez Sued For Posting A Picture Of Herself