Actor Ryan Guzman has starred in hit series like 9-1-1 and shared the screen with some of Hollywood’s biggest names, but one moment from early in his career still stands out — the day Jennifer Lopez personally set up his Instagram account.
While speaking with PEOPLE about the return of 9-1-1, which launched its ninth season with a two-part premiere on Oct. 9 and Oct. 16, Guzman reflected on another milestone — the 10th anniversary of The Boy Next Door, the 2015 thriller he starred in opposite Lopez.
“I didn’t know it was 10 years since that movie,” he said, surprised. “Where has time gone?”
The Day J.Lo Asked for His Instagram — and Then Made It Herself
Guzman, who was still early in his career at the time, recalls being caught off guard during press interviews when Lopez asked for his Instagram handle.
“I think I just had a Facebook or something, and she asked me what my Instagram was,” he said. “I gave her a blank look, and she just said, ‘You know what? No — I’ll set it up for you.’”
Laughing, he adds that Lopez took charge and created his account on the spot.
“My very first post is because of her. She was in charge of it for a little bit,” he said. “It’s such a crazy thing to think about now — that Jennifer Lopez is the one who started my Instagram.”
Though his current first visible post is a black-and-white promotional shot from August 2015 for Heroes: Reborn, Guzman hints that Lopez may have posted earlier content that fans might never have seen.
Beyond Social Media: A Lesson in Work Ethic
Guzman says working alongside Lopez wasn’t just memorable for the Instagram story — it became a personal masterclass in discipline and ambition.
“It’s one thing to see a superstar do what they do,” he said. “But watching Jennifer balance acting, writing a book, producing a dance reality show, working on music, and preparing for another film — all during the same project — that was inspiring.”
He credits Lopez with showing what it means to manage a multifaceted career with purpose and teamwork.
“She delegated with trust, stayed creative in every lane, and never lost momentum. For me, as a newer actor at the time, it was like watching a blueprint for how to build a career.”
Looking Back with Gratitude
Reflecting on that period, Guzman says he’s still grateful for the opportunity — and for the unexpected social media launch courtesy of a global superstar.
“I was just trying to soak in as much as I could,” he said. “Being a fly on the wall around someone like her — it meant a lot.”
From co-starring in a thriller to getting his first Instagram post approved by J.Lo herself, Ryan Guzman’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected Hollywood moments happen off-camera — in press rooms, on set, and, apparently, on social media sign-up screens.
Would you like a social-media-ready sidebar with “5 Things Ryan Guzman Learned from Jennifer Lopez” or a pop-style headline version for entertainment outlets?