Back from the Bloc
Jennifer Lopez is a chameleon of modern culture
Simone Lee is fascinated by her grit and success
A chameleon of modern culture, Jennifer Lynn Lopez has combined clever career reinvention with a refusal to bow down to preconceptions about age. In doing so, the 52-year-old actress, singer, businesswoman and philanthropist has cemented her place as an inspiration for an extremely wide demographic – one that spans age, gender and background.
J.Lo will always be an infinitely interesting personality for people. She’s enjoying a career renaissance and looking fitter than ever.
Having decided a few years ago that it was time to take stock of her life in the lingering aftermath of her divorce from Marc Anthony, not only did she return to the studio to work on a new album – A.K.A., which was released in 2014 – but also decided to embark on a rigorous fitness campaign.
As a result, critics rave about Lopez’s fabulous form almost as much as they do about her acting in NBC series Shades of Blue, and movies Second Act and Hustlers – while Marry Me opposite Owen Wilson (to be released in 2022) looks to be another well-judged turn if early whispers are to be believed.
It all adds up to the fact that the Bronx-born icon has rediscovered a sense of purpose, which was noticeably missing in much of her work post-2000. What we are seeing both professionally and personally (including her rekindled romance with Ben Affleck) is similar to something out of the Hollywood playbook of script written perfection.
“I think at the heart of it is the fact that I continue to learn about myself – and try to keep evolving as a woman, as a person and as a human being,” she says, adding: “And yet, I think that the most important lesson I’ve learned is to love myself first.”
Lopez elaborates: “I’m not unique in going through challenges and trials, nor am I unique in at times struggling to find the answer to the puzzle. But I believe we all get there in the end.”
J.Lo is tightlipped about linking arms again with Affleck… although she needn’t be. It seems like one of those Tinseltown stories that ticks so many boxes – something the industry wants to chat about and celebrate.
The two were a bona fide item almost two decades ago, splitting in 2004 after a two-year romance during which they were engaged. That they’ve gone their separate ways and come back to the centre reinforces a need in both to perhaps take a more settled view of the future.
By Lopez’s own admission, the buoyancy of her career in the past had ultimately deflected attention away from a haphazard love life, which – while providing elation in some quarters such as in 13-year-old twins Maximilian and Emme – has left the performer downtrodden.
Even as recently as 2019, she was announcing her engagement to former baseball star Alex Rodriguez; but something didn’t seem right in the same way that her reuniting with Affleck does.
“It’s flattering that people follow your career and fortunes so intently; but the truth is that I genuinely feel I have nothing left to prove to myself,” she asserts.
J.Lo explains: “That is one of those flippant statements you find yourself coming out with over the course of your career – and it’s very easy to say it, even if sometimes you may question whether you mean it.”
“We have all told someone we love them as a quick response to them saying it and it is that same feeling of uncertainty. Dare you let the words come out? Well, for me, I can say that I have nothing left to prove to myself now; and for the first time I honestly mean it – so that is very comforting to me,” Lopez affirms.
Jennifer adds: “That’s not to say I don’t still strive to go out there and do amazing things; but for the moment, I am where I want to be.”
Hitting the half-century doesn’t seem to have had any adverse effects on the singer-actress.
She carries herself with the same style and swagger that she always did… perhaps with a shimmering of greater self-awareness of art, dynamism, the environment, and an obvious dedication to health and fitness.
Mostly though, what radiates is her contentment and an acceptance of the past.
“I think you realise that as life goes on, you never have all the answers… and never did have them in the past. It’s so easy to beat yourself up over things that in hindsight, you realise you shouldn’t have,” she states.
Lopez adds: “When the shackles are off, we produce our best work and that’s true of so many people in so many parts of life. It’s getting to that point that’s the difficult bit!”
And yet, even as a veteran of over 40 movies and eight albums, J.Lo’s desire to explore the next project has never diminished…
– Compiled by hub.branded