Jennifer Lopez on Breaking Stereotypes, Representation, and Her Next Big Role
Talks her upcoming role in the film "Unstoppable."
Jennifer Lopez has spent decades smashing stereotypes, shattering ceilings, and proving that Latinas deserve their spot in Hollywood. In a candid chat on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast, J.Lo opened up about her journey, her mindset, and how she’s using her influence to push for lasting change.
Talking representation in film and the pace of progress, Lopez admitted, “I heard somebody say change is slow—positive change is slow, and sometimes that can be frustrating. But I think so long as we’re moving in the direction, that’s a good thing. When we take steps back, that’s when it gets really scary. And that’s why the state of what’s going on is scary.”
Never one to dwell on the negative, the 55-year-old icon stressed the importance of unity and positivity in divisive times. “We need to use our voices, to use our art, to put love out into the world, be that love, and be that positive kind of vision for what we want our lives to be,” she said, echoing her belief in the power of storytelling to inspire change.
Reflecting on her early years in the industry, Lopez didn’t hold back about the lack of opportunity for Latinas at the time. “At the beginning of my career, there weren’t many roles for Latinas that didn’t give into stereotypes,” she revealed. “I was auditioning for roles with accents and all kinds of things—not just a person.
“I was like, ‘I’m just a girl, too. I’m just a romantic girl, too, just like any other girl. Why can’t I play that role?’ And because I believed that, I believe that’s why it happened.” Now one of Hollywood’s go-to romantic comedy leads, Lopez said it’s amazing to see how far things have come since she was in her 20s, adding, “That’s not how it was 25 years ago.”
Up next for J.Lo is Unstoppable, the inspiring story of wrestler Anthony Robles (played by Jharrel Jerome), who overcame being born with one leg to win a national championship in 2011. Lopez takes on the role of Judy Robles, Anthony’s mother, in what promises to be another heartfelt and powerful performance.
Unstoppable hits theaters on December 6, continuing Lopez’s legacy of using her platform to tell meaningful stories—and to inspire the next generation of Latinas to dream even bigger.
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