There have been numerous occasions where I felt like throwing in the towel and giving up.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/InStyle
Jennifer Lopez is undeniably one of the most accomplished women in the world. With almost 40 movies under her belt and 80 million records sold, she is a true multi-talented superstar. Known for her electrifying performances and exceptional dancing skills, she seems to defy the aging process. In fact, she has even launched her own skincare line, JLo Beauty, so that others can achieve her timeless glow.
However, even the highly talented superstar can struggle with feelings of insecurity. Despite putting on a confident front, she has been battling these insecurities for quite some time. In her latest project “Halftime” on Netflix, premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival, J.Lo shows a vulnerable side that her fans have never seen before. She opens up about her inner struggles and how she has always dealt with being underestimated.
“No matter how much I accomplished, the media’s focus on my personal life always overshadowed my career,” she shared in the documentary. The film, now available for streaming, reveals her struggles with low self-esteem and how she internalized the harsh criticisms thrown her way about her talents in singing, acting, and dancing. Despite her success, she often felt like she didn’t belong and questioned why she should even continue.
She mentioned, “There were numerous instances where I felt like giving up. I had to truly understand my own identity and have faith in myself, ignoring any outside doubts.”
Jennifer Lopez: In Her Own Words and in the Eyes of Others
Throughout her twenty years in the film industry, Lopez has not been widely recognized by award shows. In a documentary, she openly discussed the lack of accolades for her work, addressing her 2020 Oscar snub for her acclaimed role in “Hustlers.”
“I honestly thought I had a good shot at getting nominated. With so many people telling me it was likely, my hopes were definitely up,” she recounted. “But when it didn’t happen, I had to stop and reflect on what that really meant.”
Despite the setback, the artist emphasized that accolades and recognition were not her driving force. “I’m not in this for the awards or to showcase my hits and come across as the top performer globally. No, I do this to share narratives, inspire change, and forge connections with others to evoke emotions because I, too, want to feel something. That’s my motivation. I genuinely aim to make a positive impact in the world in my own small way.”
More significant to Jennifer than any accolade is her strong connection to her roots. She remains true to her humble beginnings, always emphasizing the importance of Latinx representation in all her endeavors. When she performed at the Super Bowl, she used the platform to shed light on the ICE detention crisis despite being advised against it by the NFL. Jennifer insisted on incorporating symbolic cages in her performance to raise awareness.
She made it clear that her stance was not about politics but about human rights. She passionately expressed her pride in her Latino heritage and the importance of bringing attention to the mistreatment of Latinos in the country. Even the premiere of her documentary was held in a Latinx community, highlighting her commitment to her roots.
Looking ahead, Jennifer shows no signs of slowing down. With the documentary titled with multiple meanings, she hints that there is much more she intends to achieve. At 52, she believes she is only at the midpoint of her life, leaving a whole second half for new accomplishments.