Jennifer Lopez has no intention of slowing down or changing who she is as she celebrates the release of her latest film, ‘Atlas’.
The comments come amidst what has been a turbulent time for the 54-year-old, with reviews of the film being less than favorable and question marks over the future of her marriage with Ben Affleck.
“I honestly don’t think anyone should settle for the label they’re given. The important thing is to do the things that excite you and make you feel alive. Yes, I am a singer, actress, Latina…. I don’t set limits for myself,” said Lopez about the labels she has had to overcome throughout her career.
“I always loved to dance and I immediately started making movies. The success of the movie Selena made me record my first album and, from there, everything started. I’m an artist and I think that’s enough”.
The fact that she stars in and produced “Atlas” highlights her ability to work in different areas.
“I consider myself a very physical actress, almost an athlete, and that has to do with my background as a dancer. That’s all part of me in a very organic way,” Jennifer adds. “I always see myself as a girl from the Bronx who was chasing her dreams and trying to succeed.”
“I’ve been in the business for 25 years and I’ve done all kinds of roles. It’s been a tough journey to make my way and for people to understand that someone like me, Latina and female, is capable of a tape like this, usually reserved for men and whites. I’m aware that I’m not 25 anymore [she’s 54]. And I also know that to pull off a production like this you have to deal with issues such as age discrimination, racism and sexism,” added the New York-born actress.
She continues: “I think a movie like this would have been impossible when I started in the profession.”
Aware of her roots, she doesn’t lose focus on what her achievements represent for Hispanics: “We have improved. And that’s why one of my main fights is for Latinos to stick together.
It’s very common to see how we criticize each other. Especially when someone is successful. Whenever one of us succeeds, we have to be with them, because that means that the cinema will also tell our stories. In my case, diversity is a priority.”
Jennifer says she is proud that there are more and more female singers owning their careers, that there are more people like her. She talks about Taylor Swift and says she is happy to see “so many beautiful women succeeding.”
“I don’t feel a special responsibility for having been a pioneer. The only responsibility I admit is to have always tried to do my best,” Lopez adds.
