A question about time and aging caused a stir at a film screening in Los Angeles, California, creating an unforeseen moment of tension during what was supposed to be a celebratory evening for Jennifer Lopez, the actress and singer.
At a Q&A session on December 15, 2024, Clayton Davis, Variety’s senior awards editor, referred to Lopez’s 1997 role in “Selena,” stating, “Listen, I can’t believe it’s been 30 years since ‘Selena.’” This remark prompted audible reactions from the audience.
Lopez, 55, who began her career in entertainment as a dancer on “In Living Color” before transitioning into acting and music, initially responded with “Wow.” Davis’ suggestion that she was “getting up there” in age was met with disapproval by audience members, one of whom described the comment as “rude.”
The incident prompted a wave of social media reaction, with fans and fellow celebrities rallying to Lopez’s defense. Statements ranged from praising JLo’s ageless appearance to admiration for her incredible looks at her age.
This event occurred in a difficult year for Lopez, who has been managing personal and professional changes. Her marriage and subsequent divorce from Ben Affleck have been under the public eye, with rumors of relationship tension appearing throughout 2024 before their separation. Despite these issues, the pair have shown unity, especially in their professional partnerships, such as “Unstoppable,” which Affleck produced via his company, Artists Equity.
Lopez, who has been in over 30 films and released many chart-topping albums since her 1999 debut “On the 6,” redirected the conversation to show gratitude for her fans. She touched on the enduring journey they’ve been on together, reminiscing about performing new tracks and revisiting her first single, “If You Had My Love,” from 1999, and highlighted the remarkable trajectory of her career.
“Unstoppable,” Lopez’s latest film directed by William Goldenberg, marks her first significant role since the critically polarizing “Atlas” on Netflix. In “Unstoppable,” she plays Judy Robles, mother of Anthony Robles, a three-time All-American athlete born with a single leg who later clinched a national championship at Arizona State University. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 and has been a positive aspect in what has been labeled a challenging phase for Lopez’s film career.
Following a series of streaming disappointments, “Unstoppable” was a welcome change for Lopez. Earlier films such as “The Mother” had received criticism for its predictable plot despite high viewership, while “Shotgun Wedding” did not connect with critics or viewers. Her return to romantic comedies in “Marry Me” saw limited success at the box office, and “Atlas,” her Netflix sci-fi project, was particularly poorly reviewed, with critics questioning the film’s complex storyline and digital effects.
Discussing her role in “Unstoppable,” Lopez shared her thoughts on artistic growth, stating: “I honestly feel that my creativity and who I am as an artist — like you said, I also feel that [‘Unstoppable’], for me, was another kind of level for me of going deeper into who I am as a person, as an artist.”
The film has been met with positive reviews, with Lopez’s performance and that of lead actor Jharrel Jerome receiving particular praise. This performance earned Lopez the Legend & Groundbreaker Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, indicating a possible revival for the star who has consistently reshaped her career over 35 years.
