Entertainment
Jennifer Lopez says challenging “Kiss of the Spider Woman” role is something she’s “wanted to do my whole life”
Jennifer Lopez says her latest project, a musical film exploring an unlikely bond between a transgender character and a political revolutionary, arrives at a moment when a message of acceptance is necessary.
“I think it’s necessary because the world is in a place where there’s a lot of hate … there’s a demonization of like the Latino community, of the queer community….and I think, you know, we need to remind each other that love is the answer – not hate,” Lopez told “CBS Mornings” co-anchor Gayle King about the new film, “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” which hits theaters Friday.
Lopez said she was “immediately floored” when she read the script for the film by writer and director Bill Condon, known for his work on “Chicago” and “Dreamgirls.” The movie is based on a 1970s novel by Manuel Puig, which Lopez described as being far ahead of its time.
The story’s central message focuses on a transgender character and a cisgender political revolutionary who come from completely different worlds but, through extraordinary circumstances, come to recognize each other’s humanity and develop a deep bond.
“I thought to myself: this is something I’ve wanted to do my whole life,” she said.
Playing three “very different characters”
Lopez said the last time she felt that same thrill was when she was preparing for her star role in “Selena.” In “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” Lopez plays three different versions of the same woman.
“They’re the same person, but they’re three very different iterations of this woman and they’re all very different characters and they have very different looks as well. And that was fun. But I think the essence of who they were was very different, but still the same. And I think that was the challenge,” Lopez explained.
Lopez said the film’s core message is about seeing past differences.
“When you forget about all those things, if you forget about somebody’s political views and you forget, we’re all entitled to our opinions about everything and our ways of thinking, and even, you know, from where we grew up and where we’re from all over the world. But the truth is, we’re all human, we’re all the same. And if we can just see that we can allow people to be who they are and love each other anyway,” she said.
She also spoke about her character, Ingrid Luna, who appears in one musical sequence. In that scene, Ingrid helps another character escape the harsh reality of prison through a fantasy-like performance. The number, titled “Where You Are,” serves as an emotional moment of release, inviting the character to forget his surroundings and find comfort through imagination.
“And I think that’s what art and music and movies…films do for people. You know, and especially in difficult times of their life, I know for me, it definitely has been that way,” Lopez said.
Bad Bunny and the power of music
Lopez and Shakira headlined the Pepsi Super Bowl LIV halftime show, with a special guest performance from Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny during a rendition of “I Like it.”
As Bad Bunny now prepares to take the NFL’s biggest stage for the Apple Music Super Bowl LX halftime show, Lopez is sharing her appreciation for the artist as he encourages people to learn Spanish. She said the message behind his performance, much like her new film, centers on love and openness, encouraging people not to close themselves off to new experiences.
“Music and art transcends language. It doesn’t matter,” she said. “And he’s done that probably more than anybody of any generation he really has.”
Lopez said the Super Bowl gives artists a rare opportunity to reach new audiences and show who they are.
“It’s about not having so many ideas and closing yourself off to experiences that you might be missing out on something wonderful. Don’t do that to yourself. That’s what I would say,” she said.
She praised a moment when Bad Bunny brought singer Marc Anthony, the father of Lopez’s children, onstage during a concert in Puerto Rico.
“It couldn’t have been a more perfect moment. And I didn’t even see it. I know it was perfect– God didn’t let me see it, because I would’ve exploded. I would’ve died,” Lopez said.
For Lopez, it’s always important to keep her mind and heart open, telling King she still considers herself a “hopeful romantic” – the term she told King she preferred over “hopeless romantic” in an interview in 2022.
“100%. 100%. And the more self aware I become with the lessons that I learn and the hardships that I go through, the more I feel whole and complete on my own, the more I become hopeful for that same type of person to come into my life,” said Lopez. “The more I know the more, you know, that type of person will come into my life. Yeah. And so I’m excited for everything in the future.”
King Charles III’s wise move proves he will never ditch his late mother Queen Elizabeth’s legacy as he makes secret efforts to keep the family united.
The 77-year-old’s nod to his niece Princess Eugenie has raised hopes for Andrew and Fergi’es reunion as speculation about the former Duke and Duchess of York’s future move has escalated, attracting massive media attention.
The much-needed relief for the York family comes at a time when Andrew and Ferguson’s controversies have loomed large over their lives.
A royal expert claims Andrew will not really settle in Sandringham, and Sarah is obviously looking for an escape route after her latest hiding place was discovered.
“I have a suspicion both might end up in Portugal to be close to their grandchildren and lead a simpler, quieter life,” royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner claimed to Fox News Digital.
However, attention has returned to the Yorks after King Charles’ nod to his niece Eugenie as the Palace took the step to embrace the York family and celebrate their joyful moments publicly.
The new arival may releses stress from Beatrice and Eugenie’s disgraced parents, who have been in forced exile since the King stripped them of their royal tiles and patronages..
Lauren Sánchez Bezos took her Met Gala preparation to an unexpected place: the New York Fire Department.
Days before stepping onto the red carpet May 4, the 56 year old journalist and philanthropist joined FDNY for a full training routine, complete with gear drills, smoke filled obstacle courses, and life saving techniques.
“It’s probably the most unique Met prep ever,” Sánchez told Vogue. “It was bananas, but I loved it. I probably lost about two pounds doing it.”
The honourary co chair of this year’s gala shared footage of the workout on Instagram, noting the session benefited the Leary Firefighters Foundation and FDNY Foundation.
“They do not mess around,” she wrote, adding that the experience gave her “a very small glimpse into the strength, discipline, and courage firefighters bring to their work.”
Her training coincided with International Firefighters’ Day on May 4, a detail Sánchez highlighted in her tribute: “Thank you to firefighters everywhere for your service.”
On the Met steps, Sánchez channeled John Singer Sargent’s 1883 painting Madame X in a midnight blue Schiaparelli gown by Daniel Roseberry.
The corseted look featured a jeweled strap draped over one shoulder, paired with Lorraine Schwartz earrings.
Inside the gala, she was joined by husband Jeff Bezos, who kept his look classic in a black tuxedo and bowtie.
- Victim abducted at gunpoint outside Islamabad residence.
- Main suspect, female accomplice arrested from Swat.
- Police recover the vehicle used in kidnapping incident.
ISLAMABAD: The body of a young man abducted from Islamabad’s F-6 area has been recovered from Mardan, police said on Tuesday, adding that the victim appeared to have been subjected to torture.
According to police, the body was shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where a post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted.
The deceased was identified by his family as 30-year-old Farrukh Afzal. His family claimed that he was abducted in front of his father, adding that the kidnappers opened fire when they attempted to resist.
Speaking to Geo News, a relative of the victim said that when Afzal arrived home late at night at around 12:04am and was getting out of his car, right at that time, three people tried to kidnap him.
“A neighbour called [police], and his parents came out of their house after hearing his screams, but the armed kidnappers took him away,” he said, claiming that the boy could have been saved if the police had taken action at the time and placed blockades.
“However, no action was taken, which is why such an incident took place in the safe city of Islamabad, especially in a place like F-6/1, which is near the Red Zone,” he said, raising the question of how armed people can abduct a boy in Islamabad and kill him in Mardan.
Meanwhile, the police said, the abduction took place when the victim was returning home and opening the gate of his house in Islamabad’s F-6/1 area, where four armed men forcibly took him away in a vehicle after firing shots.
A first information report (FIR) was registered at Kohsar police station on the complaint of the victim’s father.
According to the FIR, the complainant rushed outside after hearing noise around midnight and saw four to five unidentified individuals abducting his son. When he and his neighbours tried to intervene, the suspects opened fire and fled with the victim.
Police said that the main suspect, along with a woman accomplice, was arrested in Swat, while the vehicle used in the kidnapping has also been recovered.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing from multiple angles, and efforts are underway to trace other suspects involved in the incident.
North India cotton yarn prices rise despite weak domestic demand
India among most resilient large EMs, better placed for future global shocks; policy reforms & strong buffers help: Moody’s – The Times of India
Andrew, Fergie may reunite in Portugal after King Charles nod
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