A film screening in Los Angeles, California turned into a tense scene for Jennifer Lopez, the renowned actress and singer, when a question about her age and the passage of time led to audience indignation.
During a Q&A session on December 15, 2024, Clayton Davis, the senior awards editor for Variety, reminded the audience of Lopez’s 1997 role in “Selena,” stating, “Listen, I can’t believe it’s been 30 years since ‘Selena.’” The remark elicited noticeable surprise from those in attendance.
Lopez, 55, whose career in the entertainment industry began as a dancer on “In Living Color” before she transitioned into acting and music, initially replied with “Wow.” When Davis insinuated that she was “getting up there” in terms of age, the audience voiced their disapproval, with one attendee labeling the comment as “rude.”
The incident instigated a social media uproar, with supporters and fellow stars defending Lopez. “JLo takes care of herself, and she looks amazing! She’s ageless,” one TikTok user posted. Others complimented her well-preserved appearance and expressed admiration for her aging process.
This episode occurred during a difficult year for Lopez, marked by personal and professional changes. Her marriage to and subsequent divorce from Ben Affleck have been under intense public scrutiny, with rumors of relationship troubles throughout 2024 leading up to their separation. Despite these trials, the pair have shown solidarity, especially in their professional partnerships like “Unstoppable,” produced by Affleck’s company, Artists Equity.
Lopez, who has been featured in over 30 films and released several chart-topping albums since her 1999 debut “On the 6,” redirected the conversation to express gratitude for her fans. She noted the longevity of their mutual journey, reminiscing on both her new and past works, including her first single, “If You Had My Love,” from 1999, highlighting the remarkable trajectory of her career.
Lopez’s most recent film, “Unstoppable,” directed by William Goldenberg, is her first significant role since the critically polarizing “Atlas” on Netflix. In “Unstoppable,” she plays Judy Robles, the mother of Anthony Robles, a three-time All-American athlete born with one leg who later won a national championship at Arizona State University. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 and has been a high point in what has been characterized as a challenging phase for Lopez’s film career.
Before “Unstoppable,” Lopez experienced a series of streaming setbacks. “The Mother” was criticized for its predictable plot despite high viewership, while “Shotgun Wedding” failed to connect with critics or audiences. Her venture back into romantic comedies with “Marry Me” underperformed at the box office, earning $50 million worldwide on a $23 million budget. Her sci-fi endeavor for Netflix, “Atlas,” received notably negative reviews, with critics questioning the film’s complex storyline and digital effects.
Discussing her role in “Unstoppable,” Lopez shared her insights on artistic growth: “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 garnered positive reviews, with critics particularly applauding the performances of both Lopez and lead actor Jharrel Jerome. Lopez’s portrayal earned her the Legend & Groundbreaker Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, indicating a possible career revival for the star who has continuously reinvented herself over her 35-year career.
