Half a decade following the memorable omission of Jennifer Lopez from nominations for her role in ‘Hustlers’, one can’t help but wonder – Is an Oscar finally within her grasp? The prominent artist, known widely through her song ‘Jenny From the Block’, was overcome with emotion at the Sundance Film Festival recently. Her latest cinematic musical project, ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’, was met with high regard and a standing ovation.
Addressing the audience with heartfelt anticipation, Lopez expressed how starring in a musical film has been a long-standing dream for her. ‘This moment is one I’ve wished for all my life,’ she confessed. The multifaceted performer then shared how annual screenings of ‘West Side Story’ during Thanksgiving, a tradition established by her mother, propelled her passion for musicals and significantly influenced her desire to join the entertainment industry.
Visible emotion graced the face of Lopez, also known for her role in ‘Marry Me’, as she recalled her captivation with musicals. She stated, ‘It was completely mesmerizing, and I thought to myself, ‘This is what I was born to do.’ That aspiration was always in my heart, and this occasion marks the first time I actually had the opportunity to fulfill it. It’s more than just a milestone.’
She also extended her gratitude to the director of the film as she affirmed that he had ‘made my dream come true.’ In ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’, Lopez steps into the shoes of fictional movie star Ingrid Luna. The film itself is based on a stage musical revolving around the lives of Argentine prisoners, which originally drew inspiration from a novel published in 1976.
History shows us this isn’t the first time the story has been adapted to the big screen; a previous 1985 adaptation saw William Hurt securing the prestigious Oscar for Best Actor. It was also a nominee for the illustrious Best Picture category. As the early reviews poured in from Sundance, they showered admiration on Lopez’s performance. Critics hailed her role to be ‘one of the most celebrated in her career,’ declaring it as the role she was destined to portray.
When inquired about the Oscar buzz that surrounded her, Lopez cautiously sidestepped the conversation, instead expressing hope for suitable recognition for the movie. ‘Like everyone, I want the film to get the acclaim it truly deserves,’ she commented. Just a few years back in 2019, the buzz around Jennifer’s potential Oscar nomination was absolutely unmissable, following her unique portrayal in ‘Hustlers’. Her critically acclaimed performance in the film had already earned her nomimations at the Golden Globe awards, Independent Spirit Awards, as well Critics’ Choice Awards.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, Jennifer’s performance was overlooked by the Academy. This came as a surprise to critics nationwide who had lauded her role, terming her omission as one of the most astounding snubs of the year. Jennifer candidly discussed the impact of this incident in an interview during 2021, expressing the mixed emotions she underwent when her expected nomination did not materialize.
She reflected, ‘If there’s a situation where you’re continuously told you’re supposed to be nominated, and then you’re not, how do you interpret that? What does it signify? Are all the other recognitions credible, and if so, why isn’t this one?’ Over time, she had to condition herself not to dwell on these disappointments, reminding herself that her work was not simply about amassing accolades.
The pop icon shared her introspection about the Oscar snub, ‘The truth is, I don’t do this to have a shelf filled with Oscars or Grammys.’ She stressed on her passion for her craft rather than the awards she could accumulate. Jennifer delved further into details about her Oscar disappointment in her recent 2022 documentary – ‘Halftime’. ‘It actually started to sink in that I might just be nominated,’ narrates Lopez in the film.
‘There was so much speculation, so many people were assuring me it would be so, so I coyly let myself believe it. However, as it turned out, it didn’t transpire as planned,’ she reveals in her film, highlighting her hope and subsequent disappointment.