Jennifer Lopez says she has missed out on “a lot of things” in her career. Despite her tremendous success, the revelation offers a rare glimpse into the competitive nature of Hollywood casting.
The 55-year-old superstar has managed to become one of the best-selling artists in music history and has also starred in a string of Hollywood movies but admitted there were some roles she had “hoped” for that just didn’t come her way. Lopez has sold more than 80 million records worldwide and her films have grossed more than $3.1 billion at the global box office.
“I remember auditioning for Evita, I remember auditioning for Chicago and for Nine — getting very close on Nine,” she recalled, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about her new musical Kiss of the Spider Woman. These productions went on to receive critical acclaim and numerous awards, with Chicago winning six Academy Awards.
“There were a lot of things that I had always hoped that I could do and just wasn’t the right time. But this is the right thing.” Her candid admission reflects the unpredictable nature of casting in Hollywood, where even established stars face rejection.
Madonna was eventually cast in the leading role of Evita in 1996, while the Academy Award-winning Chicago starred Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones in 2002. Evita went on to gross over $141 million worldwide and earned Madonna a Golden Globe for Best Actress.
Nine made its way from stage to screen in 2009, and starred Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, and Nicole Kidman as the female leads alongside Daniel Day-Lewis. The film, though star-studded, received mixed reviews but garnered four Academy Award nominations.
The ‘Jenny from the Block’ hitmaker admitted that the musical genre was what made her want to get into the business in the first place, and assumed she would make it to The Great White Way but Hollywood came calling instead. Her journey from Bronx native to global superstar has inspired millions.
“I started off loving musicals. That’s what made me want to be a singer and an actor and a dancer; watching musicals with my mom when I was growing up — me and my two sisters. We loved them and we’d sing around the house. I honestly thought I was going to go on to Broadway because I started as a dancer and a singer and I was doing tours in Europe and in Japan. I thought, OK, next step would be Broadway. Then I got sent out to Hollywood and the rest is kind of history, and [my career] took a different turn,” she said.
Lopez‘s career has spanned more than three decades, during which she has become the first Latin actress to earn more than $1 million for a film and the first woman to have a number-one album and film in the same week. Her versatility as an entertainer has earned her numerous accolades, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Despite missing out on these notable musical roles, Lopez’s career has flourished in unexpected ways. She has successfully balanced careers in music, film, and television, becoming one of the most influential Latin entertainers in the industry. Her films have consistently performed well at the box office, with hits like “Maid in Manhattan,” “Monster-in-Law,” and “Hustlers” proving her commercial appeal.
The star’s upcoming role in Kiss of the Spider Woman marks a return to her musical theater roots, combining her talents for acting, singing, and dancing. The production is generating significant buzz in the entertainment industry, with early predictions suggesting it could be a career-defining moment for Lopez.
Throughout her career, Lopez has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, turning potential setbacks into opportunities for growth. Her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring entertainers, showing that success often comes through unexpected paths and that persistence is key in the entertainment industry.
