Jennifer Lopez joined Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast, where she discussed her career, the challenges of being a Latina actress in Hollywood, her new movie ‘Unstoppable,’ and criticized Latina stereotypes.
“I heard someone say that positive change is slow — and it is — but as long as we’re moving in the right direction, that’s what matters,” Lopez says. “When I started, there weren’t a lot of roles for Latinas. I was auditioning for parts with accents and stereotypes. I kept thinking, ‘Why can’t I just play a romantic lead? Why can’t I be the girl next door?’ That belief—that conviction that I belonged — was what helped me break those molds.”
Lopez’s latest film, ‘Unstoppable,’ tells the true-life story of Anthony Robles, a one-legged wrestler who defied all odds to become a champion. Directed by Billy Goldenberg and starring Jharrel Jerome, the movie focuses on Robles’ journey and the unwavering support of his mother, Judy. Lopez plays Judy in the film.
“You don’t come across a movie like this very often,” she tells Variety. “I identified with him. I understood their upbringing, their struggles, their relationship and the sacrifices Judy made for her son. She realized early on that if she didn’t accept her child, how would he accept her? That moment of love and growth – it’s universal.”
Lopez makes her admiration for Robles and his mother clear, recounting her experience meeting them during the film’s production. She says Anthony’s energy is contagious. She adds, “I hope the story resonates with people—not just as a Latino story, but as a story of triumph and love.”
What sets ‘Unstoppable’ apart, she says, is its universality. “It’s an American story. It’s about family and resilience and the idea that no matter what you’re facing, you can overcome. These are themes that everyone can relate to.”
‘Unstoppable’ had its premiere in the Special Presentations section at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024. It will be followed by a limited theatrical release on December 6, 2024, by Amazon MGM Studios, and will be available on Prime Video starting January 16, 2025.
