Jennifer Lopez is finally living out a dream. The singer and actress is thrilled to star in her first big movie musical. This is a huge moment, especially after a past audition for a different musical left her heartbroken.
Long ago, J.Lo gave her all for a part in the film "Evita." She spent weeks practicing and sang with every ounce of her soul. She stood before director Alan Parker, pouring her heart into the audition. Then came the unexpected news. Parker told her, "You are incredible. You know Madonna has the role, right?" Lopez, now 56, laughs about it today. But back then, she felt completely crushed. She simply said, "Well, goodbye. Nice to meet you." This story came out during a Q&A session on Wednesday, September 10, after a screening of her new movie, "Kiss of the Spider Woman," according to Variety.
Madonna, who is now 67, ended up playing Argentine First Lady Eva Perón in the 1996 movie version of "Evita." The film was based on a famous stage musical. Madonna won a Golden Globe for her performance. The movie itself earned five Oscar nominations. It even took home the award for Best Original Song.
Madonna in “Evita”. Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
While a lead role in "Evita" wasn’t meant to be for Lopez then, she now shines in "Kiss of the Spider Woman." This film is based on the Broadway show of the same name. Lopez plays Ingrid Luna, Aurora, and La Mujer Araña. This part was famously created on stage by the legendary Chita Rivera.
Lopez shared how thrilled she was for "Kiss of the Spider Woman" to be her "first time" leading a musical film adaptation. She reflected, "It couldn’t have been better for me." She added, "It brought me so much joy to be able to do it and step into Chita Rivera’s shoes."
The cast of "Kiss of the Spider Woman" also includes Diego Luna as Valentín Arregui and Armando. Tonatiuh plays Luis Molina and Kendall Nesbitt. Tony Dovolani is Johnny Desiderio, Josefina Scaglione is Marta, and Bruno Bichir takes on the role of El Alcaide, or The Warden. The movie tells the story of Valentín, a political prisoner. He shares the plot of a Hollywood musical, starring his favorite actress, with his cellmate.
Earlier this year, Lopez spoke about joining the movie. She called it a "dream come true." At the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, in July, she shared a personal memory. "I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life," she said. "My mother used to sit me in front of the TV, and ‘West Side Story’ would come on once a year." She continued, "I remember being fascinated. I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ That was always my goal. This is the first time I’ve truly achieved it. This man made my dream come true!"