Jennifer Lopez never gave up on her dream to star in a musical — despite rejection after rejection after rejection!
For those who don’t know, the actress is starring in the upcoming film adaption of the Broadway musical Kiss of the Spider Woman. Can you believe it is her first movie musical EVER? Yeah, she hasn’t starred in one until now! Heck, she had to fund her own (controversial) album film before she actually got cast in a legit movie musical. However, this wasn’t for a lack of trying on her part!
J.Lo revealed to the The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere of the film at Sundance Film Festival this weekend that she auditioned for several movie musicals over the years but never got the role. She shared on Sunday:
“I remember auditioning for Evita, I remember auditioning for Chicago and for Nine — getting very close on Nine. There was 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.”
It is unknown which parts she tried out for. However, Madonna ended up portraying Argentinian First Lady Eva Perón in Evita in 1996. Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones starred as Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, respectively, in Chicago in 2002. Meanwhile, Nine had a stacked cast with Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, and Nicole Kidman. Stiff competition!
Let this be an important reminder for everyone: do not give up after a rejection! Just look at J.Lo! After all those nos, she’s finally got her shot!
