Jennifer Lopez has never been one to shy away from owning her power, and throughout her career, she’s faced the good, the bad, and the occasionally unfair labels that come with being a woman in the spotlight. One of those labels? Being called a “diva.” Over the years, the term has stuck to Lopez, despite her repeated insistence that it was a mischaracterization. In fact, during the early years of her career, even Hollywood studios seemed to buy into this notion—and were actually “afraid” of her.
In a revealing interview with W Magazine, Lopez recounted an incident from 2001, when she starred in the romantic drama Angel Eyes. Originally, actor Aaron Eckhart was set to star alongside Lopez, but just a month before filming began, he dropped out. Lopez admitted that Warner Bros. Pictures was nervous about delivering the news to her, likely due to her “diva” reputation at the time.
“The studio was actually afraid to tell me the last one,” Lopez confessed. “I think they thought I would freak out.” However, Lopez handled the situation like a true professional, showing that she was more concerned with making the film successful than with drama. She didn’t let the news derail her or allow her emotions to dictate the next steps. Instead, she took matters into her own hands, asking the studio to provide a list of other actors who would be suitable for the role. That’s when Jim Caviezel was brought in to play her onscreen partner.
“I’ve learned too much about the politics of movies to get caught up in stuff,” she reflected. “I just said, ‘Give me a list of other actors who are right for this part.’ And we got our first choice, Jim Caviezel.”
For Caviezel, working with Lopez was an unforgettable experience. Despite being a veteran actor, he was nervous about filming a love scene with Lopez, which was his first on-screen romantic encounter. According to Caviezel, Lopez immediately noticed his anxiety and offered a bit of reassurance.
“It was my first love scene, or the first one that you guys have seen,” Caviezel recalled. “I was really nervous. She picked up on that and she said, ‘Is this your first love scene?’ and I said, ‘God, am I that bad?’”
While Caviezel’s nerves were understandable, he took the role on the advice of Dennis Quaid and expressed gratitude for the opportunity. He spoke about how fate played a role in his being cast, stating, “People ask me, ‘Do you believe in destiny?’ and I really don’t. I think something up above intercedes for you and tells you, ‘You can do this if you want to.’”
Despite the perception of Lopez as being difficult to work with, those who’ve actually worked alongside her know a different side to her. She’s a consummate professional, laser-focused on her craft. Her longtime manager, Benny Medina, has seen firsthand how Lopez’s ambition was often misunderstood, especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
“I hadn’t managed many women, and I realized that a woman empowered, telling me what to do, was kind of new,” Medina explained. “It put me off. I now understand why somebody wants to call somebody a diva or a b**** and make them out to be demanding. I’ve learned about the double standard. Luckily, Jen was sharp enough to ask me, ‘Why are you reacting that way?’”
Director Adam Shankman, who worked with Lopez on The Wedding Planner, echoed similar sentiments. He said that Lopez’s focus and drive to succeed have always been at the core of her persona.
“The real Jen’s all about her work,” Shankman shared. “When I met her, she’d just gotten a divorce, and all she wanted was to succeed. So she likes nice stuff, a big trailer—who doesn’t? She has no fear of asking for what she wants. I admire that.”
Jennifer Lopez’s journey from “diva” to one of Hollywood’s most respected and powerful figures shows just how far she’s come. While she’s always been unapologetic in her pursuit of success, it’s clear that she’s done so with professionalism and a clear vision for her career. Today, her reputation precedes her, but for all the right reasons—she’s a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment world.
