December 26, 2024: Jennifer Lopez’s recent reflections on her personal and professional life, shared in the context of her role in Unstoppable, offer an insightful glimpse into how she navigates life’s challenges and the lessons she’s learned through both motherhood and relationships.
In the interview, Lopez explained her approach to overcoming obstacles: “I think the way I overcome things is not by thinking of them as happening to me, but happening for me. And, what is the lesson that needs to be learned in the moment?” This mindset is one that emphasizes growth through adversity, a perspective that has clearly shaped her approach to life and career.
Lopez’s role in Unstoppable, where she plays Judy Robles, the mother of former NCAA wrestling champion Anthony Robles, was deeply personal for her. She connected with Judy’s experiences, particularly in balancing the role of a mother and a woman grappling with her own dreams and struggles. Lopez reflected on her own life as a mother and how it shaped her understanding of Judy’s character: “Being a mom and knowing what it is to want to give the best to your children and put forward your best face for them all the time. But also be struggling as a woman and in relationships and in life and with your own dreams and your own aspirations–and what that means and what that feels like, I think for me, was the biggest thing.”
Her performance in the film has been widely praised, with even her ex-husband Ben Affleck offering commendation. Affleck, speaking about Lopez’s portrayal of Judy, said, “We really believe in the power of storytelling when the people involved in it are deeply connected to the story, Jennifer’s spectacular.” This acknowledgment from Affleck highlights how Lopez’s personal connection to the role contributed to the depth and authenticity of her performance.
In Unstoppable, Lopez’s character supports her son while navigating her own personal and emotional struggles—something Lopez finds incredibly relatable as a mother and as a woman who has faced her own challenges. She shared that she wanted to approach Judy’s story with sensitivity and authenticity, saying, “I wanted to really understand Judy and make sure she felt safe with me [while] sharing details of her experience.”
Lopez’s protective instincts as a mother are reflected in Judy’s character, especially in how both women go to great lengths to shield their children from their struggles. Lopez explained, “When you talk to Judy’s kids, including Anthony, they say, ‘My mom’s so positive, she’s so great,’ but there was a whole different story there that she was living, that you hide from your children.”
Lopez also shared that her own experiences as a mother to twins Max and Emme—from her previous marriage to Marc Anthony—shaped her understanding of Judy’s protective nature. In both her personal life and in Unstoppable, Lopez portrays the deeply human struggle of balancing one’s own aspirations with the desire to support and protect one’s children.
In a significant personal development, Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleck in August 2024, citing irreconcilable differences after just two years of marriage. While this adds a layer of complexity to her personal story, Lopez’s reflections on relationships and personal growth in her interviews suggest that, just as she navigates challenges in her career, she continues to approach her personal life with an emphasis on learning and growth.
Her ability to find meaning and purpose in difficult situations, whether in her career or personal life, reflects a mindset that has clearly helped her succeed and continue evolving as both an artist and a person. The way she channels her own experiences into her work, especially in roles like Unstoppable, only adds to her resilience and relatability as an actress and as a public figure.
