Jennifer Lopez has always been known for taking on projects that combine powerful storytelling with emotional resonance — and her latest film, Kiss of the Spider Woman, might be her most meaningful yet. The global superstar revealed that this new musical drama is not just another movie for her, but something she’s “wanted to do her whole life.”
A Story of Love, Identity, and Acceptance
In Kiss of the Spider Woman, Lopez portrays three versions of the same woman in a story that explores an unlikely connection between a transgender character and a political revolutionary. The two come from entirely different worlds but form a deep and transformative bond under extraordinary circumstances.
Speaking about the film, Lopez emphasized the story’s message of love and unity in a world that often feels divided. “The world is in a place where there’s a lot of hate,” she said. “There’s a demonization of the Latino community, of the queer community… and I think we need to remind each other that love is the answer — not hate.”
Lopez believes that Kiss of the Spider Woman arrives at just the right time, when audiences are in need of stories that promote understanding and empathy.
The Role That Moved Her to Tears
When she first read the script, Lopez says she was “immediately floored.” Written and directed by Bill Condon, known for Chicago and Dreamgirls, the film is based on the groundbreaking 1970s novel by Manuel Puig. The story, she noted, was “far ahead of its time.”
“I thought to myself — this is something I’ve wanted to do my whole life,” Lopez shared.
In the film, she takes on one of her most challenging performances to date — portraying three very different iterations of the same woman. Each version has distinct characteristics, appearances, and emotional depth, requiring Lopez to explore different sides of the same soul.
“They’re the same person, but they’re all very different in essence and in look,” she explained. “The challenge was finding the emotional thread that connects them.”
Lopez compared the excitement she felt preparing for this role to the feeling she had before playing Selena Quintanilla in her breakout biopic. Both roles, she said, carried emotional weight and cultural impact — and both gave her the chance to inspire audiences through music and storytelling.
A Message That Transcends Barriers
At its core, Kiss of the Spider Woman is about seeing beyond differences — whether those differences are political, cultural, or personal. Lopez spoke passionately about how society tends to focus too much on what separates people rather than what connects them.
“When you forget about political views, where someone grew up, or how they identify — you realize we’re all human,” she said. “If we can allow people to be who they are and love them anyway, that’s when real change happens.”
This message of compassion and acceptance is something Lopez believes the world needs now more than ever. She hopes the film encourages audiences to approach others with more empathy and less judgment.
The Power of Art and Imagination
In one of the film’s most emotional musical sequences, Lopez’s character Ingrid Luna performs a number titled “Where You Are.” The scene depicts Ingrid helping another character escape the harshness of prison life through an imaginative, dreamlike performance.
Lopez explained that the number symbolizes the power of art to heal and inspire — something she personally relates to. “That’s what art, music, and movies do for people,” she said. “They allow us to escape, to dream, to heal during the hardest moments of our lives. It’s been that way for me too.”
Lopez Reflects on Bad Bunny and the Power of Music
Jennifer Lopez also reflected on how music continues to break boundaries. She referenced Bad Bunny, who will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LX halftime show, praising his influence and global reach.
Lopez herself performed at the Super Bowl LIV halftime show alongside Shakira and special guest Bad Bunny, during a performance that celebrated Latin culture on one of the world’s biggest stages.
She said she admires how Bad Bunny uses his platform to promote Spanish-language music to international audiences. “Music and art transcend language,” Lopez said. “It doesn’t matter where you come from — art connects people. And he’s done that more than anyone of his generation.”
The actress-singer also recalled a touching moment when Bad Bunny brought Marc Anthony — her former husband and father of her children — on stage during a concert in Puerto Rico. “It couldn’t have been a more perfect moment,” she said, laughing. “I didn’t even see it live — maybe that’s for the best, because I would’ve exploded!”
Staying Hopeful, Staying Open
Even with decades in the spotlight, Lopez remains grounded and optimistic. She told interviewer Gayle King that she still considers herself a “hopeful romantic” — not a hopeless one.
“I’m 100% a hopeful romantic,” she said. “The more self-aware I become, the more I learn from my challenges and hardships, the more complete I feel on my own. And that makes me hopeful for the kind of love I want in my life.”
Lopez believes that openness — in love, art, and life — is what keeps her growing. “It’s about not closing yourself off to experiences,” she said. “You never know what beautiful things you might be missing if you do.”
That philosophy seems to apply perfectly to her new film’s message as well. Kiss of the Spider Woman invites audiences to open their hearts and embrace differences — a theme Lopez believes defines her life and career.