In the early days of her career, Jennifer Lopez’s reputation as a diva was so prevalent that even film studios were worried about crossing her. Lopez has long said that this is an unfair descriptor. Still, she was well aware of the way people viewed her. She said that when a studio had to break bad news to her, they seemed afraid about her reaction.
Jennifer Lopez said a film studio seemed afraid to break news to her
In 2001, Lopez starred in the romantic drama Angel Eyes. Aaron Eckhart was initially supposed to act in the film alongside her, but he dropped out just a month before filming began. Lopez admitted that Warner Bros. Pictures seemed hesitant to break this news to her.
“The studio was actually afraid to tell me the last one,” Lopez told W Magazine. “I think they thought I would freak out.”
She said she didn’t let this impact her, though. Instead, she involved herself in the casting of her onscreen partner.
“I’ve learned too much about the politics of movies to get caught up in stuff,” she said. “I just said, ‘Give me a list of other actors who are right for this part.’ And we got our first choice, Jim Caviezel.”
Jim Caviezel shared what it was like to work with Jennifer Lopez on the film
Caviezel was happy to accept the part, but he said he was very nervous to film a love scene with Lopez. According to him, she could tell.
“It was my first love scene, or the first one that you guys have seen,” Caviezel told ABC News. “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?’”
He explained that he took the part after encouragement from Dennis Quaid. He was grateful for the opportunity. While he said he didn’t believe in fate, he thought the part came to him through divine intervention.
“People ask me, ‘Do you believe in destiny?’ and I really don’t,” he said. “I think something up above intercedes for you and tells you, ‘You can do this if you want to.’”
Those who knew her said she was very professional
Though Lopez had a fearsome reputation, those who have actually worked with her said she was a consummate professional. Her manager, Benny Medina, said her ambition was viewed negatively because she is a woman.
“I hadn’t managed many women, and I realized that a woman empowered, telling me what to do, was kind of new,” he said. “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?’”
Adam Shankman, who directed Lopez in The Wedding Planner, said she remains laser-focused on her work.
“The real Jen’s all about her work,” he said. “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.”
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