Jennifer Lopez’s bitchy, shady interview from 1998 has cropped up again

Hustlers red carpet premiere at TIFF 2019

You know what makes me feel very old? When I remember a controversy from the ‘90s and then it crops up twenty years later like it’s new f–king information. So it is with Jennifer Lopez’s infamous Movieline interview. Let me tell you something, youths. Jennifer’s Movieline interview was a HUGE deal at the time. It was one of the big reasons why Jennifer and Salma Hayek were in a high-key and then a low-key beef for years and years. It’s also one of the reasons why Jennifer had a “reputation” as a bitchy backstabber. The interview is from 1998 and people are just rediscovering it now, as Jennifer is campaigning for an OSCAR, damn it. WHO DID THIS?

There’s no debate that Jennifer Lopez is a big star. Singer, actress, director and businesswoman are just some of the titles she can put on her resume with no questions asked. But the wild Internet is buzzing this morning after one editor came across an old article centered around the Hustlers star. In an interview with Movieline, which was posted back in February 1998, Jennifer had edged up to what she calls “the bottom of the A-list of actresses.” At the same time, she wasn’t going to hold back when it comes to fellow Hollywood stars.

When asked about Cameron Diaz, Jennifer said she’s “a lucky model who’s been given a lot of opportunities I just wish she would have done more with. She’s beautiful and has a great presence, though, and in My Best Friend’s Wedding, I thought, ‘When directed, she can be good.'”

What about Gwyneth Paltrow? “Tell me what she’s been in? I swear to God, I don’t remember anything she was in,” Jennifer said. “Some people get hot by association. I heard more about her and Brad Pitt than I ever heard about her work.”

Maybe she’ll have some nice words for Madonna who was dipping her feet in music and movies at the time. “Do I think she’s a great performer? Yeah. Do I think she’s a great actress? No. Acting is what I do, so I’m harder on people when they say, ‘Oh, I can do that—I can act.’ I’m like, ‘Hey, don’t spit on my craft.'”

Believe it or not, Jennifer wasn’t done. She admits that she was “never a big fan” of Winona Ryder. The singer admits Claire Danes is a “good actress.” But when it comes to Salma Hayek, she wanted to set the record straight on one rumor. “She’s a sexy bombshell and those are the kinds of roles she does. I do all kinds of different things. It makes me laugh when she says she got offered Selena, which was an outright lie. If that’s what she does to get herself publicity, then that’s her thing.”

[From E! News]

LOL. It really was an amazing time to follow gossip. God, the ‘90s were fun. I had actually forgotten some of those quotes. I vaguely remembered the Salma Hayek part and that Cameron Diaz wasn’t happy about Jennifer as well. I totally forgot that sh-t about Gwyneth!! Where’s the lie though?? No, it’s funny – Gwyneth would go on to win an Oscar for Shakespeare in Love just a few months later. I mean, will this really hurt Jennifer at THIS point? This was 21 years ago and if I remember correctly, Jennifer had to offer some kind of vague apology or explanation for talking so much sh-t. What’s really remarkable about all of this is that… 21 years later, every single person Jennifer name-checked is still relevant in Hollywood and relevant in gossip. That generation – women in their 20s and 30s in the ‘90s – had such staying power. As for Jennifer’s Oscar campaign… if all her opposition has is a 21-year-old interview, J.Lo is going to be strutting up to the podium to receive her Oscar.

Jennifer Lopez Closes Versace's Fashion Week Show in Iconic Green Gown

Photos courtesy of WENN, Avalon Red and Backgrid.

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133 Responses to “Jennifer Lopez’s bitchy, shady interview from 1998 has cropped up again”

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  1. Krakken says:

    She’s so arrogant. Jenny and A-Rod are a perfect match.

    • Jegede says:

      Ashanti would agree.😁😎😉

    • huckle says:

      Btw, where is Arod lately?

      • delphi says:

        Offering up tedious and obvious color baseball commentary on MLB Network and ESPN. God, he is Captain Obvious. Ugh.

        /Mr. Delphi watches a lot of baseball
        //Go Cleveland

      • Brandy Alexander says:

        Delphi – Cleveland is giving me anxiety attacks daily with their wildcard hunt! I just want them to LOCK. IT. UP. already!

    • bros says:

      she’s also a TERRIBLE actress! I don’t understand this level of shade when you can literally watch her face trying to calculate her next expression and lines in real time, as she is acting. Anyone seen maid in manhattan? you can SEE her trying to figure out her next move. she’s awful. she’s also a bad singer. She is great as a performer/dancer and celebrity, but it’s not like she’s sitting on a pile of raw talent as a singer or actress.

      • DiegoInSF says:

        How can an all caps terrible actress be getting rave reviews across the board for her film out now?

      • Lady Baden-Baden says:

        Respectfully disagree about the acting. Think acting should have always been her priority – she’s good. U-Turn? Out of Sight? I don’t even mind Maid in Manhattan or any of those other terrible rom coms she did – she elevated them for me. And yes, she’s really great in Hustlers too.
        But as a singer – yeah ok. not going argue that one…

      • 2lazy4username says:

        I agree 100%

      • xo says:

        Confidence + hustle is what she’s got going for her. She was never selling talent or artistry.

        Sounds to me like she talks her competition down in her own mind in order to make success feel more attainable. Works for her.

        P.S. There is a damning video on Youtube: “Ghost Singing: Jennifer Lopez’s Stolen Vocals & Songs.” Seriously embarrassing.

    • Nancito says:

      I’ll never forgive American Idol for resurrecting her career. I think that, basically, JLo has just been really really lucky.

      • Mia says:

        IDK, Nancito. JLo might have created her own luck. I don’t think anyone can say that she doesn’t work hard. She created the opportunities for herself to get to where she is now, a possible Oscar contender.

    • Kosmos says:

      Krakken, I’m sorry, but I have to TOTALLY agree with you, so arrogant and b****y is just the way I see her. I might add here that JLo can only dance–she is NOT a good singer, nor a good actress. She is not one to judge anyone else on acting or singing since she is mediocre at best. Word.

  2. Beyonce_padthai says:

    Gossip was real tame back in the day. The resurfacing of this is tacky. It died years ago and I hope all the women involved rolls theirs eyes and ask the person who brings it up theirs motives. Make them uncomfortable!

    • Kendra says:

      I think people who started discussing it first like the film experience net just were interested in old iconic things JLo did not trying to influence her campaign.

    • Rhys says:

      It’s funny to read about Salma being called out for “outright” lying 🙂

  3. Jenns says:

    I remember reading that interview in the actual magazine. Remember magazines! LOL.

    Anyway, this won’t hurt J-Lo. Nothing hurts J-Lo. Doesn’t matter if it’s a 21-year-old interview or the 21-year-old boy toy she was buying trucks for because they were dating. She just moves on completely unscathed.

    • CatMc says:

      You are so right! I’m a longterm gossiper and I had to think twice to remember Casper! She’s the real deal, OG Teflon Don.

  4. OriginalRose says:

    I miss the 90s too. Seeing her in that dress again gave me such pangs!

  5. Brooke says:

    While her comments were bitchy, they were not harmful in the same way others are. I think everyone should be allowed to grow and be given the grace to change. We need to learn from our past mistakes and not have them dangled over us for the rest of our lives. I am thankfully not the same person I was ten years ago. I cringe when I think of the things I used to say. Now if she’s still this way, then I think it’s a problem.

    • Spicecake38 says:

      You said this very well.I mean,she isn’t exactly speaking badly of these women as much as she was what,a 29 year old giving her opinions that were less than flattering but not the horrible sh!t that people throw out on twitter every day now.
      I like her now more than I used to actually and I don’t mind the women mentioned in the old interview-it’s not like she destroyed anyone’s career.

      • TQB says:

        Everything she said was a detailed critique, specific to the individual. She didn’t “I don’t know her” anyone. The comments were completely legit responses to the work of those other women. This is totally an “if she were a man…” situation. A man could offer thoughtful criticism of his competition like this and, while it would still be juicy, it wouldn’t be all SCANDAL! Whatever. I’ve grown to love the woman too, and that interview is part of the reason. JLo has never given any Fs.

      • Jane'sWastedTalent says:

        I don’t know, I seem to recall this having an impact on Paltrow’s career- in ‘the Emperor has no clothes’ kind of way.

    • otaku fairy... says:

      “I think everyone should be allowed to grow and be given the grace to change. We need to learn from our past mistakes and not have them dangled over us for the rest of our lives.” This. Also, it’s an example of someone having critical or negative things to say about specific women without engaging in, endorsing, or trivializing misogynistic abuse. Folks LOVE to pretend that it can’t be done, as if they’re being told they must like everyone with a V. But J.Lo effortlessly did it in the 90’s with several women at once.

    • Mo says:

      It always bothers me when people don’t realize the entirely practical and realistic attitude that people in the entertainment industry have to have with their art and the other artists in their line of work. A Jennifer Lopez is not going to be successful unless she thinks that she is better and more qualified than Salma Hayek, Cameron Diaz or Madonna, and should be getting the part if they are up for the same one.

  6. Diana says:

    Honestly though… where is the lie in all that she said?! Lol #rideordiejlostan

    • Kateeeee says:

      I only casually like J Lo but even I was like… hm, these comments hold up pretty well. Not gonna make her any friends, but all she cared about was “her craft” 😂 that at least was so cringeworthy.

      J Lo (and Constance Wu), be as flawed as you want. Women can be bitchy AND good at their jobs.

      • weezle says:

        I agree. Her comments weren’t off-base at all; in face, they were quite accurate. They have have been a little combative, but I prefer people to be honest in their criticism over being fake. But, like Kateeeee, the reference to “her craft” makes JLo sound like a total wanker (she’s an average actor at best).

    • crogirl says:

      LOL I agree, everything she said is true. I

    • Jegede says:

      Only much of what she attacked them for can be ascribed to JLo herself.

      Especially the part about beneficial relationships.🙄🙄

      • naomipaige99 says:

        Wasn’t JLo’s relationship a ‘beneficial relationship”? I personally think if it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t be where she is now.
        I know back in the day she was a fly-girl. For the life of me, I cannot think of anything else she was in until Diddy? Am I overlooking something? Am I wrong?

      • Babs says:

        Naomipaige99, I actually think it’s Ben Affleck who wouldn’t be where he is without J.Lo.

      • Jb says:

        Hahaha exactly! The Chica who’s a better dancer than singer telling ppl to stay in their lane!!!! JLo thinks very highly of herself and that’s the only thing that will never change

      • bonobochick says:

        Multiple Oscar winner Ben Affleck? Hmmm. And he won the first one years before he dated JLo when he was actually with Gwyneth Paltrow.

        But okay.

        And I’m pretty indifferent to Affleck but I do remember that for all the glow up that JLo supposedly gave him, during that time they released that bomb Gigli and were generally derided by the media

    • kacy says:

      I’m for all but the Winona comments!

      • TQB says:

        Winona Forever!! But to be fair to JLo, all she says is that she wasn’t a fan. I get that. Winona is a suburban brunette Jewish girl just a few years older than me. She was everything to me, a suburban brunette Jewish girl. I’m not sure the angst of Heathers and Edward Scissorhands really speaks to a PR native who grew up in the Bronx, you know? Representation matters.

  7. Silas says:

    Leave her alone. She’s 33?

    #vintagegossip

  8. Nev says:

    Haters hahahahah

  9. Leigh says:

    LOL! Those comments weren’t the nicest but what’s the justification for rehashing this two decades later? Obvious sabotage!

  10. Lane v says:

    Tell where she lies tho?

  11. Mia4s says:

    Sigh…no no no people. You let her at least get the Golden Globe nomination and THEN you bring out the dirt to derail the Oscar voting. It’s too early, this will be forgotten. Slow down, we are still supposed to be pretending these awards have something to do with merit. Hilarious I know, but that’s the game. F**king amateurs. 😉

  12. crogirl says:

    I wish celebrities would always be like this in interviews LOL.

  13. DS9 says:

    The Salma Hayek bit was mean but whatever.

    The rest…. isn’t wrong lol. Madonna can’t act. J.lo can though I’m curious to know how she feels about the craft now that it’s been music that’s paid her bills.

    • Spicecake38 says:

      Yeah I’m not bothered by her comments in the interview,but I thought acting was/is her second as singing is her first(talent),or where her greater money making talent lies.
      I will see hustlers though and if she’s as good as they say then good for her.

      • DS9 says:

        She’s s far better actor than she is a singer but there are/were greater opportunities for a marginally talented but hard working Latinx singer than for a Latinx actress.

        This was true in 1998 and it’s still true today.

      • Spicecake38 says:

        Yes,I agree about the opportunities for singers of Latina heritage being greater than acting opportunities.I didn’t really consider that,good point.

      • bonobochick says:

        DS9 spilling that hot but accurate tea.

        For me, JLo’s talent in order: dancer > actor > singer

  14. Leigh says:

    This is petty but I kind of love that the 50 year old veteran movie star is the one getting all the Oscar buzz after Constance Wu’s humble bragging about how Hustlers is really her movie. LOL.

  15. Michael says:

    The issue with rehashing this is those actresses are established. In the Hollywood hierarchy and still have the ear of people who cast ballets for Oscar winners. JLo may not have been wrong but her saying those things may sway voters who prefer somebody else who plays the game better

  16. My3cents says:

    I don’t know if her acting is oscar worthy, but dear lord, her body should definitely receive a life time achievement award.

  17. TheHeat says:

    For one thing: she wasn’t wrong.
    For another: How does this have any bearing on how well she performed as an actress in a 2019 film???

  18. Josephine says:

    Are male actors asked about each other? It sounds like someone had a list and quizzed her about actress after actress. That’s weird, right?

    I don’t love that she was so critical of others – it’s just so not necessary – but that she stated her true feelings is also somewhat refreshing.

  19. horseandhound says:

    what’s wrong with having an opinion? even if it wasn’t true, it’s her opinion and she has the right to voice it. we all know we don’t like all people, so why lie? why be a hypocrite and say everybody is awesome and brilliant? it’s perfectly fine to say you don’t like somebody or their work. as long as you’re not violent, I see nothing wrong with thinking and saying somebody sucks.

  20. Nicegirl says:

    ‘Let me tell you something, youths’ is about to be reused.

  21. Tuntmore says:

    Ah yes, I remember tabloid magazines fondly. (rip)

    She wasn’t cruel, and she didn’t get too personal — she was careful to keep her criticism to their respective careers. What’s most bothersome to me is that she only talked about other women. The ‘90s were especially terrible about pitting women against women, so the interview is definitely a product of its time.

    And I’m sure this is an unpopular opinion, but, even though J.Lo is a very talented actor, Gwyneth Paltrow can act circles around her. J.Lo is definitely better than Diaz and Hayek, though. (I love Cameron and Salma, but it’s true.) As for Madonna…the kid who played Anakin in “The Phantom Menace” could out-act her.

    • Bex says:

      Idk. Diaz in Being John Malkovich and Hayek in Beatriz at Dinner give performances equal or greater to anything JLo has ever done, though tbf both those films came out after this interview. This interview always cracked me up though because it was so unwise but kind of on the money at the same time lol.

    • DS9 says:

      I’m not sure it’s possible to compare J.Lo and Gwyneth. The latter has been given a slew of opportunities and some good work.

      J.Lo hasn’t.

      I don’t know why we are pretending all things are equal here.

      • Tuntmore says:

        There’s a big difference between acting ability and acting success. No one would say that the Hollywood machine is a shining beacon of equality. I’m talking about talent. Given the exact same opportunities, I would bet money that J.Lo would still be a way better actor than Salma Hayek but not quite as good as Gwyneth Paltrow. (And Winona Ryder would probably kick both of their butts.)

      • Maureen Warren says:

        Out of Sight was her best acting work…in 1998. Hence, the hubris she displays in these quotes about other actresses. Just my take.

      • DS9 says:

        Tuntmore, I tooootally agree with you.

        I also believe that acting is a combination of talent and skill. Actors develop under good direction. Gwyneth, being white and conventionally pretty particularly by the standards of the late 90’s, as well as connected to the Hollywood machine, had far more potential for growth and nurturing as an actress.

        And I think you can see that in other actresses who came up at the same time. There’s a reason why a slew of actresses from that era came up first as wives and girlfriends and developed over time.

        Gwyneth was directed by some of the best in the industry, working alongside highly talented and skilled actors. I wonder what would have become of actresses like j.lo and salma had they been given the same opportunities and experiences as Charlize and Gwyneth.

    • otaku fairy... says:

      It seems like the 2000’s were big on that too, but it also seems like within the past decade or so women have become more vocal about not wanting that.

  22. lucy2 says:

    Dredging up the old interview to try to knock her down is kind of gross.
    I don’t necessarily disagree with her points, but it clearly reads as her trying to tear others down to build herself up, in an industry magazine!

    The Madonna comments made me LOL a bit though. JLO was good in Hustlers, and definitely has presence and star power, but she’s no Viola Davis, Amy Adams, etc, and not really a great singer either.

  23. Amelia says:

    The only thing this maybe shows is that J. Lo might not be very popular within The Academy and that might affect her chances? Other than that who cares

    Also the connections since this interview are funny – Gwyneth and J.Lo both dated Ben Affleck. Cameron dated both Diddy and A.Rod

  24. NYer says:

    Dredging up these quotes isn’t necessary. Her vanity comes across in every role, especially in Hustlers. That part – in the hands of an actor less concerned with appearing noble, beautiful, sexy etc – could’ve been a portrait of a complex person caught up in the same greed and power game as the Wall Street finance players. I’ve never seen her play anything not sympathetic. And gorgeous. And heartfelt. Oy. That video circulating on Youtube showing the actual woman the film is based on is ten times more interesting. (Haha, I’m a little cranky about this. But c’mon, if you’re gonna go on about your craft…)

    • DiegoInSF says:

      Did we see the same movie and read the same reviews? Her portrayal of Ramona was layered and it was the performance of her career. The character was based on a real woman who was referenced as Jessica Rabbit in the article the movie was based on. Ramona is supposed to be sexy.

    • Star says:

      Thank you for making me feel less alone. J Lo was awful in Hustlers! I feel like I’m on crazy pills because people are talking about Oscar nominations, whaaaat? It’s not like the role was really a stretch for her. Personality-wise, the character was a reflection of her (though the actions and behavior were different). There was absolutely no depth there.
      Overall the movie was terrible, Constance Wu was good though.

  25. Spicecake38 says:

    Serious question-what is that round knot at her left temple?It looks like a cyst or lipoma or something.
    She’s gorgeous I’m really not nitpicking,I just noticed it and can’t figure out if it’s the way her hair is pulling/how her head is turned/is she clenching her jaw and that is just caught on camera in the moment..IDK,just never noticed it before.

  26. Iknow says:

    I laughed when I read this. I’m inclined to say, but did she lie. However, J.Lo is well-known to be a horrible person, who treats people she sees as less than horribly.

  27. Valiantly Varnished says:

    I remember this interview. It’s the interview that made me hate her. She was so arrogant and full of herself – and in 1998 she hadn’t DONE anything yet. She wasn’t a huge star yet.

    My dislike of her has lessened somewhat over the years but re-reading these comments is a reminder of why I disliked her so much in the first place.

    Movieline was my favorite magazine back in the day. I had a subscription. The interviews were always bonkers and actors would NEVER say the things they said back then today. Social media has killed that kind of candor.

    • SamC says:

      Had the same reaction. In 1998 she had done Selena and was a dancer on In Living Color. While I kind of liked the snark, was also put off big time. And while I appreciate her hustle, work ethic and staying power, I still think acting is the weakest part of her talent arsenal.

      • Lena says:

        I’m another one who remembers when this came out and it did major PR damage – it made a lot of people, including me, hate her for years. Tbh only when she did American idol did my assessment of her as a decent person change. That was a really smart move because a lot of people had thought of her less as a person than this over the top bitchy diva. And I also think that her talent is 90 percent hustle and work ethic. Which is not nothing.

      • Valiantly Varnished says:

        I think she’s pretty weak in both the acting and singing areas which is why I found this interview so infuriating. Like, hun you are not talented enough to be critiquing more successful and talented people than yourself.”
        Hustlers is actually the first film where I was genuinely impressed with her performance. How many films has she done before that one where she was mediocre?? All of em’

    • Jerusha says:

      I subscribed to Movieline and Premiere back then. Great magazines, RIP.

  28. Doublesteff says:

    Does it make me a horrible person if I say I want to sit in a corner with her and talk trash about the people she knows?

  29. styla says:

    What’s funny is everything she had to say about people acting is exactly what I thought about her and her music career when she first came out. She couldn’t sing worth a damn but she had presence so she did alright. Either way, I love her lol

  30. DiegoInSF says:

    How transparent of whoever brought this up again. Anyway, it’s old news. Salma has talked about Jennifer, posed with her. I’m a huge fan of both of them but Salma also said she wasn’t really Latina as she didn’t have an accent so the dislike back then was mutual.
    Cameron Diaz worked with her and they got along and dispelled any rumors of not liking each other.
    Gwyneth instagrammed a couple years ago that JLo had the best a*s in the business.
    JLo always praises Madonna as a trailblazer to this day.

  31. ME says:

    Sounds like at the time J.LO was being brutally honest. I think she’s learned a lot since then. Nothing she said was racist or sexist so meh. I have never heard of this interview before and if you had put those quotes up and not told me who it was from, I would NEVER have guessed Jennifer Lopez. It is funny though because she crossed over in to singing shortly after that interview right? What she said about those actresses is EXACTLY what others have since said about her ! LOL either way I truly like J.Lo. I am a bit upset she thought it was ok to say those things but that’s not the J.LO I see and hear about now a days.

  32. MellyMel says:

    The desperation to bring this old interview back up…I have to laugh!

  33. Beech says:

    I’m delighted this interview was resurrected I remember when it came out and my reaction then and now, J. Lo is a great singer and actor? I always assumed she lip synced at her concerts and can someone tell me about fine acting performances? I stand corrected if I’m wrong.

  34. jenner says:

    She sounds so incredibly insecure. But we knew that about her already.

  35. Maria says:

    She’s not wrong but Ironically ALL these woman were recognized for their acting after this, even Madonna for Evita. At the time Cameron Diaz hadn’t done much and she eventually proved her acting with Being John Malcovich and Selma did with Frida; both got Oscar nods. Goopy DID get lucky with her Shakespeare in Love role and Oscar but short of Sliding Doors it hard for me to remember anything she did except for an Esprit ad. JLo has gone unrecognized except maybe something for The Cell

  36. manta says:

    Sorry for everybody who says she spoke the truth, but in 98 , Cameron Diaz was around for what? 3-4 years?. And had done The Mask, My best Friend’s Wedding, The last supper, Something about Mary, on the top of my head.
    How could you spit such a line “who’s been given a lot of opportunities I just wish she would have done more with.” I would have got it if girlfriend had been around for decades doing only one type of role. I’d say between Shrek, Charlie’s angels the Spike Jonze’s or Scorsese’s collaborations, she’s done better with the hand dealt at her than many models turned actresses. And if the judgement came from someone very much more accomplished.

    And I understand Paltrow irks everybody, but in 98, someone whose “acting is her craft” , who’s part of the biz could not name a thing she’s been in. Come on, she was basically shoved down our throats since Hook. Seven (where she was the one actually on par with Freeman, contrary to the irritating mannered Pitt), Emma were out.
    And Danes is the one she judged good? Sure, why not.
    I could agree on Madonna. Not sure about Ryder since her opinion doesn’t seem supported by very much.

  37. yiza says:

    What I think is really funny about all this is how much shock and horror and slut-shaming surrounded that green dress and now celebrities wear stuff like that every day of the week and twice on Sunday and people are like feh.

    Also those comments are pure gold love the one about Gwyneth.

  38. chitowngal says:

    She isn’t my cup of tea, and I think a lot of people in Hollywood dislike her, so I doubt she’ll win.

  39. Ali says:

    I haven’t seen Hustlers, yet, but when I think of JLo I think dancer who became a super successful pop star who I’m always surprised to be reminded acts, too.

    To me she’s easily hands down one of the most beautiful people in the world.

  40. Dbee says:

    I watched the movie and J.lo was amazing but constance Wu was brilliant too in her role .
    Where are the raves reviews for her performance?

    • Star says:

      I’m here and I said it in a reply above, oopsies. Yeah Constance Wu was great, pretty much everybody was good except for Cardi B and J Lo.

  41. Kikis says:

    She sound she must have thought all those are her competition…but girl did have some mouth! I never read an interview when a celebrity talk about other people that much and critically … I bet it has made some of them to dislike her at the time but now i dont think it matters much. Too long ago people grow and learn what to not to say in public no matter the trigger ..
    And she look good per her usual but the old green dress is still best look…

  42. Socks says:

    Was this before or after Maid in Manhattan?

  43. Jess says:

    I didn’t know about this!! I was still in high school and didn’t have a computer or read many magazines. Were gossip sites even a thing in 98? LOL. God I’m old, and I was embarrassingly late to the internet in 2006.

    She sounds like an insecure a-hole tearing other women down to build herself up, because she was a fly girl turned “actress” and “singer”, she clearly had issues with the transition. Hopefully she learned a lesson from all this, I haven’t heard of her throwing much shade so maybe so.

    • prettypersuasion says:

      There were online gossip columnists on E!, Page Six, etc. but I don’t remember commenting on the actual sites being a thing yet. Everything was discussed on message boards and usenet groups like alt.gossip.celebrities.

  44. Tiffany :) says:

    I just don’t like people being mean to others. It is so unnecessary. She was telling all of this to a magazine, not her friends, so it reads as petty to me. Jlo is a beautiful poser, but she’s not a good actress or singer.

  45. Maxazaria says:

    True artists never have to bitch or put down others. I am still not quite sure what her talent is other than successfully riding off the coat tails of manufactured celebrity culture.

  46. SM says:

    So bitchy yet so good. I mean she was asked her opinion of other artists and she gave a honest answer. Not racist or offensive or sexist. Maybe more people should try this kind of honesty more often. And she is remarkably on point. These days it is either sexist, racist crap, or outright cluelessness celebrities display in their views or it is a snooze fest about how everyone gets along like family and are so inspiring and blah blah.

  47. Jules says:

    Jennifer said she was greatly misquoted in this interview and cried for months and that she knew her words had hurt a lot of ppl, that learned the impact of her words and it affected her in the industry but that she WAS misquoted and felt guilt over the whole thing. This is being dredged up again for sure but it’s also being mentioned how it was dealt with after and how she felt. I think Gwyneth was mean about Jennifer after this especially when she started dating Ben and Gwen made passive aggressive comments to both of them. Gwen and Madonna were also part of the same crew and aren’t anymore. You’re right that gossip in the 90s was something! I think the cycle of gossip in the 90s we can now look at again a little differently and how some celebrities used another’s mistake to compete or further rumors. It’s very interesting! In other bits I just saw Fiona Apple talk about J.Lo using ‘Criminal’ in ‘Hustlers’ and she was pretty generous so there’s always that.

  48. perplexed says:

    At the time she gave those comments I think what she was saying was true. Cameron was lucky, Gwyneth was known because of Brad, Madonna is a bad actress (did that ever change?), Winona was considered a bit overrated, and ….I dont know what to say about Salma, but I can’t picture her as Selena.

    Since today’s celebrities are kind of boring in an Instagramish kind of way, they all managed to have staying power though.

  49. Ceecu33 says:

    It’s a thing now, didn’t you know? Cancel culture. Let’s bring up something you said 20 years ago and show how it applies to you as a person today. Smh. It’s exhausting.

  50. Sharonk says:

    She was always self important and arrogant. When she was starting out it probably came from insecurity about being Latina and not fitting in.

    21 yeArs later she’s still arrogant and full of herself.
    an Oscar for that crap movie hustlers!! Please
    Yes she looked sexy and sizzling. But being beautiful to look at doesn’t mean you’re a great actress. I don’t think that role was a stretch for her.

  51. Yes Doubtful says:

    It’s kind of refreshing to hear some honest answers. She is a massive hypocrite though considering she can’t sing to save her life and she’s not great at her “craft” either.

  52. Siul says:

    Once more of the substantial movies come out, where the acting is at its best, Jlo will be pushed to the side. Talk of her getting a nomination much less an Oscar win is kind of laughable. She’s a celebrity NOT an actress. There’s a big difference. Plus, her body of work is small. She did Salena years ago. But what important movie has she done since then? She a wonderful performer. But not enough for critiques to take notice of her “acting.”

  53. DiegoInSF says:

    She got the SuperBowl, her and Shakira! It’ll be great!! Can’t wait. 2020 is JLO’s year. Oscar and The SuperBowl!

  54. Sass says:

    Cameron Diaz is hilarious and I find it even funnier than JLo wanna talk about wasted opportunities when she’s done pretty much the same regurgitated romcom so many times since 2001 they all blur together.

    She’s so bad that I forgot she was in Selena which was good. Maybe she just needs better direction. 🤷🏼‍♀️

  55. J ferber says:

    She was good in Selena, but i really haven’t seen anything else. One comment i loved, was when someone asked if she, Diddy and Affleck were in a boat and it sank, which one she’d save. She hilariously said something like, to hell with them, they can both drown. Then she downplayed it by saying, “you know i love you both, guys.” But i really loved that answer. She never forgets who number one is, and that is one secret to her success.

  56. J ferber says:

    Oh, and that’s next level bitch face, not resting, but active.

  57. Adrien says:

    Tbf, that was in 1998 and things have changed since. I remember why Winona gets nominated in very mediocre performances and I am a huge fan. Celebs back then didn’t have media training so all the interviews were pure unadulterated madness. Nowadays celebs are secretive to save all the juice for their autobiography book. They also don’t want to get the ire of twitterverse.

  58. Melone says:

    This site is really pushing her hard for an Oscar no?

    She’s no frontrunner. This is one of those “the nomination is the award” type of things. Laura Dern will be the frontrunner.

  59. GingerSnaps says:

    Her music is synthetic pop and her acting is vapid, at best. She and A-Rod can have each other!!!

  60. Naddie says:

    I loved the honesty, really. Also, I think both Gwyneth and Salma must have been rude to her or something before. About the other ones, no lies. she made a quick, blunt analysis. I thnk the only problem is how much she tooted her own horn when she couldn’t even back it up. She might be obnoxious to say the least, but I don’t hate what she said.

  61. Sidewithkids says:

    Oscar for what? Hustlers? Wow, there must not be any other actresses in the competition this year. Lol. She will not win an Oscar, at least not for her acting.

    Now, I’ll give it to J. Lo tho, girl is a hustler straight up. She keeps that face and body up and that has made her a lot of $$ and given her clout. But let’s quit w/ this Oscar nonsense. Lol. If she’s nominated, we need some better films out there, STAT.

    As far as this 1998 article tho, I kinda agree w/ these comments. Especially about Diaz and Paltrow. Nothing wrong or shady w/ telling the truth. I thought the same things when both women were at the height of the careers and popularity.

  62. Bread and Circuses says:

    The comment about Madonna’s acting isn’t wrong, but it is pretty rich. I’m old enough to remember when JLo’s first album came out, and that woman couldn’t sing worth a darn.

    She CAN sing now; in fact, she could sing as soon as her second album. Lady did the work and deserves what she has now, but what opened doors for her in the first place was being a hottie who was dating Puff Daddy.

  63. ParlerBleu says:

    I love this interview! Her Sun Leo is so on display! I love the staging of it at the pool at her rented Hollywood mansion. She’s so extra!

    I actually just discovered it a few months ago and fell in love with J.Lo all over again. You never see this side of her anymore. She’s very diplomatic.

    My favorite quote from this interview:

    “I’ll just get better as I go along because I’m open to getting better. If you have the goods, there’s nothing to be afraid of. If somebody doesn’t have the goods, they’re insecure. I don’t have that problem.”

    -Jennifer Lopez