Jennifer Lopez: The '90s Audition Heartbreak with Madonna Stealing the Spotlight
JENNIFER LOPEZ'S SECRET AUDITION PAIN: THE SUPERSTAR REVEALS SHE WAS TOLD MADONNA HAD EVITA BEFORE EVEN GETTING IN THE ROOM
The 56-year-old Queen of Latin Pop, Jennifer Lopez, has been dominating the entertainment industry for decades, but it turns out she's had her fair share of heartbreaks. In a recent Q&A session after a Los Angeles screening of Kiss Of The Spider Woman, which The Scholarly Note attended, Lopez dished about one of her most shocking audition experiences - and it involves none other than the Material Girl herself, Madonna.
Lopez revealed that she spent weeks perfecting her singing skills for the 1996 film adaptation of Evita, in which she desperately wanted to play the iconic role of Eva Peron. However, when she finally landed an audition with director Alan Parker, things took a drastic turn. "I had been practicing for weeks and I sing my heart out," Lopez explained to the packed audience. "And [Parker] goes, 'You're amazing. You know Madonna has the part, right?' I said, 'Okay, bye-bye. Nice to meet you.'"
The revelation is stunning, especially considering that this was one of the biggest roles of Lopez's career at the time. But what makes it even more intriguing is that Parker allegedly dropped the bombshell on her without even offering a word of encouragement or advice. No consoling words about being close enough for consideration - just a blunt "Madonna has the part" and an abrupt dismissal.
This isn't the only high-profile audition failure Lopez shared with the audience, though. She also mentioned that she came close to landing roles in Chicago and Nine, both highly acclaimed musicals starring A-listers like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, Penelope Cruz, and Nicole Kidman. "I remember auditioning for Evita, I remember auditioning for Chicago and for Nine - getting very close on Nine," she said wistfully.
It's clear that these setbacks didn't deter Lopez from chasing her dreams. In fact, they seem to have motivated her even more. When asked about the current project, Kiss Of The Spider Woman, which she is producing alongside her ex-husband Ben Affleck, Lopez beamed with pride. "I was like, 'We'll do some coverage?' [The director] was like, 'Nope, no coverage.' I was like, 'F* me! I better get it right then.'"
And, as if things couldn't get any more fascinating, Lopez revealed that the movie was shot in one take - with zero room for error. "It was challenging," she admitted. "Time-wise, as independent films can be, right? It's the time, it's the prep, it's the budget... All of it were constraints for us."
But what truly sets this story apart is Lopez's unbridled enthusiasm and gratitude for being part of such an incredible project. She raved about working with writer-director Bill Condon and said she couldn't believe her luck when offered the role. "As soon as I got the script, I read it in bed that night," she recalled. "I was laughing and smiling and thinking... wait a minute, I'm going to dance, do 12 musical numbers and I get to play three different characters?"
Lopez's excitement is palpable as she talks about being offered the role right away - without even needing a meeting. "They told me that it was an offer and it's mine if I want it," she exclaimed. "It was like a dream. I've been waiting for this since I'm eight years old when I first saw West Side Story with my mom in front of the TV in my little house in the Bronx."
In a rare display of humility, Lopez acknowledged that being offered a musical is a huge deal - especially considering her extensive experience in dance and music. "It's crazy I think... I'm so happy and honored to step into Chita Rivera's shoes," she said, referring to the legendary Broadway star.
The revelation about Madonna taking the Evita role has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with fans commiserating with Lopez and praising her for sharing such an intimate story. As one fan put it, "You're an inspiration, JLo! We've all been there - auditioning for our dream roles only to be told 'no' or 'maybe another time.'"
For now, it seems like Lopez is basking in the glory of this incredible project and her second chance at stardom. As she so poetically put it, "This is the right thing."
