Jennifer Lopez, a trailblazing actress and singer, recently shared her experiences of navigating Hollywood as a Latina actress, facing stereotypes, and conquering imposter syndrome. With over two decades in the industry, Lopez has played a pivotal role in the changing landscape of Hollywood's representation of diversity.

In a recent appearance on Variety's Awards Circuit podcast, Lopez opened up about the struggles she faced early in her career and how self-belief helped her overcome them. She reflected on the limited roles available for Latina actresses and the typecasting she encountered, often being offered roles shaped by stereotypes or accents.

"When I started, there weren’t a lot of roles for Latinas. I was auditioning for parts with accents and stereotypes. I kept thinking, ‘Why can’t I just play a romantic lead? Why can’t I be the girl next door?’ That belief—that conviction that I belonged—was what helped me break those molds," Lopez said.

While progress in Hollywood's diversity efforts has been slow, Lopez remains hopeful. "I heard someone say that positive change is slow—and it is—but as long as we’re moving in the right direction, that’s what matters," she added.

Lopez also spoke candidly about battling imposter syndrome, especially as she grew up in the Bronx, raised by Puerto Rican parents. She admitted that early on, she often felt out of place in an industry dominated by people from different backgrounds. "Imposter syndrome is real, especially when you come from neighborhoods like I did," Lopez said. She emphasized the importance of self-belief and the power of changing one's mindset, especially when doubts arise.

"Whenever the doubts creep in—‘I don’t belong here, I’m not good enough’—you need to replace them with, ‘No, I’ve worked hard. I do belong here.’ It’s a mindset that transforms everything," she said.

Lopez's breakthrough roles, including Anaconda and her dominance in romantic comedies, helped her carve out a unique space in Hollywood. Today, she is not only recognized for her acting but also for her successful music career, business ventures, and charitable work.

Her next project, Unstoppable, is a biographical sports drama based on the life of Anthony Robles, a one-legged wrestler who became an NCAA champion. Lopez plays Judy Robles, Anthony's mother, whose unwavering support played a crucial role in his journey. Directed by first-time filmmaker Villy Goldenberg, the film stars Jharrel Jerome in the lead role. Although Lopez and her estranged husband Ben Affleck filed for divorce earlier this year, the two had already begun working together on the project before their separation.

Breaking Barriers: A Game-Changing Moment in Hollywood

She reflected on a pivotal moment in her career, recalling the movie Anaconda with enthusiasm. "When I got the role in Anaconda, and it was me and Cube starring in an action movie, I was excited because we weren’t going to get killed," she explained. "Everybody else died, but we survived. And that was groundbreaking."

For her, it was a turning point in the industry. "It was so exciting to be able to change that narrative and show people that it could be done," she shared. The challenges she faced in that moment were not lost on her. "It was really, really hard at that time, but it was worth it," she admitted.

Over time, the landscape has shifted. "Now, it's more accepted, but the journey was tough," she continued. However, despite the progress made, she pointed out that there is still much work to be done in terms of representation. "The Latin representation in movies is still only 6%," she noted, underscoring the ongoing challenges that underrepresented groups face in Hollywood.

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