Jennifer Lopez Proved She Was ‘Actually Really Generous’ on the Set of ‘The Wedding Planner,’ Said Director Adam Shankman

When Jennifer Lopez arrived on the set of The Wedding Planner, her reputation followed her. People had long described Lopez as a diva, and the film’s cast and crew acknowledged that they had heard this about her. According to director Adam Shankman, though, Lopez proved that she was very generous and thoughtful when she arrived on set. Here’s how she treated the film’s cast and crew.

Jennifer Lopez put her generosity on display while filming ‘The Wedding Planner’

Lopez has long denied that she is a diva, saying that knowing what she wants does not mean she is unreasonable. Shankman agreed with this. He said he respected her ambition.

“The real Jen’s all about her work,” Shankman told W Magazine. “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.”

Shankman acknowledged that Lopez made a big request on set. Still, she was very generous with it.

“She got an 18-wheel gym,” he said. “It seemed like a big perk for her, but then she opened it up to the whole crew. She’s actually really generous.”

Jennifer Lopez’s ‘The Wedding Planner’ co-star explained why he described her as a diva

Matthew McConaughey, who starred in The Wedding Planner alongside Lopez, did describe her as a diva. He said he meant this in a positive way, though.

“People say, ‘Oh, she’s a diva.’ I always say, ‘Well, I don’t know what your definition is. But by my definition, Absolutely,’” McConaughey told Vanity Fair. “She owns that. She knows exactly what she wants.”

McConaughey believed Lopez had the verve to make everything she wanted possible. 

“She’s not a diva in the pain-in-the-a** sense,” he said, adding, “She’s a diva in that she knows exactly what she wants and she wants to have it, down to the most minute detail. She has an ability to turn on what she wants in an instant.”

Shankman agreed with this.

“She’s a diva in the fun way — it’s about the clothes and the hair and the makeup,” he said. “She carries herself like a diva. Her influences growing up were Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross. When you’re a little girl who wants to be those ladies, what are your aspirations? To be a diva.”

She was very aware of what people said about her

While Lopez didn’t let these rumors stop her, she admitted that they stung. She knew that having people talk about her behind her back came with her success.

“She doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve anymore,” her makeup artist Matthew VanLeeuwen said. “Jennifer’s become a little mysterious. She’s not overly forthcoming. And people form polarized opinions about people who remain mysterious. She’s learned what you have to deal with if you’re going to be a star. She knows a lot of people hate her, are nice to her face, then tear her to shreds.”

She said this could make her feel like a fraud, but she reminds herself she has worked hard for years.