Jennifer Lopez Says Marc Anthony Helped Her Overcome Feelings of Insecurity

Celebrities are known for being confident, but that’s not always the case. Jennifer Lopez admits she struggled with insecurity for a long time. She’s known for being an actor, singer, and dancer, but J.Lo says she didn’t always feel completely secure in her abilities. Here’s what she revealed about her ex-husband, Marc Anthony, and how he helped her overcome her insecurity.

Jennifer Lopez was insecure about her talent

Lopez says she felt insecure about her voice and acting skills after receiving constant criticism. During an interview with Ross King, Lopez admits her self-esteem suffered.

“I took a beating [for my singing voice] for so many years in the media,” says Lopez. “I think it really worked on my insecurities. I always wanted to be a singer and I was always a dancer and singer. But then when you get out there, people start really judging you for that, and they start dissecting you apart.”

Jennifer Lopez says Marc Anthony helped her overcome insecurity

During a 2013 interview with Cosmopolitan, Lopez spoke about how her ex-husband, Marc Anthony, helped her feel secure again. She credits him with giving her the confidence boost she needed to move forward and believe in herself.

“The biggest insecurity I had was my singing,” says Lopez. “Even though I had sold 70 million records, there was this feeling like, I’m not good at this. And while I was married to Marc, he helped me get over it. He kept telling me, ‘You’re the only one holding yourself back from reaching your full potential as a singer. You have to let go.’”

Lopez tells Cosmopolitan that she began to see her worth as an artist. “I was always so insecure,” says Lopez. “Then I grew, little by little, and realized, wait a minute, this is not a fluke. I’m not a mistake—I work my ass off. And I know what I’m doing.”

Jennifer Lopez credits Marc Anthony for helping her reclaim her private life

Lopez also says Anthony taught her how to navigate the media. She used to feel overwhelmed by all the media attention, but she learned from Anthony how to maintain some privacy while also being a public figure. She learned how to live her best life while being a celebrity.

“I think [Marc Anthony] has a totally different approach to fame, I guess,” says Lopez during her interview with Graham Norton. “Or, I don’t know, celebrity. To our work, let’s say, our business. You can have your career. You can do what you need to do, you can promote, you can do all that stuff. But you also can have a personal life. And it can be quiet.”

Lopez adds that Anthony helped her realize she has control over her life. “I think when you’re in the throes of it you don’t realize that you have that control over it,” continues Lopez. “You feel like ‘Oh it’s just happening, I can’t stop it.’ And he kind taught me that no, you can.’”

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