Jennifer Lopez Says She Learned ‘What Matters Most’ to Her This Year
2020 has been a challenging year for everybody, and Jennifer Lopez is no exception. The musician and movie star reflected on what the year has taught her when she accepted the People’s Icon Award at the People’s Choice Awards on Nov. 15.
Jennifer Lopez admits her priorities changed this year
In her acceptance speech, Lopez acknowledged how frivolous some of her past concerns seem now.
“Oh, my God 2020 man, 2020 was no joke, right?” Lopez said via WTOP. “I mean, before 2020 we were obsessing about winning this award, getting nominated for that award. We were caught up on who sold the most records or who had the biggest box office opening or crazy stuff. This year was the great leveler. It showed us what mattered, what didn’t and for me, reinforced what matters most, people.”
Jennifer Lopez is refocusing on giving back
Lopez has always had a charitable instinct. She co-founded The Lopez Family Foundation, and helped give away $100,000 on Quibi’s Thanks a Million, as well as other endeavors.
Helping each other, loving each other, being kind to each other. The importance of that connection, that human touch and I realize it’s what I strive for in everything I do, to reach people, to touch people. I believe that’s what we all want, shared experiences, to know that we’re not in this alone. Your belief and your faith in me motivates me to keep going. Sometimes when I’m tired or beaten down like a lot of us have been this year, it’s my family, my friends, my babies and my fans, you guys, who have lifted me up when I couldn’t lift myself.
Jennifer Lopez, People’s Choicee Awards, 11/15/2020
2020 just stacked more odds against her
Lopez added that she’s used to facing unfavorable odds. However, she relies on the support of her fans, colleagues and loved ones.
“As a Latina and as a woman, we have to sometimes work twice as hard to get the opportunity,” Lopez said. “Sometimes my big dreams and my ambitions made the people around me nervous. People would say you’re a dancer, you can’t be an actress. The more they said I couldn’t, the more I knew that I had to. So now here I stand, so very grateful, knowing that the true measure of my success is not in box office numbers or records sold but from the love that I feel from all of you and yes, I feel it.”
Despite its difficulties, 2020 still brought some new accomplishments to Lopez.
“From being a little girl in the Bronx, New York, and having the privilege of performing on some of the biggest stages in the world… and even at the Super Bowl earlier this year (that was a biggie), I have seen and learned a lot and I am still learning,” Lopez said via GMA.
Jennifer Lopez hopes she can inspire the next generation
The People’s Icon Award clearly made Lopez emotional. What she ultimately hopes is that other young people see what she accomplished and feel they can do it too.
“The true measure is inspiring girls in all ages and all colors, from all over the world, to know you can do whatever want, as many things as you want and to be proud of who you are no matter where you come from,” Lopez said.
