Welcome to The Scoop — the ultimate back-to-the-office water cooler cheat sheet, your go-to source for all things everyone really wants to know! Get the latest on everything from the political swamp maneuvering in D.C. to Hollywood drama to jaw-dropping small-town shenanigans from Paula Froelich. Subscribe to her newsletter here.
(NewsNation) — Jennifer Lopez is hoping to end her annus horribilis on a high note: with an Oscar.
While the majority of her movies this year were panned or bombed (See: “Atlas” or “The Greatest Love Story Never Told”), her movie “Unstoppable” which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last week, is said to be actually… good.
And “Unstoppable” not only has great buzz — but Lopez is being lauded for her role as a hardworking mother to a one-legged high school wrestler looking for a scholarship.
The New York Post wrote: Jennifer Lopez stars in a fantastic, inspiring sports movie” and notes “Lopez (is) in one of her best performances in a minute. Her arc as a struggling mother of several kids is every bit as involving as Anthony’s and gets its proper due.”
The Guardian writes: “Impassioned performances help to buoy a fact-based wrestling drama”
Jennifer Lopez ‘really wants’ an Oscar, friend says
It would be her first Oscar nomination after she was given the cold shoulder in 2020 for her role in “Hustlers.” As the New York Times explained succinctly: “Lopez is seen as more of a celebrity than an actress… When so much of your public persona is about having it all, there isn’t much of an urge to give you something else. Academy voters like to feel like they’re a crucial part of a nominee’s journey, and with Lopez, they’ve never quite been there.”
Considering people in LA are already saying Lopez has turned into a Kardashian, it seems the Academy may still feel the same way.
But as a Lopez friend tells me, “She really wants that Oscar — and to be taken seriously as an actress.”
-
William Goldenberg, Don Cheadle, Jennifer Lopez, Bobby Cannavale, Jharrel Jerome and Anthony Robles of “Unstoppable” at the Deadline Studio held at the Bisha Hotel during the Toronto International Film Festival 2024 on September 7, 2024 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by KC Armstrong/Deadline via Getty Images) -
TORONTO, ONTARIO – SEPTEMBER 06: Jennifer Lopez attends the premiere of “Unstoppable” during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 06, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 17: Jennifer Lopez is seen on August 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 29: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are seen on March 29, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images) -
Jennifer Lopez is seen on June 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) -
FILE – Jennifer Lopez appears in the press room with the Icon Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles on March 22, 2022. Lopez will be honored for her film and television achievements at the MTV Movie & TV Awards. The network announced Friday that Lopez will receive the Generation Award on Sunday in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) -
PREMIOS BILLBOARD DE LA MÚSICA LATINA 2017 — Pictured: Jennifer Lopez performs on stage at the Watsco Center in the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida on April 27, 2017 — (Photo by: John Parra/Telemundo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images) -
FILE – Jennifer Lopez participates in a Netflix “Atlas” photo call at the Four Seasons Hotel on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in New York. Lopez has canceled her 2024 “This Is Me…Live” tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to the Associated Press. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 06: Jennifer Lopez attends The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Will Ben Affleck and J.Lo be reunited on the red carpet?
Ironically, if the film is nominated for an Oscar or Golden Globe, Lopez would be reunited with her now ex, Ben Affleck.
Affleck and his bff Matt Damon produced the movie (Damon showed up to Toronto with Lopez to promote the film)… and if it makes it to the big shows(s) they could all be sat together at the same Golden Globes table and Oscar seating area.
“(Ben) doesn’t care,” a friend of his said. “He’s so happy to be free right now. She could wear all the revenge dresses in the world – hell, she could show up to the red carpet naked – and he would not blink twice.”
Jennifer Lopez’s very bad year
Here’s a look back at Jennifer Lopez’s horrid year
- February 16: “This is Me… Now” debuts alongside her accompanying documentary “The Greatest Love Story Never Told” (which follows her love story with Ben Affleck), and a “companion” musical film “This Is Me Now… A Love Story.” All of which flopped and the album is Lopez’s worst performing ever.
- March 13: Seven cities were canceled from her “This Is Me…Now” tour due to poor sales.
- April 2: With lagging sales, Lopez’s tour is rebranded as “This Is Me… Live,” featuring her greatest hits instead of the treacly love songs from her latest album.
- April 11: Lopez goes back to work filming “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” while Affleck leaves for Los Angeles.
- May 6: Lopez co-chaired the annual Met Gala and showed up alone after Affleck refused to attend (Claiming he was filming in LA). On what was supposed to be a glorious homecoming for Lopez, she appeared gaunt and furious, snapping at reporters on the red carpet.
- May 12: Lopez spent Mother’s Day 5,643 miles away from Affleck in Paris with her daughter Emme while Affleck was hanging out with his children in L.A. next to his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner.
- May 15: Lopez spotted house hunting with her producer Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas despite Lopez and Affleck dropping $60 million in cash for a Beverly Hills mansion last June.
- May 24: Lopez’s Netflix movie “Atlas” premieres and is panned.
- May 28: Affleck attends his daughter Violet’s graduation without Lopez.
- May 29: It’s reported her $90 million deal with MGM in Las Vegas is kaput.
- May 31: Live Nation announces tour cancellation.
- June 2024: Lopez and Affleck put their $60 million house on the market. He is reported to be staying in a rental, alone.
- July 24: Lopez celebrates her 55th birthday without Affleck. He is supposed to fly out and meet with her the week after — but stands her up.
- July 30: Affleck buys his own home for $20 million.
- August 20: Lopez files for divorce from Affleck on their second anniversary. He spends the day moving his daughter Violet to college at Yale with his ex, Jennifer Garner.
- August 22: Lopez prepares for JLo Beauty to be pulled from Sephora shelves by the end of the year
