Jennifer Lopez revealed the touching reason why audiences at the Toronto International Film Festival were drawn to her new film “Unstoppable.”
The 55-year-old star got personal during a Q&A with viewers following the premiere of the inspirational sports drama based on the true story of NCAA champion wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg.
Lopez, who plays Robles' mother, Judy, said that Judy's struggle with domestic violence compelled her to take the role, as Judy's struggle was “similar” to her own.
Part of “Unstoppable,” based on Anthony's memoir of the same name, tells the story of the abuse Judy suffered at the hands of her husband. Judy's husband, played by Bobby Cannavale – who was not Anthony's biological father – punched a hole in the wall in the film and left scars on her hand.
“When I read the script, I felt like a lot of women, including me, could relate to the struggles that she went through in her life,” Lopez said. “And the story, being a Latino story, was very inspiring. That was something that drew me in. And I thought, okay, this is really interesting.”
“But then when I met Judy (Robles) — we met on Zoom — I was like, I really should talk to this person,” the “Atlas” actress said. “Thank God they're alive! Because I've also played real-life people. I played Selena, I played Pucci. And I didn't have, I obviously wasn't able to talk to them. So it was kind of a different experience.”
She added, “Just talking to her made me realize that we're almost very similar people in a weird way, even though we're so different and our lives have been so different — that basically, at the heart of who we were, we were moms first and foremost. And beyond that, our struggles were similar.”
Judy joined Lopez for a Q&A session with Canwell and Don Cheadle (who also stars in the film). Lopez introduced Judy as she came on stage.
“It was not only a pleasure and an honor to play the character, but to portray a woman who literally poured her heart, her soul and her blood into her children, and taught them that nothing is more important than family,” Lopez said.
“Despite all the obstacles and challenges he faced, he set an example for his children and showed them that they too can be invincible.”
In her 2024 documentary “The Greatest Love Story Never Told,” she opened up about past abusive relationships.
“There have been people in my life who said 'I love you' and then did nothing consistent with the word 'love.' It's not fun to be tossed around and manhandled like that,” Lopez said, without naming her ex-boyfriend.
“I mean, I've never been in a relationship where I've been beaten, thank God, but I've definitely been manhandled and done some other unpleasant things. Harsh. Abusive,” she explained.
Lopez has a long list of ex-lovers, including Diddy, Alex Rodriguez, Tommy Mottola, three ex-husbands: Ojani Noa, Cris Judd, Marc Anthony, and her most recent husband, Ben Affleck.
Lopez produced “Unstoppable” with Affleck and his lifelong best friend Matt Damon.
She filed for divorce on August 20 after two years of marriage to the “Argo” director.
While Affleck didn't attend the premiere, Lopez wore a stunning mirror ball gown with a sky-high slit.
As expected, Damon joined the “Love Don't Cost a Thing” singer on the red carpet. The two posed for photos together along with the rest of the cast.
