Jennifer Lopez is busy. In case you missed it, the Puerto Rican singer, dancer, and actress released not one, but three additional projects to kick off the new year. There’s her album “This Is Me… Now”; a video/musical accompanying said album, “This Is Me… Now: A Love Story”; and a documentary that delves into said love story, “The greatest love story never told” There’s no doubt it’s an ambitious undertaking. And that’s what got her pulled across TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
Part of the controversy lies in the way Lopez presents herself and her home borough of the Bronx. In one scene from the documentary, Lopez ruffles her curly hair as she looks in the mirror and says: “It reminds me of, like, when I was 16 in the Bronx, running up and down the block. Little girl Crazy like that.” wild and without limits, every dream.” TikTok quickly posted this little clip, and many users commented on how fake the scene felt. One user noted that they It took many attempts to get the perfect picture. From there, it wasn’t long before social media began mining Lopez’s old interviews for any signs of deception.
In a clip reposted from Vogue magazine Series “73 questions”, Lopez shared that her childhood bodega dish consisted of “ham and cheese rolled with orange juice… and a small bag of chips.” The clip also went viral on social media as New Yorkers demanded to know exactly what orange drink Lopez was referring to. Others have commented that it is such a general order that Lopez cannot be as bodega as she claims.
And then, of course, there’s the nail in the coffin: an old clip from 2014 spread on social media shows Lopez pulling up to her old home in Castle Hill and the current residents have absolutely no idea who she is.
It’s not that Lopez isn’t from the Bronx — of course he is. No one can take that away from her. That the image she portrays, of a tried-and-true Bronx girl who made it to Hollywood while staying true to her roots, seems disingenuous. Many people think she is using the district to fit in with an era that values authenticity more than anything. But how did she seem to become so disconnected from the people she was supposed to represent?
Growing up in a Puerto Rican family meant Lopez could do no wrong. She’s the Fly Girl who made it big. She is Selena. And when her debut album, “On the 6,” was released, my mother sang it back, singing along to every word. To my mother, Lopez represents success. For many leaders of that generation, that was what success was about – not trying too hard but showing the fact that you got through it.
However, today that is not enough. That is why Lopez’s actions are often considered self-serving. Partly, it’s a generational difference. This is evidenced by the fact that very few of her recent critics know the meaning of the word “orange juice”. For the record, I’m pretty sure she was referring to the 25-cent “quarter water” that was a staple of bodegas in the ’90s (you’d be hard-pressed to find them now). They do not have personal names; You just asked for color. But, bodega order aside, the reality is Lopez had to change the name of her tour amid slowing ticket sales shows how much public opinion has weakened towards a star who once sold out Vegas properties with such regularity.
Against that backdrop, it’s no surprise that people in the community and even her fans are skeptical about how she represents the Bronx — an attempt to delay the setting of the sun in a career that spanned an astonishing 30 years and energized the masses. But it’s not enough to simply claim NYC as your birthright and expect New Yorkers to show up. Here, trust and loyalty are hard-won. You have to put the city on your back, elevate it and actively participate in the culture.
Cardi B made headlines when she donated $100,000 to her old middle school in the Bronx. Fat Joe helped organize a fundraiser for families affected by the 2022 Twin Park fire, and he is known for regularly giving back to the community. What about J Lo? Yes, that’s the problem. She does. In 2014, she announced a partnership with Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx to establish Center for healthy childhoodsaims to improve the overall health and nutrition of children in surrounding communities.
But for many of us, giving charity occasionally isn’t enough. And the fact that it’s been 10 years since her last significant contribution to the county doesn’t help Lopez’s case. In fact, she has pursued a career in acting and singing and made millions along the way, but she has yet to open a dance academy to help others do the same. I think a Jennifer Lopez branded dance academy in the heart of Castle Hill would be a no-brainer and would help her improve her current standing in the community.
That being said, Lopez is under no obligation to meet anyone’s expectations but her own. And there are plenty of A-list New Yorkers doing less for their respective districts and facing less criticism. At the end of the day, however, Lopez is unique in that she understands and cashes in on the social influence that comes from the Bronx. She understands that that sets her apart from much of Hollywood’s elite – she’s someone who wasn’t allowed a seat at the negotiating table, but now enjoys the same privileges as her golden spoon counterparts. me.
I once had a friend tell me that the hood is something no one can take away from you. It is built into you, no matter what you achieve. The lessons the streets teach are lessons for life. I really believe that. And I’m sure Lopez does too. In her eyes, she will always be the Jenny on the block, no matter what we say.
But I also believe that there is no such thing as playing both sides. As someone who is slowly watching his neighborhood disappear because of urbanization and the landscape of his memories changing by the day, I wish I had the money to do something. And if I find myself in that position, in a position to give, I will do so.
Miguel Machado is a journalist with expertise in the intersection of Latino identity and culture. He does everything from exclusive interviews with Latin music artists to opinion pieces on issues relevant to the community, to personal essays tied to Latinidad his, as well as thoughts and characteristics related to Puerto Rican and Puerto Rican culture.
