Jennifer Lopez was asked to go topless at an audition for one of her first movies.
The 48-year-old Latin singer, who has appeared in films including; Out of Sight, Monster-in-Law, Maid in Manhattan and The Wedding Planner, as well as enjoying a successful music career. And with the Time's Up campaign against sexual harassment the talk of the entertainment industry at the moment, Jennifer paused to reflect on her own experiences.
“I haven’t been abused in the way some women have. But have I been told by a director to take off my shirt and show my boobs? Yes, I have. But did I do it? No, I did not,” she shared in an interview with Harper's Bazaar U.S. “When I did speak up, I was terrified. I remember my heart beating out of my chest, thinking, ‘What did I do? This man is hiring me!’ It was one of my first movies. But in my mind I knew the behaviour wasn’t right. It could have gone either way for me."
"But I think ultimately the Bronx (where Jennifer was born) in me was like, ‘Nah, we’re not having it,’” she smiled, crediting her New York upbringing for giving her the strength to say no.
The Jenny from the Block hitmaker also delivered a powerful speech in support of the Time’s Up movement in Puerto Rico earlier this year (18), and is pleased she now possesses a confidence in herself that wasn't there early in her career.
“When I was younger I spent a lot of time being half happy and half not happy,” admitted Jennifer, who released her debut album On the 6 in 1999. “(Now) I know who I am and what I want. I also know my strengths and weaknesses. It took me a long time to get to a point where I could say something nice about myself. I’m glad I can do that now.”
