Interview: Jennifer Lopez

While Jennifer Lopez puts on a brave face playing Zoe in The Back-up Plan, a character determined to be a single mom, the real world is an entirely different matter. While declaring “Thanks but no thanks” to ever even contemplating single motherhood, Lopez also came clean about not exactly having a parenthood back-up plan of her own. Case in point, the mother of pretty sophisticated 2-year-old twins, already on to her celebrity status, required an elaborate game plan in order for her to escape from home for this interview.

Q: Did you ever have a back-up plan of your own in real life, in case no dream man ever came along?

JENNIFER LOPEZ: I wouldn’t have done the single motherhood thing if I hadn’t met Marc.

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Q: How come?

JL: It’s just so hard. That’s why I have so much respect for single moms. It’s so courageous to me. Being a mother is such a hard job. And to be everything to your child without a partner is beyond brave, and every other valiant word I could ever dream up. I couldn’t do that on my own.

Q: How about juggling motherhood with being a superstar?

JL: It’s very hard. My children are 2. And they’re just at the point where they know what I’m up to here! When Mommy was getting dressed up, they came to the door and started saying, “No, Mommy. No, Mommy, don’t go!”

And I thought, “Uh oh, this is bad. This is tough. But I’m going to have to figure this out as I go along. I know tonight I will be home, and the sun will be up in my heart. It’s not going to be nighttime.” So that’s the good news. I won’t miss the whole day!

Q: When you first found out you were pregnant, that must have been pretty exciting. But what about when you found out you were having twins?

JL: Oh, when I found out that I was having twins, I was in denial. I couldn’t even believe I was pregnant! But when I found out it was twins, I laughed and said, “Of course this would happen!”

And I actually started giggling. But Marc, oh Marc, he started crying. He is so beautiful and emotional. And inside I felt, “I can’t believe this is happening. It’s too wonderful.”

Q: What are those twins like?

JL: They’re so happy. They have a lot of love in their lives. They’re very content children, and they can express so many things. But they do know when Mommy puts on makeup and does major hair that, uh oh, she’s going someplace! And if they’re not getting dressed up, then they know that they’re staying home!

Q: Do you think of The Back-up Plan as a comeback film for you, after taking a few years off to be a full-time mother?

JL: I don’t really think of it as a comeback. I was just home on maternity leave and making music. Now, my first movie is coming out since I was fat! Just kidding. I loved my time at home. But it’s time to get back to work.

Q: What did you learn about yourself as a pregnant woman in real life that you brought to the movie?

JL: I didn’t know I would feel so hungry! I was also so sleepy, in a way I had never been before in my entire life.

Q: What about playing a woman who doesn’t mind being alone and without a man, could you relate to any of those feelings?

JL: It’s funny, because I’m so opposite of her. Zoe was comfortable being alone. And I’m so uncomfortable being alone. But I envy people who are like her.

Of course in the movie, her being able to be alone was her big flaw. She’s so afraid to let anybody into her life that she would let something great pass her by, or subconsciously destroy it.

So no, we’re not similar in that way. I embrace great things and hold on. But I still love this character, and kind of wish I was like her in a way. Because she’s very comfortable being by herself.