Interview: Jennifer Lopez

Q: What’s really interesting about the movie is that there’s a woman with commitment issues, and not just the guy. Does that ring true to you?

JL: One of the great things about this script, is that it’s so modern. We’re so used to seeing men with their commitment issues. The men are the ones usually afraid of being tied down. But Zoe has her own business. She has money in the bank.

So she’s better off than her male counterpart. She’s the one who is afraid to commit. And that was very interesting to me, too. You know, this was so much better than the usual romantic comedy.

Q: Back on the Anthony/Lopez home front, what is the best and worst part of having twins?

JL: The best part is mostly everything. Everything in your life changes. Having that feeling of love inside of you all the time is amazing. It’s such a fulfilling place to be. I wish it would have happened earlier for me. But I know things happen for a reason.

And the worst thing about twins, is there are two of them! You know, I’m always worrying that each one is getting exactly the same from me. Like there has to be the same amount of candy. And if I kiss one, I kiss the other.

So I need to make sure they feel equally loved. I hold one, and the other climbs on my back. And that’s great, because they’re each getting a turn.

Q: Do you feel being a mother made you a better actress?

JL: Absolutely. I knew that was going to happen. My life, and the way I felt about my life and the way I feel about my children, is so deep and profound. This is the first time I’ve felt this way.

And I knew as an artist, that it would make a huge difference. Now I’m feeling that the growth of myself as a human being, has turned me into a better artist.

Q: How did you get back into such amazing shape after the babies?

JL: It was challenging for me. Like it is for anyone who has had a baby. The first few pounds fell off fast. But then I was stuck with the last 10 to 15 pounds. But you just gotta diet, and do the exercises.

So there are no shortcuts. And I knew I had a movie coming out, so that was motivating. It was another level of not having to eat as much. But I basically ate no bread and no sugar. That did the trick.

Q: What’s the 411 on Love, your upcoming CD filled with brand new music? There’s been all kinds of rumors about why it has been held up. And what kind of sound can we expect?

JL: We’re aiming for a summer release. I’ve been working on it since last summer. I recently parted ways with my old record company, and I have a new one. They heard what I’ve been working on, and loved it.

But it’s the same sort of music that I’ve always done. There will always be that combination of dance and a little bit of street, with some hip-hop and R&B thrown in. Those are the influences I grew up with. I’ll also throw in a few great ballads, along with the dance cuts.

Q: Why did you decide to call the album Love, and what does the title Love mean to you at this point in your life?

JL: I’m just exploring the subject matter of love. It’s an endlessly fascinating topic, and it’s still confusing to me. The songs are about love, and how you have to work on it. But the full album hasn’t taken shape yet.

There is a base of material and stuff that I’m creating now. And the songs I sang on Saturday Night Live are part of that new album. I’m also going to start to working on a new Spanish album.

Q: As for love between you and Marc Anthony, is there any light you can shed on that topic?

JL: Well, you’re going to love this. When I was pregnant, I was really uncomfortable. I would lay on one side, and there was a baby. And I’d lay on the other side, and there was a baby. So I got this big pregnancy pillow that was very firm and hard. And Marc still sleeps with that pillow to this day. It’s one of those full body things. And he travels with the pillow too!

Q: Well, as long as it’s got nothing to do with more twins!  Now, in the movie, there’s a moment when you hang your face over a pot of stew and then starting shoving it into your mouth. Did you ever go crazy like that with food when you were pregnant?

JL: It’s so funny, because that stew pot moment was hilarious. In real life, I was pretty good. I did eat and I had a healthy appetite. And I tried to go for only healthy foods. But I did indulge. I was very hungry! But unlike Zoe, I wasn’t shoving hunks of meat into my mouth!