She recently revealed that taking on her new role as a stripper-turned-criminal mastermind in the new film Hustlers left her feeling ‘liberated and empowered’.
And Jennifer Lopez, 50, has given fans a glimpse into her gruelling pole dancing lessons in a new behind-the-scenes documentary, in which she admits that learning the skill ‘definitely one of the hardest things [she’s] ever done physically’.
In Making of Hustlers: Conquering the Pole, which was released on YouTube on Thursday, the singer and actress displays her athletic prowess as she takes to the pole and performs a series of gravity-defying tricks.
Pole position: Jennifer Lopez, right, has unveiled a behind-the-scenes documentary of herself learning to pole dance for her new movie Hustlers
As she rehearses for her big scene, the mother-of-two is shown wearing a bralet and skimpy shorts as she’s put through her paces by an instructor, before strapping on glittering heels to help her get into character as Ramona.
Following a crash course in pole dancing, she is then seen at a strip club, where she prepares to display all of what she’s learned as cameras roll.
Looking typically glamorous in a silver tasselled leotard with a daring torso cutout, the star is seen commanding the stage as she performs one trick after another – garnering praise and applause from the crew.
Tough lessons: The star admitted that learning to pole dance was most of the most physically challenging tasks she’s ever had to undertake
Body of work: The mother-of-two is seen wearing a bralet and skimpy shorts as she practices
Talking to the camera earlier, she said of learning to pole dance: ‘It’s rough on your body. It’s real acrobatics, but i’m just trying to learn the mechanics right now.
‘Strippers have lots of time to practice. They’re there every night… So they start learning little by little, but we have to do a crash course.’
She added: ‘I mean, this is just as hard as anything I’ve ever learned. It might be one of the hardest.’
Sharing a clip of her documentary on her Instagram account, she wrote: ‘Life begins at the end of your comfort zone…
New role: In Hustlers, Jennifer plays Ramona Vega, a veteran stripper who mentors a new dancer and helps set up her scam to hustle dozens of wealthy men out of their money
Liberated: In a new interview, Jennifer revealed that she felt ‘liberated and empowered’ shooting the scenes as she felt as though she had put herself out there
‘This was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever done physically. But it was all worth it in the end.’
In a new interview, Jennifer revealed that she felt ‘liberated and empowered’ shooting the scenes as she felt as though she had put herself out there.
Speaking with ES magazine, she also discussed her traditional values as she confessed that she and fiance Alex Rodriguez find marriage very important.
In Hustlers, Jennifer plays Ramona Vega, a veteran stripper who mentors a new dancer and helps set up her scam to hustle dozens of wealthy men out of their money.
Dollar bills: The 50-year-old star looked breathtaking as she finally shot her pole dancing scene, receiving applause and fistfuls of dollar bills following her performance
Discussing her role, J Lo explained: ‘I’m used to being on stage in sexy costumes, but I have three layers of tights and fishnets and a bodysuit.
‘It was a brand-new feeling to come out practically naked, in front of all those men — 300 extras hooting and hollering — and dance for money.
‘There’s something liberating and empowering about it, but you’re really out there, physically, emotionally and psychologically.’
Comfort zone: The star admitted that she was taken out of her comfort zone for the new role
Heels: After hours of practice, she strapped on a pair of towering heels to get into character
Jennifer also discussed her relationship with Alex, as she explained that her traditional Latin values are her driving force for marriage.
The stunning songstress had been dating A-Rod for two years before he popped the question in March this year, and wedding plans have been ongoing.
She reasoned: ‘[Marriage is] important for both of us. We both come from traditional Latin families and we want that.
‘Everyone wants somebody to grow old with. At the end of the day, how much work can you do, how much money can you make, and what does it all matter? It doesn’t, really.’
Working it: The star revealed that she was eager to make herself look ‘comfortable’ on the pole
Traditional values: The 50-year-old singer also discussed her traditional values as she confessed that she and fiance Alex Rodriguez find marriage very important
As a proud Latina, the Love Don’t Cost a Thing singer also discussed her desire for more representation in the media, claiming: ‘I am always been trying to push for more Latin women in lead roles.
‘I’ve been doing romantic comedy leads since I was in my 20s — and those are always, traditionally, a certain type of actress that plays those roles — and that moves the needle a little bit.
‘We want to keep moving towards things in movies looking the way they are in real life. How long is it going to take until it’s really, truly equal? I don’t know. All we can do is keep trying to move in that direction, keep forcing the issue.’
One to watch: In Hustlers, Jennifer plays Ramona Vega, a stripper who helps set up her scam to hustle men out of their money (in the film with Lili Reinha, Keke Palmer and Constance Wu)
As for making it in the film industry herself, she claimed it was her ‘toughness’ that has kept her going.
She explained: ‘Ambition for sure, and also toughness.
‘This business is not for the faint-hearted — it eats people up. To survive in it for as many years as I have, you’ve got to have a tough skin.’
Jennifer began her acting career in 1991 with a role in sketch series, In Living Color, before taking on roles in the likes of Selena, Anaconda and Out of Sight, becoming one of the highest-paid Latin actress in Hollywood.
Living her best life: Now, with a film gross of $3 billion and estimated global sales of 80 million records, Jennifer is widely regarded as the most influential Latin performer in the US
Out now: The full interview appears in this week’s issue of ES Magazine, out Thursday
Now, with a film gross of $3 billion and estimated global sales of 80 million records, Jennifer is widely regarded as the most influential Latin performer in the US, and is still determined to keep performing.
Discussing her milestone 50th birthday, she admitted: ‘Did I think I would be doing this at 50? I didn’t think I’d stop, but I didn’t know that it would be the best moment of my life.
‘We’re conditioned to think, as women, that it would be over by now. And the truth is, it’s not like that at all. I find myself growing and getting better every year and that’s exciting.’
The full interview appears in this week’s issue of ES Magazine, out Thursday September 5.
Working up a sweat! The actress worked hard at the gym while she was filming Hustlers (pictured in New York City in July, wearing a workout ensemble by Champion)
