Jennifer Lopez Rebrands Tour After Bronx Controversy

Jennifer Lopez has been busy. In case you missed it, the Puerto Rican singer, dancer, and actor launched not one however three complementary initiatives to kick off the yr. There’s her “This Is Me . . . Now” album; a video companion/musical to stated album, “This Is Me . . . Now: A Love Story”; and a documentary that dives into stated love story, “The Biggest Love Story By no means Informed.” It was an bold enterprise, little question. And one which has her being dragged throughout TikTok, Instagram, and X (previously Twitter).

A part of the controversy lies in how Lopez represents herself and her native borough of the Bronx. In a single scene from the documentary, Lopez tussles her curly hair whereas trying within the mirror and says, “It jogs my memory, like, once I was 16 within the Bronx, working up and down the block. Loopy little lady who used to fucking be wild and no limits, all desires.” TikTok rapidly jumped on this small clip, with many customers commenting on how contrived the scene felt. One consumer famous it allegedly took quite a few takes to get the completed shot. From there, it wasn’t lengthy earlier than social media began to mine Lopez’s previous interviews for any trace of inauthenticity.

In a resurfaced clip from Vogue’s “73 Questions” sequence, Lopez shares her childhood bodega order of “ham and cheese on a roll with an orange drink . . . and a small bag of chips.” This clip, too, has been flamed on social media as New Yorkers demand to know precisely what orange drink Lopez is referring to. Others have remarked it is such a generic order that Lopez cannot be as bodega-bred as she claims.

After which, after all, there’s the nail within the coffin: an previous clip from 2014 making the rounds on social media that reveals Lopez pulling as much as her previous home in Citadel Hill, and the present resident having completely no concept who she is.

It is not that Lopez is not from the Bronx — after all, she is. Nobody can take that away from her. It is that the picture she portrays, one in every of a tried-and-true Bronx lady who made it to Hollywood whereas staying true to her roots, comes off as disingenuous. Many assume she’s utilizing the borough for relevance in an age that values authenticity greater than something. However how did she turn into so seemingly disconnected from the individuals she supposedly represents?

Rising up in a Puerto Rican family meant Lopez might do no unsuitable. She was the Fly Woman who made it large. She was Selena. And when her debut album, “On the 6,” dropped, my mother had it on repeat, singing alongside to each phrase. For my mother, Lopez symbolized success. For a lot of heads from that era, that is what success was — not a lot repping your hood, however representing the truth that you made it out of your hood.

At the moment, nevertheless, that is not sufficient. That is why Lopez’s actions are sometimes perceived as self-serving. Partially, it is a generational distinction. That is evidenced by the truth that so few of her latest critics knew what she meant by “orange drink.” For the report, I am fairly certain she was referencing the 25-cent “quarter waters” that have been a staple of bodegas again within the ’90s (you would be hard-pressed to search out them now). They did not have a correct title; you simply requested for the colour. However, bodega order apart, the truth that Lopez needed to rebrand her tour amid slowing ticket gross sales reveals how a lot public opinion has waned for a star who as soon as bought out Vegas residencies with frequency.

On this mild, it is unsurprising that individuals from the group and even her followers are skeptical of how she reps the Bronx — an try to delay the solar setting on an unbelievable 30-year profession and energize the lots. Nevertheless it’s not sufficient to say NYC as your birthright and count on New Yorkers to indicate up. Right here, belief and loyalty are gained the onerous approach. It’s a must to put town in your again, elevate it, and actively take part within the tradition.

Cardi B made headlines when she donated $100,000 to her previous center faculty within the Bronx. Fats Joe helped arrange a fundraiser for households affected by the 2022 Twin Parks hearth, and he is well-known for routinely giving again to the group. And J Lo? Properly, that is the factor. She has. In 2014, she introduced a partnership with Montefiore Medical Middle within the Bronx to determine The Middle for a Wholesome Childhood, which aimed to enhance kids’s well being and total vitamin within the surrounding communities.

However for many people, the occasional philanthropic stint is not sufficient. And the truth that it has been 10 years since her final main contribution to the borough does not assist Lopez’s case. Neither does the truth that she danced her strategy to an appearing profession, singing profession, and thousands and thousands of {dollars} alongside the best way, however she hasn’t opened a single dance academy to assist others do the identical. I believe a Jennifer Lopez-branded dance academy within the coronary heart of Citadel Hill can be a no brainer and would assist her enhance her present standing in the neighborhood.

That being stated, Lopez is not obligated to fulfill anybody’s expectations however her personal. And there are many A-list New Yorkers who do much less for his or her respective boroughs and are topic to far much less criticism. On the finish of the day, nevertheless, Lopez is exclusive in that she understands and cashes in on the social clout that comes with being from the Bronx. She understands that it distinguishes her from nearly all of the Hollywood elite — she’s somebody who is not purported to have a seat on the desk, but now enjoys the identical privileges as her silver-spoon counterparts.

I as soon as had a pal inform me that the hood is one thing nobody can take from you. It is hardwired into you, no matter what you obtain. The teachings the streets train are classes for all times. I really imagine that. And I am certain Lopez does, too. In her eyes, she’ll at all times be Jenny from the block, no matter what any of us should say.

However I additionally imagine there is no such factor as taking part in each side. As somebody who has slowly watched their neighborhood disappear due to gentrification and has had the panorama of his recollections shift with every passing day, I want I had the cash to do one thing about it. And if I ever discovered myself in that place, ready to offer again, I might.

Johanna Ferreira is the content material director for POPSUGAR Juntos. With greater than 10 years of expertise, Johanna focuses on how intersectional identities are a central a part of Latine tradition. Beforehand, she spent shut to a few years because the deputy editor at HipLatina, and he or she has freelanced for quite a few shops together with Refinery29, Oprah journal, Attract, InStyle, and Properly+Good. She has additionally moderated and spoken on quite a few panels on Latine identification. .