Jennifer Lopez graces the October cover of Cosmopolitan. The returning American Idol judge dishes on all things relationship, insecurities, and making mistakes.
Admitting that her appearance at the birthday party of the president of Turkmenistan earlier this year was a mistake: “I know that being seen as a role model means taking responsibility for all my actions. I am human, and of course, sometimes I make mistakes. But I promise that when I fall, I get back up. When I am wrong, I will learn the lesson and move on to face other challenges. For me, that’s what creating your own life is. Doing your best work while being your best self.”
On being the creative force in business meetings: “Everybody in there might be more business-minded, but for me, if I’m talking about marketing or promotion or why a piece of clothing is made, it all comes from an emotion. I’m more of an artist, so when I’m able to use that muscle, I feel like I’m in my element.”
On not feeling secure about herself until later in life: “It was after I had kids to be honest…The biggest insecurity I had was my singing. Even though I had sold 70 million records, there was this feeling like, I’m not good at this. And while I was married to Marc, he helped me get over it. He kept telling me, ‘You’re the only one holding yourself back from reaching your full potential as a singer. You have to let go’…I was always so insecure and just kind of going along. Then I grew, little by little, and realized, wait a minute, this is not a fluke. I’m not a mistake – I work my ass off. And I know what I’m doing.”
On her relationship with 26-year-old choreographer boyfriend Beau “Casper” Smart: “For me, it’s about having a great partner to walk this life with. I have my own high standards for what I want in a partner and how I want to be treated. I bring a lot to the table. I’m not talking about material things but what I have to offer as a person – love and loyalty and all the things that make a good relationship.”
When she commits to a man, she gives herself completely: “It’s funny, early on with Beau, I remember telling him how I have a real button on being ignored. And he was like, ‘Listen, if somebody ignores you, then forget them. They don’t deserve to have your attention.’ But it’s funny. Sometimes when we don’t get it, we try to get it in an negative way, you know?”
Photos Courtesy of Cosmo/ Matthias Vriens-McGrath & Gomillion and Leupold
