Jennifer Lopez may be defying the odds with her ageless beauty and thriving career, but even a goddess can’t dodge a reporter’s attempt at a “joke.” In a recent interview promoting her new film “Unstoppable,” JLo found herself gracefully sidestepping an awkward age-related remark.
AWKWARD Moment As Variety Editor Clayton Davis Jokes About Jennifer ‘JLo’ Lopez’s Advanced: “You’ll Be 60, Which Is Getting Up There”
Apparently, Variety’s senior awards editor, Clayton Davis, forgot the golden interview rule: Don’t talk about a woman’s age unless you’re praising it while simultaneously offering her a glass of the finest merlot.
Davis, bless his heart, decided to reminisce about Lopez’s 1997 film “Selena” and then, with the subtlety of a bull in a china shop, pointed out, “You’ll be 60 by then, which is getting up there.”
The Audience Gasps (and Maybe Rolls Their Eyes):
One can only imagine the sound of crickets chirping after that gem. Thankfully, the audience reacted appropriately (read: horrified) with gasps and a very reasonable, “Did he really just say that?”
Lopez, ever the professional, attempted to laugh it off, but the awkwardness hung heavy in the air like a poorly timed Mariah Carey high note.
JLo Shines Like a Diamond (Because She’s Flawless):
To Davis’ credit, he backtracked faster than a politician caught in a scandal, claiming it was “a joke” (one that landed with all the grace of a drunken ostrich). JLo, ever the queen, used the opportunity to thank her fans and express her excitement for the future.
She even managed to subtly (or not so subtly) remind everyone that with age comes wisdom and the ability to snag meatier roles.
While the internet, as it tends to do, went into overdrive calling out the reporter and demanding JLo be asked about her ex instead (because that’s relevant?), the real lesson here is this: respect your elders, especially when they’re JLo.
She’s been slaying the game for decades, and a little age ain’t gonna stop her. Let this be a cautionary tale for all aspiring interviewers: When it comes to JLo, focus on the unstoppable force that is her talent, not the easily-dismissed tick of the clock.
