Jennifer Lopez Opens Up About Latina Stereotypes and Battling Imposter Syndrome in Hollywood

Jennifer Lopez is opening up about fighting Latina stereotypes during the early days of her career.

Lopez, who grew up in the Bronx with Puerto Rican parents, recalled struggling to fit in and not feeling like she belonged in certain situations.

While appearing on Variety's Awards Circuit podcast, Lopez opened up about her early days in the film industry and her 'belief to belong' conviction which helped her to break certain 'moulds' in Hollywood.

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"I heard someone say that positive change is slow -- and it is -- but as long as we're moving in the right direction, that's what matters," Lopez says. "When I started, there weren't a lot of roles for Latinas. I was auditioning for parts with accents and stereotypes. I kept thinking, 'Why can't I just play a romantic lead? Why can't I be the girl next door?' That belief--that conviction that I belonged -- was what helped me break those moulds." said Lopez.

Lopez, who grew up in the Bronx with Puerto Rican parents, recalled struggling to fit in and not feeling like she belonged in certain situations.

“And it’s hard because you have a lot of people telling you you’re not all the time, especially if you choose a career like this, where a lot of this is subjective,” she continued.

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“When you come from really not a lot and you grew up in the neighborhoods we grew up in, you think you don’t belong in certain places or you don’t belong in certain rooms,” she said. “I always find it’s the inner voice. It’s kind of really being in tune with that inner voice and what you’re telling yourself, which is the most important thing. And sometimes that could be your mom and dad’s voice in your head, and then at some point it’s your responsibility to replace that voice with your own strong voice. That says, ‘I can do this. I do belong here. I am good enough. I am doing the right things. I do work hard. I am talented.’”

' The Boy Next Door' actress's journey in Hollywood wasn't full of roses. Due to her upbringing in the Bronx as the daughter of Puerto Rican parents, Lopez admitted that she went through imposter syndrome in the initial years of her career.

Lopez will be next seen in a biographical sports drama film titled 'Unstoppable'. She will be playing the role of Judy Robles, the mother of NCAA wrestling champion Anthony Robles.

'Unstoppable' will be released on January 16 on Amazon Prime Video

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