Jennifer Lopez thinks it's "still challenging" for women to have a "meaty role" in movies.
Jennifer Lopez
The 47-year-old singer - who is the daughter of Puerto Rican parents Guadalupe Rodríguez and David Lopez - played the role of singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in 'Selena', and the brunette beauty is honoured she was handpicked to feature in the 1997 biopic because she doesn't think many Latinos are lucky enough to land such iconic lead roles.
Speaking to Variety about the drama film, which was directed by Gregory Nava, the 'Ain't It Funny' hitmaker said: "['Selena'] was a meaty role, but it was few and far between, especially for Latinos to have a role like that.
"I think it's still challenging for women, especially being Latina. Thinking about 'Selena' 20 years ago and to have a role like that, I was very lucky. I was very fortunate. But it's still a struggle for women.
"It's pretty amazing what it's grown into. I don't take it for granted. I'm very fortunate."
However, Jennifer - who is also known as JLo - thinks the entertainment industry isn't just difficult for Latin women, but for all females, although she has recognised the business is "moving and growing".
She said: "I think [the industry] is still moving and growing, and it's always a challenge for women."
And the New York-born star has ventured more into producing now so she can create opportunities for herself.
Jennifer - who has nine-year-old twins Emme and Maximilain with her former partner Marc Anthony - explained: "At this point, you have to create your own opportunities and I think that's why I got so much more into producing and taking into our own hands as an artist. I think it's the second phase of your career -- you kind of make a name for yourself and show everybody what you do and where your talents lay, and then you have to take it into your own hands and be the artist that you want to be.
"I always wanted to be the best performer, singer, dancer, actress that I could be. It's the same for me now, but I'm lucky to be able to expand that into so many different roles and produce my own things."
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