Jennifer Lopez recently reflected on a pivotal moment in her early career when she auditioned for Alan Parker’s acclaimed musical film Evita.
The memory resurfaced as the superstar prepares for the release of her highly anticipated project Kiss of the Spider-Woman.
The 56-year-old singer and actress, who achieved global recognition with her breakout performance in the 1997 biopic Selena, recalled how determined she had been during the audition process. However, the coveted role of Eva Perón eventually went to Madonna. In an interview with Variety, Lopez shared, “I had been rehearsing tirelessly for weeks. I sang my heart out, and then Parker looked at me and said, ‘You’re incredible. But you know Madonna already has the part, right?’ At that point, I just smiled and said, ‘OK, bye-bye. Nice to meet you.’”
Madonna’s portrayal of Argentina’s iconic First Lady later earned critical praise, while Evita itself collected five Academy Award nominations in 1997, including a win for Best Original Song. The musical also turned into a box-office success, cementing its legacy in Hollywood history.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Lopez revealed that auditioning for musicals had always been a dream. She recalled not only trying out for Evita, but also competing for roles in Chicago and Nine, coming close in the latter. “There were so many moments when I thought it was my chance, but it wasn’t the right time. Now, this truly feels right,” Lopez said.
With Kiss of the Spider-Woman, she is finally stepping into her first full-fledged film musical—almost three decades after her earliest attempts.