Jennifer Lopez: Women in entertainment valued less than men

Jennifer Lopez: Women in entertainment valued less than men
UPI

NEW YORK, April 13 (UPI) — Jennifer Lopez reflected on her fame since joining American Idol in 2011, saying industry professionals still value women less than men in entertainment.

Speaking with W magazine for its latest issue, the “Ain’t Your Mama” singer says coming aboard the singing competition as a judge has helped communicate her relatability, but it hasn’t fixed everything.

“It has been easier,” she told the outlet. “People may now think I’m ‘nice,’ but they still act surprised when I’m smart. It’s a man’s world, and, truly, people in a business setting do not value a woman as much as a man. I feel like I’m constantly having to prove myself. If a man does one thing well, people immediately say he’s a genius. Women have to do something remarkable over and over and over. And, even then, they get questions about their love life.”

Lopez is one of the busiest women in show business, with several projects underway, including a television drama series, Las Vegas residency, and an upcoming album. She also just wrapped up her four-year gig as a judge on American Idol.

“I do have trouble saying no,” she said. “It’s hard for me not to imagine doing everything I am asked to do…Luckily, I love to work.”

The Shades of Blue actress has recently faced intense negative feedback on her latest single, which was co-produced by Dr. Luke, whom the singer Kesha accused of abusing her sexually and emotionally. Lopez released the song last week during the American Idol farewell episode.

“Ain’t Your Mama” writer Meghan Trainor came to Lopez’s defense, telling reporters she felt “terrible” about all the hate Lopez has received for debuting the song amid the Dr. Luke court battle. In 2014, Kesha filed a lawsuit attempting to break out of her contract with Dr. Luke, whom she claimed sexually assaulted her.

“[It was] not fair on her, not at all,” Trainor said of Lopez, according to Idolator. “I texted her the song and she had no idea — she thought I did it alone by myself at my house, which a lot of people think because I do do that.”

Lopez never worked directly with Dr. Luke, E! News reported, and Trainor claimed the Bronx-born superstar hadn’t a clue he was part of the project. Trainor wrote the song with Jacob Kashner, with Dr. Luke having been involved in its early production.

The song was reportedly written years ago, before Kesha’s lawsuit.

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