Jennifer Lopez has been hit with questions and criticisms after announcing a new alcohol brand - despite previously saying that she doesn't drink.
The 53-year-old shared the news of her new brand, Delola, earlier this month, announcing that customers would be able to get their hands on three new ready-to-drink spritzes, which feature vodka, tequila and amaro.
Lopez promoted the drinks in a video shared to her Instagram, in which she described wanting to create something that was 'better tasting' and that she'd want to drink with her friends and family.
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Discussing the launch with People, Lopez said: "I'm not a huge alcohol whatever-alcohol drinker, so it needed to be something that was really pleasant tasting. I loved the idea of creating something a little more healthy, a little bit more to my taste with kind of healthier ingredients and being gluten-free."
While this comment alludes to Lopez not being a huge drinker, it comes in contrast to claims she's previously made about avoiding drinking altogether.
A few years ago, a post on her Instagram showed JLo resisting her sister's attempts to get her to come on a night out.
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“When I go out drinking with my friends, it’s the best day of my week,” her sister says, to which Lopez said: “She’s trying to convince me why I should start drinking."
And in a 2015 interview with InStyle, JLo also expressed belief that drinking 'ruins your skin'.
"Of course, during celebratory toasts, everybody's like, 'You can't toast with water!' So I'll toast with alcohol and just take a sip," she continued.
The contrast between these claims and Lopez's new alcohol brand led fans to criticise the singer over the launch, with one Instagram user writing: "Wow. I’m so disappointed and confused by the narrative that she puts out about how she doesn’t drink alcohol and all the benefits from not drinking. [...]
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"I’ve always been a fan of JLO but again this is really really disappointing and her messaging is very confusing."
Another agreed, writing: "Very disappointing considering you have said on numerous occasions that you don’t drink and all the benefits that come with it."
A number of fans also noted that Lopez's husband, Ben Affleck, is a recovering alcoholic.
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"I’m disappointed that you’re promoting an alcoholic beverage when your husband has a serious issue with alcohol addiction. "And my understanding is that you don’t drink. Why not promote non-alcoholic??," one wrote.
Lopez does not appear to have publicly responded to the backlash at the time of writing (13 April).
Tyla has reached out to Lopez's representative for comment.
Topics: Celebrity, Food and Drink, Jennifer Lopez
Emily Brown