Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Jennifer Lopez, Celebrity, TV And Film
Jess Hardiman
Jennifer Lopez had an emotional surprise in store while promoting her latest movie project, after someone in the audience at The Graham Norton Show came forward to share their unlikely link.
Watch the heartwarming exchange below:
Lopez was on the show with co-star Jharrel Jerome to talk about their new sports drama Unstoppable, which charts the true story of wrestler Anthony Robles.
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“I read the script and loved it,” Lopez told host Graham Norton.
Speaking about the real Robles and his mum Judy, who were in the audience, she continued: “They are such charismatic and amazing people, and I thought there was something interesting to show – not just their relationship but about being a woman and a mother. It’s a beautiful family story and so inspirational. I am really honoured to play Judy and to be part of Anthony’s story.”
But that wasn’t the surprise lurking in the studio for Lopez.
During another part of the programme, she’d discussed the difficult decision to cancel her tour so that she could spend time with her children, 16-year-old twins Max and Emme, this summer.
The cancellation came amid reports of her separation from Affleck, having officially filed for divorce in August after two years of marriage.
“I decided to take this summer off and be home with the kids and it was the best thing I think I’ve ever done,” Lopez said. “It's not like me to do that.”
And she clearly still felt bad about it, saying: “I would like to apologize to the fans, because I know a lot of them were coming out.
“I actually saw fans here who told me - this was actually very touching - coming out of the hotel yesterday, they were like, ‘Oh I had tickets to go see you,’ and I was like, ‘I'm so sorry’.
“And he was like, ‘Don't say sorry. We love you'. I started crying right away."
Someone from the audience then shouted out to say that he was the fan who had spoken to Lopez the previous day.
“Was that you?!” she called out. “Oh my God!"
The singer and actor then went over to the audience to hug the stranger, emotionally pulling him into an embrace.
She told him: “I got in the car and literally cried. Honestly, it was very hard for me to cancel and I've never done that before. I’m sorry.”
Her fan replied: “I understand, J.Lo we understand,” as Lopez replied, “Okay, good.”
They hugged one more time before Lopez went back to the sofa, adding: “I love my fans, oh my God.”
As for her co-star Jerome, he took a moment to talk about the spectacular talent of the man he is now playing on screen, Anthony Robles.
“He is an incredible human being who has defied unimaginable odds," he said. "I love the film so much because of the emphasis it has on his mother and how he overcame so much because of her.”
Talking about training with Robles, he added: “I got really lucky to train with him and his coach. For seven months, five days a week, two hours a day I got down on the mat with him.”
Robles said his 'whole family' was in the film, explaining: "It’s our family legacy and it’s an honour to be involved."