Jennifer Lopez reveals the four empowering words her supportive parents told her that made her feel 'unstoppable' as a child
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Jennifer Lopez has revealed how her parents inspired her to achieve all her success as a child, as she opened up on her latest film.
The hitmaker, 55, stars in sports drama Unstoppable as Judy Robles, the mother of champion wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg.
And speaking about film to The Radio Times, she explained how she had felt 'unstoppable' in her childhood, thanks to her parents telling her she could do anything.
Jennifer said: 'As a kid, I was an athlete. I used to run track. I was one of those kids who wanted to achieve something in some way, so there was always a voice in my mind.
'Well, it was my mom’s voice in my mind – and my dad’s – saying, “You can do anything. If you want to be the president of the United States, you can be the president of the United States.” And I believed them.'
Discussing how she approached played the role of Judy, the actress explained: 'I was able to speak to the real person who inspired the role, Judy Robles.
Jennifer Lopez has revealed how her parents inspired her to achieve all her success as a child, as she opened up on her latest film (pictured with her father David Lopez and mother Guadalupe Lopez in 2013)
The hitmaker, 55, stars in sports drama Unstoppable as Judy Robles, the mother of champion wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg (pictured)
'She talked to me about how she felt the first time Anthony walked on to the mat and the way the adults looked at him, as well as the way the kids looked at him. She was really helpful.
'When you’re playing a real person, which I’ve done a few times, there’s a fine line between doing an imitation and just soaking up the essence of who somebody is. I’d write notes in a big binder, which became bigger and bigger as we went on.
'She felt it was her fault that he was born that way. Still to this day, they don’t really know why he was born with one leg – but she carried that her whole life.'
Unstoppable 'centres around the life of wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg and won a national championship in 2011 while competing at Arizona State University'.
Alongside Jennifer, the star-studded cast included Jharrel Jerome, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Pena and Don Cheadle.
The film had a limited theatrical release beginning on December 6, but made only £3,112 in the UK box office and was the 55th most-watched movie in that period.
However, the film's earnings may be because it was only released for one week in order to qualify for awards.
A source told MailOnline that fans can expect to see more promotions for the film ahead of its official release on 16 January on Amazon Prime Video.
And speaking about film to The Radio Times , she explained how she had felt 'unstoppable' in her childhood, thanks to her parents telling her she could do anything
Discussing how she approached played the role of Judy, the actress explained: 'I was able to speak to the real person who inspired the role, Judy Robles' (pictured in film)
Yet critics seemed just as underwhelmed, giving the film rather average reviews, with The Guardian's Benjamin Lee branding it 'bland' and the dialogue 'pedestrian'.
He wrote: 'But more often the film is content to be just as bland and boilerplate as the many, many against-all-odds crowd-pleasers that have come before it.'
He concluded: 'Robles isn’t hard to root for but Unstoppable, a rousing yet overdone biopic, tries too hard to get us there anyway.'
Despite praising J-Lo and lead star Jharrel Jerome's performance, Empire's John Nugent described it as 'reassuringly formulaic,'.
He wrote: 'This is a straightforwardly inspirational-by-numbers sports movie, made watchable thanks to Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez.'
Meanwhile The Sun's Laura Stott wrote: 'This triumph-over-adversity tale, based on a true story, doesn’t break new ground, but if you’re after a feel-good watch, it certainly delivers.'
Noting the clichés she added: 'There are Rocky-style training homages and characters trot out clichéd motivational soundbites and locker room pep talks about chasing dreams.'
However Variety gave the film a more positive review, as they praised the 'extraordinary' story and added it is J-Lo's fullest performance to date.
The film had a limited theatrical release beginning on December 6, but made only £3,112 in the UK box office and was the 55th most-watched movie in that period
Owen Gleiberma wrote: 'The true story it tells is nothing short of extraordinary, and that may be why the filmmakers didn’t feel the need to overhype it.
'At home, Anthony relies on his mother, Judy, played by Lopez in what may be the fullest screen performance she has ever given.'
He concluded: 'By the end, though, you might just get a touch of that real-life “Rocky” feeling, because the movie has earned it.'
The Times also praised the singer's performance as Kevin Maher wrote: 'Lopez has given standout supporting performances in U-Turn, Out of Sight and An Unfinished Life, yet none has been as accomplished and quietly effective as her role as a downtrodden working-class mum in this rousing underdog story.'
Believing the film actually avoids the usual sports film clichés, he concluded: 'For the most part Unstoppable manages to dodge that formula.
'Until it doesn’t — the ending is very Hollywood. However, it’s also, it transpires, very true-to-life.'
