A fantastic actress, singer, dancer and producer, Jennifer Lopez is a quadruple threat now more than ever. As with most female performers, Jennifer Lopez' good looks have always been at the forefront of public discussions.
After her performance at the Super Bowl with Shakira, there was an even bigger focus around the 51-year-old's appearance. Some of the reactions were very appreciative of their incredible performance, but others were quite spiteful.
And that's because both Lopez and Shakira danced and sang just like they did when they were in their 20s, maybe even better. It looked and felt like they haven’t aged a day. Everything about that show was spectacular, as the two performers gave 110% to make sure they’ll be remembered.
And then there was J Lo’s pole dancing, which of course raised a lot of eyebrows.
While we can all agree on the effort Jennifer Lopez put in making her dance look so seamless, a lot of people think that it was inappropriate for her age; that a woman in her 50s shouldn’t dress and dance like that.
So what does 51 look like?
Well, definitely not like Jennifer Lopez, otherwise there wouldn’t be so much fuss about it. But sadly, most people (men and women), live with the assumption that 50 means old, sad and… saggy. The message of ageism is condescending and offensive.
Apparently, if you’re in your 50s your life is over then and there, especially if you are a woman. You should withdraw into your shell and wait for your new purpose in life -- something that fits your age.
You’re not allowed to be sexy, even if you’re rocking your
50s. Basically, society forces you to join a group of depressed ladies who are
not allowed to shine anymore even if they still have that fire inside.
Jennifer refused to become part of that group and now gets
criticized for not doing so. She’s a woman who has cultivated her talent for
more than 35 years and she’s not letting her work go to waste; and we applaud
that!
Being an artist doesn’t start because you’re 21, and it doesn’t end because you’re 51. You are who you are until the day you die.
Jennifer Lopez
The industry’s double standards
Lopez never came up with excuses for not being successful. The music and film industry are filled with obstacles that make even the greatest stars back down, but she defied the “laws” and offered a great example of how things should be done if you want to remain on top.
However, we’re still facing double standards in the industry. There are a lot of women who are incredible talented but get to be discredited because they are no longer young. For men, on the other hand, things don’t go the same way.
There has been a lot of controversy around the subject, especially in the film industry, since men easily get to play heartthrobs or action heroes regardless of their age, while women are held to impossible standards. It seems that with age men become more confident and women more insecure.
Many female movie stars came forward and talked about how hard it is to get a role after the age of 50. If they are not blessed with better genes, happen to look younger or take their aging problems to surgeons, they should be thankful for getting the chance to portray a housewife and not a granny.
While it may seem quite unfair towards her fellow 50-year-old actresses, Lopez seems to be aging backwards and was rewarded for that with a role in Hustlers. Jenny upped her strength workouts to learn how to pole dance and put to shame many professional dancers.
There are also a lot of people on the internet saying that Jennifer Lopez only looks gorgeous because she has a lot of money -- so she affords to look younger.
Of course, wealth plays a huge role in being able to afford the treatments and the time to take care of her appearance. However, a lot of it is also discipline. Jennifer spends endless hours in the gym, has a clean regimen routine, doesn’t drink and doesn’t smoke. So a whole lot of work went into the sculpted physique the Hustlers actress has today.
The importance of having a positive age representation
Born July 24, 1969, Jennifer Lopez is now 51 and she’s just as vital as ever in her career, while others are in descent. A lot of celebrities give up after a certain age mostly because of the preconceptions and stereotypes regarding ageism. But what if we approached ageism like Jenny does?
I never appreciated my body or my looks when I was in my 20s. Now I’m like, ‘Look at me!’ Not in a conceited or arrogant way – I just appreciate myself in a way I didn’t when I was that age.
Jennifer Lopez for W Magazine
For her, age is just a number and she’ll stay young for as long as her body allows her to. She doesn’t have the time to think about what others have to say as long as she feels great about herself. Lopez is a great example for all the ladies out there. She is also a mother, but first and foremost she is a woman who chose not to fit a certain age schema just so that others could categorize her.
Having children at a later age
Jennifer Lopez welcomed twins Maximilian and Emme Muñiz into the world on February 22nd 2008, alongside her ex-husband Marc Anthony.
While most doctors recommend having children before the age of 35, none said that it’s impossible to have healthy babies later in life. Again challenging the overall notions of ageism, Lopez gave birth at age 38.
Even though many would say that older parents have less energy for their kids, the multi-hyphenate sensation proves us wrong. She clearly has more than enough energy and she also became better at managing her time once her twins were born.
Lopez is absolutely in love with her kids and has taken two more daughters under her wing now that she’s engaged to Alex Rodriguez. Moreover, she is still open to the idea of giving birth again:
I want to [have kids with Rodriguez]. I don’t know that it’s in God’s plan, but I would like to try. I’m so open to it.
Jennifer Lopez for People Magazine
Living outside of the "age box"
In an ideal world, women would stop having to live up to anyone or any industry's expectations. Unfortunately, we have no reached that place yet.
However, we can learn from Jennifer's refusal to conform to expectations tied to her age. We should also try to live outside the “age box”. Become a disciplined and tenacious hard worker just like Jennifer Lopez did and get rid of all the preconceptions. And that means achieving anything at any age.
You want to start your own catering service at 50? Go for it. You want to climb the Everest? Why not! You want to be a black belt? Yes! If anything, Jennifer has proven to us that age is no barrier.
You can continue to thrive, regardless of it.
More inspiring celebrities:
- At Only 18, Billie Eilish Takes A Powerful Stance For Women
- What Happened to Katie Holmes After Her Divorce From Tom Cruise?
- What We Can Learn From Nicole Kidman’s Infamous Breakup Photo
- Jessica Simpson’s Memoir Tells Us It’s Never Too Late To Reclaim Your Story
- Shakira Fought to Reclaim Her Legacy From Her Ex-Boyfriend
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.