Jennifer Lopez’s Kiss of the Spider Woman Earns a Standing Ovation: ‘This Moment Has Been a Lifetime in the Making’
Jennifer Lopez has just reached a significant career milestone.
The 55-year-old star premiered her new movie musical Kiss of the Spider Woman at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on Sunday, January 26, where she was visibly moved as the film received a standing ovation.
«I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,» Lopez shared during a post-screening discussion, after the moderator suggested she was «meant for this movie.»
Lopez went on to reflect on the role musicals have played in her life.
«The reason I got into this business was because my mom would sit me in front of the TV… we’d watch West Side Story every Thanksgiving. I was mesmerized.
And I said, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ That was always my goal. And now, this is the first time I’ve been able to do it. This crowd made my dream come true!»
Kiss of the Spider Woman stars Diego Luna as a political prisoner in Argentina during the 1980s civil war, sharing a cell with another inmate played by Tonatiuh.
The film reimagines the stage adaptation of Argentine writer Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel by John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Terrence McNally, which won a Tony Award for Best Musical in 1993.
Lopez expressed her gratitude during the Q&A, saying, «I think of Chita Rivera, Fred Ebb, Terrence McNally and the love they poured into this.
It’s such an honor to be part of this movie.»
In the film, Lopez plays a character in a musical that one of the imprisoned men recounts to the other during their time in jail.
A festival synopsis praises her performance: «Jennifer Lopez is an astonishing scene-stealer in a career-defining role as Luna/Aurora, with showstopping musical numbers that highlight her dancing and vocal talents.»
Lopez also discussed the film’s timeless message, saying, «The film tells the importance of storytelling, how it helps us get through tough times.
Just like music, films provide a sense of comfort.
And the importance of love—seeing each other as human beings and how love can bridge divides between people.»
Kiss of the Spider Woman does not yet have a release date.
Lopez, alongside Ben Affleck and Matt Damon through their company Artists Equity, is one of the movie’s producers.
