Two decades after proclaiming herself the humble 'Jenny from the Block', Jennifer Lopez finds her reputation defined by a very different label: Hollywood diva. A series of eyebrow-raising incidents, from red carpet exchanges to backstage demands, have cemented this perception, sparking debate about the star's off-screen persona.
The 'Rude' Red Carpet Exchange and Unlikely Defence
A recent viral moment from the Golden Globes red carpet appeared to show Lopez, 56, ignoring E!'s Glambot director, Cole Walliser, as he prepared the 360-degree camera booth. In the edited clip, the Bronx-born star seemed to murmur a greeting while looking away, prompting fans to criticise her behaviour as 'snobbish' and 'rude'.
However, in a surprising turn, Cole Walliser himself leapt to the singer's defence. He insisted the internet needed to 'calm down', stating he did not take the interaction personally. 'It didn't feel rude in that moment,' he explained, attributing her demeanour to the hectic, work-focused environment of the closed carpet. He stressed that posing for the Glambot is a choice for celebrities, who are essentially 'at work' during these events.
Backstage Demands and the 'No Eye Contact' Rule
Beyond the red carpet, stories of specific backstage requests have circulated for years. Australian singer Dannii Minogue recalled a 1990s incident on BBC's Top of the Pops, alleging Lopez refused to perform unless her dressing room was completely redecorated in white, including the sofa. Minogue expressed bafflement, given the body makeup performers wear.
More strikingly, multiple industry insiders and online commentators have alleged Lopez enforces a 'no eye contact' rule for crew and hired help. Claims from those who worked on her concerts, at a casino appearance, and even from limousine drivers suggest staff are instructed not to look at the star directly. An industry podcaster shared a story where an audio technician was allegedly removed from a project for making eye contact.
Cookie Controversy and Tense Encounters
Further adding to the narrative was a 2019 appearance on ITV's This Morning. Presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby joked that Lopez's team demanded a cookie warmed to a perfect temperature and cold, full-fat milk upon her arrival—a claim vehemently denied by a source close to the star.
Former The View co-host Meghan McCain also contributed to the diva discourse in 2024, branding Lopez a 'deeply unpleasant person' following a 2019 interview. McCain claimed the singer arrived with an excessively large entourage and was 'not nice' during the segment, contrasting her with other celebrities like Kim Kardashian.
Lopez's Defence: Misunderstood and a Sexist Label?
Amid the allegations, Jennifer Lopez has consistently pushed back against the 'diva' tag. In a recent interview, she described herself as a 'lightning rod' for both positivity and negativity, asserting she must block out the noise to focus on being a good person and mother.
She has also framed the label as inherently sexist. In a 2016 discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, Lopez argued that women are unfairly branded as divas upon 'reaching a certain amount of success', while men exhibiting similar behaviour face no such criticism. 'I've always been fascinated by how much more well behaved we have to be than men,' she stated, concluding that women are not allowed 'to be a certain way, or be passionate.'
The collection of anecdotes paints a complex picture of a global superstar navigating immense pressure, with perceptions of professionalism clashing with expectations of perpetual public graciousness.
