Jennifer Lopez: 'American Idol exposure proved I wasn't a diva'

Jennifer Lopez credits her time as a judge on American Idol with proving to viewers their "misconceptions" about her as a diva were all wrong.

The On the Floor superstar has enjoyed a pair of two-year stints on the judging panel for the U.S. talent show, first from 2011, and again in 2014, and Jennifer believes the exposure allowed fans and critics to get to know the "real" J.Lo.

"I think once I started doing American Idol, people really got to know my real personality," she tells TV Guide magazine. "I think maybe before there were a lot of misconceptions about me being a real diva or a problem or being very demanding and things like that. And then once I did that show they could see my true personality, which was kind of just an emotional, happy person who was actually nice."

"I think there was a misconception that I actually wasn't (nice)," Jennifer continues, before putting part of the blame for the false rumours on the media. "I don't know why they do that to women in this business, but they tend to. A lot of us are really just like any one of your friends. I'm a real girls' girl and I love hanging out with my besties and things like that. As unusual as my life is, I'm very normal and kind of down to earth."

Jennifer claims her tough upbringing in her native Bronx, New York has helped to keep her grounded, especially after she was left homeless and broke as she struggled to break into the entertainment industry.

"I was sleeping on a cot at a dance studio before I hit it big," she recalls. "My life was about pounding the pavement, breaking away from under my mum and dad's wings and going off and flying on my own. I needed that moment."
Now that she has cemented her place as a Hollywood superstar, Jennifer is eager to help lead the way for other women chasing their dreams.

"I am happy to be one of the people who are breaking the mold," she adds. "We can't keep acting like we are in the '50s. Women are strong. Women are bold. And now it is reflected in our art."

And Jennifer is adamant she will continue to break new ground in 2016 as she launches a slew of new projects, including her much-anticipated residency in Las Vegas.

"It's gonna be a big year for me," says the 46-year-old, who will return for the final season of American Idol. "I have Idol, I have (police drama series) Shades (of Blue), I have my Vegas residency beginning. I have so much stuff that we're working on on the branding side. I don't know how I'd name it. It's gonna be a J.Lo year though. It's gonna be a real J.Lo year, whether you like it or not!"