Why Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande & More Didn’t Appear in J. Lo's Movie
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Originally appeared on E! Online
A number of celebrities were not on the floor for Jennifer Lopez's new movie.
This Is Me...Now: A Love Story, the cinematic partner to Jennifer's new album of the same name, premiered on Feb. 16 and is filled with a number of celebrity cameos (12, in fact). But as the multi-hyphenate's new documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told—which follows her as she creates the film—shows, there were many celebrities on Jennifer's wishlist that couldn't appear in the project.
"Taylor Swift is a no," says one producer in a clip from the documentary, while another adds, "Jason Momoa is not available. Jennifer Coolidge not available. Lizzo not available."
And while one producer suggests reaching out to Vanessa Hudgens, another quickly interjects that she, too, is unavailable. A subsequent clip shows Jennifer musing over the possibility of getting Bad Bunny to do a little cameo, but, spoiler alert: He does not.
"Ariana Grande is unavailable, she's in London until September," a producer can be heard saying. "Snoop [Dogg] is unavailable, unfortunately."
Jennifer Lopez Through The Years
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At one point, amid learning of the list of unavailable celebrities, the 54-year-old vents to her longtime manager Benny Medina.
"I don't wanna force anybody to do this who doesn't go, ‘This is going to be fun,'" she said. "Nobody wants to say ‘no' to me, Benny, I get that. But when an actor doesn't like a script, or doesn't think it's good enough, or is worried about it, that's what they'll say. I know that. I've done it."
There is one star who, despite originally being booked for a wedding, ends up in Jennifer's movie: Derek Hough, who plays one of the Hustlers star's love interests.
But while Jennifer has a few fictional men vying for her heart in This Is Me...Now: A Love Story, the film is based off her real-life love story, with its many ups and downs.
But like any fairytale-inspired drama, the "Let's get Loud" singer's story has a happy ending in Ben Affleck, who she reunited with in 2021 after ending their engagement back in 2003.
In fact, the Oscar winner played a big role in helping Jennifer bring her creative vision for these ambitious projects to life.
"He definitely helped me through the process," she exclusively told Will Marfuggi during a Feb. 14 episode of E! News. "It was the first time I was making something in this way."
She added, "At the end of it he was like, 'Oh my god, you made a film. Congratulations. And it's really good. I'm really proud of you.'"
For a look back at Bennifer's epic love story, keep reading.
December 2001: Filming <i>Gigli</i>
The two prepare to film a scene for the movie in West Hollywood. The couple met on the set of the film.
October 2002: Spotted in Beverly Hills
The two are spotted in the city.
November 2002: Filming <i>Gigli</i> and Engagement
The two film the movie on Will Rogers State Beach in Los Angeles. That month, the actor proposes to the actress with a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring.
November 2002: Filming <i>Jersey Girl</i>
The two film the movie in New York City.
November 2002: Leaving MTV's <i>TRL</i>
Is there anything more '00s than both Bennifer 1.0 and TRL?
December 2002: Red Carpet Debut
The two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her film Maid in Manhattan.
January 2003: Sundance
The two bundle up at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
February 2003: <i>Daredevil</i> Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben as the superhero.
February 2003: <i>Daredevil</i> Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben and future ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
March 2003: Oscars
The two attend the Academy Awards together.
May 2003: Basketball Game
The two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
July 2003: Canada Trip
The two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.
July 2003: <i>Gigli</i> Premiere
The two appear at the premiere for their movie in Westwood, Calif.
August 2003: <i>Gigli</i> Is Released
...it flops at the box office.
September 2003: Wedding Is Off
The two postpone their wedding. No future date is given.
October 2003: Baseball Date
The two are seen at a Boston Red Sox game. The team is Ben's favorite.
January 2004: It's Over
The two end their engagement.
September 2021: Red Carpet Royalty
They're baaaack. On Sept. 10, the couple makes their first red carpet appearance in 18 years at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Last Duel.
September 2021: Look of Love
There's no denying J.Lo makes for a stunning plus-one!
September 2021: Back to the Stage
Ben supports J.Lo at the 2021 Global Citizen Live event in New York City, where she performed onstage. It marked her first music gig since she performed at VAX LIVE in May, where the actor also appeared onstage separately, fueling rumors of a rekindled romance.
September 2021: Met Gala Debut
The two attend the Met Gala together for the first time.
October 2021: PDA at Premiere
Jen and Ben put on a sizzling display on the red carpet at the premiere of his film The Last Duel in New York City.
April 2022: Engaged Again!
Jennifer confirmed her engagement to the Gone Girl actor with a video posted to her On The JLo site, revealing a glimpse of her beautiful engagement ring with a green stone.
July 2022: Married!
On July 16, Jennifer and Ben tied the knot in a surprise ceremony at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.
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