Jennifer Lopez recalls missing out on Evita role to Madonna

Bang Showbiz on Sep 11, 2025

Published in Women

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Jennifer Lopez spent "weeks" preparing to play Evita - before Madonna landed the part.

The 56-year-old singer was desperate to play Eva Peron, the Argentine politician and activist, in the 1996 biographical musical drama film, and Jennifer felt devastated when the role was awarded to Madonna instead.

Speaking during a question-and-answer session, Jennifer shared: "I went to audition for Evita for [director] Alan Parker.

"I had been practising for weeks and I sing my heart out and he goes, 'You're amazing. You know Madonna has the part, right?'

"I said, 'OK, bye-bye. Nice to meet you.'"

Jennifer is currently starring in the big screen adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman, the new musical drama film.

The actress is fulfilling a long-held ambition by starring in a musical film, but she still felt a little overwhelmed when director Bill Condon asked her to perform one of the movie's more elaborate songs in one take.

Jennifer shared: "I was like, 'We'll do some coverage?' He was like, 'Nope, no coverage.'

"I was like, 'F*** me! I better get it right then.' Like halfway through the take it's going perfectly and then you trip on your dress or whatever so it's like, maybe we start over.

"It was challenging. It was challenging in that way, time wise, as independent films can be, right? It's the time, it's the prep, it's the, you know, budget. All of it were constraints for us."

Meanwhile, Jennifer admitted earlier this year that she feels "proud" of her career.

The chart-topping star - who has enjoyed huge success in the music and film industries - reflected on her career arc ahead of hosting the American Music Awards in May.

Jennifer told People: "Everything feels like I just did it.

"I remember the moments. I remember getting dressed for them. I remember things people said when we were walking to the stage afterwards.

"So it's all these amazing core memories of my life that when you look back on them … I don't know that I get emotional, but I definitely get like, 'Wow.' Happy. I've been doing this and I'm proud of that."