Jennifer Lopez Credits Her Mom For Helping Her Survive The Entertainment Business

Jennifer Lopez truly believes her mother's tough love is what helped her endure the ups and downs of showbiz. The actress and singer recently opened up about the relationship she shares with her mother Guadalupe Rodríguez to Rolling Stone magazine, and talked about the pivotal role her mom played in preparing her for a future in the entertainment business.

"Listen, my mom was also a fun mom. My mom was also the mom who got me into musicals and introduced me to all kinds of music. I am an entertainer because of my mom," the 52-year-old star told the outlet. "But I'm also able to survive the things I've survived in this business because my mom was tough. I don't think she could realize what she was preparing me for, but she did."

Lopez is one of the biggest names in the industry now but, despite her success, there are times when she feels like an "underdog", especially because she grew up in a small home in the Bronx with no exposure or knowledge about the entertainment industry.

"I always feel like I was scraping from the bottom. Always. I always felt like I wasn't the one that was supposed to be in the room," the "Jenny from the Block" singer said. "That's part of being Puerto Rican and from the Bronx and a woman."

She added, "You know what I mean? All of that stuff. Not being born into a family with money. Not knowing anybody in the business. I just went out there and said, 'F— it. I'm going to just try. I'm going to try to get in here.'"

Although the "Get Right" singer has managed to make a name for herself, she still believes there is a disconnect between where she is and where she wants to be.

"It's just 20, 25 years of people going, 'Well, she's not that great. She's pretty and she makes cute music, but it's not really this and that.' You know, I think I've done some nice work over the years, some really nice work," she said. "But there is a club that I just wasn't a part of. And I always acted like, 'Yeah, I'm good. I'm fine. I'm OK.'"

"But it hurts to not be included. I don't know if I will ever be. There is an inner circle, like, 'We are the great artists.' And then there's the pop artists," Lopez admitted.

Despite feeling like she's not good enough, career-wise, the "Maid in Manhattan" star is grateful to have her beau Ben Affleck by her side. "I've never been better. It's just that we're all in a very beautiful moment," Lopez said in an interview with People.

"I feel so lucky and happy and proud to be with him," she said, talking about their rekindled romance. "It's a beautiful love story that we got a second chance."

Lopez's new romantic comedy "Marry Me", where she stars opposite Owen Wilson, will hit the theaters on Feb. 11, 2022.