Jennifer Lopez Shares How Being Latina Made Her 'Feel Special' Early In Her Career

Jennifer Lopez has always embraced her roots.

Lopez opened up about being a proud Latina during an interview with NBC News' Morgan Radford, which will air on Tuesday's episode of "Today."

"This is my body," the 53-year-old entertainer said of embracing her culture and physique in a preview of her sit-down interview that was shared with People.

In the clip, Radford noted that the "Let's Get Loud" singer refused to let others "pigeonhole" her into being anything other than her true self.

"It's just who I was," Lopez explained, before crediting her family for encouraging her to "be proud of who I was" early in her career despite Hollywood stereotypes.

The "Marry Me" star said that being Latina made her "feel special" during the earlier days of her career.

"And so when I went into these worlds, like Hollywood, where we were not represented at all, I almost felt like a unicorn. 'I'm Latina. I'm Jennifer Lopez from the Bronx. And my parents are Puerto Rican, I'm Puerto Rican.' And I think it made me feel special," she shared.

Lopez also said that she had always loved her body despite looking different from many other women at the time.

While "size zero models" who were tall and blonde appeared to be the standard of beauty at the time, the singer said she grew up with "other types of beauty."

In July, the "Maid in Manhattan" actress celebrated her 53rd birthday with a nude photoshoot. She showed off her toned figure in a campaign for her latest business venture — JLo Body by JLo Beauty.

"I am the age I am, but I feel amazing and happier than ever," Lopez told People at the time. "I feel like I'm just at my halftime right now and just getting started."

She also said that her mantra has always been, "Beauty has no expiration date," and that she refuses to be boxed in and be limited by her age.

"I'm in a business where youth is glorified and people try to write, especially women, off at a certain time," Lopez explained. "It's like, 'Oh, you're done no more movies for you. We don't want your music anymore.' Growing up, I looked up to people like Diana Ross and Cher and Tina Turner, and they were in their 50s and they were beautiful and almost coming into their own at that time."

Lopez's full interview will air on "Today" Tuesday.