Jennifer Lopez shares emotional moment at premiere of Ben Affleck-produced movie (original) (raw)

In the new movie Unstoppable, star Jharrel Jerome takes some heavy blows as real-life wrestler Anthony Robles — but costar Jennifer Lopez packed an emotional wallop of an introduction into the world-premiere screening for the project, which was produced by her now ex, Ben Affleck.

Following a sustained standing ovation for the fact-based sports drama, Lopez took the stage alongside fellow stars Jerome, Don Cheadle, and Bobby Cannavale Friday night at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival to introduce Robles' mother, Judy, whom she played in the film.

"I have the pleasure to introduce [her], because it was a pleasure and honor to not only meet but portray a woman that poured her heart, soul, and her blood, literally, into her children, teaching them that nothing is more important than family," Lopez, 55, said on stage at TIFF's Roy Thomson Hall venue, where Affleck, 52, was not in attendance as he and Lopez navigate their high-profile divorce process. "Against all odds and obstacles, she rose, leading by example to show her children that they, too could be unstoppable," Lopez said.

Jennifer Lopez at TIFF 2024.

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Judy Robles joined Lopez on stage, wiping away tears as she embraced the actress, then turned to the crowd and introduced her son, crying as Anthony walked out to another standing ovation.

Directed by longtime film editor William Goldenberg as his feature directing debut, Unstoppable follows Anthony's true story, charting his rise to overcome all odds and win a national wrestling championship after being born with one leg.

"When I read the script, I felt like so many women, including myself, could relate to the struggles that [Judy] had gone through in her life. The story, being a Latino story, being so inspiring, it grabbed me," Lopez said of Judy's life, which included grappling with a volatile partner (played by Cannavale) and helping her son's coach (Cheadle) at Arizona State University keep Anthony on track.

Judy Robles and Anthony Robles at TIFF premiere of 'Unstoppable'.

Emma McIntyre/Getty

Lopez continued: "When I met Judy — we met over Zoom — I was like, I really need to talk to this person. Thank God they're alive, because I've played real-life people too, I've played Selena and Puchi [in _El Cantante_], and I wasn't able to speak to them, obviously. So, this was a different kind of experience."

The star — who last attended TIFF to immense critical praise for her turn in 2019's Hustlers — admitted that talking to Judy made her realize "that we were almost the same person in a weird way even though we were so different and had such different lives," because "at the core and heart of who we were, first we were moms." (Lopez shares 16-year-old twins Emme and Max with ex-husband Marc Anthony.)

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Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez in 'Unstoppable'.

Amazon MGM Studios

Lopez thanked Anthony and Judy for trusting the cast and crew with bringing their story to life in the film: "It is one of the most beautiful and inspiring stories I've ever seen on screen," she finished.

Unstoppable — which will be released later this year by Amazon MGM Studios — was produced by Affleck and his longtime friend and filmmaking partner Matt Damon, who posed for photos with Lopez at the TIFF premiere but did not join her onstage.

Watch Lopez embrace a tearful Judy in the video above.