Booty Politics
Jennifer Lopez has become the symbol for Latinidad
When Jennifer and her butt came into the scene they challenged mainstream media’s established thin ideals. After she was cast as the influential Selena Quintanilla in Selena, Jennifer was transformed from Jenny from the Bloc into a worldwide Latina beauty icon and music mogul. Relating to her Nuyoriccan roots and trilled to see a Latina on the big screen, young Latinas made Jennifer Lopez their idol.
But, what cemented Jennifer’s role as Selena? Some argue it was her legendary nalgas. Being cast as Selena because of her physical resemblance marked the beginning of a career that would continue to revolve around her coveted body. Because of her look, that is just enough ethnic and just enough white to be considered “confortable,” Jennifer is often able to transcend from her ethnic roles, like her character Marissa in Maid in Manhattan, to more ethnically ambiguous roles like her role in Wedding Planner. Yet, all of Jennifer’s roles have revolved around her marketable physique. Her look has robbed Jennifer of the agency to play more complex multi-dimensional characters. Much like Jennifer, most Latinas in Hollywood continue to be cast due to the desirability of their bodies’ otherness.