Latest news with #MaidinManhattan
Tatler Asia
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
10 wealth-gap relationships in film that actually worked out
2. 'Titanic' (1997) James Cameron's epic uses the doomed voyage of the Titanic as a powerful metaphor for class division. Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio), a struggling artist from the lower decks, and Rose (Kate Winslet), a young woman engaged to an aristocrat, come from worlds that rarely intersect. Their romance is propelled by the thrill of rebellion against societal expectations. Rose's yearning to escape her gilded cage and Jack's carefree poverty illustrate how class shapes identity and opportunity. The stark differences between their lives heighten the tragedy, as the ship's sinking parallels the collapse of the class system—if only momentarily. 3. 'Maid in Manhattan' (2002) In this romantic wealth-gap comedy, Marisa (Jennifer Lopez), a hotel maid raising a child alone, catches the eye of Chris (Ralph Fiennes), a rising political star. Their initial misunderstanding—he believes she is a wealthy socialite—sets up a narrative where class and identity intertwine with romantic possibility. The film delves into the awkward realities that follow when economic disparity is revealed, exposing insecurities on both sides. Marisa's dignity and Chris's idealism are tested by societal preconceptions about who belongs in whose world, highlighting the emotional toll of crossing class boundaries. 4. 'Crazy Rich Asians' (2018) Crazy Rich Asians explores wealth disparity not just as income but as inherited power embedded within cultural and familial expectations. Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), a middle-class professor, confronts the extravagant lifestyle of Nick Young's (Henry Golding) family, who epitomise Singapore's ultra-rich elite. The film foregrounds the pressures faced by those entering such circles, where lineage, reputation and tradition govern acceptance. Rachel's outsider status forces her to navigate subtle class codes, from luxury consumption to social manoeuvring, making the romance as much about cultural capital as personal affection. 5. 'Notting Hill' (1999) William Thacker (Hugh Grant), a modest London bookstore owner, and Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), a glamorous Hollywood actress, negotiate the chasm between ordinary life and celebrity privilege. Their romance examines how fame and wealth alter perceptions of normalcy and intimacy. William's quiet, unassuming background contrasts with Anna's world of cameras and adulation, creating a tension between public identity and private connection. The film's charm lies in its nuanced portrayal of love struggling against the alienation caused by class and status disparities. 6. 'The Notebook' (2004) Based on Nicholas Sparks's novel, The Notebook centres on Noah (Ryan Gosling), a working-class man, and Allie (Rachel McAdams), a young woman from a wealthy family. Their passionate summer romance is stifled by social expectations, particularly from Allie's parents, who disapprove of Noah's lack of fortune. The film captures the enduring conflict between societal pressure and personal desire. It portrays how class can act as a gatekeeper to relationships, while illustrating the perseverance required to overcome such barriers. 7. 'An Education' (2009) Set in 1960s London, An Education tells the story of Jenny (Carey Mulligan), a bright but sheltered schoolgirl from a modest background, and David (Peter Sarsgaard), a suave older man with money and connections. Their relationship reveals the complexities of power, manipulation and class privilege. The film critiques how economic advantage can be wielded to exploit vulnerability, while portraying Jenny's coming-of-age struggle to reconcile romantic fantasy with harsh social realities. Class shapes not only romance but also education and opportunity. 8. 'The Great Gatsby' (2013) Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald's novel depicts Jay Gatsby's (Leonardo DiCaprio) obsessive pursuit of Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan), a symbol of old money and social prestige. Gatsby's self-made fortune attempts to erase his humble origins, but the entrenched social hierarchy remains unforgiving. The film exposes the fragility of newly acquired wealth and the rigid codes protecting established privilege. The romance, idealised yet doomed, serves as a critique of the American Dream's class illusions. 9. 'Cinderella' (2015) This live-action retelling of the classic fairy tale focuses on Ella (Lily James), a servant girl whose kindness endears her to Prince Kit (Richard Madden). Unlike earlier animated versions, this adaptation foregrounds Ella's resilience and integrity within a rigidly stratified society. The wealth-gap romance directly challenges inherited privilege and questions the fairness of social structures. Their relationship imagines a love that can dismantle class barriers, though it remains firmly rooted in fantasy. 10. 'Brooklyn' (2015) Set in the 1950s, Brooklyn follows Eilis (Saoirse Ronan), an Irish immigrant navigating a new life in New York. Her romance with Tony (Emory Cohen), a working-class Italian-American plumber, is tender and understated, shaped by the immigrant experience and the constraints of social class. The film poignantly portrays Eilis's internal conflict between pursuing love and seeking upward mobility, reflecting the compromises immigrants often face. In this wealth-gap story, class and cultural identity are inextricable from her emotional journey.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Jennifer Lopez suffers facial injury with black eye and cuts; posts pic with doctor who ‘stitched her up'
As she gets ready to host and perform at the 2025 American Music Awards, Jennifer Lopez took to social media to share a personal update with her fans. She revealed that she had suffered a facial injury, sharing photos to give her followers a glimpse of what happened. Also read: Ben Affleck opens up about his 'spectacular' ex Jennifer Lopez. Here's what he said. The Love Don't Cost a Thing singer suffered an injury while rehearsing for the upcoming 2025 American Music Awards, scheduled for May 26. The 55-year-old took to Instagram Stories to share the update with her fans and followers. On May 13, she posted a selfie holding an ice pack over her right eye with the caption, "So this happened..." On a subsequent slide, she revealed that the injury had occurred "during @amas rehearsals" with another selfie. In the selfie, she is seen with a cut on the bridge of her nose and an apparent black eye visible. In the third post, the Maid in Manhattan star revealed that the first two selfies had been taken the week prior. She shared a picture of herself posing with the doctor who helped to treat her injuries. Sharing the image, Jennifer wrote, 'Thank you for stitching me up Dr. Diamond. A week later and a whole lotta ice, I'm good as new." In the accompanying photo, JLo's injury seems to have mostly healed. However, there appears to be some lingering bruising around her eye. On May 26, Jennifer will host the awards ceremony for a second time. She first took on the hosting duties in 2015. Meanwhile, Jennifer has performed on the AMAs stage more than ten times. She is a three-time AMA winner and recognised as the only female artist to have a No. 1 album and No. 1 film simultaneously, as per Hollywood Reporter. Jennifer's 2025 AMAs performance is teased as one that will 'showcase her unparalleled artistry and signature mix of music, dance, and visual spectacle'. This year's fan-voted award show will air live from Las Vegas. Top nominees include Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan and Shaboozey.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ben Affleck's Love Life Faces New Twist As His Best Friend's Wife Reportedly Tries To Set Him Up On Dates
Hollywood star Ben Affleck's next love story might be in the works, thanks to the wife of his best friend. The actor is best pals with Matt Damon, whose wife, Luciano Barroso, is said to be stepping into the role of matchmaker to help the actor find love again. Ben Affleck was previously married to Jennifer Lopez for two years, before splitting in August last year and finalizing their divorce in 2025. Fresh off his split from Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck is reportedly stepping back into the dating scene once again. According to reports, Affleck has gone on "a couple of under-the-radar dates," though none have sparked anything serious or long-lasting. Lending a helping hand in his romantic pursuits is Luciana Barroso, the wife of his best friend, Matt Damon. She is "keen" on setting Affleck up with friends that she thinks are well suited to him. "So far, there's been no magic for him," a source told the Daily Mail about Affleck's dating game. "Ben told both Luciana and Matt he needs more time, but Luciana has two potential friends lined up and is keen to see if Ben would hit it off with them." A second source claimed that Barroso believes her close connection to Affleck, as the wife of his best friend, gives her a unique advantage in playing matchmaker. "Lucy loves Ben, they've known each other [for] years," said the insider. "She has her antennas up, looking to see if she could set Ben up with one of her friends." As the search for a new partner for Ben Affleck continues, one specific trait is reportedly at the top of the list: sobriety. According to an insider, any potential match must be someone who is "sober," given Affleck's well-documented history with alcohol addiction. The "Accountant" star first sought treatment for his alcohol addiction in 2001 and has since entered rehab multiple times. His struggles with drinking were also cited as a contributing factor in the breakdown of his marriage to his other ex-wife, Jennifer Garner. "Right now, he is putting all of his time into work, but when he is ready, he is looking to date a woman who is sober," said an insider. They added, "His recovery family is urging him to date a woman in the recovery community. Ben being with a woman who drinks is not conducive to his sobriety." Despite Affleck's separation from Lopez, he has remained amicable with the "Maid in Manhattan" star, a move that was hinted at by their hassle-free divorce. Recently, in a chat with Entertainment Tonight, the actor showered praises on the singer at the premiere of his film "The Accountant 2," and confirmed that Lopez continues to have a close, ongoing relationship with his children. "Jennifer Lopez is spectacular, great to my kids, great ongoing relationship with them," said Affleck, who attended the event with all five children, his three kids, Samuel, 13, Seraphina, 16, and Violet, 19 with ex-wife Jennifer Garner and 17-year-old twins, Emme and Max, whom Lopez shares with her former husband, Marc Anthony. Affleck added about Lopez, "I love her kids. They're wonderful. She's [an] enormously important, tremendous person of a lot of integrity who I adore and am grateful to." In an interview with GQ Magazine, Affleck finally broke his silence about his divorce, saying it had nothing to do with a scandal. "There's a tendency to look at breakups and want to identify root causes or something. But honestly ... the truth is much more quotidian than probably people would believe or would be interesting," the "Argo" star told the publication. He added, "There's no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue. The truth is, when you talk to somebody, 'Hey, what happened?' Well, there is no, 'This is what happened.'" The revelation from Affleck came months after Lopez shared her own thoughts on their split, describing it as "f—king hard." "It feels lonely, unfamiliar, scary. It feels sad. It feels desperate," the "Can't Get Enough" singer added at the time, per Interview Magazine. During the chat with GQ, Affleck emphasized that no defining moment led to his split from Lopez, admitting that discussing it felt "vulnerable." "As you get older, this is true for me, I assume it's true for most people, there is no 'So-and-so did this' or 'This was the big event,'" he explained. Affleck continued, "It's really, it sounds more like a couple's therapy session, which – you would tune out of someone else's couple's therapy after a while." Despite the personal nature of their separation, he made it clear: "I have nothing but respect for Jennifer."
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jennifer Lopez Reportedly 'Furious' As Pics Of Ben Affleck And Jennifer Garner Feel Like 'Salt In Wound'
Jennifer Lopez is said to be fuming over cozy photos of Ben Affleck and his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, together. The singer and Affleck recently finalized their divorce after she filed to end their two-year marriage in August. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have been seen spending time with each other, including a recent paintballing outing where they hugged intimately. A source recently told Page Six that the "Maid in Manhattan" actress is "not happy with constantly seeing photos" of Affleck and Garner, who were married between 2005 - 2018. The pair have sparked speculation that there may be something more between them as they were pictured cozying up to each other on a recent paintballing event with their children, Fin and Samuel. The insider told the news outlet that the photos have been like "salt in the wound" to Lopez, adding that she's not only "furious," but also the situation is "completely messing with her head." Another source, however, maintained that the "Let's Get Loud" singer is seemingly oblivious of Affleck's recent closeness with Garner, explaining that she's focused on her upcoming Netflix movie, "Office Romance." "I doubt she has even seen these stories as she is consumed with the film," the insider shared. "She has been fully concentrating on her life, her growth, and her happiness." Affleck's demeanor around Garner has also set tongues wagging about what he might be feeling for her. A source told People Magazine that the exes have "been on good terms for a while now and seem to enjoy chatting and hanging out," especially as their kids are mostly around them. The source said that Affleck "usually acts happy around" Garner, but he has been "extra giddy lately, though, and much more affectionate." "She doesn't seem to mind. She seems to enjoy spending time with Ben," the source shared. Another insider explained that the actor is "charming," adding, "When he's doing well, he has great energy. Right now, Jen has only good things to say about him." When it comes to enjoying spending quality time with an ex-spouse, the feeling is mutual between Garner and Affleck. "She enjoys spending time with him," an insider told People about the actress. "He's a great dad too. But he also has this dark, struggling side that resurfaces. Over the years, it affected their marriage negatively and caused their divorce." The source, however, shared that the "Electra" actress has "come a long way since" finalizing her divorce from him in 2018. "She's doing great," says the insider. "She loves her new home that she built for her and the kids. John is a fantastic boyfriend. Their relationship is very normal." A report surfaced suggesting that Lopez feels betrayed by Affleck "spending more time" with Garner. "[JLo] saw the paintballing images when the rest of the world did, and of course, it will make her question things from their time together," an insider told the Daily Mail. "Her friends have questioned how platonic Jen [Garner] and Ben are." They added, "She will feel betrayed because she invested so much time in supporting Ben through his challenges and had a rough year as their marriage broke down." The source claimed Lopez now feels even worse with regard to some of the concerns she had about Affleck's closeness to the mother of his kids. Earlier reports claimed that Lopez felt threatened by Garner all through her marriage with Affleck, especially as they co-parented their three children. "Seeing how quickly he has started spending more time with Garner has exacerbated the concerns she already had about his relationship with her while they were married," the insider continued. Amid the wild speculations surrounding Affleck and Garner, a source shared that the actress doesn't intend to rekindle their past romance. The source told the Daily Mail that Garner is "deathly afraid of falling back in love" with Affleck because she still has "trust issues" from their broken marriage after he allegedly had an affair with their children's nanny, Christine Ouzounian. "She loves Ben but is worried that he will crush her all over again," the insider claimed. "She doesn't want to heal another broken heart because it is just too much drama, plus she does not want their kids to see round two of their mom in a bad place with their dad." "So much could go wrong if they reunite," they added. Garner has been dating her boyfriend John Miller, who has increasingly grown uncomfortable with her closeness to Affleck and reportedly wants her to take a "step back" from him. Besides Garner, Affleck is also "not interested" in rekindling his romance with his ex-wife, with a source close to the actor slamming the rumors as "ridiculous."
New York Times
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
My Day With J. Lo
I was gazing into J. Lo's brown eyes. We were inches away from each other, locked in an even gaze, her face tilted up slightly toward mine. I could smell her hair spray. Then the director called, 'Cut!' It was the summer of 2016, and I was acting in an episode of an NBC crime drama called 'Shades of Blue.' I use the term 'acting' loosely because I had exactly one line. I had never watched 'Shades of Blue' before I tried out for it. All I knew was that it was a cop show set in New York City starring Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta. To be honest, I thought of the role as a potential stopgap at a time when I was in a figuring-things-out phase of my life. Although I had appeared on a soap opera years earlier, since its cancellation I had mostly checked out of the audition circuit. The audition was held in an office building in Midtown. The casting director, Rob, had me read for three roles: 'F.B.I. Commander,' 'Bailiff' and (horrifyingly) 'Old Cop.' Before I left, Rob told me: 'Look, if you get one of these, just be cool, OK? Be cool.' There were no callbacks. I was hired for the part of 'Bailiff.' My duties consisted of asking a character named Harlee, 'Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?' Once I got the part, I Googled 'Harlee on 'Shades of Blue'' and gasped. Harlee was played by Jennifer Lopez. This sent my imagination off the deep end, as I briefly entertained the notion of bonding with Jenny from the Block. I thought of all the things I could say to her: You were terrific in 'Selena.' I cried at the end of 'Maid in Manhattan.' You never should have been with Marc Anthony anyway! Then I stopped myself. I was hired for a job. I was a professional. I was going to be cool. Besides, even small TV jobs were hard to get, and I was determined not to mess this one up. The shoot took place at the Bronx County Courthouse. When I got there, I put on my assigned uniform and was ushered into a courtroom for rehearsal. I met the actor playing the judge and a young woman who was Ms. Lopez's stand-in. Before I could ask her name, I was distracted by the props guy, who pulled me aside and pinned a badge on my uniform. Then he handed me a Bible, and the director called, 'Places!' I returned to my spot in front of the courtroom. A buzz swept through the background actors playing spectators in the courtroom. In a moment, I was face to face with my scene partner. She smiled, extended her hand and said, 'Hi, I'm Jennifer.' I nodded and shook her hand. I felt like an idiot, because I couldn't verbalize a simple greeting. Then the director started rehearsal. I held out the Bible and we did a run-through. The star of the scene was not me or even Ms. Lopez. It was her left hand, which she placed on the Bible. This gesture had its own close-up, and the director spent much time making sure he got the shot. 'Raul, can you raise the Bible? Great. Now, er, Raul, can you lower it a bit? Great.' Again and again, a woman tended to J. Lo, applying makeup, lotion and a nail spray. My hand was perspiring, and my arm was cramping from holding the Bible in place. We spent well over an hour on this shot. Perhaps because she had heard the director shouting my name from across the set, Ms. Lopez glanced at my name tag, which read 'Smith.' 'Oh, that's not you, right?' she asked with a laugh. I shook my head. I still wanted to introduce myself, or speak actual words like a normal person, but I couldn't. 'Ha-ha, that's funny,' she said. Then a small army of hair and makeup personnel helped get her camera-ready. They fussed over her, like bees swarming a hive. She had one makeup artist whose sole responsibility seemed to be her lashes. During a break, a young production assistant mentioned that the day was going well, because there were no fans or paparazzi lurking outside the courthouse. 'We don't list Jennifer on the call sheet,' she said, 'because it might get leaked, and then we have to shoo off these weirdos.' At lunchtime, the cast and crew ate in the courthouse basement. Although the atmosphere was convivial, I was annoyed at myself for having been so flustered in J. Lo's presence. I was fine once the cameras were rolling. It was only when I had to engage as a real person that I was inept. I resolved to be cool around her in the afternoon. After lunch, we continued the courtroom scene, where Harlee took the stand and was cross-examined by a handsome prosecutor. Their dialogue crackled. Envious of their rapport, for a second I wished I had his part. Later, as the cameras were being repositioned, Ms. Lopez, the actor playing the judge and I sat down on canvas chairs in a nearby hallway. The judge asked J. Lo for a selfie, and she obliged. I pulled out my book. Next to me, Jennifer was texting and conferring with an assistant. It was warm in the hallway, because the building's air-conditioning had been shut off for shooting. I tugged at my collar. Jennifer looked over and asked, 'What are you reading?' Once again unable to speak, I held out the book, showing the title. 'Nice!' she said. Right then, I could've punched myself. I was probably one of the few people she had encountered who acted aloof with her. What was wrong with me? As I was leaving at the end of the day, I passed her and her assistant as they were walking back to their trailer. 'Thank you,' I managed to say. 'Bye!' she said. When the episode aired, it was titled 'Eye of the Hurricane.' The courtroom scene was interspersed with steamy shots of Harlee in bed with the handsome prosecutor. I was only briefly on camera, in a single wide shot. My line was practically a voice-over. J. Lo's hand looked great.
