There are very few of us who are going to remember 2020 as the best year of our lives. However, despite the devastation the world has experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the social, racial, and political issues that have also shaped the tumultuous year, there is a silver lining—and during her speech at the People's Choice Awards on Sunday, Jennifer Lopez was there to remind us of it.
During the Nov. 15 ceremony, the 51-year-old superstar graced the stage to give a speech at the 2020 People's Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California, accepting the People's Icon of 2020 award. During her speech, she offered some truly inspiring insight on how she made lemonade out of the lemon that was 2020, in addition to reminding women of all ages and colors to fight for their dreams.
Watch the moving and tearful speech Jennifer Lopez made at the People's Choice Awards and read on for the best quotes. And for more stars who recently took a stand, check out ABC Sitcom Star Quits, Calling Show a"Toxic Environment."
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Lopez started off by talking about 2020 as "the great leveler."
"Man, 2020 was no joke, right? I mean, before 2020 we were obsessing about winning this award or getting nominated for that award," Lopez began the speech. "Or we were caught up in who sold the most records or box office opening or crazy stuff, like did we get the latest drop before anybody else. But not this year. This year was the great leveler."
And for more stars who've gotten real about 2020, check out Eva Mendes' Comments About Parenting in a Pandemic Are So Relatable.
The hardships forced Lopez to reexamine her life and priorities.
Lopez added that 2020 "showed us what mattered, what didn't. And for me, reinforced what mattered most: People, all of us, together, helping each other, loving each other, being kind to each other. And the importance of that connection, that human touch."
She continued, "I realized that's what I strive for in everything I do—to reach people, to touch people. I believe that's what we all want, those shared experiences to know that we're not in this alone."
And for another inspirational Jen, check out This Is the Nickname Jennifer Aniston's Closest Friends Call Her.
Lopez said her fans have been what's kept her going.
Then, Lopez spoke directly to her fans, saying: "Your belief and your faith in me motivates me to keep going and sometimes when I'm tired or beaten down, like a lot of us have been this year, it's my family, friends, my babies, and my fans, you guys, who have lifted me up when I couldn't lift myself. I am so grateful to have you, to have that in my life."
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She added that the secret to her success isn't just a strong work ethic, but following her heart.
"I approach my career the same way I approach my life. I lead with life, I feel with my heart, and I always try to speak truth in telling stories, singing songs. I do so with the purpose of bringing a little happiness, creating beauty, and inspiring others to do the same," Lopez explained. "From being a little girl in the Bronx, New York, and having the privilege of performing on some of the biggest stages in the world, and even at the Super Bowl earlier this year, that was a biggie! I have seen and learned a lot and I am still learning. I want to thank you and tell you how much I appreciate you for letting me do that in front of you for all of these year."
And for more on Lopez's roots and those of other stars, read up on The Biggest Star Who's From Your State.
Though she was told she couldn't achieve her dreams, she wanted to remind all girls that she did and they can, too.
Lopez, a role model for so many women—especially the Latinx community—concluded her speech by explaining how she was told that she couldn't achieve her dreams, but it only made her work harder. "As a Latina and as a woman, we have to work twice as hard to get the opportunities. Sometimes my big dreams and my ambitions, it made the people around me nervous. 'You can't be an actress. You're an actress, what, you want to sing? You're an artist, you won't be taken seriously as a businesswoman,'" she said. "The more that they said I couldn't, the more I knew that I had to. So now, here I stand, so very grateful, knowing that the true measure of my success is not in box office numbers or records sold, but from the love that I feel from all of you."
She said that she hopes her People's Icon award serves as a reminder to every girl to go after their dreams, too. "The true measure is inspiring girls in all ages and all colors, from all over the world, to know you can be anything you want, do as many things as you want and to be proud of who you are no matter where you come from. I want them to know your dreams are limited only by your imagination, determination, and their willingness to never give up. If I have touched you or them in any small way, then this is the greatest award I could ever receive."
Then, she concluded her speech by saying she hoped "we can begin to heal as a country and stand together united and proud, and in harmony."
And for more recent Hollywood news, check out These "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Stars Originally Said No to the Show.
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