BeatBoxBetty interviews Jennifer Lopez from The Cell

Written By: BeatBoxBetty
- August 2000

In the creepy and visually stunning The Cell, Carl Stargher (played by Vincent D'Onofrio), is a serial killer who's built a glass-encased chamber (The Cell) where he cleanses (drowns) his female victims before continuing a sadistic post-mortem ritual with their bodies.

As the FBI closes in, Stargher's rendered comatose by a violent seizure. They've got their man, but unfortunately, he's left his latest victim alive in The Cell with only forty hours to live. And only Stargher knows where she is.

That's where JENNIFER LOPEZ comes in. She plays a child therapist who uses breakthrough technology to enter into the mind of a catatonic young boy. Knowing this, the FBI asks her to embark on a downright suicidal journey through Stargher's demented mind. That's when the movie really kicks into freaky gear!

Why would this sinsational star sign on for such a demanding and scary role? Ms. Lopez explains...

JENNIFER LOPEZ
Photo Credit: Christina Radish

"It's not going to be pretty inside the head of a serial killer." - JL

VINCE VAUGHN & LOPEZ IN THE CELL
Photo courtesy of NewLine Cinema

BETTY: What did you think when you first saw The Cell on the big screen?
JENNIFER: When I first saw the finished product, I was really blown away. I thought to myself..."this is something I've never seen before." I was really impressed with what Tarsem [The Cell's director] had done with the film and the way the story was...I was really happy. I really like it.

BETTY: Was it what you pictured it to be?
JENNIFER: I feel it's a total movie experience. It's the most visually beautiful movie I've ever seen. That was the best thing about it, to be a part of something like that.

BETTY: Didn't it scare the hell out of you?
JENNIFER: When I read it I thought, "Man, this is gonna be creepy." But when you're filming it, it's a different experience, so it doesn't freak you out like that.

BETTY: There sure are some disturbing images in this flick...
JENNIFER: It's funny because, for me, watching it wasn't as disturbing as U-Turn was for me. It does have some graphic and disturbing images - but it's not for those little girls who buy my album and sing my songs. They'll have to wait for the Wedding Planner [opening in February]. This is for adults. I mean, it's not going to be pretty inside the head of a serial killer.

BETTY: Ever want to be "hooked up" to someone's brain like your character?
JENNIFER: I wouldn't really want to be hooked up to one person. I think I'd like to have a chip implanted and be able to read everybody's mind who passes by me. I'd like that much better.

BETTY: What made you decide to take on this role?
JENNIFER: When I read it, it kinda read like Silence of the Lambs and it felt like it had room for a lot of artistic and creative license. Plus the woman's character was very interesting and I related to her. Strong with a soft side.

LOPEZ ON THE SET OF THE CELL
Photo courtesy of NewLine Cinema

BETTY: Your costume changes are wild.
JENNIFER: Their were so many weird costumes that to find myself was schizophrenic. Forget the serial killer - I was schizophrenic!

BETTY: And you look amazing. Do you do anything in particular to keep yourself looking so fine?
JENNIFER: Thanks. I take care of myself. I think it's important, because I feel better that way. I like feeling good, feeling healthy and eating right. I don't feel great when I eat too much or the wrong thing. And I think drinking and smoking really wrecks you, so I don't do that.

BETTY: Is it true you're going to be in the remake of West Side Story?
JENNIFER: No. I heard somebody was doing it. I love West Side Story it's my favorite movie. I think it's too much of a classic for me to touch. I'd love to do it on stage though.

BETTY: What has fame and the tabloids done to you personally?
JENNIFER: It hit me right after Selena. Your life changes and it's kinda weird...all this stuff happens. People think they know what kind of person you are...but you have to tell yourself that they don't know the truth, their always going to write things that are misquoted and untrue...and you have to learn to deal with it and move on.

BETTY: What was the wildest rumor about you?
JENNIFER: The 250 thread count rumor was good. That was about sheets - that I take sheets to hotels and they have to be 250 thread count. Ridiculous. But the craziest was the Billion Dollar Butt one. It was on the front page of the paper, here in New York. I happened to be in New York that week. It was funny.

BETTY: So you haven't insured your body?
JENNIFER: I think that's what I'm trying to say here.

BETTY: And what about the success of your hit album, On The 6? That must've shocked you.
JENNIFER: You don't expect that success. You hope for it. You hope that somebody relates to it and that they can dance to it. So yes, I was surprised with the outcome.

BETTY: Do you have a new album in the works?
JENNIFER: Yes. I'm halfway done, so hopefully it will be out by October.

ORDER JENNIFER'S HIT ALBUM
"ON THE 6"

LOPEZ AT THE 1999
MTV MOVIE AWARDS

BETTY: Now, Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs is going to star in Jon Favreau's next movie, Made. What do you think about his new move into acting?
JENNIFER: I think he's going to be great. He's just starting out but he's very passionate and has a lot of natural instincts, so his role in Made is going to surprise a lot of people.

BETTY: A lot of teen girls really look up to you. Do you feel pressure being such a role model?
JENNIFER: You can't take on the responsibility of the world. You have to live your life. But I don't do drugs or drink and smoke...so as far as the girls looking up to me, I think it's nice. I don't think I'm going to do anything in the near future to disappoint them.

BETTY: And you know what? I believe you.

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