Jennifer Lopez: 'Women are told our careers will be over by 50'

Jennifer Lopez says women in showbusiness are conditioned to think their careers should be over by her age, but described it as the “best moment” of her life.

The actress and singer, who turned 50 in July, started out as a dancer on sketch show In Living Color in 1991.

Since then she has sold more than 80 million records, won awards in music and film, and is the only woman to have had a US No 1 album and film at the same time.

In this week’s ES Magazine, Lopez, who is engaged to former baseball player Alex Rodriguez, said: “Did I think I would be doing this at 50? I didn’t think I’d stop, but I didn’t know that it would be the best moment of my life.

"We’re conditioned to think, as women, that it would be over by now. And the truth is, it’s not like that at all. I find myself growing and getting better every year and that’s exciting.”

On her enduring success, Lopez said the key had been “ambition for sure, and also toughness. This business is not for the faint-hearted — it eats people up. To survive in it for as many years as I have, you’ve got to have a tough skin.”

The star, who was born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, said she had “always been trying to push for more Latin women in lead roles”.

She was speaking ahead of the release of Hustlers, in which she plays a stripper intent on scamming New York’s richest men.

For the film, which also stars Lizzo and Cardi B, Lopez spent two months learning to pole dance.

“I’m used to being on stage in sexy costumes, but I have three layers of tights and fishnets and a bodysuit,” she said. “It was a brand new feeling to come out practically naked, in front of all those men — 300 extras hooting and hollering — and dance for money.

"There’s something liberating and empowering about it, but you’re really out there, physically, emotionally and psychologically.”

Wedding plans have taken a back seat due to her and broadcaster Rodriguez’s busy schedules.

She said: “I have a movie I’m shooting in October [Marry Me, with Owen Wilson and Sarah Silverman] and the movie has an album that goes with it, so I’m just a little bit busy right now, and until October, he has the World Series in baseball.

“We’re going to have to pick a day, pick a time and block it out, but we’re definitely talking about it.”

Read Lopez's full interview in ES Magazine - free every Thursday and Friday.