I Moved The Body

Jennifer Lopez whispers urgently while on set in Queens, New York. This is the superstar in her finest moment

- Aileen Chow

When J.Lo talks about a body, one might naturally assume she is referring to her own world-famous physique. But instead, she is talking about a dead one. Such is her life since the 48-year-old pop star took on the starring role of Detective Harlee Santos in the NBC drama Shades Of Blue.

“Moving the body” sums up Harlee’s dilemma as a member of a Brooklyn unit that is both protective of the community and deeply corrupt. Life gets more complicated for her when the FBI forces Harlee to spy on her squad (while continuing to be a part of the corruption).

During a break in the shooting, Jennifer heads to a red director’s chair and grabs a box of Kleenex. She is battling a cold. She has been working since 7am and is only halfway through a 14-hour day.

In an effort to praise Jennifer, her producing partner, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, gushes:

“She juggles everything so well; she pushes boundaries; she is a great artist, a great actor, a great friend and a great mum.”

Elaine, an executive producer on Shades Of Blue, turns her admiration to Jennifer’s 10-yearold son, Max, whom she calls a “genius” for knowing all about the cosmos.

That is when Jennifer gets off the chair.

“You are talking about the same kid who used to come up to me and pat my butt and breast and says “Booty? Booby? Mummy?” she says with a laugh.

Turns out, Elaine is not alone in her praise.

“J.Lo is not at all what you might think. She is smart, focused and really good at what she does,” says veteran writer-director-producer Jack Orman, who is also an executive producer on Shades of Blue.

Producer Turned Star