TONY DURAN

So, what is she like?

That’s what everyone I talk to who knows I’ve met her wants to know. I mean, even the most recognizable celebrities ask me. Even the famous aren’t immune to Jennifer’s spell. Jennifer López is shy. She’s comfortable in her own (flawless) skin. She’s aware of every detail around her. She has a sense of humor and an infectious, goofy laugh. Very professional. Overall, the package is quite appealing indeed. And, somehow, Marc Anthony seems to complement her perfectly. “Both of us being from New York, both being Puerto Rican, was obviously something that connected us from the beginning,” Jennifer tells me, smiling that smile of hers. “The thing with me and Marc from years ago–everybody will always see it–whenever the two of us got in a room together, neither one of us could stop laughing. He comes off as a very serious artist because he is; he’s blessed and has a tremendous gift. But because he’s so serious, people don’t realize because he doesn’t give a lot of interviews–he’s one of the funniest people you’ll ever meet.”

Jennifer has had a long day. Before our photo shoot she was up at dawn to begin rehearsals for her upcoming world tour to promote her latest album and after she leaves me, she has to go back and dance, dance, dance. “I think the world is fascinated with Latin culture because we have a certain passion that just doesn’t exist in other cultures,” Jennifer says. “It has to do with the beat and the rhythm inside of us; it’s just different than anywhere else in the world. When people hear our music, they hear the soundtrack of who we are and it just fills me in a way that no other music does.”