Jennifer Lopez's Raw Emotion on 'Idol' Proves There's Humanity in Hollywood

By Amber James Posted Feb 24th 2011 05:25PM

Jennifer Lopez cries after sending Chris Medina home from American Idol

Chris Medina was cut Wednesday night from 'American Idol,' less than a month after telling the world his heartbreaking story about standing by his severely disabled fiancee. Tasked with delivering the bad news to Medina, judge Jennifer Lopez finally let her guard down and wept uncontrollably.

Lopez's raw and surprising show of emotion proves there is still some humanity left in Hollywood, even from a renowned diva like J.Lo.

"She spends her life being catered to, so she's not faced with people who are in such difficult circumstances and that show such courage in the face of tragedy. This really got through to her," Hollywood Life's Editor-in-Chief Bonnie Fuller tells PopEater. "She's no Angelina Jolie, but this was a breakthrough moment. The true test is whether or not this passion lasts." Read Hollywood Life's Coverage of 'Idol'

During the episode, Medina took the news well and bowed out gracefully as Lopez broke down. "It was honestly a pleasure to meet you, someone like you, that was a blessing for me," she said. Lopez continued to sob even after his departure. "I just feel like I didn't tell him in the right way. I felt so bad. I don't want to do this anymore ... I can't."

Although Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson tried to console Lopez, she honestly looked like she wanted to quit her job on the spot because she had crushed another singer's dreams.

Despite speculation that Lopez's reaction was scripted, EW's Annie Barrett believes Lopez was sincere. "There is no way that producers made this happen. It was a genuine reaction," Barrett tells PopEater, adding there's only one hang-up she has about the episode. "By focusing on J.Lo, they took the focus away from the contestants and turned 'Idol' into a drama with a plot that centered around the judges."

Earlier this season, Tyler had an extremely emotional moment when he first heard Medina's touching story. The Aerosmith frontman told Medina to bring his disabled fiancee, Juliana Ramos, into the audition room. Tyler was so moved, he got teary-eyed, walked over to Ramos and hugged and kissed her. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

During this week's episode, fans took to the Internet to pour out their support for Medina and Lopez. "Why are there such haters? Jennifer was not acting. She was truly sad about him not getting his dream. The reality is that it is sad, and Jennifer is a real person. Apparently some people could use a lesson in compassion," Judith Blaufuss-Duffy wrote on PopEater's Facebook page.

Last night's show ended abrutly, as host Ryan Seacrest wondered aloud whether they'd have to go on without her. At that point the screen gave way to this message: "To Be Continued." But is a cliffhanger really necessary?

"Jennifer isn't going anywhere," Barrett says. "It will be interesting to see if she has more breakdowns this season, but I'm betting she'll get use to sending contestants home and toughen up."

Tags: American Idol, chris medina, jennifer lopez

Comments

(30)

Thursday 24 February

By Maria

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I don't believe it for a minute. I think they focused on her 'crying' so that viewers aren't as mad that they cut Chris after such a touching story. He is quite the young man! The public can't be happy about this cut whether or not he deserved to stay or not.

By mary

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Sorry J-Lo, a good judge DOES NOT let emotions take over. As the Donald would say: "YOU'RE FIRED"!

By joan

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I will probably get slammed for saying this, but watching the video of JLo's tearful breakdown seemed a bit fake. If someone truly cries the tears flow. She kept daubing her eyes one at a time. A true cry would have her face fully covered with a tissue or handkerchief. Feel bad possibly but faking tears is sad.

By Trish

I totally agree with you. She's been quoted saying that Steven gets the most attention. She's a fame "w...." Who does she think she is? Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got,I'm still Jenny from the block. How far away is Jenny from the block.

By Victoria

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Some people are just too jaded to see basic goodness when it is staring them in the face.

By Jordan

I did not feel that was fake at all..god stars cant even get sad without people going after them. thats sad...

Friday 25 February

By cathy smith

J-lo, we all know you are an actress, so i know you can do better than that.my little greatgrand could have pull it off better, but we are not teaching him to be fake

By MommaKeith

My feeling is maybe she is a better actress than we thought. If she really feels bad, she can put him under contract and develop him. Buck up Jennifer. And really...J-Lo...shouldn't you have given that up when you gave up PDiddy?

Monday 28 February

By Paul

Jo-Lo is a phony has-been. She is only clamouring for extra camera time.

By Pamela

Jennifer: Love you but this proves you should not be a judge on the show. Its not personal its business and if someone does not cut it then they don't go on and you don't cry over it. You really should get off the show and put a judge in your place who can handle the job.

By KS.

Jennifer seemed like she cared about the singer, But,yeah, it kind of looked like she wasnt all that tearie eyed. Kind of fake. I like her,though. I like Tyler better. He seems more fun and natural.

By shar

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i feel so..bad for chris so much potential..real talent and a real man for what he does everyday for his fiancee he is real in everyway..better than the big breasted bimbos w/no talent...get a grip judges .wrong call..chris bless u and urs u will go far .screw american idol...

By Tom Ross

I didn't see this cuz I would never watch this show. I watched the clip, and I believe it may be real, because she isn't that good of an actress. I do know what kind of a Diva she is, and I have seen first hand how she treats people who are waiting on her, etc. She is incredibly cheap for someone with her means, as a matter of fact, here on the Las Vegas strip, J Lo has a different nickname, Pay Lo!

By fool2cry13

It wasn't an act and judges are human too.

By jc

where is simon cowell the show isn't the same.....

By joey

jlo is such a fake! She just happened to have her diamond ring on the camera as she was faking those tears.

By Sue

I think this was just one more way to hold the viewers. J-Lo is an actress. She was probably given a script to do just this. Does anyone honestly think the judges are allowed to do and say what they want? It's all contrived by the producers and directors and well, entertainment.

By wtf

What a fake --tch!, she didn't know the camera's where running??? Are you serious??? If you sit in front of them they are always on. OMG!!! Instead of fake tears, sign him to a label.

By cree

fake crocodile tears just to have the camera on her and if she can't handle it like she said she needs to go- bye JHO

By Jorge

Sorry, never watch AI again, but by the look of the picture, best acting shes ever done. Shes a hoodrat in designer dresses. Piece of trash.So is the old lady who sits next to her

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