Jennifer Lopez is officially done playing games when it comes to her heart.
During a sold-out show for her Up All Night residency in Las Vegas on Saturday, the icon took a timeout from her choreography to give the crowd a masterclass in self-worth.
After a soulful rendition of her 1999 breakout hit “If You Had My Love,” J.Lo got vulnerable about how the track’s meaning has evolved from a hopeful plea to a powerful demand for respect.
Lopez explained to the audience that her perspective on romance has been through the wringer. She admitted that while she used to sing about love with a sense of sadness or longing, she is now performing from a place of absolute strength.
The 56 year old star made it clear that anyone looking to be her next “partner in crime” better be prepared to put in the work, as she is no longer accepting anything less than the best.
Because the truth is, if you wanted to have my love, you would have to earn it,” Lopez told the cheering crowd. “You would have to treat me right. You would have to respect me. You’d have to accept me for all that I am. You’d have to love me if you wanted my love.”
The performance wasn’t all just about setting boundaries, though. J.Lo also touched on the bittersweet reality of opening up again, telling the room that “you can’t have love without heartbreak.”
It was a heavy moment that felt especially real following her highly publicized legal split from Ben Affleck.
Despite the past drama, the singer appears to be thriving in what she calls her “happy era,” using her residency to celebrate her growth and her 17 year old twins, Max and Emme.
