Jennifer Lopez’ love for her kids don’t cost a thing.
In fact, when it comes to the “On the Floor” singer’s sweet bond with her twins Max and Emme—who she shares with ex-husband Marc Anthony—the 17-year-olds often forget that their mom is a pop legend, who will also be hosting the American Music Awards May 26.
“I’m so just mom to them that they don’t really get involved with my work too much,” Jennifer told E News’ Francesca Amiker in an exclusive interview. “They don’t even know I’m doing the American Music Awards. I have to fill them in when we’re having dinner.”
As the twins prepare to enter their senior year of high school, their minds are more focused on getting to graduation and gearing up for college.
“We’re talking more about school,” Jennifer continued. “We’re talking about their friends at school and their homework and making sure they’re getting their stuff done. That’s our conversations, and how they’re doing and how they’re feeling and all that.”
“We don’t really get into, ‘Mommy’s performing over here tomorrow,’” she added. “To them, it’s just like, ‘Oh, Mommy is going to work.’”
But on one particular occasion, the “Let’s Get Loud” artist had gone to New York to surprise John Kander, who wrote the original music for her upcoming movie adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman, for his 98th birthday by performing one of his songs on a Broadway stage.
And when the Selena actress got home to tell her kids about her milestone, she said that Emme’s “eyes lit up” in disbelief and they both ended up taking a special interest in this project.
“I go up to their room and I hear them,” Jennifer recalled. “They had found the original soundtrack of Kiss of the Spider Woman with Chita Rivera and they were playing it in their room.”
“I remember asking, ‘Are you proud of me?’” she continued. “They were like, ‘We’re so proud. We’re so proud.’ But then they went upstairs, and when they were alone, they were listening to it. It just touched my heart because I could tell like it made an impression and there’s nothing in the world like impressing your kids.”
Because, even for a two-time Grammy nominee, impressing a teenager can be an incredibly difficult feat.
“Your kids are your toughest audience,” she noted. “The reason that’s such a big deal is because, when they’re teenagers, you are the most uncool person in the world. They don’t care what you do or what you’re doing. But when I heard that, I was like, ‘Oh, they do care.’”
To look back at how Jennifer celebrated her twins’ 16th birthday, keep reading.
Sweet 16
Jennifer Lopez poses with twins Emme and Max as they ring in a big milestone while on vacation in Japan.
Celebrating in Style
The twins’ celebration is appropriately bedecked in festive decor.
Love Don’t Cost a Thing
Jennifer and Max share a sweet moment under an umbrella.
Mirror Selfie
The duo pose for a quick mirror selfie.
On The Floor
The singer takes in the view of this gorgeous mirrored room.
Can’t Get Enough Family Time
Jennifer and Emme take in the streets of Japan walking hand in hand.
Strike a Pose
Emme paints a sweet picture next to a favorite character.
Fandom Love
Max shows off his love for Pokémon.
