Jennifer Lopez Slays TIFF Red Carpet as She Unveils 'Unstoppable'

Jennifer Lopez infused the Toronto film festival with a dose of A-list glamor Friday at the world premiere of her new movie, true-story sports drama "Unstoppable," which earned a rousing ovation.
The 55-year-old actress, singer and dancer was making her first red carpet appearance since the announcement of her divorce from Ben Affleck, who co-produced the film with best friend Matt Damon but was not in attendance.
And she did not disappoint, wearing a skin-baring metallic silver gown with seemingly nothing but giant black velvet bows holding it together, her hair long and loose. Sky-high silver platform heels finished the look.
In "Unstoppable," Lopez plays Judy, the mother of high school wrestler Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) who, though born with only one leg, doggedly pursued -- and achieved -- his dream of becoming a US university champion.
Oscar nominee Don Cheadle and Michael Pena play his demanding coaches, and Bobby Cannavale plays his abusive stepfather, who repeatedly puts the family in jeopardy.
"Unstoppable" tells Robles's inspiring story while also delving into the difficulties of his family life, and showcasing his close relationship with his mother.
The film had several applause moments in the buildup to Robles's winning run to a college championship for Arizona State University. Then, as the credits rolled, Robles himself, in the theater, earned a standing ovation from the crowd at Roy Thomson Hall.
"When I read the script, I felt like so many women, including myself, could relate to the struggles that she had gone through in her life," Lopez said in a question-and-answer session after the screening.
"This story being a Latino story, being so inspiring -- it was just something that kind of grabbed me."
Jerome said he trained for five months, including with Robles on the wrestling mat.
"As an actor, it is one of the most daunting tasks to portray somebody that is real," he said.
"Unstoppable" was one of the marquee events of day two at the Toronto International Film Festival, the largest in North America, which offers a mix of Oscar-bait movies, feel-good family fare and searing documentaries.
This year marks a return to normal for the event, after twin strikes by actors and writers kept top talent from promoting their work here last year.
Lopez is just one of the major stars visiting Canada's biggest city for the festival.
Ben Stiller, Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry hit the red carpet on Thursday night. Also expected are Angelina Jolie, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Salma Hayek, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman.
'The Last Showgirl'
Earlier, Gia Coppola debuted her latest effort behind the camera, "The Last Showgirl," starring Pamela Anderson as veteran Vegas performer Shelley, who is left in despair when her show is abruptly canceled.
After a 30-year run dancing half-naked in sequins and high heels in a traditional Sin City show, Shelley must figure out what the future holds.
Coppola -- the granddaughter of legendary director Francis Ford Coppola -- goes beyond the bright lights of America's favorite gambling playground to show the harsh realities of the entertainment industry and what happens to those it discards, especially women.
"I think I’ve been getting ready my whole life for this role," Anderson told the audience after the screening.
The "Baywatch" actress quipped that it was the first time she'd been offered a script that was "coherent."
Jamie Lee Curtis teared up as she spoke about the film. She plays Annette, a onetime dancer and Shelley's best friend who ends up waitressing to make ends meet -- and frittering away her hard-won earnings on bets.
"It's a movie about dreams and going after your dreams," only to discover they may never be realized, said the Oscar winner.

Imagine if singer Celine Dion had been on the Titanic, survived, and wanted to revisit her version of events. That is the premise of the musical "Titanique" that has opened in London's West End.

Featuring Dion’s back catalogue, the show's light-hearted tone is a break with previous more somber accounts of the story of the ocean liner that hit an iceberg and sank in 1912.

It blends elements from the plot of the 1997 movie version, which starred actors Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio as lovers Rose and Jack, and other pop culture references.

Tye Blue, who directs and also wrote the musical along with actor and writers Constantine Rousouli and Marla Mindelle, describes it as "a joy machine".

The story is told through the eyes of the character Celine Dion, played by Lauren Drew.

"This is very much a love letter to Celine Dion....paying homage to her and her craft and her strength," Drew said after coming off stage. "It's completely embodying her kookiness, her craziness and her talent. So I just I love that I get to do that every night."

Blue said Dion's team came to see the show after it opened in New York and that "they loved it" and "kind of unofficially gave us their blessing".

Last year Dion returned to the live stage with a performance at the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris.

The 56-year-old singer said in late 2022 that she had been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome that causes muscle spasms.

The music from the show includes ballads such as "Titanic’s" award-winning hit "My Heart Will Go On" and Eric Carmen’s "All by Myself" that Dion released in 1996.

"Titanique" is playing at the Criterion Theater until March 2025. Other versions of it are playing in Sydney, Toronto and Montreal, and another is set to open in France in April.

Jennifer Lopez Slays TIFF Red Carpet as She Unveils 'Unstoppable'