Anyone passing through Leicester Square last night would have thought it was the BAFTAs come again. An almost unprecedented number of people had gathered in a disorderly gaggle to await the arrival of the latest premiere's star and with rhythmic chants of "J-Lo, J-Lo," reverberating across the Square, there was little confusion as to who that was.
Managing to whip up even more of a frenzy than Tom Cruise did on his last London visit, Jennifer Lopez disembarked from her limo to a caterwauling that could have been heard across town. Clad in a figure-hugging dress and looking every bit the movie and music megastar that she is, the diva waved coyly to her fans as she prepared to give her latest film, Maid In Manhatten, a proper introduction.
Chatting amiably with Empire Online, J-Lo helped put to rest any confusion over her varying nomenclature. "I don't mind," she reassured us, as we tried to decide what to call her "you can call me Jennifer, you can call me J-Lo, you can call me Jenny! My mother prefers Jennifer, though."
Lopez was in remarkably high spirits, chatting amiably laughing with reporters and clearly delighted by the whole event. "It's so strange to me," she told us, taking in the crowds, reporters and her considerable entourage. It's a little crazy but the people are really loving and sweet. I do like that part."
The film sees Lopez as a maid in one of Mahattan's swankier hotels who, after being mistaken for a socialite and romanced by Ralph Fiennes' suave politician, tries to maintain the pretence and keep her true origins from being discovered. "I really just wanted to do another romantic comedy," said Lopez. "They're my favourite type of film and a lot of women love them. After doing The Wedding Planner, I just really wanted to do another one."
The sultry songstress was heaped with praise throughout the proceedings, not least of all her co-stars. "She's terrific," said Bob Hoskins. "She doesn't come on like the big diva at all." Ralph Fiennes was quick to add his penny's worth, telling us, "She's a very gentle person, very open, and very easy to work with. She's very sweet."
With any lingering credence over Lopez's slightly thorny reputation dispelled and the cinema audience waiting excitedly for her to make an appearance, J-Lo did share a few hopes as to where her already towering career will lead. "I would love to do a musical either in a movie or on stage someday. People are always trying to get me to choose between movies and music, asking 'which do you like better?' but I really love them both and could never give up either. A musical would be the perfect way for me to do both together."