Is it just me, or does Jennifer Lopez’s star status seem written in the cosmos? As Mars dances with Venus this week, igniting passion and charm, J.Lo is set to receive the Virtuoso Award at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival for her dazzling role in Bill Condon’s musical, Kiss of the Spider Woman. It’s almost like the universe conspired to make this moment as spectacular as her career—a career that’s as multifaceted as a Virgo’s meticulous charm and just as unstoppable. On November 1, right after a live recording of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast (yes, I’ll be there moderating—pinch me!), Lopez will share tales from a life spent dazzling us with her music, movies, and entrepreneurial magic. Honestly, with over 80 million records sold and a record-breaking streak that even Saturn would admire, is it any wonder she’s being honored at the largest university-run film festival in the world? Whether you follow your horoscope or just love a good showbiz story, this event promises to be as thrilling as a Mercury retrograde surprise—but way more fun.
Jennifer Lopez, the trailblazing and internationally renowned actress, singer, dancer, producer and businesswoman, will receive the Virtuoso Award at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, the largest university-run film festival in the world, in recognition of her Oscar-buzzed portrayal of — appropriately enough — a great movie star in Bill Condon’s musical Kiss of the Spider Woman.
The honor will be presented on Saturday, Nov. 1, immediately after an hourlong recording of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, which will be moderated by yours truly in front of a festival audience, and during which Lopez will discuss her life and career.
“It’s an extraordinary honor to welcome Jennifer Lopez to Savannah,” Christina Routhier, the fest’s senior execuive director, said in a statement. “Her performance in Kiss of the Spider Woman is a revelation, and having an artist of her global stature join us is a landmark moment for our festival and our community. Her influence across entertainment is unmatched, and we’re thrilled to celebrate her multifaceted career on our stage with The Hollywood Reporter. This is also an extraordinary opportunity for SCAD’s acting and film and television students. Lopez’s career offers invaluable lessons in versatility, resilience and creative vision. Moments like these not only inspire, but also elevate our entire program, showcasing the exceptional talent and ambition that define SCAD.”
Lopez, 56, has had a career unlike any other. Over the past three-plus decades, she has sold more than 80 million records, her music has been streamed 15 billion times and her music videos have accrued more than 18 billion views. She also has starred in more than 35 films, giving award-winning performances in 1995’s Selena, 1998’s Out of Sight, 2019’s Hustlers and 2024’s Unstoppable, among others. The only female artist to ever have a number one album and a number one film simultaneously, she has been a TIME 100 honoree, was named Forbes’ Most Powerful Celebrity and was the first person to grace the cover of People’s “Most Beautiful Woman in the World” issue. She has also received the MTV Generation Award and Billboard Icon Award. Kiss of the Spider Woman will be released in theaters on Oct. 10, 2025.
The Awards Chatter podcast is nearing its 10th anniversary and 600th episode. Past guests have included Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, Barbra Streisand, Jerry Seinfeld, Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Sean Penn, Jennifer Lawrence, Bruce Springsteen, Snoop Dogg, Julia Roberts, Norman Lear, Sophia Loren, George Clooney, Will Smith, Carol Burnett, Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie, Kevin Hart, Lorne Michaels, Kate Winslet, David Letterman, Lady Gaga, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Natalie Portman, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bono, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Dolly Parton, Spike Lee, Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie, Denzel Washington, Ariana Grande, Kevin Costner, Jane Fonda, Robert Downey Jr., Olivia Rodrigo, Quincy Jones, Billie Eilish, Michael B. Jordan, Selena Gomez, Timothée Chalamet, Tina Fey, Adam Sandler, Ken Burns, Malala Yousafzai, Bill Gates, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Kobe Bryant, Gloria Steinem and Buzz Aldrin.
The 28th SCAD Savannah Film Festival will take place from Saturday, Oct. 25, through Saturday, Nov. 1.
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