Dancer/actor Gilbert Saldívar talks about playing Jennifer López’s love interest in her new project
Dancer and actor Gilbert Saldívar has known Jennifer López for more than two decades. From being with her in her first concert in Puerto Rico in 2001 to having toured the world with her and done “incredible projects” but they had not worked together in seven years.
“We were both off doing our own things,” Saldívar said.
Then López’s newest project – her documentary “The Greatest Love Story Never Told” – landed as an acting audition.
“I was like, ‘Oh, I get to audition for this Jennifer López project.’ And then I saw what it was, and I was like, ‘Oh, this is personal, and this is going to be huge,’” Saldívar said. “It was a little nerve wracking, but exciting at the same time.”
Saldívar plays one of Jennifer López’s love interests in ‘This is Me...Now: A love Story.’
“Once we got into the rehearsal space, it’s like riding a bike, we jumped right back in, literally clipped right back into the rope,” said Saldívar, referencing a scene from the documentary which was released on Prime Video on Feb. 27.
“Jennifer is an incredible performer. And we just know each other so well physically. So that kind of carried over into the acting scene. She helped me break down the character a bit, and her acting coach worked with me. The director, Dave Meyers, worked with me. So, I was fully equipped to tell the story, and I hope. I hope we delivered,” said Saldívar, who has been performing off and on with her for about 22 years.
The documentary follows Jennifer López as she attempts her most daring project to independently produce a new album and cinematic original that explores her 20-year journey to self-love.
Was there something in the script that surprised him?
“Oh my God, everything. I’ve been with Jennifer in times that, you know, her personal life may not have been going so well. And you know, you notice when people are sad and when their hearts are broken, but with performers, it’s like, ‘OK, get up, wipe the tears. We have a show to do. You know, the show must go on. Literally.’
“We never have dove into the personal like that,” said Saldívar, who is featured in J. Lo’s music video for “‘Rebound.”
The 86-minute documentary takes fans to López’s most personal moments as she works hard to reclaim her narrative through the making of ‘This Is Me…Now.’
Saldívar said that once he got the part, he told himself that he was not going to ask anything that was not being given or volunteered to him.
“I just kind of imagined for myself what this character could have been going through. Why was he toxic? Why was he abusive? without asking many questions,” Saldívar said.
And when he watched the documentary, Saldívar said he was learning “just like the audience is learning where it actually comes from, that it’s kind of like the meta experience of multiple situations. It’s not one person or one relationship.”
Even though Saldívar didn’t know if he was playing a specific person, he knew his role was important.
“I knew that it was important to her. She did share that we had to really layer this character. She is not just returning to the abuse. She’s returning to the loving side of this guy too. So, we had to show both of that,” Saldívar said.
“At the same time, we had to deliver this powerful choreography tied to a bungee rope, you know? So, there was a lot of layers to it. But, you know, with, with Jennifer on your team, you know. Yeah, it’s going to go great.”
The documentary includes interviews with López’s inner circle, from producing partners and longtime collaborators, to candid home moments that show an intimate, empowering and vulnerable picture of the 54-year-old icon who is putting it all on the line and discovered a newfound determination in self-acceptance and love.
Saldívar said there are so many messages to take from J. Lo’s documentary.
“The loudest for me is that love exists, that love is there on the other side of chaos,” Saldívar said. “I think also true is like you are entitled to keep things to yourself. I think Jennifer kept a lot of things to herself in, in the building of her career until now.”
“We are entitled to keep things private, and you’re entitled to share when you’re ready and when you want to. It’s all you. It’s all yours. You are the driver. You’re the narrator of your story.”
This story was originally published March 13, 2024 at 2:11 PM with the headline "Dancer/actor Gilbert Saldívar talks about playing Jennifer López’s love interest in her new project."
