JLo’s new dance partner: Tonatiuh

The first full trailer for Bill Condon’s Kiss of the Spider Woman was released today ahead of the film’s theatrical release on October 10 which, of course, positions it as an award season hopeful. And that also means that Jennifer Lopez will be spending the fall campaigning. But she’ll have a dance partner on the ride. 

Tonatiuh is the film’s lead, it’s their breakout role, as a queer inmate, Luis Molina, who daydreams away the harsh reality of life in prison by mentally replaying their favourite movie star’s performance in a film called Aurora and the Spider Woman. This is a musical-within-a-musical and JLo, technically, has three parts: Ingrid Luna, the movie star, and also Aurora and the Spider Woman. 

 

The film knows its audience, and one of the first promotional moves that we’ve seen so far is the cover story in Out Magazine featuring both JLo and Tonatiuh. 

This mirrors their characters but also in real life. It’s the biggest phase of Tonatiuh’s career so far, with all kinds of acclaim and hype coming out of Sundance after it screened there in January. Now, with an awards calendar release date, they will be experiencing it alongside one of the most well-known celebrities in the world, a movie star on screen and in real life. I love this for Tonatiuh but also for JLo. 

And my favourite part of their joint interview is what they’ve been able to give to each other through the process. 

“Lopez recalls the moment she saw Tonatiuh fully step into the spotlight as her scene partner. “I remember sitting there with him … I was in my blond wig and smoking my cigarette, and he was sitting there kind of playing with his cigarette. And I said, ‘This is your Selena moment.… It’s a blessing in your career. And it’s just beautiful to watch you doing it.’”

Tonatiuh will never forget the impact of that encouragement from Lopez, who was referencing her own career-making role in the 1997 biopic of singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez; she delivered it right before they began filming a big number. He was “overcome with so much gratitude.” After the scene wrapped, “they call ‘cut!’ and I burst into tears,” he recalls.”

Tonatiuh isn’t just a mentee in this situation because mentorship should flow in both directions. She too is getting something out of being able to witness the rise of a young talent – generosity is a gift to performance and relearning old lessons strengthens skill. Also, if we’re talking about the campaign side of things, this is a good narrative, pairing the veteran with the rookie. I’m excited to see JLo in a “big sister” role on the circuit…even though, as always, it’ll be a tough sell for her. We saw it the year she was robbed for Hustlers, and we’ll most likely hear the same bullsh-t this time around too because, no doubt, those who are unwilling to put respect on her acting will say that this role isn’t a stretch for her. None of that can stop the hustle though, this is her trademark. And she’s already told us how much this film and this role means to her. Be PREPARED for this press tour!