Justice

Jennifer Lopez Just Nailed the Problem That Every Successful Woman Faces

April 15th 2016

Jennifer Lopez — actress, singer, dancer, and incredibly successful entrepreneur — is just like every other woman. At least, she is when it comes to gender discrimination.

In May's issue of W Magazine, Lopez gave readers a glimpse into her hectic work day and talked about still having to prove herself more than 20 years into her successful career.

"People may now think I’m nice, but they still act surprised when I’m smart. It’s a man’s world, and truly, people in a business setting do not value a woman as much as a man." — Jennifer Lopez, W Magazine

Jennifer LopezW Magazine - wmagazine.com

The 46-year-old has made Forbe's list of "The World's Highest Paid Celebrities" multiple times, including in 2015. Last year's spot was mostly due to her role as a judge on "American Idol," and the NBC drama "Shades of Blue," which she stars in and produces. She also starred in the film "The Boy Next Door," and has a Las Vegas show residency.

Basically, Lopez gets money. And yet, she told W that she still doesn't get the respect she deserves in the business world.

"I feel like I’m constantly having to prove myself. If a man does one thing well, people immediately say he’s a genius. Women have to do something remarkable over and over and over. And, even then, they get questions about their love life.”

Unfortunately, Lopez is not the only woman to have this problem.

Christie Hunter Arscott, one of the authors of a study on women in the workplace, recently told ATTN: that many women say that their job is a "boy's club."

"Even in the start-up space, which is often viewed as more progressive, I've interviewed women who speak of a 'fraternity' culture within their organizations," she said. "Most of these cultures aren't developed purposefully. They are often the result of inherent or unconscious bias that is intertwined and embedded into enterprise policies, programs, processes and cultural norms."

Lopez hasn't let gender discrimination stop her, and she doesn't plan to let it slow her down.

“People underestimate me. They always have, and maybe that’s for the best. It’s fun to prove them wrong," she told W.

RELATED: Reasons Millennial Women Quit Work

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