Yeah, absolutely. It was funny. I did a duet on this [album] with Marc Anthony, who is to me one of the most incredible singers that's out today. And he said something to me when we were recording together. He said, "I know when you're singing it, you feel it. But remember: when I hear it, I have to feel it too."
So it's the same type of thing as with acting. It has to come from somewhere real. Because if it doesn't, nobody's going to connect to it. So it was just a real challenge to learn how to channel it, just
through your voice, and have it come out on the track. [It's one] thing when somebody sees you singing live. They can feel you, they can see you. But when they're just listening on the radio, it's a
different story. So that was definitely challenging for me, and something that I had to learn. It's just as intense as acting in that way.
MusicMania: Tell us about "Let's Get Loud." You
worked with Gloria Estefan's husband Emilio on that one.
JL:
Emilio was incredible. Right at the top. He was one of the natural choices to work with just because of the Latin flavor of it all. And I was like, "I don't want it to be straight Latin! I want it to be more like, y'know, dance-y music-y," and he was like, "Okay, okay." He was really amazing and very supportive. And just, to me, him and Gloria are just an inspiration.
MusicMania: And that song's got lyrics by Gloria, is that right?
JL:
Yeah. Actually, the song was supposed to be for her album, and for some reason she had tons of great hits so she didn't need it, thank God! So Gloria [said], "See if Jennifer wants to use that song." And I was like, "Ohmigod, yeah! Give it to me! Please give it to me!"
MusicMania: Another track is the Marc Anthony duet, "No Me Ames," which is cool. [There are] two different versions of this one.
JL:
Yeah, right. Now [Emilio Estefan] heard the ballad version, actually... he had nothing to do with [that]. It was actually Marc Anthony. He had asked me to do a video with him, and I said, "Well, I'll do the video with you, and you have to sing on my record." [Laughs] Fair trade.
And no sooner had he left the studio [when] he visited me here at the studio. He calls on the phone and says, "I have the song.... It's an old Italian song, but we'll get it translated into Spanish.
And we'll do it."
So we did it. It's a beautiful ballad... kind of a conversation between two people. But when Emilio heard it, he was like, "Oh! I could do something with this!' And he took it
and turned it into a salsa record. He made a tropical remix of it, and it's actually the one they're playing on the radio right now.
MusicMania: For the American audience, how would you describe who
Marc Anthony is?
JL: Okay, he's like, the number one salsero. If you hear his voice, immediately you're like, "Who is that?!"
MusicMania: And what's Puffy like to work with?
JL:
He's one of those people who's just blessed with that ear from God. It's just like a gift he has. To me, he's an incredible talent. He knows how to make 'em dance. One of the most brilliant people out there.
He's good for the ad-libs. [Laughs] "C'mon! Let's dance!" Y'know, I can't even do it. I'm not even going to attempt to go into his domain. I'm just glad that I got to work with him.
MusicMania: How have the rumors been about your relationship?
JL:
I think because we're really good friends and we have hung out together and stuff, people run with that. Who haven't they rumored me with this year? [Laughs] This year I have been rumored with them all. And to tell you the truth, I haven't been with no one. [Laughs] I wish I had that much action. I mean, I'd be more relaxed. Maybe I wouldn't have worked so much this year. I don't know.
MusicMania: Are you in love right now?
JL: Um, no.
MusicMania: Then who is "My Superstar?"
JL: Oh, hell no! Listen to this one! "My Superstar?!"
MusicMania: "I love you and you love me and that's all I need to know."
JL: Hmm.
MusicMania: [That's a] thank you on your record.
JL: Yeah. That's my favorite.
MusicMania:
That's a special someone who you want to keep out of the public eye.
JL: Absolutely.
MusicMania: Is that hard for you right now to keep private life?
JL:
Yeah, because everybody wants to know [who I'm with] for some reason. I don't know why.
MusicMania: Like you wanted to know [that kind of stuff] when you were a kid in the Bronx, right?
JL:
Absolutely. I totally understand it. I totally understand it. I don't complain. But then again, I don't explain either. [Laughs]
