EXCLUSIVE: 'I grew up with holes in my shoes!': Jennifer Lopez, 47, talks humble beginnings and how family 'grounds her' during difficult times

Jennifer Lopez is one of the most successful actresses and singers of her generation with a net worth at over $300m.

But the 47-year-old beauty does not forget her modest roots growing up in the Bronx.

And on Thursday, the Shades Of Blues actress talked to DailyMail.com during the launch party for her new shoe collaboration with Giuseppe Zanotti about her beginnings.

The beauty said she is very aware of how lucky she has been to go from her humble roots to the A list.

You've come a long way baby: Jennifer Lopez told DailyMail.com at her Giuseppe Zanotti shoes party at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills that she is grateful for not having to wear shoes with holes in them any longer 

Her older sisters: Jennifer, far left, with Leslie and Lynda. They grew up in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx

The event was held inside Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills with over 100 guests, including French Montana, Mary J Blige and Vivica A Fox.

'I grew up with holes in my shoes,' the World Of Dance star said.

'So this is very special to me, to be able to create such beautiful shoes with an artist like Giuseppe.'

The very early years: 'I grew up with holes in my shoes,' the World Of Dance star said. 'So this is very special to me, to be able to create such beautiful shoes with an artist like Giuseppe'

She knows she's lucky: 'I just love what I do. I feel very fortunate,' said Lopez. 'To now be here launching my own shoe collection with an amazing artist and being able to work with amazing artists and do what I love, that's where I get my stamina'

And Lopez is motivated by beauty, she said, which is why she was so pleased to create shoes with one of the masters of the trade, Zanotti. 

'I just love what I do. I feel very fortunate,' said Lopez, who has said in the past she had to shared a bedroom with her two sisters when growing up.

'To now be here launching my own shoe collection with an amazing artist and being able to work with amazing artists and do what I love, that's where I get my stamina. I live with a lot of gratitude.' 

Her first big gig: Lopez got her start as a Fly Girl on the TV show In Living Color (best known then for starring Jim Carrey and the Wayans brothers)

Then to movies: Here the star is seen in the 1996 film Blood & Wine

The shoes have already become a hit with her friends.

'My core group of girlfriends already have them,' she told DailyMail.com.

After she sent a pair to Khloe Kardashian, the reality star made a Snapchat video of the heels and then wore them on the town.

Lopez got her start as a Fly Girl on the TV show In Living Color (best known then for starring Jim Carrey and the Wayans brothers) then moved on to films like The Wedding Planner and the album On The Six.

When she started making perfumes (Glow) and clothes (for Macy's), she became known for a string of celebrity relationships with Puff Daddy, Ben Affleck and, later, Marc Anthony (who she wed, had twins Max and Emme with then divorced).

She got to the top fast: The brunette became a household name when she starred in The Wedding Planner and came out with the album On The Six in 1999

In the past few years she re-created herself with American Idol, and now she has two shows of her own: the cop drama Shades Of Blue and the new World Of Dance with Derek Hough.

But her love life is still in development: last year she split from her beau of five years, Casper Smart, and she is now linked to Drake, who she has said she is just friends with. 

With such a varied love life, it's no wonder the actress said she needs her family to keep her balanced.

'My family is my stability. They're so solid for me,' said the cover girl. 'When you think of shoes you think of being grounded. There was a connection there for me. They keep me grounded,' she said as she looked reflective. 

The shoes range from $795 and $2,995.

Lopez then added she named several of her Zanotti shoes after the women in her family. 

Bestie: Lopez named several of her Zanotti shoes after the women in her family. A corset-style, lace-up open-toe bootie was named after sister Lynda, who she is pictured with here in 2013

Her sister Leslie got a the minimalist sandal with wraparound ankle straps.

And her other sister Lynda also got a shoe: that design is a corset-style, lace-up open-toe bootie.

Tiana, her cousin, got named for a wedge sneaker embellished with crystals.

Her daughter Emme was named for a gladiator high-heel sandal with straps that wrap from the ankle to the knee.  

And the shoe that Jennifer named after herself is an open-toe suede bootie.

Lopez added that she likes a lot of bling on her shoes because she's used to dazzle from her All I Have Vegas show.

Mama Lopez: 'My family is my stability. They're so solid for me,' said the cover girl. 'When you think of shoes you think of being grounded. There was a connection there for me. They keep me grounded.' Here she is seen with mom Guadalupe Rodriguez in 2014

'Have you seen the show?' she asked. 'You have to really sparkle to stand out in Las Vegas.' 

The Jenny From The Block singer added one of the best things about going from the Bronx to the top of the Forbes list is being able to work with the best.

'Being able to talk to someone about what they do was an honor and a blessing. It's like working with any artist — when I work with other musical artists or actors, it's like sharing that thing — that expertise with them,' the Boy Next Door actress said.

'And I'm not an expert in this field. I can only bring to the table my own sensibilities, but it was a beautiful experience.'

The Giuseppe x Jennifer is available in Giuseppe Zanotti Design stores worldwide and giuseppezanottidesign.com, as well as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Nordstrom. 

The man she may or may not be dating: Jennifer did not talk about rumoured flame Drake, who she is making music with. Pictured December

 

 

 

 

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