One haute mama
Who’s the best-dressed competition series judge? Jennifer Lopez gets our columnist’s vote.
IN CONJUNCTION with Mother’s Day this Sunday, I would like to pay tribute to one hot mama. No, I am not talking about my own mum – who may not be a celebrity but she’s the most beautiful woman in Penang, in my books – I’m referring to Jennifer Lopez.
She’s the only reason I tune into American Idol ( AI) nowadays. Not to marvel at her wit and constructive criticism of the contestants’ singing (that honour belongs to new judge Harry Connick, Jr.) but rather, at her flawless fashion sense.
Long celebrated for her curves and yes, booty, singer-actress Lopez can currently be seen as one of the judges on AI, alongside Connick, Jr. and Keith Urban.
Amongst the judges of singing competition shows on TV today, she is the best-dressed, hands down. Hopefully, Gwen Stefani – another hot celebrity mum – will give Louboutin-loving Lopez a run for her money when she joins The Voice next season.
Right from the start, Lopez – a mother of two – steals the show with her outfits.
While kudos must go to her stylist team Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, there’s no denying that Lopez knows her Prada from Prabal.
The 44-year-old fashion plate always uses clothes to the best of her advantage. After all, she first grabbed headlines way back in 2000 by wearing the now infamous green Versace dress to the Grammys. You know, the one with the plunging neckline to where the sun don’t shine?
On a recent episode, Lopez – named by People magazine as “The Most Beautiful Woman” in 2011 – donned an asymmetric fuchsia Valentino top. Within the next few days, that item was sold out.
In another episode, she wore a hot pink ensemble. It was a welcome pop of colour to the dull proceedings and proved that it’s possible to pull off a head-to-toe neon effect.
The following week, she donned a pastel blue Safiyaa cutout frock with embellished Jimmy Choo pumps. It was complemented by matching pastel eye shadow and a purposely undone side-braid.
During the Top 7 finalists’ performance, Lopez dared to bare in a Herve Leger dress; it was her most revealing look this season.
The body-hugging bandage dress had cutouts in the middle, showing off her ripped abs. Fortunately, flesh-coloured lining guarded against any wardrobe malfunctions, but it gave the impression Lopez was nude underneath. It was certainly a daring dress, but perhaps too much (or too little fabric) for prime time television?
“You’re going to see everything,” Lopez once said of her AI wardrobe. “I can only be myself on the show. I’m not going to try and play it down or play it up or do anything. I’m just going to be me, that’s always worked for me with the public. They see me, they know that I’m real.”
Butt seriously, J.Lo, real? What does that mean? Well, it’s a mix of high and low fashion. “I don’t want to overthink it too much,” our Jenny From The Block hitmaker explained. “I’m a girl who likes to get dressed up, put on her jewellery or her lipstick and go. So that’s what you’ll get.”
What viewers will get – as AI heads for its inevitable finale in a couple of weeks – is that her style will be on-point till the very end.
While Lopez gets my vote as best dressed judge, who is the worst?
The permanently tight T-shirted Simon Cowell, of course. The grumpy Brit may have departed AI for The X Factor but sadly, he hasn’t used any of his millions to invest in a new wardrobe.