by While “This Is Me… Then” was a successful album for Jennifer Lopez, it might not be considered a turning point in her career in the traditional sense. Here are some reasons why:
By 2002, J.Lo was already a well-established artist with a thriving career across music and film. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, she had a string of hit singles like “If You Had My Love,” “Waiting for Tonight,” and “Love Don’t Cost a Thing.” Commercially and critically, these songs were massive successes that helped cement her status as a multi-talented entertainer.
On the movie side, she had broken out with acclaimed roles in Selena (1997) and Out of Sight (1998). She was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, appearing in blockbuster films like The Wedding Planner (2001) and Angel Eyes (2001). By the time “This Is Me… Then” was released, J.Lo had already achieved crossover success in music and film.
So while “This Is Me… Then” performed well commercially and spawned some popular singles, it didn’t necessarily define or launch Lopez’s career in the way that a debut or breakthrough album might for an up-and-coming artist. She was already a well-known pop culture figure with multiple hit songs, movies, and accolades to her name. The album served to continue her momentum rather than start something new.
In addition, “This Is Me… Then” drew much of its inspiration from Lopez’s personal relationship at the time with actor Ben Affleck, to whom she was engaged. Songs like “Dear Ben” explicitly reference their romance, while others like “Baby I Love U!” focus on themes of new love and commitment.
While this personal touch connected with fans, it also meant the album’s subject matter was narrower in scope compared to Lopez’s previous albums. Those projects explored a wider variety of topics beyond just one relationship. So “This Is Me… Then” didn’t necessarily represent a major artistic evolution or expansion of Lopez’s horizons in the same way as later albums would.
However, that’s not to say the album didn’t mark some growth or have lasting influence on Lopez’s career. There are a few ways it could be viewed as a turning point of sorts:
One aspect was the album’s emotional vulnerability. Lopez opened up more about her personal feelings and experiences compared to past albums focused more on dance-pop themes. She brought a softer, more intimate side to her music with songs like “Dear Ben” and “Baby I Love U!”
This willingness to expose private matters connected with fans and foreshadowed Lopez exploring even deeper personal topics on later albums like “This Is Me… Now.” While early albums established her as a hitmaker, “This Is Me… Then” took a step towards establishing her as an artist willing to reveal her true self through music.
The album also showed Lopez’s growth as a vocalist. While always a strong performer, her singing displayed new nuances of emotion and control on “This Is Me… Then.” Tracks like “I’m Glad” and “Dear Ben” found Lopez delivering passionate, evocative vocals that hinted at her expanding abilities as an interpreter of lyrics and feelings.
This more mature and emotive style of singing became further refined on subsequent albums. So while not redefining her musically, “This Is Me… Then” served as an important stepping stone in the evolution of Lopez’s vocal prowess.
Another way the album left a mark was its enduring legacy and impact many years later. In 2023, Lopez released the album “This Is Me… Now” as a companion piece that revisited the original album’s themes through the lens of her life experiences in the two decades since.
By re-exploring the album’s topics of love, vulnerability, and personal growth with the wisdom of age and experience, “This Is Me… Now” highlighted how profoundly “This Is Me… Then” still resonated with fans and Lopez herself. It demonstrated the staying power of her 2002 project and its ongoing influence on her artistry.
Through its sequel, “This Is Me… Then” was cemented as an iconic moment in Lopez’s discography – one that she continues to draw inspiration from. While not a debut or stylistic overhaul, it established itself as a meaningful reflection of a period that still resonates today.
So in conclusion, while “This Is Me… Then” didn’t necessarily reinvent or launch Lopez’s career, it was still an important artistic marker and personal reflection during a high point in her career trajectory. The album showed Lopez’s willingness to be vulnerable, highlighted growth in her vocal delivery, and its enduring legacy through the “This Is Me… Now” sequel.
Rather than defining a new phase, “This Is Me… Then” served as a successful representation and continuation of Lopez’s already-blossoming career across multiple entertainment spheres. Its impact was as much about personal expression as musical or commercial benchmarks. Ultimately, it demonstrated Lopez’s ability to connect intimately with fans during a peak of her popularity and influence.
While not a traditional turning point, “This Is Me… Then” still holds significance as a reflection of Lopez’s thriving career and influence in the early 2000s. It provided glimpses of her future artistic directions through vulnerability, vocal evolution, and enduring resonance – establishing it as an important milestone even if not a total reinvention. Two decades later, the album remains both a snapshot of its time and a wellspring of inspiration for Lopez’s continued growth.
