Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes Have a Maid in Manhattan Reunion: 'We Must Really Stop Meeting in Hotels Like This'

Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes reunited!

On Saturday, January 4, Maid in Manhattan The costars had a reunion on stage Diversity‘s 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards brunch in Palm Springs, Calif. — where Fiennes, 60, presented Lopez, 55, with tonight’s Legend and Groundbreakers awards.

Fiennes, who played politician Chris Marshall opposite Lopez’s Marisa Ventura Maid in Manhattan more than two decades ago, he first praised the singer and actress for her “incredible skills” while reminiscing about making the film together.

“But of course, being a legend and a pioneer, it’s a matter of spirit. If you have the skills, their currency is diminished, unless there’s a strong spirit behind them. It’s the spirit that drives us and lifts us up,” Fiennes said.

“I’m a senator, if you didn’t know,” he added, referring to his role in the 2002 romantic comedy. “In my short term as a Republican senator, I wasn’t very convincing. I didn’t stand a chance, really. To be honest, her strong energy just leaves men kind of, well, they’re just left behind, and she goes, Jennifer, obviously I’m talking about you , you are amazing. Your wings are unstoppable.”

Jennifer Lopez sparkles in a dreamy lavender look to kick off awards season at the Palm Springs Film Festival

Ralph Fiennes and Jennifer Lopez attend Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards on January 4, 2025 in Palm Springs.

Vivien Killilea/Variety via Getty

Fiennes then mentioned Lopez’s film Unstoppablecalling it “a story of heroism and love and courage”.

In the film, which follows the life of wrestler Anthony Robles, Lopez plays the protagonist’s single mother, Judy Robles.

“The film reflects, I think, your fire, your strength, your great creative spirit and your commitment to connecting, to supporting other great souls, great women and their stories,” Fiennes told Lopez.

Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes.

Vivien Killilea/Variety via Getty

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As for Lopez’s speech, she talked about how her latest honor “means more to me than words can describe” and detailed her attempt to advocate for “stories that matter.” She also showed her love for her former costar for honoring her.

“It was incredibly beautiful,” Lopez said as he walked to the podium. “Ralph, it’s been so long. It’s so good to see you. Thank you so much for doing this. You know how much I admire you and your work. And it was such a privilege to be able to work with you so many years ago. And it’s amazing to be here today, thank you very much.”

“We really need to stop meeting in hotels like this,” she joked afterwards, referring Maid in Manhattanin which Fiennes’ character falls in love with Lopez’s maid from New York posing as a hotel guest.

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Ralph Fiennes and Jennifer Lopez in ‘Maid in Manhattan’ 2002 Barry Wetcher/Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

Last month, Fiennes spoke to PEOPLE about his memories of filming their Cinderella story with Lopez, explaining that he didn’t feel like he fully understood his character in the film because of his familiarity with American politics at the time.

“It was rom-com writing. It was easy,” the British actor recalled of the film. “[But] I think I felt a bit at sea at times. [I wondered] ‘Now, who is that Republican senator?’ My antennae for things American – I think – have gotten better since then. But then I think I was kind and a bit lost at times.”

Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes in ‘Maid in Manhattan’.

Roger Wong/Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

Elsewhere in the interview, Fiennes touched on his late friend and Maid in Manhattan actress Natasha Richardson, who died in 2009 after a skiing accident.

“I was friends with Natasha,” he said. “It was incredibly devastating for all her friends and – of course – her family that she died so tragically and so young. I have many happy memories of hanging out with Natasha and [her husband] Liam [Neeson].”

“She was a wonderful, kind, open, generous housewife, a wonderful actress, and I really valued her friendship,” added the star.

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