TORONTO – Jennifer Lopez has portrayed various real-life characters before, including the beloved singer “Selena” and Puchi from “El Cantante.” However, Judy Robles is the only real person Lopez has connected with via Zoom.

“It felt like we were almost the same person in a strange way, despite our vastly different lives. At our core, we were both mothers who faced similar struggles,” Lopez remarked about Judy, the mother of champion wrestler Anthony Robles, who is the focus of Lopez’s latest film, “Unstoppable.” She added, “This story, told from a Latino perspective, is truly inspiring and resonated with me.”

Lopez had a memorable evening as “Unstoppable” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. This marked her first public appearance since announcing her divorce from Ben Affleck last month. She looked stunning on the red carpet in a silver Tamara Ralph gown adorned with black velvet bows and eagerly took selfies with fans. (Affleck, who is a producer on the film, did not attend but Lopez took photos with his close friend Matt Damon.)

During the event, Lopez shared the excitement with the family that inspired “Unstoppable.” As the credits rolled, she hugged Anthony Robles in their seats, and then had a heartfelt moment with Judy Robles backstage, just before a Q&A session after the screening.

“She hugged me, asking, ‘Is this real?’ and I responded, ‘It’s real. We’re here. You achieved this,’” Lopez recounted.

Describing “Unstoppable,” Lopez said it’s “one of the most beautiful and uplifting stories I have ever encountered on screen.” The sports drama features Jharrel Jerome as Anthony, who overcomes the challenges of being born with one leg to become a national champion. Meanwhile, Lopez’s character, Judy, deals with severe financial issues and domestic abuse from her husband, a prison guard played by Bobby Cannavale.

On stage, Judy Robles told Lopez, “You portrayed me with sass, but also with all the sadness and pain.”

Anthony Robles, who was actively involved on set and helped train Jerome, expressed his biggest concern about the film: “I feared how my story would be portrayed to the world. However, I couldn’t be happier tonight.”

Judy Robles added that they had “many discussions” about the film and the importance of being open and vulnerable with the cast and crew. “It’s been a complicated journey. I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve owned up to them. But I am proud to have raised a son who inspires so many people and who has faced life’s challenges head-on.”