(Photo Credit: STXfilms)

“Hustlers” has potential for Oscar nomination

Jennifer Lopez is getting praise from some of the toughest critics in the film industry for her role in “Hustlers.” While Oscar nominations are still several months away, rumor has it that Lopez might be in the running for Best Actress. The Oscar buzz is “amazing,” the actress says. In fact, the critical acclaim was so overwhelming, she cried. Lopez discussed the Oscar buzz with talk show host Hoda Kotb on Sirius XM radio.

“I was literally sitting in my bed yesterday and they were sending me all the reviews. I could not believe it,” Lopez said. “I was crying, me and my girlfriend of 20 years were sitting there and she was trying to film me. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’”

The movie “Hustlers” is based on the true story of several New York strippers who faced criminal charges for scamming their customers out of tens of thousands of dollars. The women, many of them struggling single mothers, are forced to survive on meager tips they have to share with strip club managers–until they hatch a plan to con the men who visit the club.

Lopez says she turned to rapper Cardi B, a former exotic dancer, for guidance about playing the role. “Hustlers” got rave reviews at the Toronto Film Festival this month.