## Did JLo Really Bungee Jump in Selena?
The 1997 biographical drama film Selena, starring Jennifer Lopez in the title role, featured a number of thrilling and dangerous stunts, including a bungee jump from a 120-foot bridge. While it’s commonly believed that Lopez performed the stunt herself, the reality is a bit more nuanced.
### The Stunt Double
In fact, it was a professional stunt double, Brooke Stacey, who performed the bungee jump for the film. Stacey had years of experience in performing high-risk stunts, including bungee jumping and skydiving. She was also the stunt double for Michelle Pfeiffer in the film Batman Returns.
### Lopez’s Involvement
While Lopez did not perform the bungee jump herself, she was still involved in the planning and execution of the stunt. She worked closely with Stacey to ensure that the jump was safe and realistic. Lopez also filmed several close-ups of herself pretending to bungee jump, which were used to create the illusion that she was the one performing the stunt.
### The Illusion of Reality
The filmmakers used a variety of techniques to create the illusion that Lopez was actually performing the bungee jump. These included:
* **Close-ups of Lopez’s face:** These shots were filmed after the stunt was completed, and were used to show Lopez’s reactions to the jump.
* **Body doubles:**Lopez’s body double, Stacey, was used for long shots and wide shots of the jump.
* **Digital effects:** Digital effects were used to remove Stacey’s face from the shots and replace it with Lopez’s.
### The Final Product
The final product was a thrilling and realistic bungee jump scene that convinced audiences that Lopez had performed the stunt herself. However, the reality is that the stunt was performed by a professional stunt double, Brooke Stacey.
### Why Didn’t Lopez Perform the Stunt Herself?
There were several reasons why Lopez did not perform the bungee jump herself:
* **Safety:** Bungee jumping is an inherently dangerous activity, and the filmmakers did not want to risk Lopez’s safety.
* **Insurance:** Lopez’s insurance policy would not have covered her if she had been injured while performing the stunt.
* **Time constraints:** Lopez was on a tight shooting schedule, and she did not have time to train for the stunt.
### The Stunt Double’s Perspective
In an interview, Brooke Stacey discussed her experience performing the bungee jump for Selena. She said that she was “terrified” at first, but that she was ultimately glad that she had the opportunity to do it. Stacey said that Lopez was “very supportive” of her, and that she was “proud” of the work that they did together.
### Conclusion
While Jennifer Lopez did not perform the bungee jump in the film Selena, she was still involved in the planning and execution of the stunt. The use of a professional stunt double and digital effects created the illusion that Lopez was actually performing the stunt, resulting in a thrilling and realistic scene.