“So what’s your take?”
That’s Kareem Rahma’s signature question on his buzzy video series SubwayTakes, and he lobbed the question in Jennifer Lopez’s direction on a brand new episode. The veteran superstar, who is in the middle of promoting her new Netflix romantic comedy Office Romance opposite Brett Goldstein, shot back a take that went viral in short order.
“You have to be born in New York to be a New Yorker,” said the “Jenny From the Block” singer who hit the block after being born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents. “Everybody wants to claim our city, but you have to be born in New York. You have to be born in one of the five boroughs to be a New Yorker.”
Rahma then explained that when he moved to New York in 2012, he was told by locals that “in 10 years, you can call yourself a New Yorker,” but Lopez assured him that as a real local “I did not sign the petition.” Rahma continued to make a case for claiming the title — “I pay New York taxes,” he said — but Lopez did not change her tune.
“When you’re born in New York is when you’re really a New Yorker,” she said. “What did I just say? Do I need to say it? See, this is very New York right here. I said what I said. I meant it. I’m glad this was my first take. Jenny been the block forever, baby.”
The take has landed with mixed reception online with some social media users agreeing with Lopez while others have criticized her opinion by pointing out that New York is a city that has for generations welcomed immigrants. Even current New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was born outside the country. “This is one of the dumbest takes ever for a city of immigrants. And one of the most welcoming cities in the world,” posted one user on X.
It’s not the first time Lopez has gone viral for a New York take. Two years ago, a Vogue clip blew up that featured Lopez recalling her “go-to bodega order.” Said Lopez: “My go-to order at the bodega was ham and cheese on a roll with an orange drink. If you know, you know.”
As for her appearance on Rahma’s SubwayTakes, Lopez relayed another take: “Self love should be a subject in school from kindergarten all the way through college.”
