NEWSMatthew McConaughey Confesses He Mentioned His On-Screen Love Interest to Get Out of 'Major Mess-Up' With Police in Mexico
Matthew McConaughey revealed he got out of 'major mess-up' in Mexico thanks to Jennifer Lopez.
Aug. 14 2026, Published 5:00 a.m. ET
Matthew McConaughey admitted name-dropping Jennifer Lopez helped him out of a sticky situation south of the border.
"Wedding Planner got me out of a major mess-up in Mexico one time," McConaughey, 56, confessed during an appearance on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast on Thursday, August 13.
Matthew McConaughey spoke about his decades-long career on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast.
Matthew McConaughey Name-Dropped Jennifer Lopez During Police Stop
Matthew McConaughey said he immediately took out his wallet when he was pulled over by police in Mexico.
"I pulled in one late night and [was] crossing the border going way down south," he recalled. "And I get pulled over, and it’s one of those pulled-overs, where they noticed me, gringo in the truck, nice truck. This is that dress down, and I’m like, aw, jeez, get the wallet out. Here we go."
McConaughey said that, as the situation was “going down,” he decided to take a chance by asking the officers if they had ever seen the 2001 film The Wedding Planner, in which Lopez, 57, played his love interest.
Matthew McConaughey Was 'Let Go' After Mentioning Jennifer Lopez Association
Matthew McConaughey said police let him go once they realized who he was.
"And then I brought up, 'You guys know Jennifer Lopez?' And I was like, 'Ever see Wedding Planner?' And I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, it was me,'" he said as officers eventually realized who he was. "And they let me go."
The Wedding Planner saw Lopez star as Mary, a wedding planner who falls for McConaughey's character, Steve, after he saves her from a near-fatal accident – only to discover that he's the groom in a high-profile wedding that she's coordinating.
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Jennifer Lopez 'Enjoyed' Working With Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Lopez reunited nearly 20 years after The Wedding Planner's release in 2021.
The former costars reunited for an Instagram Live in 2021, nearly 20 years after the film's theatrical release.
"I so enjoyed working with you," the "I'm Real" artist told McConaughey, per People. "We had such a nice rapport and chemistry. We were somewhat at the beginning of our careers at that time. It was exciting to be working on any movie. I still feel that way. It was a magical time. I'm such a romantic too that working on those types of movies have a real feel for me."
Matthew McConaughey Praised Jennifer Lopez's 'Preparation' for Acting Roles
'The Wedding Planner' made $13.5 million in its opening weekend.
In turn, McConaughey praised Lopez's talent, telling her, "You prepare so well for everything you do. I love your intentionality, I love how deliberate you are. You would have it down, you love the choreography. I love your deliberation, and the preparation you have."
