Jennifer Lopez graces the May cover of REDBOOK, and reveals the secrets to balancing a multifaceted career, marriage, motherhood, and fame.

With this month’s release of The Back-up Plan, a guest-starring role on Glee, followed by the summer release of her new CD, Love?, the superstar is still in hot pursuit of all of her passions.

On marriage and finding “the one�: “I think you can love many different people, but that’s different from what makes a great partner in life, which Marc is for me… He inspires me to be better at everything—a better person, mom, singer, performer, friend, and wife. A marriage is long, and you’ve got to like the person as much as you love or lust after them. You’ve got to be friends first.�

On how motherhood has changed her: “I can’t help but be a different person now that I’ve had kids. That really does change your whole perspective on life for the better. I definitely feel like I’ve grown up. So, I guess in a way parts of me are going to be different, but in general I’m still the same girl from the Bronx who had big dreams.�

On fame and accomplishments: “I always wanted to be great at what I did—that’s what drove me. If I got rejected, I wouldn’t take it personally. I was like, Make them a fan and they’ll bring you back in for something else. I never thought about money or fame, and I never really thought that would happen to me. All that was just a by-product.�

To see more of the interview, click here.