Phoebe Waller-Bridge revealed that Jennifer Lopez was a major inspiration for her hit show Fleabag, as she accepted her latest trophy for the popular BBC sitcom.
The writer, creator and star of the series won Best Actress in a Comedy Series at the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday 12 January.
Accepting the award, Waller-Bridge let the audience in on one of the secrets behind her much-loved character, the “hot priest” (played by Andrew Scott).
“This is a bit of a random shout out, but you have no idea how much you can accidentally inspire people just by doing your work, and somebody inspired this show in a way that she will never know, and that is JLo,” she said.
1/13 Zendaya
The Euphoria actor opted for a futuristic look at the Critics Choice Awards, wearing a striking hot pink breastplate by Tom Ford and matching high-waisted skirt
REUTERS
2/13 Jennifer Lopez
The Best Supporting Actress nominee oozed elegance in an embellished, cream, cut-out gown by George Shobeika, accessorising with drop earrings
REUTERS
3/13 Saoirse Ronan
The Little Women star wore a frilled, floral Erdem creation straight from the Spring 2020 catwalk, wearing her hair in a glamorous side-swept style
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
4/13 Lupita Nyong’o
The Oscar winner stunned in a brown Michael Kors design, featuring a high-waisted, flowing skirt, a gold belt and a halter-neck top
REUTERS
5/13 Charlize Theron
The actor, who portrays news anchor Megyn Kelly in Bombshell, stood out at the awards ceremony in a dazzling, pinstriped gown by Celine and a sharp black jacket
EPA
6/13 Nicole Kidman
The Big Little Lies star and co-producer looked every inch Hollywood royalty in a strapless ballgown by Armani
REUTERS
7/13 Anne Hathaway
Hathaway emulated the gold Oscars statue at the Critics Choice Awards, wearing a standout sequinned creation by Versace
Getty Images
8/13 Cynthia Erivo
The Harriet actor made a lasting impression at the star-studded occasion, wearing a regal, geometric design by Fendi
Getty Images
9/13 Renee Zellweger
The actor, who won the Best Actress Critics Choice Award for her performance in Judy, opted for simplicity at the awards show, wearing a black Dior design
AFP via Getty Images
10/13 Phoebe Waller-Bridge
The Best Actress in a Comedy Series winner was a vision of glamour at the Critics Choice Awards, wearing a sheer, black Dior dress and opting for minimal accessories
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
11/13 Florence Pugh
The Little Women star unleashed her inner ice queen at her debut Critics Choice Awards, wearing a custom, silver design by Prada
REUTERS
12/13 Awkwafina
The actor, who was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in The Farewell, shone brightly at the awards ceremony in a marigold Elie Saab gown
AFP via Getty Images
13/13 Kate Beckinsale
The actor, who revealed on Instagram that she ‘skidded on a vegan burrito’ after presenting an award, embodied old-school Hollywood glamour in a silver Julien Macdonald creation
Getty Images
1/13 Zendaya
The Euphoria actor opted for a futuristic look at the Critics Choice Awards, wearing a striking hot pink breastplate by Tom Ford and matching high-waisted skirt
REUTERS
2/13 Jennifer Lopez
The Best Supporting Actress nominee oozed elegance in an embellished, cream, cut-out gown by George Shobeika, accessorising with drop earrings
REUTERS
3/13 Saoirse Ronan
The Little Women star wore a frilled, floral Erdem creation straight from the Spring 2020 catwalk, wearing her hair in a glamorous side-swept style
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
4/13 Lupita Nyong’o
The Oscar winner stunned in a brown Michael Kors design, featuring a high-waisted, flowing skirt, a gold belt and a halter-neck top
REUTERS
5/13 Charlize Theron
The actor, who portrays news anchor Megyn Kelly in Bombshell, stood out at the awards ceremony in a dazzling, pinstriped gown by Celine and a sharp black jacket
EPA
6/13 Nicole Kidman
The Big Little Lies star and co-producer looked every inch Hollywood royalty in a strapless ballgown by Armani
REUTERS
7/13 Anne Hathaway
Hathaway emulated the gold Oscars statue at the Critics Choice Awards, wearing a standout sequinned creation by Versace
Getty Images
8/13 Cynthia Erivo
The Harriet actor made a lasting impression at the star-studded occasion, wearing a regal, geometric design by Fendi
Getty Images
9/13 Renee Zellweger
The actor, who won the Best Actress Critics Choice Award for her performance in Judy, opted for simplicity at the awards show, wearing a black Dior design
AFP via Getty Images
10/13 Phoebe Waller-Bridge
The Best Actress in a Comedy Series winner was a vision of glamour at the Critics Choice Awards, wearing a sheer, black Dior dress and opting for minimal accessories
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
11/13 Florence Pugh
The Little Women star unleashed her inner ice queen at her debut Critics Choice Awards, wearing a custom, silver design by Prada
REUTERS
12/13 Awkwafina
The actor, who was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in The Farewell, shone brightly at the awards ceremony in a marigold Elie Saab gown
AFP via Getty Images
13/13 Kate Beckinsale
The actor, who revealed on Instagram that she ‘skidded on a vegan burrito’ after presenting an award, embodied old-school Hollywood glamour in a silver Julien Macdonald creation
Getty Images
“I decided The Priest’s favourite song was ‘Jenny From The Block’ and it opened the entire character up for me,” she continued. “That’s really genuine, so thank you JLo.”
After the ceremony, Lopez wrote on Twitter: “I’m a huge fan of yours too, #PhoebeWallerBridge! Congrats on the wins for @fleabag! #CriticsChoiceAwards.”
See the full list of Critics Choice winners here.
