JLo - 'The Queen of Mistakes'

Let's talk love. You've had a couple of high-profile relationships that have ended in disaster. What makes you so sure about this one?

Jennifer Lopez: 'Marc's known me for years. We've always kept in touch. He's seen me through every stage, in good times and bad, and he was always just there. He was my friend first and he knew me as his friend. He knew my family. It was a relationship that developed slowly but on very solid foundations.'

So that's the key - slow but steady?

Jennifer Lopez: 'What I know is that after I married Marc, I wanted to take stock of my life and make my marriage work. 'JLo the diva' made a conscious effort to become 'Jennifer the wife'. And I had to give this love a chance to really grow, without being swamped by the whole celebrity circus.'

What have you learnt about love over the years?

Jennifer Lopez: 'When you're very young, you think it's all about the big dramatic stuff - the diamonds, the excitement, that sort of thing. As you get older, you realise what keeps a relationship together are the more humdrum things.'

We can't imagine you doing 'humdrum'!

Jennifer Lopez: 'Honestly, I've spent years at the most glamorous parties but at home I don't dress up. It feels amazing to have these nights at home with my husband. I wanted to stay in and cook for him. I wanted to be there when he came home. I put aside all thoughts of 'I must do this' and 'I must do that' and focused on what was real in my life.'

We hear you're a pretty good cook now...

Jennifer Lopez: 'Yes, I do lots of Italian and Puerto Rican dishes. For me, a romantic night in is cooking a meal for Marc, lighting a big log fire, and then cuddling up together and watching television - we're both totally hooked on Grey's Anatomy.'

How do you think motherhood will change your outlook on life?

Jennifer Lopez: 'I don't know about motherhood, but certainly being this happy has changed me. I feel so much more creative about music - now if people criticise my music it doesn't bother me because it's not the only thing in my life. I wake up and I don't groan, thinking of all the things I need to do. I'm just happy.'

Wow! You really are a walking advert for pregnancy. What's next?

Jennifer Lopez: 'I've finished my [En Concierto] tour with Marc and we plan to go away and have time alone as a family. I don't want to sound corny, but I honestly never knew I could be so happy.'

Reproduced from February 08 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. This month's issue on sale now.