6 Career Tips Jennifer Lopez Could Use from Salma Hayek

Get ready for a new era of Jennifer Lopez. The star first clued us into to her career reinvention plan—which involves very little singing—back in December, when she landed a lead role in the romantic comedy, Plan B. And now there's news that her Nuyorican Productions company is reworking Rebelde Way, a hit TV series from Argentina, into a show for Fox. What gives?

A business associate tells MSNBC's "Scoop" that Lopez is ready for a permanent shift in gears. “Jennifer hasn’t been able to be considered a real recording success
since she’s been with Marc. No matter how hard she
tries, she can’t go back and be Jenny From the Block...Having another film success
or being behind a really great show will be better for both their
careers.”

A very astute observation, to be sure...but is it one that Lopez is
ready to accept? She should be, as long as she takes these 6 easy cues
from Salma Hayek, another Latina star who's been there, done that.

Step 1: Admitting your weaknesses takes strength.

We all know Jennifer doesn't have the best vocal chops, but does she know
it? Salma is keenly aware of the fact that she's just not of the same
acting caliber as Penelope Cruz (i.e, there's no topping Frida.) Hence, she found her new niche by producing shows and guest-starring on 30 Rock,
where acting equals wisecracking. Jennifer, if you're willing to let go
of those iffy dance tracks and Marc Anthony duets, we promise to
applaud you for it, too!

Step 2: When all else fails, step behind the cameras.

Producing a hit show isn't easy, but if it works, it's a surefire way to regain credibility in Hollywood. Ugly Betty's
success has landed Salma on many a Hollywood Power list, and the right
TV show could do the same for Jennifer...as long as she remembers that
she's not the star!

Step 3: Don't let men dictate your life.

This is the toughest hurdle facing Jennifer. Whether or not she stays
married to Marc, she's got to prove that she can make career decisions
without a man hovering over her shoulder. Salma takes this notion of
female independence to the extreme by doing practically everything
(including raising her child) on her own. If just a pinch of that
attitude could rub off on Jennifer, it would do wonders.

Step 4: Save the world, or at least try.

Can you think of a single charity that Jennifer has supported? Sure,
she's given back here and there, but she's never aligned herself
closely with a big cause, like Alicia Keys with Keep a Child Alive or
Salma for One Pack=One Vaccine, or Angelina Jolie with Everything That
Matters. Jennifer, if you want us to keep caring about you like we used
to, then you've got to care back.

Step 5: Be a mentor.

Without Salma, there would be no America Ferrera. Jennifer Lopez needs to find herself an America Ferrera. Punto.

Step 6: Age gracefully.

Like Madonna with her android muscles, Lopez spends most of
her time trying to prove that she is superhuman and is displaying signs
of a midlife (or at least, marriage) crisis. As time goes on, this will
become decreasingly admirable and increasingly creepy. Meanwhile, Salma
continues to be a class act—even when her cleavage spills forth, it
seems like pure accident! We don't know exactly how she does it, but
we're pretty sure that Jennifer could just call her up and ask.

And there you have it. Do you think a little dose of Salma is all it'll
take for Jennifer to pull off her career reinvention, or do you have
more advice of your own?