Jennifer Lopez’s believes the difficulties in her personal life have made her a better actress.

The ‘On The Floor’ hitmaker returns to screens as Leslie Rodgers in upcoming crime thriller film ‘Parker’ and following a tough couple years, which have seen her splitting from husband Marc Anthony in April 2012 after seven years of marriage, and Jennifer has been able to use her “pain” to play her character.

She told New York Post newspaper: “I think I am now ready to really work as an actress. Maybe because I’m different now. I’ve suffered some experiences lately.

“These last years I’ve had to face life. The truth is, that must be it. To be a great actress you must live through difficult times in order to feel it and remember that pain.”

‘Parker’ director Taylor Hackford – whose wife is actress Dame Helen Mirren – has also praised the 43-year-old star’s acting skills in the flick, admitting he was “knocked out” by her talent.

He said: “Jennifer’s wonderful in this. I’ve known her. After I did a couple of drafts, I called her. The action’s set in Palm Beach, and, since Florida’s really Latin America, who’s better than Jennifer?

“Her work knocked me out. There’s moments in other projects that I knew were not great. Give an actor notes, best he’ll give you is 25 per cent. Give Lopez notes, and she gives you 100 percent. Helen loved her in it.”

Jennifer – who has four-year-old twins Max and Emme with Marc – recently admitted she isn’t someone to “give up” on love and is very happy with her current squeeze, 25-year-old back-up dancer Casper Smart.

The 43-year-old star said: “I am just one of those people who doesn’t give up and I know if you just hang on you will live and you will love again.

The two began dating a year and a half ago. While the Disney star has maintained his clean image of good girl, the teen heartthrob has had to deal with several controversies, from fans who claimed to be pregnant after a report in the dressing room last altercation with a photographer who could even take him to court.