Jennifer Lopez Shares “Best Thing” to Happen Amid Ben Affleck Divorce
Jennifer Lopez still has goodwill toward Ben Affleck.
The singer—whose divorce from the Argo actor was finalized in January—shared one of the major silver linings that took place during their breakup: how he helped her make the movie adaptation of the Kiss of the Spider Woman musical.
And playing the titular role was “100%” a refuge for J.Lo when their romance was on the rocks.
“It was hard not to think about stuff, but it was like the best and the worst of times in a way,” she told CBS Sunday Morning in an interview that aired Sept. 28, “because it was every moment on set and every moment I was doing this role, I was so happy. And then back home, it was not great.”
Jennifer, 56, continued, “It was just like, how do I reconcile this? But you get through it. Honestly, I have to say it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
The reason the experience was so life-changing? “It helped me grow in a way that I needed to grow, become more self-aware,” she explained. “I’m a different person now than I was last year.”
In fact, Jennifer—who shares twins Max and Emme, 17, with. ex Marc Anthony—said that this summer was “the best” she’s ever had.
“I had so much fun,” she added. “I’m so grateful for them that I’m able to enjoy them more, and I don’t have as much pressure.”
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And despite her split with Ben, J.Lo will be the first to admit how supportive he was during that period as her fellow executive producer on Kiss of the Spider Woman.
“The movie wouldn’t have been made if it wasn’t for him and Artist Equity,” she said. “I will always give him that credit, because they financed it.”
She recalled, “I told him this was the role I was born to play and I wanted to do it, and he was like, ‘OK,’ and he helped make it happen.”
For a deeper dive into their history, read on.
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December 2001: Filming Gigli
The two prepare to film a scene for the movie in West Hollywood. The couple met on the set of the film.
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October 2002: Spotted in Beverly Hills
The two are spotted in the city.
Ben-Ari Finegold/Getty Images
November 2002: Filming Gigli and Engagement
The two film the movie on Will Rogers State Beach in Los Angeles. That month, the actor proposes to the actress with a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring.
James Devaney/WireImage
November 2002: Filming Jersey Girl
The two film the movie in New York City.
James Devaney/WireImage
November 2002: Leaving MTV’s TRL
Is there anything more ’00s than both Bennifer 1.0 and TRL?
Tom Kingston/WireImage
December 2002: Red Carpet Debut
The two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her film Maid in Manhattan.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
January 2003: Sundance
The two bundle up at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
Chris Weeks/WireImage
February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben as the superhero.
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February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben and future ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
March 2003: Oscars
The two attend the Academy Awards together.
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May 2003: Basketball Game
The two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
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July 2003: Canada Trip
The two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
July 2003: Gigli Premiere
The two appear at the premiere for their movie in Westwood, Calif.
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August 2003: Gigli Is Released
…it flops at the box office.
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September 2003: Wedding Is Off
The two postpone their wedding. No future date is given.
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October 2003: Baseball Date
The two are seen at a Boston Red Sox game. The team is Ben’s favorite.
Steve Granitz/WireImage
January 2004: It’s Over
The two end their engagement.
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September 2021: Red Carpet Royalty
They’re baaaack. On Sept. 10, the couple makes their first red carpet appearance in 18 years at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Last Duel.
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images
September 2021: Look of Love
There’s no denying J.Lo makes for a stunning plus-one!
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September 2021: Back to the Stage
Ben supports J.Lo at the 2021 Global Citizen Live event in New York City, where she performed onstage. It marked her first music gig since she performed at VAX LIVE in May, where the actor also appeared onstage separately, fueling rumors of a rekindled romance.
Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
September 2021: Met Gala Debut
The two attend the Met Gala together for the first time.
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
October 2021: PDA at Premiere
Jen and Ben put on a sizzling display on the red carpet at the premiere of his film The Last Duel in New York City.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
April 2022: Engaged Again!
Jennifer confirmed her engagement to the Gone Girl actor with a video posted to her On The JLo site, revealing a glimpse of her beautiful engagement ring with a green stone.
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July 2022: Married!
On July 16, Jennifer and Ben tied the knot in a surprise ceremony at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.
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July 2022: Post-Wedding Trip to Paris
The two vacation with her twins and two of his kids in the French capital soon after their wedding.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
June 2023: Red Carpet Fabulous
J.Lo steps out with Ben in support of his movie The Flash.
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
February 2024: This Is Them…Now
Jennifer release This Is Me… Now, an album about her relationship with Ben. The record is accompanied by a musical film titled This Is Me… Now: A Love Story and the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
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March 2024: Jenny on the Block
The couple enjoys a day out in NYC on March 30, 2024.
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August 2024: Divorce
J.Lo filed for divorce Aug. 20, listing the date of separation as Apil 26, according to the filing obtained by TMZ.
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