Jennifer Lopez is focused on rebuilding her life independently one year after her high-profile Ben Affleck Jennifer Lopez divorce. The actress and singer, who finalized her split from Affleck in August 2024, is currently channeling her energy into her thriving career and her children, maintaining a strong sense of self despite public speculation about a reunion.
Support at Premiere Sparks Talk of Reconciliation
On October 6, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were seen together at the New York City premiere of her new film, Kiss of the Spider Woman, igniting rumors of Bennifer 3.0 among fans. The ex-couple appeared relaxed, sharing warm embraces and brief moments of connection on the red carpet. Social media quickly buzzed with memes and hashtags like #BenniferForever, fueling widespread speculation about a possible romantic reconciliation.
However, sources clarified that Affleck’s presence was strictly professional, as he served as an executive producer on the project. Lopez, 56, who ended her marriage with Affleck, 53, after two years, reportedly has no intention of rekindling their relationship.
“There is nothing going on between them,”
one insider disclosed to Us Weekly. Instead, Lopez is focusing on her personal growth, career success, and family, particularly her twins Max and Emme, 17, whom she shares with ex-husband Marc Anthony.
A second source highlighted Lopez’s renewed sense of confidence and tranquility:
“Jen feels more comfortable in her skin than ever. There’s a sense of independence and peace about her. She’s in a really good headspace right now.”
Healing from Divorce and Embracing Growth
The journey to healing after the split has been gradual. Lopez herself opened up in a September CBS News Sunday Morning interview, describing the divorce as a “tough time” but ultimately
“the best thing that ever happened”
to her.
“It helped me grow in a way I needed to grow, [to] become more self-aware,”
Lopez said.
“I’m a different person than I was last year.”
Another source echoed this sentiment, saying Lopez is
“grateful for the lessons she’s learned”
from the marriage and “she has no regrets.” This emotional growth appears to be a key reason why she is moving forward with clarity and strength.
Immersed in Work and Creative Success
Lopez found solace and purpose in her work on Kiss of the Spider Woman. The film wrapped filming two months before she filed for divorce, providing a critical outlet during turbulent personal times.
“Every moment I was doing this role, I was so happy,”
Lopez shared.
“Then back home, it was not great. It was like, ‘Oh, how do I reconcile this?’”
She put her raw emotions into portraying Ingrid, a character who felt “cursed in love,” as Lopez told USA Today. She noted,
“I was very lucky, because it does come out in the performance.”
Earlier in 2024, Lopez faced professional setbacks with the disappointing sales of her album This Is Me… Now and the cancellation of her accompanying tour in May. Yet, Kiss of the Spider Woman marked a significant turnaround. A source revealed,
“She’s coming off a high with the movie opening. It’s fueling her confidence; she feels on top of the world.”
Looking Ahead: New Projects and Future Plans
With her focus on work sharper than ever, Lopez recently completed her overseas month-long tour, Up All Night, in August. Her upcoming projects include starring with Brett Goldstein in the Netflix romantic comedy Office Romance and launching a residency in Las Vegas, beginning this December. In addition, she is reportedly finalizing new music. According to a source,
“She feels like she has a lot more to give. It’s just the beginning.”
Maintaining a Civil Relationship with Ben Affleck
Despite ending their marriage, Lopez and Affleck continue to share a respectful connection.
“There’s still a lot of love between them, but they both understand they shouldn’t be married,”
another source described. Affleck himself downplayed drama around their divorce in an April statement, calling it
“just a story about people trying to figure out their lives and relationships in ways that we all sort of normally do.”
At the Kiss of the Spider Woman premiere, Affleck praised Lopez’s work, telling Extra,
“She really does it all in this movie.”
Lopez acknowledged Affleck’s support in her CBS Sunday Morning interview:
“I told him, ‘This is a role that I was born to play,’ and I wanted to do it, and he said, ‘OK,’ and he helped make it happen.”
Nevertheless, a fourth source emphasized that their red-carpet appearance was professional, not personal, noting Lopez
“doesn’t really keep in touch with Ben”
and is more focused on
“the kids; that was very genuine.”
In an October 15 interview with Howard Stern, Lopez joked about severing ties, saying,
“Once I’m done, you’re dead to me. Like, not dead to me, but definitely like, it’s over. I’m gonna move on.”
Family Remains Central Amidst Change
Lopez maintains close relationships with her twins Max and Emme, and Affleck’s children with Jennifer Garner—Violet, 19; Seraphina, 16; and Samuel, 13—remain connected. In September, Lopez was seen shopping and having lunch with Samuel in Los Angeles.
“They all try to maintain some type of normalcy after divorce,”
a source shared.
“The transition was tough for everyone, but they’ve made an effort to stay connected and still spend time together.”
Her children continue to be Lopez’s priority.
“No matter how busy she gets, her kids come first,”
said a source.
“She plans everything around being present for them.”
She also reflected on her increased dedication to motherhood during the pandemic:
“When the pandemic happened, I got to stay home, [and] I realized I need to be more home with them all the time. I realized how much they needed me there. It wasn’t just about me giving them a great life.”
Prioritizing Self-Awareness Over New Romance
Though known for her high-profile relationships, Lopez’s current focus is not on dating; this is her longest time without a partner since becoming famous. Speaking with Gayle King in early October, Lopez said,
“The more self-aware I become with the lessons that I learn and the hardships that I go through, the more I feel whole and complete on my own.”
While she remains “100 percent a hopeful romantic,” her present state is rooted in independence.
During Howard Stern’s interview, Lopez addressed whether she’s ever been truly loved, responding, “No,” and elaborating,
“It’s not that I’m not lovable. It’s that they’re not capable [of love.] They don’t have it in them… [but] they gave me what they had.”
Reflecting on her growth since ending things with Affleck, she admitted, “and I didn’t love myself.” A source noted Lopez is focusing on self-care and embracing her strength:
“She’s learning that she’s stronger alone. She’s enjoying the freedom and feels liberated [to make] decisions without compromise.”
Renewed Focus on Career and Personal Fulfillment
Lopez is fully committed to her career and creative passions as she moves forward.
“After everything that went on in her personal life, she’s focused on doing what she loves most, which is performing and creating,”
a source said. When asked about potential Oscar recognition for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Lopez admitted,
“It would be great to score an Oscar nod,”
noting her previous 2019 snub for Hustlers.
“You want to win, of course, everybody wants to win,”
she said.
“But at the end of the day, it’s like, you realize [it] doesn’t really matter… You are still in the conversation of the best people in the world doing what they do and that’s amazing.”
Looking ahead, Lopez remains single by choice and focused on personal growth.
“She doesn’t have anybody to think about romantically, which is working for her and keeping her focused,”
one source remarked.
“Being single is really working for her in that respect.”
