Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck proceed to be the discuss of the city as rumors swirl concerning the state of their relationship.
Because the couple — who tied the knot in July 2022 after their notorious early aughts break up — strategy their two-year wedding ceremony anniversary, ET has realized that the A-Listers are working by some main points and desperately trying to climate the “highs and lows” of marriage.
A supply lately shared that as Lopez, 54, works to advertise her new Netflix movie, Atlas, and put together for her upcoming tour, Affleck, 51, is struggling together with his spouse reportedly not feeling “happy” with their life collectively and “the best love story by no means instructed” as Lopez has known as it.
“Ben appears like Jen has a tough time feeling happy and that’s one of many points they’re dealing with. Ben is without doubt one of the solely individuals who feels comfy sufficient to be trustworthy and actual with Jen. It’s a part of why Jen loves him, but additionally why she’s upset with him,” the supply shared.
Because the couple continues to endure the drama of their love story making the headlines, ET is trying again on the pair’s decades-long relationship, what led to their first break up and the place they stand at this time.
After they first bought collectively
In a 2003 Dateline particular, Lopez shared that the long run couple initially met “at a few events,” although they didn’t concentrate to one another a lot. However ultimately, they bought to know one another on the set of their movie Gigli in 2002.
“It felt like we had good chemistry. He may improv. I may improv again,” Lopez stated on Dateline. “Once we did begin engaged on the film collectively, we did turn out to be buddies.”
On the time, Lopez was married to her second husband, Cris Judd, however they break up in mid-2002.
Lopez claimed that originally there was “no concept that we’d be collectively sooner or later,” when it got here to her friendship with Affleck.
Affleck agreed on the time, saying, he and Lopez admitted issues to one another they wouldn’t have had they meant to this point.
“Since you’re not making an attempt to impress somebody since you don’t assume they’ll be courting them, so that you’re like, ‘No matter, it doesn’t matter!’” he stated, noting that he gave Lopez particulars about his previous romances.
Three months after filming wrapped, Lopez and Judd break up and simply three months after that, Lopez and Affleck had been engaged. Their romance was broadly publicized with the pair incomes the nickname “Bennifer.” Lopez’s divorce from Judd was finalized in 2003.
This Is Me… Then
Lopez launched her hit third studio album, This Is Me… Then in November 2002, which was full of hits like “Jenny From the Block” and “I’m Glad.” It additionally included the music, “Expensive Ben,” which was a love letter to her man. Affleck additionally starred within the iconic music video for “Jenny From the Block.”
Engagement bliss
Affleck popped the query to his woman love in November 2002 with a customized Harry Winston pink diamond ring. He described the proposal as “conventional,” although he opted to maintain the small print of the proposal quiet on the time.
Wedding ceremony postponed
Three days earlier than their September 2003 wedding ceremony, the celebrities known as issues off.
On the time, they launched a joint assertion, saying, “As a result of extreme media consideration surrounding our wedding ceremony, now we have determined to postpone the date. Once we discovered ourselves significantly considering hiring three separate ‘decoy brides’ at three completely different places, we realized that one thing was awry.”
The pair went on to say that the day had been “spoiled” for them.
A long time later of their The Best Love Story By no means Informed documentary, they bought candid about what led to them calling it quits on the time.
“When Jen and I broke up earlier than, the catalyst for that was the scrutiny round our non-public life,” Affleck admitted.
“We had a giant wedding ceremony plan, three days earlier than, we simply crumbled underneath the stress,” Lopez shared.
First break up
In January 2004, simply months after their postponed wedding ceremony, the couple formally ended issues.
“Our relationship crumbled underneath the burden of the stress,” Lopez instructed Selection of the break up a long time later. “We misplaced a way of ourselves, and we would have liked to separate as a result of we didn’t know how you can survive it. I needed to determine myself out, and he needed to determine himself out.”
‘Jersey Woman’
In March 2004, months after their real-life breakup, the previous couple’s second movie, Jersey Woman, was launched. Lopez didn’t attend the movie’s premiere, although Affleck did, posing with co-star, Liv Tyler.
Different marriages
Lopez tied the knot with singer Marc Anthony in 2004. The pair stayed collectively till 2014 and welcomed twins Max and Emme collectively in February 2008. Affleck married actress Jennifer Garner from 2005 to 2018. The exes are dad and mom to youngsters Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel. Lopez was additionally engaged to former baseball star Alex Rodriguez from 2019 till 2021.
Rekindling the romance
Simply weeks after Lopez and Rodriguez formally known as it quits, Lopez and Affleck had been noticed on a visit to Montana collectively on Mom’s Day weekend in Might 2021 after he was beforehand noticed visiting her Los Angeles house on a number of events.
Based on ET’s supply on the time, Affleck was the one who started pursuing Lopez once more after they remained on pleasant phrases following their 2004 break up.
“Ben has all the time had an affinity for Jennifer and was the one who initially began pursuing her and making an effort to reconnect, romantically talking,” the supply stated. “He needed to discover issues along with her past a friendship and so they’ve each actually been having fun with spending time collectively.”
A supply additionally instructed ET that issues between the 2 took a romantic flip in February.
“Jen and Ben have remained in touch since their breakup and would see one another infrequently, however as buddies,” the supply stated. “In February issues took extra of a flirty flip. Ben began to pursue Jen and made it clear he needed greater than a friendship. The 2 have all the time shared a robust bond and are spending time collectively to see if there’s a spark or it’s simply two buddies discovering consolation in each other.”
Instagram official!
Lopez rang in her 52nd birthday with a publish that includes Affleck, marking the primary time the couple had appeared collectively on her Instagram.
Pink carpet debut
After making followers go wild with their rekindled romance, the couple made their crimson carpet debut for the primary time in 18 years on the Venice Movie Pageant for the premiere of Affleck’s movie, The Final Duel, in September 2021, packing on loads of PDA within the course of.
Masked date
Although they didn’t stroll the crimson carpet collectively on the 2021 Met Gala, Lopez and Affleck had been photographed kissing on the occasion, albeit whereas carrying masks.
Not loving the eye
Affleck admitted to ET in October 2021 that media consideration surrounding his non-public life was “not my favourite half,” saying that he nonetheless takes his “duty” to selling his movies “significantly.”
By no means breaking apart
In a February 2022 interview with Rolling Stone, Lopez shared that she doesn’t see herself and Affleck ever breaking apart.
“I don’t assume we’d have gotten again collectively if we thought that was the place it was headed,” she stated. “We really feel like what we discovered once more is a lot extra necessary, and the way we defend that and the way we reside our lives — what to share, what to not share — is the stability that now we have now, the good thing about expertise and the knowledge that we gained through the years.”
Supporting his woman love
The couple made it a date night time on the February 2022 premiere of Lopez’s rom-com Marry Me.
“It’s an ideal date night time. We’re tremendous completely happy,” Lopez gushed to ET. “What can I inform you? We’re simply having a great time.”
Engaged once more!
In April 2022, Lopez introduced that Affleck had popped the query a second time, this time with an exquisite inexperienced ring.
On the time a supply instructed ET that the couple is “over the moon about their engagement.”
“They really feel like they’re dwelling their dream life,” the supply stated. “Ben all the time knew he needed to marry Jen and they’re so excited and completely happy.”
Loving life
In June 2022, Lopez instructed ET that she was in a “stunning” stage of life with Affleck.
“I do assume it’s simply halftime,” Lopez quipped on the premiere of her documentary, titled Halftime. “It’s an exquisite second.”
Vegas wedding ceremony
With wedding ceremony planning in full swing for the couple’s large day, J.Lo discovered herself experiencing some PTSD from their first engagement. She instructed Jimmy Kimmel in January 2023 that as Lopez grew to become extra careworn concerning the large wedding ceremony, Affleck determined they need to elope in Vegas first in July 2022.
“He was like, ‘Go to rehearsal. While you get again right here, I’m going to have all the things all arrange. Three of our youngsters had been at camp, two of them had been with us and he was like, ‘They’re going to be our witnesses. Let’s go. We’re doing it tonight.’ And we did,” she instructed Kimmel.
Lopez went on to vary her final title to Affleck after the ceremony.
The large wedding ceremony weekend
After they bought the precise marriage half taken care of, the 2 had their large wedding ceremony second at Affleck’s Riceboro, Georgia, property.
“Some previous wounds had been healed that day and the burden of the previous lastly lifted off our shoulders,” Lopez later wrote of the special occasion. “Full-circle — and in no way the way in which we deliberate it. Higher.”
Matching tattoos
On Valentine’s Day 2023, the couple debuted their matching infinity image ink, full with one another’s initials, names, and arrows.
A supply instructed ET on the time that the actor and singer-actress needed to indicate their dedication to one another “in a cool, enjoyable and distinctive means.” And, with that in thoughts, the supply stated Lopez “listened to Ben’s enter on what they in the end determined to go together with as a result of he already has so many tattoos.”
The supply added that Lopez trusted Affleck and she or he “knew he would have a good suggestion of what would look good on each of them.”
Dwelling candy house
ET confirmed that couple closed on a $60 million house collectively within the Wallingford Estates space of Beverly Hills in Might after two years of home searching in Might 2023.
One yr down
For his or her one-year anniversary the couple had been noticed out for a romantic dinner at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, California.
Meshing households
As Lopez rang in her 54th birthday with Affleck in July 2023, ET realized that the couple was targeted on combining their blended household after closing on their home.
“They’re engaged on meshing their households in a wholesome and delicate means, whereas additionally ensuring everybody has a enjoyable summer time,” a supply stated on the time.
Co-writers
The couple collaborated to jot down the This Is Me… Now movie, and Lopez couldn’t get sufficient of it. In December 2023, she opened as much as ET concerning the course of, saying, “We collaborate very properly collectively.”
“No person is aware of my story greater than he does,” she added. “So we had been capable of sort of sit down and actually dig into it, in a means that I don’t assume every other author may’ve carried out with me.”
Ben’s viral faces
With Affleck’s facial expressions changing into prompt memes and paparazzi capturing pictures of the actor trying lower than enthusiastic, Lopez got here to his rescue in January 2024 on the Golden Globes, when ET requested concerning the moments.
“Ben is doing alright. You don’t want to fret about Ben, let me simply inform you,” Lopez instructed ET of Affleck. “He’s good. He’s completely happy. He’s right here — he’s nominated. I’m chilling, I don’t perceive what individuals are so pressed for.”
This Is Me… Now
Lopez launched her ninth studio album in February 2024, a comply with as much as 2002’s This Is Me… Then. She made it clear that her rekindled romance with Affleck impressed her tracks.
“When Ben and I bought again collectively, it was identical to, ‘I need to make music once more, I need to get again within the studio,’” she instructed ET on the time. “I used to be very, very impressed.”
‘This Is Me… Now: A Love Story’
As a visible counterpart to her new music, Lopez launched a musical cinematic expertise titled, This Is Me… Now: A Love Story, which was full of superstar cameos together with Jane Fonda, Keke Palmer, Submit Malone, and extra, together with Affleck himself.
“It looks as if a fairytale, but it surely actually wasn’t. And so I actually needed to inform that a part of the story — the true story, in a means, however not my autobiographical story,” Lopez instructed ET in February 2024 of the more difficult elements of her romantic pasts. “It’s impressed by a whole lot of the issues I went by and it’s actually about what it has been for me to be a hopeless romantic my complete life, and among the pitfalls of that.”
‘The Best Love Story By no means Informed’
Whereas attending a Los Angeles screening of The Best Love Story By no means Informed in February 2024, Lopez opened as much as ET about her husband’s involvement within the mission.
“He embraced it as properly and sort of noticed it occurring. And once more, from a pure and natural means, stated, ‘I’m going to assist you,’” she instructed ET. “When any person loves you in that means, they only need you to fly.”
Household outings
The couple weren’t shy about their PDA whereas sitting courtside in March 2024 at a Los Angeles Lakers sport because the staff performed the Golden State Warriors.
The pair attended the sport with Affleck’s son, Samuel, whom he shares together with his ex-wife, Garner. Whereas the sport was in full swing, Affleck and Lopez sat with their arms round one another. In a few candy moments, the pair leaned in shut to speak with one another. Additionally they held fingers as they made their means down the courtroom.
Staying sturdy collectively
Regardless of criticism, Lopez was holding her head held excessive with the assist of Affleck in early Might 2024.
A supply instructed ET on the time that J.Lo had her Oscar-winning vital different to lean on, which was why she isn’t targeted on any detrimental chatter or suggestions that got here her means.
“Jen has not been paying a lot consideration to any outdoors hate,” the supply stated. “She has all the time needed to cope with criticism and is aware of that she is misunderstood by some. She realizes that may all the time be the case as a result of she’s an artist and there are individuals who don’t get her or know her.”
All through all of it, the supply added, “Ben is one hundred pc supportive of Jen and retains it actual along with her. They each know that is a part of the enterprise and remind one another that you could’t please everybody. They acknowledge what actually issues, carry one another up, and encourage one another’s abilities and capabilities.”
Solo occasions
Although Lopez served because the co-chair of the 2024 Met Gala, she attended the annual occasion solo. On the time, a rep for Affleck instructed ET the actor didn’t attend the Met Gala with Lopez as a result of he was filming The Accountant 2 in Los Angeles.
The day earlier than the Met Gala, Affleck attended the reside taping of Netflix’s Tom Brady: The Best Roast of All Time solo, the place he bought on stage and instructed just a few jokes at Brady’s expense.
The back-to-back solo engagements sparked rumors of bother in paradise for the 2 stars.
Highs and lows
A supply instructed ET in Might 2024, “Jen and Ben have had their ups and downs since getting married. They’ve gone by phases the place issues haven’t been as nice between them resulting from their completely different personalities and never getting sufficient time collectively. They’re not all the time on the identical web page. They each have a lot happening between caring for their households and their work commitments and it may be quite a bit for them.”
Across the identical time, Lopez was noticed out whereas nonetheless carrying her wedding ceremony ring. At an occasion on Might 19, Affleck was noticed holding his telephone within the automobile with the display lit up that includes an expert picture of Lopez with the contact title “Jennifer Affleck.”
Amid their reported tensions, one other particular person aware of the couple instructed ET that the Argo actor is holding his household — purportedly which means his youngsters and present spouse — protected and completely happy as he and Lopez work by their points.
“Ben’s precedence is his household and well-being,” a supply shared.
Pushing by struggles
Simply hours after Lopez attended the premiere of her Netflix movie, Atlas, on Might 20, ET sources stated that Affleck had pinpointed his struggles within the marriage and that he was coming to phrases with their disconnect.
“Ben appears like Jen has a tough time feeling happy and that’s one of many points they’re dealing with,” the supply shared. “Ben is without doubt one of the solely individuals who feels comfy sufficient to be trustworthy and actual with Jen. It’s a part of why Jen loves him, but additionally why she’s upset with him.”
Whereas it’s unknown if the supply was referring to dissatisfaction in her work or private life, Lopez was fast to close down a journalist who requested her concerning the relationship rumors whereas selling the movie.
Throughout a cease in Mexico Metropolis alongside her Atlas co-star Simu Liu on Might 22, the actress and singer answered questions concerning the film in a press-conference-style look. Whereas chatting, one daring reporter piped as much as ask about her marriage and left the room in a tizzy.
Based on video from the occasion, when one journalist requested concerning the rumors, one other particular person off digicam — who some within the feedback recognized as Liu — shortly bought forward of Lopez and responded, “OK, we’re not doing that.”
“You realize higher than that,” added Lopez, who was carrying the marriage ring.
For extra on Bennifer’s love story and relationship, take a look at the hyperlinks under.
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