Jennifer Lopez Says Divorce From Ben Affleck Was a Blessing in Disguise & ‘Best Thing That Ever Happened’ to Her

Jennifer Lopez has spoken openly about her divorce from Ben Affleck, calling it the “best thing” that ever happened to her. In an interview with CBS News Sunday Morning’s Lee Cowa, the singer and actress reflected on how the split affected her during the filming of Kiss of the Spider Woman.

“It was a really tough time,” Lopez admitted. “Every moment on set, every moment I was doing this role, I was so happy. And then, it was like, back home, it was not great. And it was just like, ‘How do I reconcile this?’”

Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024, just two months after finishing work on the movie. She described the separation as transformative. “It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Because it changed me,” she explained, adding, “It didn’t change me — it helped me grow in a way that I needed to grow.”

Now in a “good place,” Lopez said last summer was likely the best she’s ever had. “I had so much fun. I’m able to enjoy things more … I don’t have as much pressure,” she said. “I realized that the joy is in living and these moments and really embracing life and everything it brings to you.”

Reflecting on her personal journey alongside her work on Kiss of the Spider Woman, she shared, “The hard times are the lessons, and you have to understand that. And once you do, everything just becomes a little bit lighter. And you can really, really fly.” When asked if she felt like she was “flying” now, Lopez replied, “Yes. It does. And I still feel like I want to fly higher. I want to see more. I want to do more things.”

Lopez and Affleck first dated in the early 2000s, with their relationship gaining major media attention and the nickname “Bennifer.” They were engaged in 2002, but their wedding was postponed due to media pressure and ultimately ended in 2004. Lopez described the split as her “first real heartbreak” and credited it in part to Affleck’s discomfort with tabloid scrutiny.

Following her initial relationship with Affleck, Lopez married Marc Anthony in 2004. The couple had twins and divorced in 2014.

She later had a high-profile relationship with Alex Rodriguez before rekindling her romance with Affleck in 2021. The couple married in 2022 but filed for divorce in 2024, finalizing it in January 2025.

Lopez’s reflections show a woman embracing change and growth through life’s challenges. She emphasized joy, freedom, and self-discovery, showing fans that even difficult personal experiences can lead to newfound happiness.

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