Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s relationship has always been one of Hollywood’s most talked-about love stories — from their early 2000s romance to their highly publicized reunion two decades later. What once seemed like a fairytale comeback has now officially ended in heartbreak. In 2025, Jennifer Lopez opened up publicly for the first time about her divorce from Affleck, calling it both “really tough” and, surprisingly, “the best thing that ever happened” to her.
Their split was finalized in January 2025, marking the end of a marriage that began in 2022 after their rekindled love had captured global attention. What made the situation even more complicated was that, while their marriage was falling apart, they were simultaneously working together on the film adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman. In the movie, Jennifer played the lead role, and Ben served as an executive producer — a professional overlap that, as Jennifer described, tested her emotionally.
In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Jennifer revealed just how challenging it was to navigate both the personal and professional sides of her life at that time. She shared that while filming the movie brought her immense joy and fulfillment, returning home was emotionally exhausting. “It was a really tough time,” she said. “Every moment on set, every moment I was doing this role, I was so happy — and then back home, it was not great. I kept thinking, ‘How do I work inside of this?’”
Despite the personal tension, Jennifer praised Ben for his role behind the scenes, saying the film would not have been possible without him. She even expressed gratitude for his support during such a complicated chapter, noting that the project helped her process and understand her emotions better. “It was the best and the worst of times,” she reflected. “It was hard not to think about everything going on, but doing this role gave me purpose when everything else felt confusing.”
Jennifer also admitted that the divorce, though painful, ultimately transformed her. She described it as a turning point for her personal growth and emotional awareness. “Honestly, I have to say it was the best thing that ever happened to me because it changed me,” she said. “It helped me grow in a way that I needed to — become more self-aware. I’m a different person now than I was a year and a half ago.”
As for the reason behind the breakup, both Jennifer and Ben cited irreconcilable differences in court filings. Ben later referred to the divorce as “embarrassing” in an interview with GQ, clarifying that there was no scandal or betrayal involved — just two people trying to figure out life under immense pressure. He admitted that speaking about it publicly makes him feel vulnerable, but he acknowledged that love sometimes “just doesn’t work out the way you imagine.”
Once known as “Bennifer,” the couple’s relationship has come full circle — from fairytale engagement to heartbreak, reconciliation to divorce. Yet, both stars have expressed mutual respect for one another. For Jennifer, the experience seems to have sparked deep introspection, marking not an end, but the beginning of a more grounded, self-aware chapter in her life.
