Jennifer Lopez is reflecting on her divorce from Ben Affleck and taking responsibility for how things played out. During a conversation on the “Smartless” podcast, hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, the 56-year-old actress discussed the impact of her marriage and subsequent divorce on her life.
“There were times when I felt like my life was blowing up before my eyes, whether people on the outside knew it or not,” she admitted. “It was partly due to the choices I made. But also, I had to acknowledge that there were aspects of myself I needed to change, which I hadn’t fully realized were attracting certain experiences into my life.”
Lopez elaborated on how, after her split from Affleck, she recognized the need for change. “I canceled the tour and thought, I need to figure myself out,” she said.
As she reflected, Lopez questioned her past actions, expressing, “Forget about everyone else, what’s really going on? In a way, there’s no one to blame but myself.” This self-awareness marked a pivotal turning point for her a few years ago.
Lopez and Affleck married in a small Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022, with a larger celebration following at Affleck’s Georgia home a month later. However, after nearly two years of marriage, they separated in April 2024, and Lopez filed for divorce in August.
The pair had a history, having dated from 2002 to 2004 after meeting on the set of the film “Gigli.” They were engaged for over a year before breaking up, only to reconnect in early 2021, nearly two decades after their initial engagement.
In a previous interview, Lopez described her divorce as a transformative experience. She remarked, “It helped me develop in ways I needed to grow and became more self-aware. I’m not the same person I was last year… I’ve learned that joy is found in embracing life and the lessons it provides.”
When asked if she feels like she’s flying now, she confidently responded with a “Yes,” adding that she still aspires to soar even higher.
Lopez has also opened up about her past relationships and hinted at her extensive knowledge of emotional intelligence, referring to her experiences as having a “PhD in narcissism.” She’s noted that she could even give talks on human behavior and dysfunctional relationships.
Throughout her life, Lopez has been married several times, including to Ojani Noah, Chris Judd, and Marc Anthony, alongside high-profile relationships with Sean “Diddy” Combs, Casper Smart, and Alex Rodriguez.
