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Jennifer Lopez and Estranged Husband Ben Affleck Reunite Ahead of Christmas
It doesn't cost a thing for Jennifer Lopez to take a look back.
But that doesn't mean it's easy. Four months after the "On the Floor" singer filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, she reflected on the hardships that ultimately made her stronger.
In fact, she shared some parallels between her personal life and that of Judy Robles, the real-life woman she portrays in the upcoming film Unstoppable, which follows the story of athlete Anthony Robles as he makes a name for himself in the wrestling world after being born with one leg.
"We were kindred spirits," Jennifer told Variety in an interview published Jan. 1. "We both grew up Latina in this country. We both had children and have hopes and dreams for them."
She also noted she could truly empathize with Judy, adding, "We both had challenging relationships, which left us holding our families together."
The 55-year-old—who shares 16-year-old twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony—also emphasized the resilience women often build due to their environments.
"Women are strong," she said. "We have to be. From the minute women are born, we're always having to prove ourselves, to show we're good enough. That creates a type of strength. And then a lot of us give birth—and there's nothing that makes you stronger than doing that."
And it turns out filming could have been complicated as Ben, 52, co-produced the sports project. But despite their ongoing divorce proceedings, the former couple only had good things to say about one another.
"Jennifer's spectacular," the Good Will Hunting star told Entertainment Tonight in November, also commending director William Goldenberg and her costars Don Cheadle, Jharrel Jerome and Bobby Cannavale. "We believed in the right people, and Unstoppable is another example of that."
Presley Ann/Getty Images for LACMA
William even gushed over Jennifer and Ben's working relationship, which he said he witnessed firsthand.
"It's always been about the movie and that's their personal business," he told E! News in September. "We just kept it about the movie. We just kept her eye on the prize."
Although the pair, who tied the knot in 2022, was focused on maintaining a solid working relationship, it wasn't so easy in Jennifer's personal life.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
"You have to be complete, if you want something that's more complete," she explained of her post-breakup life to Interview magazine in October. "You have to be good on your own. I thought I learned that, but I didn't. And then, this summer, I had to be like, 'I need to go off and be on my own. I want to prove to myself that I can do that.'"
"It feels lonely, unfamiliar, scary," she admitted. "It feels sad. It feels desperate. But when you sit in those feelings and go, 'These things are not going to kill me,' it's like actually, I am capable of joy and happiness all by myself."
Now, read on for a full breakdown of Jennifer and Ben's relationship.
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December 2001: Filming Gigli
The two prepare to film a scene for the movie in West Hollywood. The couple met on the set of the film.
Mel Bouzad/Getty Images
October 2002: Spotted in Beverly Hills
The two are spotted in the city.
Ben-Ari Finegold/Getty Images
November 2002: Filming Gigli and Engagement
The two film the movie on Will Rogers State Beach in Los Angeles. That month, the actor proposes to the actress with a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring.
James Devaney/WireImage
November 2002: Filming Jersey Girl
The two film the movie in New York City.
James Devaney/WireImage
November 2002: Leaving MTV's TRL
Is there anything more '00s than both Bennifer 1.0 and TRL?
Tom Kingston/WireImage
December 2002: Red Carpet Debut
The two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her film Maid in Manhattan.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
January 2003: Sundance
The two bundle up at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
Chris Weeks/WireImage
February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben as the superhero.
Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images
February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben and future ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
March 2003: Oscars
The two attend the Academy Awards together.
Vince Bucci/Getty Images
May 2003: Basketball Game
The two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images
July 2003: Canada Trip
The two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
July 2003: Gigli Premiere
The two appear at the premiere for their movie in Westwood, Calif.
Moviestore/Shutterstock
August 2003: Gigli Is Released
...it flops at the box office.
Christopher Polk/Jason Merritt/Getty Images for DCP
September 2003: Wedding Is Off
The two postpone their wedding. No future date is given.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
October 2003: Baseball Date
The two are seen at a Boston Red Sox game. The team is Ben's favorite.
Steve Granitz/WireImage
January 2004: It's Over
The two end their engagement.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
September 2021: Red Carpet Royalty
They're baaaack. On Sept. 10, the couple makes their first red carpet appearance in 18 years at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Last Duel.
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images
September 2021: Look of Love
There's no denying J.Lo makes for a stunning plus-one!
Robert Kamau/GC Images
September 2021: Back to the Stage
Ben supports J.Lo at the 2021 Global Citizen Live event in New York City, where she performed onstage. It marked her first music gig since she performed at VAX LIVE in May, where the actor also appeared onstage separately, fueling rumors of a rekindled romance.
Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
September 2021: Met Gala Debut
The two attend the Met Gala together for the first time.
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
October 2021: PDA at Premiere
Jen and Ben put on a sizzling display on the red carpet at the premiere of his film The Last Duel in New York City.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
April 2022: Engaged Again!
Jennifer confirmed her engagement to the Gone Girl actor with a video posted to her On The JLo site, revealing a glimpse of her beautiful engagement ring with a green stone.
onthejlo.com
July 2022: Married!
On July 16, Jennifer and Ben tied the knot in a surprise ceremony at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.
Pierre Suu/GC Images
July 2022: Post-Wedding Trip to Paris
The two vacation with her twins and two of his kids in the French capital soon after their wedding.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
June 2023: Red Carpet Fabulous
J.Lo steps out with Ben in support of his movie The Flash.
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
February 2024: This Is Them...Now
Jennifer release This Is Me... Now, an album about her relationship with Ben. The record is accompanied by a musical film titled This Is Me... Now: A Love Story and the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
Gotham/GC Images
March 2024: Jenny on the Block
The couple enjoys a day out in NYC on March 30, 2024.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
August 2024: Divorce
J.Lo filed for divorce Aug. 20, listing the date of separation as Apil 26, according to the filing obtained by TMZ.
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