Inside Jennifer Lopez and ex Casper Smart’s 5-year relationship

After Marc Anthony and before Alex Rodriguez, there was a time when MQBAS judge Casper Smart played a very important role in JLo’s life

UPDATED APRIL 17, 2020 9:51 AM EDTAPR 17, 2020, 9:51 AM EDT

Jennifer Lopez revealed to Oprah Winfrey during the 2020 Vision Tour that her separation with Puerto Rican superstar Marc Anthony was the lowest moment of her life. However, during that painful time, she unexpectedly found support, love and understanding in a handsome 24-year-old dancer who was part of her tour crew. JLo and Mira Quien Baila All Stars judge Casper Smart met in 2011, months after she and Marc, father of her twins Max and Emme , announced their separation. A year later, Jennifer’s sexy music video Dance Again would become the official presentation of her new boyfriend to the world. Here’s their story.

Jlo and Casper Smart dancing together in a show

A new love

Jennifer, who was 42 when she met 24-year-old Casper, found the support and love she needed to get over a painful breakup with husband Marc Anthony, the father of her twins Max and Emme. “I just got out of a big, heavy, devastating thing, and he’s helped me heal. He’s been there for me,” she told People back in the day.

Mad about Jennifer’s children

Casper quickly became part of the family, creating a bond with Max and Emme , who were about four years old. Here, he’s seen with Jennifer and her daughter as they attended Paris Fashion Week in 2013. Months later, in October, Jennifer’s rep confirmed to People the couple were engaged.

Sealed with a kiss

“She’s sweet, funny, easygoing and gracious,” Casper said about his famous girlfriend at the time. “You can’t ask for anything else. She’s beautiful.” And he proved his love on many occasions like during this this celebrity football game benefiting Hurricane Sandy relief.

Jlo and Casper Smart in the Golden Globes

The Golden couple

JLo and Casper Smart quickly became one of the trendiest couples in the industry. Here, the couple steals the show on the red carpet of the most exclusive events, although Casper admitted that they didn’t go out much and that he wasn’t interested in the Hollywood life.

Jlo and Casper Smart on set of Shades of Blue

Long-term couple

Casper and Jennifer not only had music in common, but the choreographer also had some previous experience as an actor and even worked with the Bronx Diva on her series Shades of Blue. His visits to the set sparked the rumors of a reconciliation after they briefly broke up in 2014.

Who is Casper Smart dating now?

Jennifer and Casper broke up in 2016, and the MQB Judge opened up about their relationship in an interview with Univision. “I was very young, I was 23 or 24, she was 18 years older, so she was about 42 years old with two kids. But in the moment, everything just clicked.” Now Casper is dating model Bre Tiesi, who split from football player husband Johnny Manziel in 2019.

And Jen found the love of her life

JLo has always been open about the fact that she’s a romantic girl, and she has found the love of her life – and her happy ending – in fiancé Alex Rodriguez . Jennifer told Oprah what the former pro baseball player means to her as her career hits it’s all-time high: “I’ve never had somebody who wants to see me shine and grow. I think him being in my life is a big part of what happened this year.“