Jennifer Lopez had a 'tough time' after divorcing Ben Affleck: Here's how she found growth

Jennifer Lopez is known for resilience, but her latest interview with CBS Sunday Morning admitted that her recent divorce from Ben Affleck wasn’t easy. More than a year after filing in August 2024, Lopez is reflecting on the pain, growth, and transformation that came out of what she called “the best and the worst of times.”

Lopez, 56, has been riding a wave of critical acclaim for her role in "Kiss of the Spider Woman," the movie musical hitting theaters on October 10. Filming wrapped just months before her split, and work became an escape for her. “Barely,” Lopez laughed when asked how she managed both the film and her personal turmoil. “It was tough. Every moment on set, I was so happy. And then back home, it was not great. It was like, ‘How do I reconcile this?’”

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Despite the storm, Lopez said the film became a refuge and a catalyst for growth. “Honestly, it was the best thing that ever happened to me because it helped me grow in a way I needed to grow. I’m a different person now than I was last year.”

From “Bennifer” to Independence

Lopez and Affleck’s relationship has always been under the spotlight. First dubbed “Bennifer” in the early 2000s, they got engaged in 2002, postponed their wedding in 2003 due to overwhelming media attention, and split soon after. They rekindled their romance nearly two decades later, marrying in 2022.

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But by August 2024, Lopez filed for divorce, which was finalized in January 2025. Affleck later told GQ there was “no scandal,” calling it simply two people navigating life and relationships.

Lopez, however, has chosen to highlight the silver lining. After wrapping her "Up All Night" tour in August, she said she’s in a “very good” place: “I’m able to enjoy things more now.”

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A Dream Role with Unexpected Ties

In "Kiss of the Spider Woman," Lopez plays fictional movie star Ingrid Luna, a project she’s described as a lifelong dream. The film is backed by Artists Equity, the production company founded by Affleck and Matt Damon. Lopez even gave her ex credit for making it possible: “I’ll always give him that.”

The irony isn’t lost on fans—her breakout role post-divorce is tied directly to Affleck’s production company. But Lopez isn’t dwelling on the past. Instead, she’s focusing on what the role gave her, which is purpose, joy, and artistic fulfillment.

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Oscar Buzz and Lessons Learned

The film premiered at Sundance earlier this year to rave reviews, sparking early Oscar buzz for Lopez. But she told CBS she’s not letting award chatter get to her. Back in 2019, Lopez was expected to snag an Academy Award nomination for "Hustlers" but was famously snubbed. The sting was clear in her 2022 Netflix documentary "Halftime," where she admitted she “really got her hopes up.”

This time around, she’s more grounded: “It’s great to be in the conversation, that people recognize your work. That’s enough. Of course we all want more, but I realized I don’t need it in the way I thought I did when I was younger. Not that I wouldn’t love it!”

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Now, with a hit tour behind her, a buzzy film ahead, and a renewed sense of self, Lopez is writing her next chapter.