Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s Divorce: A Public Unraveling

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There’s something particularly painful about the news that — on the exact day of their wedding ceremony in Georgia in 2022 — Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck. Up until now, we were intimately invited to be a part of their love story.

Lopez, as documented in Stephen Rodrick’s profile, took a risk with the album and feature film “This Is Me… Now.” The record is filled with love songs about a journey of self-discovery that led Lopez to forgive herself and accept Affleck’s love once again. The pair had first been together from 2002 to 2004, got engaged, and then reunited, initially wedding in a Nevada chapel in July 2022, followed by a private ceremony at Affleck’s Georgia compound the next month. The film, in which Lopez invested $20 million, features Affleck as her onscreen lover. It was accompanied by a behind-the-scenes documentary called “The Greatest Love Story Never Told,” showcasing Lopez and Affleck discussing the inspiration behind her opus. All in all, three creative projects were dedicated to their love.

Sadly, “This Is Me… Now” in all its forms was rejected by the public. Lopez’s tour in support of the album was rebranded to be a greatest-hits set — but was eventually scrapped. Rumors swirled that Lopez needed space to cope with developments in her marriage, further fueled by news of physical separation and the sale of their shared home.

In light of what transpired, the entire “This Is Me… Now” project has a certain doomed quality. In the documentary, Affleck is seen pushing himself to be supportive, notably finding joy in looking over Lopez’s production equipment. However, his observation about the irony of turning “The Greatest Love Story Never Told” into a public narrative haunts the entire effort.

History seems to repeat itself with this duo. During their initial relationship, their showy love was a hallmark of the glossy-tabloid culture they helped create, ultimately causing their downfall. They were young, glamorous celebrities who made their private moments public, announcing their engagement in a Diane Sawyer interview and starring in Lopez’s “Jenny From the Block” music video.

Unlike other supercouples of their time, such as “Brangelina” or “TomKat,” Affleck and Lopez had a genuine, albeit gaudy love story. Their breakup, much like their relationship, unfolded like a soap opera, with news about real estate and art sales highlighting their separation.

Affleck and Lopez were willing to put themselves out there for love, enduring public scrutiny. Affleck, despite his unease with fame and struggles with alcohol addiction, continued to support Lopez, even in uncomfortable settings. Lopez, who reached the peak of her career with her 2020 Super Bowl performance and the “Hustlers” film, risked it all to show her love for Affleck.

The societal backlash and their initial breakup significantly impacted Lopez’s career, and it remains unclear how she will bounce back this time. However, Lopez is a canny celebrity, setting herself apart from her peers. “This Is Me… Then” is devoid of irony, showcasing Lopez’s openness and vulnerability in a project that didn’t work. Lopez herself acknowledges that there’s little demand for a new J.Lo record, but she felt compelled to create it anyway. Similarly, Affleck couldn’t resist being by her side in public, even when he clearly didn’t want to attend certain events.

Unlike other celebrity pairs, Affleck and Lopez’s relationship wasn’t about image management. Rather, it was simply how they chose to live, welcoming the media into their personal lives. In this way, they were more similar to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who married and divorced twice, bringing the world along for their tumultuous love story. Now, like Liz and Dick, Bennifer belongs to a more earnest era.

Source: Variety