Jennifer Lopez is reflecting on her experiences with love and relationships in a new context.
During a guest appearance on SiriusXM’s Howard Stern Show on Wednesday, October 15, Lopez, aged 56, was posed the question, “Do you think you’ve truly been loved?” After a moment of contemplation, she answered, “No.”
Lopez elaborated, stating, “I’ve come to understand that it’s not that I’m unlovable, but rather that they weren’t capable. … They provided me with everything they had. The rings, the material things, the homes, all of it.”
She acknowledged a pivotal realization that her struggles with self-love contributed to many of her insecurities regarding marriage. (Lopez finalized her divorce from Ben Affleck in January after a brief marriage of less than three years.)
Lopez shared that her most recent divorce was a transformative experience, stating, “It was the best thing that ever happened to me. It prompted me to truly delve into my issues — I had a life coach, a therapist, a couples therapist, and individual therapy. I was determined to figure it all out, even if it meant facing hard truths.”
She recognized that “the essence of the issue is you — it’s nobody else.” This idea resonates with her past reflections while promoting Kiss of the Spider Woman, a performance that was pivotal in her journey to self-discovery.
Describing her experiences, Lopez said, “There were highs and lows, but in a way, it was the most enriching time. On set, I found joy, while at home, it was challenging. Nevertheless, coming through it has been a blessing in disguise, helping me evolve into a more self-aware individual.”
Jennifer Lopez Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Lopez and Affleck, aged 53, maintain an amicable relationship, as evidenced by Affleck’s attendance at the premiere of Kiss of the Spider Woman in NYC on October 6. His production company, Artists Equity, is behind the project, and he praised Lopez’s performance, calling her “incredible” as he spoke with E! News on the red carpet.
“She’s fabulous. The performance is extraordinarily challenging — combining dance, singing, and acting, all while juggling a variety of tones in the film. It’s truly the ultimate level of difficulty for any performer,” Affleck added.
In addition to her breakup with Affleck, the Kiss of the Spider Woman star has previously tied the knot three other times. Her first marriage was to producer Ojani Noa in 1997, which ended within just 11 months. Following a romance with Sean “Diddy” Combs from 1999 to 2001, she married dancer Cris Judd in 2001, but their marriage ended in divorce in 2003.
In 2004, Lopez married Marc Anthony, and they welcomed twins Max and Emme in 2008. Their relationship ended in 2011, and their divorce was finalized in 2014. She has since expressed deep respect for Anthony as a co-parent, acknowledging the challenges they faced.
Reflecting on her past marriage, Lopez told W Magazine in May 2016, “It was a challenge to find forgiveness after it ended. It wasn’t the dream I envisioned, and it would have been easy to harbor resentment. Marc will always be the father of my children, so I strive to maintain a healthy relationship for their sake — it’s the hardest work I’ve ever done.”
