If you're still not over Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt's 2020 SAG Awards interaction [1], then you're going to flip when you hear what's going on with Jennifer Lopez [2] and Ben Affleck [3]. Not long after J Lo announced her split from fiancé Alex Rodriguez [4] after four years together, rumours emerged claiming Jennifer was hanging out with her ex Ben [5] nearly 17 years after calling off their own engagement. And coincidentally enough, Ben is also newly single himself, as he reportedly broke up with Ana de Armas [6], his girlfriend of one year, in January 2021. Hmm . . .
A source for People claimed Jennifer and Ben have been spending time together [7] since J Lo's breakup with A-Rod, with Ben even visiting Jennifer at her Los Angeles home on 30 April. "They are friends. They have always been friends and they have seen each other through the years," another source told the outlet. While it's still unclear whether the reported hangouts are just friendly, now seems like a good time to refresh your memory on why Jennifer and Ben broke up in the first place. The reason: the media attention was too much for Ben to handle at the time.
The iconic Hollywood couple first met on the set of Gigli back in late 2001. At the time, Jennifer was still married to her second husband, dancer Cris Judd, but by July 2002, she decided to file for divorce [9]. Not long after, Bennifer was born, and in November 2002, J Lo was given a shiny 6-carat pink diamond ring [10]. The wedding was set for September 2003, but unfortunately, the two never ended up making it down the aisle. Just days before their Santa Barbara wedding, the two decided to delay the big day [11], shocking fans.
"Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date," Bennifer confirmed in a statement at the time. "When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate 'decoy brides' at three different locations, we realised that something was awry. We began to feel that the spirit of what should have been the happiest day of our lives could be compromised. We felt what should have been a joyful and sacred day could be spoiled for us, our families and our friends." And though fans hoped the nuptials would still happen, the pair ended up calling off their engagement [12] for good in January 2004.
The breakup remained a mystery for years until Ben opened up about the split [13] during a 2008 TV appearance. "I think Jen and I made a mistake in that we fell in love, we were excited and maybe too accessible," he explained. "I don't think either of us anticipated the degree to which it would take on a world of its own." Jennifer later expressed a similar sentiment [14] during a 2016 interview with People. "We didn't try to have a public relationship," she said. "We just happened to be together at the birth of the tabloids, and it was like, 'Oh my God.' It was just a lot of pressure . . . I think different time different thing, who knows what could've happened, but there was a genuine love there." Now fans will just have to wait and see whether that "genuine love" is still there.