Jennifer Lopez Reflects on Divorce and Personal Growth

Jennifer Lopez has taken responsibility for her divorce from Ben Affleck. During a conversation on the “Smartless” podcast with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, the 56-year-old actress and singer reflected on her marriage to Affleck and the subsequent changes in her life.

“There’s been different times where I felt like, whether people outside knew it or not, my life blew up in my own face,” Lopez stated. She attributed these challenges to her own choices and recognized that changes were needed in her life. “I had things that needed to change about myself that I didn’t understand or recognize,” she explained.

Lopez shared that acknowledging the need for change is a personal decision. After her divorce from Affleck, she emphasized the importance of self-reflection, saying, “I canceled my tour and I was just like, you need to figure yourself out.” This decision marked a turning point in her life.

“What is going on with you? Forget about everybody else,” she recalled pondering. “There’s nobody to blame here except yourself in a certain way.”

The couple had tied the knot in July 2022 in Las Vegas, followed by a larger celebration at Affleck’s estate in Georgia. They separated in April 2024, with Lopez filing for divorce a few months later.

Lopez described her split from Affleck as “the best thing that ever happened to me” during a “CBS Sunday Morning” interview in September 2025. “Because it changed me,” she explained. “It helped me grow in a way that I needed to grow, become more self-aware.”

She emphasized the importance of embracing life’s lessons, noting, “Everything just becomes a little bit lighter, and you can really fly.” When asked if she now feels like she’s flying, Lopez responded positively, expressing a desire to “fly higher.”

While promoting her Netflix movie, “Office Romance,” Lopez highlighted her experiences in past relationships, stating that she has a “PhD in narcissists” and could “give a Ted Talk on human behavior, emotional intelligence and dysfunctional relationships.”

In addition to Affleck, Lopez was married to Ojani Noa, Cris Judd, and Marc Anthony. She was also involved in high-profile relationships with Sean “Diddy” Combs, Casper Smart, and Alex Rodriguez.