There are few celebrity breakups as infamous as those of the 2000s — just looks at Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, and Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck! But when Ben and Jen (or Bennifer, as fans like to call them) got back together in 2021, it felt like a literal movie. In Jennifer Lopez' new documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told, the couple revealed why they actually broke up in the first place: "the massive amount of scrutiny around our private life." Here's everything you need to know about Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, in the 2000s and now.
Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck's Relationship Timeline
Image via Columbia Pictures
Winter 2002 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Meet On The Set Of Gigli
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck first met while filming their 2003 movie Gigli. "The first time meeting him on that film was at the read-through," Jennifer tells Variety. "I remember kind of just walking in and I think he was outside, smoking a cigarette...I don't remember a whole bunch more about it, but I remember being on the set with him every day and loving it."
Image via Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images
November 2002 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Announce Their Engagement
During an interview with Diane Sawyer at the end of 2002, Jennifer Lopez showed off the engagement ring from Ben Affleck. The platinum band + pink diamond combo is absolutely beautiful, just like the proposal itself. "[It was] traditional, but also in a very spectacular way, as of course Ben would do it," Jennifer says, via ABC News.
"He is brilliantly smart, loving, charming, affectionate," she continues. "And I just admire him in every way. I respect him. I feel like he teaches me things."
Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Early 2003 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Experience The Tabloids Firsthand
Before the age of iPhones and TikTok, celebs constantly dealt with the tabloids — even more than they do now. And as one of the hottest couples in the world, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez constantly faced paparazzi and tabloids. “We didn’t try to have a public relationship,” Jennifer Lopez tells PEOPLE in 2016. “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.”
"People were so f*cking mean about her," Ben Affleck says on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcastin 2021. "Sexist, racist. Ugly, vicious sh*t was written about her in ways that if you wrote it now you would literally be fired for saying those things you said...Now it's like, she's lionized and respected for the work she did, where she came from, what she accomplished — as well she f*cking should be!"
Image via Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
September 10, 2003 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Call Off Their Wedding
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were supposed to be married on September 14, 2003, but four days before their wedding, they postponed the ceremony. "Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date," the couple says in their official statement, via PEOPLE. "When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate 'decoy brides' at three different locations, we realized that something was awry."
"It was so painful after we broke up," Jennifer tells Apple Music's Zane Lowe in 2024. "Once we called off that wedding 20 years ago, it was the biggest heartbreak of my life. I honestly felt like I was going to die. It sent me on a spiral for the next 18 years where I just couldn't get it right. But now, 20 years later, it does have a happy ending. It has the most would-never-happen-in-Hollywood ending."
Image via Barbara Nitke/Courtesy of STXfilms
February 18, 2020 — Ben Affleck Supports Jennifer Lopez In Hustlers
At the beginning of 2020, in an interview with The New York Times, Ben Affleck voiced his support for Jennifer Lopez. "She should have been nominated [for Hustlers]," he says. "She's the real thing. I keep in touch periodically with her and have a lot of respect for her. How awesome is it that she had her biggest hit movie at 50? That's f*cking baller."
Image via Amy Sussman/Getty Images
May 10, 2021 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Take A Trip Together
After Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez broke up in the spring of 2021, J.Lo was seen hanging out with Ben Affleck around Los Angeles. "[Jennifer] spent several days with Ben out of town," a source tells PEOPLE. "They have a strong connection. It's all been quick and intense, but Jennifer is happy."
Image via Amy Sussman/Getty Images
July 24, 2021 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Make Their Relationship Instagram Official
Hidden at the end of an Instagram carousel, Jennifer Lopez posted a photo of her kissing Ben Affleck. "5 2 … what it do …" the caption reads.
Image via Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
September 10, 2021 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Walk The Red Carpet
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck attended the premiere of his film The Last Duel at the 2021 Venice Film Festival. They both looked amazing in old school glam!
Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
April 8, 2022 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Announce Their Second Engagement
PEOPLE confirmed that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were engaged again in the spring of 2022. Jennifer also revealed the news via email and on social media. "So I have a really exciting and special story to share," she said on Twitter.
Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images
July 16, 2022 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Finally Get Married!
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck finally tied the knot in July of 2022. Jennifer shared the details about the "best night ever" via On The JLo newsletter (via PEOPLE) the next day. The couple later had a larger ceremony in Georgia.
"It's a beautiful outcome that this has happened in this way at this time in our lives where we can really appreciate and celebrate each other and respect each other," she says. "We always did, but we have even more of an appreciation because we know that life can take you in different directions."
"[Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck] were attentive only to each other, didn't have eyes for anything else," a PEOPLE source said after spotting the couple on their honeymoon in Lake Como, Italy.
Image via Jennifer Lopez/Instagram
February 14, 2023 — Jennifer Lopez Reveals Her Tattoo With Ben Affleck
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck showed off their coordinating tattoos on J.Lo's Instagram. The tattoos (hers of an arrow through an infinity sign on her ribcage and his of two arrows tied to one another) are super cute together!
"Commitment," Jennifer says in her Instagram post. "Happy Valentine’s Day my love."
Image via Monica Schipper/Getty Images
May 3, 2023 — Jennifer Lopez Calls Ben Affleck A "Wonderful Father"
When she was on the Today Show (via Twitter) at the beginning of May 2023, Jennifer Lopez had high praise for Ben Affleck's relationship with all their kids. Jennifer has twins, Max and Emme, with Marc Anthony, while Ben Affleck shares three kids, Samuel, Seraphina, and Violet, with Jennifer Garner.
"He's a wonderful, wonderful father," J.Lo says in the interview. "And a father figure to [Max and Emme] as well, because he has his own three beautiful children, and then there's us...They love him. And they appreciate him, and so do I."
Image via Jennifer Lopez/Instagram
August 21, 2023 — Jennifer Lopez Celebrates Her One Year Anniversary With Ben Affleck
In honor of their first wedding anniversary, Jennifer Lopez shared some photos, and some lyrics from "Dear Ben, Pt II", to Instagram. "One year ago today," she says in the caption. "Dear Ben, Sitting here alone / Looking at my ring ring / Feeling overwhelmed / It makes me wanna sing sing / How did we end up here / Without a rewind / Oh my / This is my life...Jennifer"
Image via Dunkin'
February 11, 2024 — Ben Affleck And Jennifer Lopez Star In A Super Bowl Commercial
Following Ben Affleck's iconic, viral photos with his Dunkin' coffee, the couple starred in Dunkin' Donuts' 2024 Super Bowl ad — in addition to Matt Damon, Jack Harlow, and Tom Brady. The commercial features Ben and his friends coming into the studio while Jennifer records her newest album This Is Me Now... — a move that is not well received.
Image via Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios
February 26, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Reveal Why They Originally Split Up
"Ben and I, we broke up three days before our wedding," J.Lo recalled in her new documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told. "We had a big wedding planned—14 ushers and bridesmaids—and three days before, we just crumbled under the pressure."
"For all those years, it was really hard because I didn't just feel like I lost the love of my life, I felt like I lost the best friend that I ever had," Jennifer continues. "I've made it through. I've made something good of my life. I'm proud of that."
Image via Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images
May 15, 2024 — Rumors Swirl About Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's Alleged Divorce
Though Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have reconnected, there have rumors that their marriage may be in trouble. A source alerted InTouch Weekly that there have been obvious signs that something is wrong for a while.
"The writing is on the wall – it’s over," the source claims before saying, "They’re headed for a divorce – and for once, [Ben’s] not to blame!" The source believes the two have a lot of love for each other, but that they're jus too different to be together.
TMZ has also reported that Ben seems like he hasn't been living at home — yikes! He was photographed leaving going to and coming from a L.A. home without Jennifer. It's also being reported that he's been allegedly spending the night there.
But, TMZ also pointed out that the pair are still wearing their wedding rings so it's hard to say if there's any merit to the breakup rumors. Until Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck actually give a statement, I'm going to cross my fingers and hope for the best! And we're not the only ones — 13 Going on 30's Jennifer Garner (who was married to Ben Affleck from 2005-2015) “is encouraging Ben to work on his marriage to Jen,” according to an Us Weeklysource. “She fully supports their relationship and wants nothing more than for him to be happy.”
Also, Jennifer Lopez wants us to really mind our business. People reported than an actress was not feeling a pushy reporter's question about her marriage and didn't have a problem letting them know. She was promoting Atlas with her co-stars when said reporter asked, "Is your divorce with Ben Affleck real? These rumors?"
Though her co-star Simu Liu expressed his disdain for the questions first, Jennifer quickly said," You know better than that." This lets us know that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are well aware that people are talking about their marriage.
Image via Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios
Still, this hasn't stopped insiders from talking about what's going on behind closed doors. One even reached out to People to say, "They’re still living separately," and "She’s back in L.A. for tour rehearsals. She seems okay. She’s very focused on work." The outlet even reported that the couple are in fact living apart and have been seen on several occasions without each other.
While I know some people could care less, I remember when Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck first started dating so to see them struggling again feels a little painful. I'm trying to keep hope alive, but they ultimately know what's going on in their relationship. If they do choose to separate, that's a choice we'll all have to respect.
Image via Will Heath/NBC
May 31, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez Cancels Her "This Is Me" Tour
At the end of May, Jennifer Lopez revealed she was cancelling her summer tour to spend time with family. Her newsletter (via Variety) reveals that “Jennifer is taking time off to be with her children, family and close friends." (Refunds will be distributed through Ticketmaster automatically; third party purchase sites need to be contacted).
“I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down," Jennifer continues in the newsletter. “Please know that I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t feel that it was absolutely necessary. I promise I will make it up to you and we will all be together again. I love you all so much. Until next time…”
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
June 21, 2024 — Ben Affleck Discusses Family Life With Jennifer Lopez
In a newly released interview with Kevin Hart, Ben Affleck showed a rare vulnerability that we don't often see. The two chatted about several things during the Season 4 premiere of Hart to Heart, but it was Ben's admission that he has "resting hard face" (via Entertainment Tonight) that caught our attention.
Though there have been theories about why Ben often looks like he'd rather be somewhere else than dealing with paparazzi, he made it clear why he's not always smiling when the cameras are on him. "I also don't like a lot of attention...people see me [and] they're like, ‘Well, this dude always mad…’ Because somebody has their camera and sticking to my face.”
Ben even mentioned a time when he, Jennifer, and their kids were trying to make it to a play while walking through Times Square. Though he knows fans are going to be excited to see them, it's obvious he's not thrilled when their kids are subject to that kind of pandemonium.
"We get out with her, all the kids, through Times Square, and the s--- was like f---in’ bananas...it feels like hundreds of people and now screaming," Ben explained (via People).
Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Netflix
July 20, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez Throws A Bridgerton-Themed Birthday Party
Jennifer Lopez celebrated an upcoming birthday milestone this weekend by hosting a party the Ton would've loved to attend. She spared no expense as it's reported she had "horse-drawn carriages" on-site (via Glamour).
She also posted a few selfies on Instagram to share her excitement about the special day. "Today is gonna be a great day 🤍🙏🏼 Happy Saturday everybody ☀️," she wrote as her caption.
Though other guests — including Jennifer's mom — attended the Bridgerton-themed soirée, a source made special note of Ben Affleck's absence (via People).
They've yet to confirm the status of their relationship, but it seems they're giving each other space.
Matt Winkelmeyer / Staff
August 20, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez Files For Divorce With No Prenup
After months of rumored separation between the two, it seems that Jennifer Lopez has finally filed for divorce from her husband, Ben Affleck, after 2 years of marriage. Many speculated their separation this year, but since Lopez was spotted multiple times with Affleck’s kids, it seemingly put those rumors to rest. But after this filing citing their separation date as April 26, 2024, it seems like any outing was due to those close relationship over the years, and because of Lopez and Affleck’s kids being friends.
TMZ reported about Lopez’s filing, stating that there is “indeed no prenuptial agreement.” This means that they split everything 50/50 from their 2 years of marriage. While TMZ says that the two are not on speaking terms, hopefully the two can seek some peace in this situation in the future!
August 31, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez Is Moving On
She may be heartbroken, but Jennifer Lopez knows the key to getting over an ex is moving on. She cryptically acknowledged her eventful summer with the largest picture carousel I've seen on Instagram in years and looked great in most of her candid shots.
She kept her caption lighthearted by writing, "Oh, it was a summer" and was essentially met with rounds of applause from fans. One person even called her, "AN UNBOTHERED Queen!"
Even if that only scratches the surface of her emotions, it's clear Jennifer believes "Everything is unfolding in divine order" per the second picture in her carousel.
September 16, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Seen Together After Time Apart
We were sure that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were in the 'no contact' zone, but it appears they briefly changed their mind long enough for their kids to spend time together. A source said, "They are still moving forward with the divorce" but went out just "so the kids could hang out," (via People).
They almost had us fooled as they seen enjoying a nice meal at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills, but it really seems like it's over for these two. As long as things are amicable between them, that's all that matters.
Hector Vivas/Getty Images
October 9, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez Isn't Worried About Falling In Love Again
The thing about being a hopeless romantic is you often keep hope alive even when you probably shouldn't give your ex a second chance. However, it seems like Jennifer Lopez has learned her lesson after filing for divorce from Ben Affleck. She recently sat down and chatted with her friend Nikki Glaser to talk about how life seemed to course correct for her, plus she detailed how she feels about dating.
"I understand that now in a much deeper way, which doesn’t mean that I won’t make mistakes in the future, but again, when your whole house blows up, you’re standing there in the rubble going, 'How do I not ever let that happen again,'" she said (via Interview Magazine). She went on to say she's "not looking for anybody" after experiencing a very public second breakup from Ben Affleck.
When Nikki Glaser asked her if she regretted the hardship she just went through, Jennifer Lopez said this: "Not one second." It was quite painful for the entertainer, but she feels it was another lesson she was finally able to learn.
What's your favorite Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck moment? Check out The Latest On Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce's Relationship and The Latest News On Blake Lively And Ryan Reynold's Kids for more of your favorite celebrity couples!
This post has been updated.
One thing about me: I have extremely pale skin — like I'm talking almost translucent. That means the second I get even less than 7 hours of sleep, you can see every blue vein and eye bag showing underneath my eyes. So one of my most important steps in my skincare routine is a good eye cream to brighten and liven my under-eyes. As a self-appointed expert in this area, I thought I'd share with you some of my most used eye creams to give you that "I just had 5 shots of espresso and got 10 hours of sleep" look!
Amazon
CeraVe Eye Cream
This CeraVe eye cream is one of the best bangs you can get for your buck in the beauty world. It's under $15, dermatologist-approved, and really does work. It's honestly a go-to of mine because it's so affordable and easy to stock up on. Not to mention how the gentle and mild formula works wonders on my sensitive skin! I love this one for brightening and depuffing on the daily!
Amazon
First Aid Beauty Brightening Eye Cream
What drew me to this eye cream — besides the fact that it was First Aid Beauty and I'm obsessed with them — was the Niacinimide in it. This is a hydrating ingredient that I'm always looking for in my skincare because of how nourishing it is. My skin truly drinks it up, so I knew it would work incredibly under my eyes. This cream has an almost iridescent glow to it that looks amazing when you first wake up and need a pick-me-up. It looks like a highlighter for your under-eyes!
Sephora
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Eye Mask
Hi, my name is Kayla and I have a serious addiction to Summer Fridays. I can't get enough, and I truly wish I could (or at least my bank account does). This eye mask is just as good as the face mask, and that's saying a lot. It's very nourishing, and super hydrating. This makes my under-eyes look awake, bright, and de-puffed as soon as I wake up!
Amazon
Kiehl's Avocado Eye Treatment
Kiehl's has a lot of great products — and you truly can't go wrong with any of them — but this eye cream specifically is amazing. It's made with avocado and caffeine, so you'll be looking like you got 10 hours of sleep in no time (even if you didn't). If you have dry skin like me, then you'll really love its hyper-hydrating formula.
Amazon
Farmacy Brightening Eye Treatment
Did you know honey is actually a great way to brighten up your under-eyes and help them look more awake? Well, this Farmacy eye cream is full of it, and caffeine, as well. It also features Vitamin C and Cranberry Peptides, which are great if you have older, or more mature skin. So tackle your wrinkles and your dark circles simultaneously — we love a multi-purpose product!
Amazon
Biossance Squalane Eye Cream
This eye cream is a bit on the pricier side, but it's a product where you start to see results almost immediately. It really is that good. You'll definitely start to notice immediate brightness, but this also increases overall brightness over time as well with frequent use. Definitely a fave I keep going back to!
Amazon
Mario Badescu Eye Cream
Another brand that's sensitive-skin approved! Mario Badescu has such great products for people that are sensitive to perfumes and certain ingredients. I love this eye cream, in particular, given the helpful caffeine in it! After using it for a while, I've noticed that the blueness and bags under my eyes aren't as visible, and that my undereyes are way more bright overall. I love to see those kind of results!
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Happy birthday Rory Gilmore! Like the true Gilmore Girls fall gal she is, Rory's birthday is in the best autumn month: October. The bookworm would turn 40 on October 8 this year, and this milestone birthday had me thinking about Rory's 16th birthday. On a recent rewatch, I noticed one thing about the scene I'd never seen before: when Alexis leans over to blow out the candles on Rory's birthday cake, her boa almost catches on fire until Keiko Agena (who played Lane Kim on the series) saves it at the last moment!
What episode is Rory's 16th birthday?
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In "Rory's Birthday Parties" (Gilmore Girls season 1, episode 6), Rory's turning 16 and both Lorelai and Emily have very different ideas of how they can celebrate. Emily and Richard throw Rory a posh get together, complete with all the Chilton students who don't actually like her, while Lor gathers the residents of Stars Hollow for a laidback party.
Sookie makes a delicious cake with Rory's face on it, and when Rory leans over the blow out the candles, there's a moment when her feather boa (and a bit of Alexis Bledel's hair) get a little too close to the fire. Good thing Keiko Agena swoops in to save the day!
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This is one of my favorite Gilmore Girls episodes because it perfectly balances the zaniness of Stars Hollow (seen in Sookie's hilarious birthday cake) with something everyone can take part in, even if we can't visit Lorelai and Rory ;).
When is Rory Gilmore's birthday?
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Rory Gilmore's birthday is October 8, 1984! That technically makes her a part of Gen X, but you know she's still our millennial queen!
What's Rory Gilmore's zodiac sign?
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Rory Gilmore is a Libra, which makes SO much sense! She craves peace and harmony, but sometimes her inability to choose sides really gets her into trouble. Rory could honestly pro/con list her life until the end of time, but thankfully she has folks in her corner to eventually get her out of her own head.
How old was Lorelai when Rory was 16?
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Lorelai had Rory when she was 16 years old, so on Rory's 16th birthday, Lorelai is 32.
In what episode does Rory turn 17?
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Since Rory's 16th birthday party is in season 1, her 17th birthday would be in season 2. We know that Lorelai and Max were supposed to get married at the end of summer, which means season 2, episode 3, "Red Light on the Wedding Night," in which Lorelai calls off the wedding, would take probably place around the end of August, while episode 10, "The Bracebridge Dinner," is around Christmastime. My guess is Rory's 17th birthday is around episode 6 or 7.
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Did you catch this moment from Rory's 16th birthday? Check out why TikTok’s Viral 'Demure Fall' Trend Is SO Rory Gilmore.