Just when Jennifer Lopez fans started hoping for another reunion with Ben Affleck, she quashed the speculation by confirming that she has fully moved on and that her exes are practically “dead to her.”
The Jenny from the Block musician is usually more measured during her press stops, but this time she was with Howard Stern — who is as well known for his longevity as he is for his controversial interview style. J.Lo admitted that she had never gone on his show before because she didn’t want to get into trouble by answering one of his questions too truthfully.
But if her recent tour stops are any indicator, J.Lo clearly cares less about what people have to say about her these days. She discussed her place in the entertainment industry, finally addressing how she felt snubbed when she didn’t win a Golden Globe for Hustlers. However, it was inevitable that Stern would ask about her past relationships. Lopez explained why fans shouldn’t hold their breath for her to get back together with anyone, saying, “Once I’m done, you’re dead to me.” She clarified, “Not dead to me, but definitely, it’s over — I’m going to move on.”
Of course, there’s the fact that she’s dated Affleck more than once. Stern didn’t ask her outright about that relationship in particular but instead asked what she had learned from all her relationships. In a surprisingly candid moment, Lopez replied, “What I learned — it’s not that I’m not lovable, it’s that they’re not capable.” She paused thoughtfully and added, “They don’t have it in them. And they gave me what they had. They gave me all of it, every time. All the rings, all the things I could ever want. The houses, the rings, the marriage. All of it.”
Lopez shared that she’s been on an internal journey, first learning how to love herself. And as brutal as saying none of her exes had it in them to make her feel loved might sound, she did have another reason to celebrate leaving her marriage with Affleck. According to Woman’s Day, Lopez said, “When I got divorced this last time, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Because it really made me journey into — I mean, I had a religious coach, I had a therapist, a couple’s therapist, an individual therapist, I had a coach to understand addiction. I had everything. I was like, ‘I’m gonna [expletive] figure this [expletive] out if it kills me.’”
All those life coaches and therapists must have done their jobs well, because the last time Affleck and Lopez reconnected on the red carpet, it seemed like not an ounce of their chemistry had been lost. Still, they appeared capable of maintaining civility in an industry where they’re bound to bump into each other — and inevitably talk about each other.
Celebrity breakups are inevitable, but they’re always better when handled with grace — like Lopez and Affleck’s. And say what you will about Lopez, but much of that grace comes down to how she always keeps things classy.
