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Jennifer Lopez Teases "Very Free" Chapter Before Kids Go to College
Jennifer Lopez breaks a sweat on the floor, but she recently needed to take some time on the sidelines.
Nearly two years after she and Ben Affleck split in 2024, the “On the Floor” singer noted that she had to “stop everything” to accept the major life change.
“I took a year off,” Jennifer explained during a March 11 appearance on Good Morning America. “I canceled tours. I decided to just be home and sit in what had happened without running away from it through work, through another person through anything. Just sit.”
Indeed, the Maid in Manhattan actress—who finalized her divorce from Ben in January 2025 after just over two years of marriage—found herself craving even more quality time with her twins Max and Emme, both 18, whom she shares with ex Marc Anthony.
“I needed to be home with my kids,” she recalled, “and that was the priority at that time.”
But she was also getting introspective.
“I was just at a point where I was like, ‘What is going on with you?’” Jennifer continued. “I couldn’t blame anybody else because I don’t think that’s where the lesson is. And so, I really needed to figure myself out.”
And now, she’s never felt better while headlining her Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
“I’m in my happy era,” she added. “I feel like for the first time in my life, I’m free. I’m on my own. It feels really good. I didn’t really know what that felt like since I was in my early 20s and even before that I always had a boyfriend. There was always someone in my life and so many other things that I felt were out of my control.”
As she put it, “I’ve gotten to the point where I really trust myself and appreciate myself a little bit more.”
And as for whether she’s dipped her toe back into the dating pool?
“God forbid,” Jennifer joked. “I don’t want to ruin anything. It’s so nice right now. I’m so happy. It’s the best. I just feel really good right now, and that was a scary thing for me when I was younger. I didn’t know if I could do that. I was always really afraid to be alone.”
Jennifer may be enjoying the single life for now, but keep reading to relive her love story with Ben…
Mel/Getty Images
December 2001: Filming Gigli
The two prepare to film a scene for the movie in West Hollywood. The couple met on the set of the film.
Mel Bouzad/Getty Images
October 2002: Spotted in Beverly Hills
The two are spotted in the city.
Ben-Ari Finegold/Getty Images
November 2002: Filming Gigli and Engagement
The two film the movie on Will Rogers State Beach in Los Angeles. That month, the actor proposes to the actress with a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring.
James Devaney/WireImage
November 2002: Filming Jersey Girl
The two film the movie in New York City.
James Devaney/WireImage
November 2002: Leaving MTV's TRL
Is there anything more '00s than both Bennifer 1.0 and TRL?
Tom Kingston/WireImage
December 2002: Red Carpet Debut
The two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her film Maid in Manhattan.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
January 2003: Sundance
The two bundle up at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
Chris Weeks/WireImage
February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben as the superhero.
Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images
February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben and future ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
March 2003: Oscars
The two attend the Academy Awards together.
Vince Bucci/Getty Images
May 2003: Basketball Game
The two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images
July 2003: Canada Trip
The two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
July 2003: Gigli Premiere
The two appear at the premiere for their movie in Westwood, Calif.
Moviestore/Shutterstock
August 2003: Gigli Is Released
...it flops at the box office.
Christopher Polk/Jason Merritt/Getty Images for DCP
September 2003: Wedding Is Off
The two postpone their wedding. No future date is given.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
October 2003: Baseball Date
The two are seen at a Boston Red Sox game. The team is Ben's favorite.
Steve Granitz/WireImage
January 2004: It's Over
The two end their engagement.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
September 2021: Red Carpet Royalty
They're baaaack. On Sept. 10, the couple makes their first red carpet appearance in 18 years at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Last Duel.
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images
September 2021: Look of Love
There's no denying J.Lo makes for a stunning plus-one!
Robert Kamau/GC Images
September 2021: Back to the Stage
Ben supports J.Lo at the 2021 Global Citizen Live event in New York City, where she performed onstage. It marked her first music gig since she performed at VAX LIVE in May, where the actor also appeared onstage separately, fueling rumors of a rekindled romance.
Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
September 2021: Met Gala Debut
The two attend the Met Gala together for the first time.
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
October 2021: PDA at Premiere
Jen and Ben put on a sizzling display on the red carpet at the premiere of his film The Last Duel in New York City.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
April 2022: Engaged Again!
Jennifer confirmed her engagement to the Gone Girl actor with a video posted to her On The JLo site, revealing a glimpse of her beautiful engagement ring with a green stone.
onthejlo.com
July 2022: Married!
On July 16, Jennifer and Ben tied the knot in a surprise ceremony at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.
Pierre Suu/GC Images
July 2022: Post-Wedding Trip to Paris
The two vacation with her twins and two of his kids in the French capital soon after their wedding.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
June 2023: Red Carpet Fabulous
J.Lo steps out with Ben in support of his movie The Flash.
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
February 2024: This Is Them...Now
Jennifer release This Is Me... Now, an album about her relationship with Ben. The record is accompanied by a musical film titled This Is Me... Now: A Love Story and the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
Gotham/GC Images
March 2024: Jenny on the Block
The couple enjoys a day out in NYC on March 30, 2024.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
August 2024: Divorce
J.Lo filed for divorce Aug. 20, listing the date of separation as Apil 26, according to the filing obtained by TMZ.
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