Jennifer Lopez gave a stern response to a reporter who asked about the rumored marital issues between her and husband Ben Affleck during a press conference for her new Netflix movie "Atlas" in Mexico City on Wednesday. The 54-year-old star was visibly displeased when the reporter inquired, "Is your divorce with Ben Affleck real? These rumors? What is the truth? What is the truth of the situation?"
Lopez's co-star Simu Liu quickly stepped in, saying, "Okay, we're not doing that," and thanked the crowd of press members for their attendance. Lopez then leaned forward in her chair and directly addressed the reporter, stating, "You know better than that." Liu added, "C'mon, don't come in with that energy, please."
The couple has yet to publicly address the rumors of their alleged divorce, despite not being seen together for 47 days. However, they have made a point to step out together several times amidst the rumors, including an event for one of their kids in Los Angeles on May 16. Affleck did not join his wife for the "Atlas" premiere in LA on Monday night, but Lopez arrived wearing her wedding ring.
Speculation about the couple's relationship began when Lopez attended the 2024 Met Gala solo on May 6. Reports then emerged that Affleck was staying at a separate house from Lopez, who was seen house hunting without her husband. On May 15, In Touch reported that the couple was in therapy to work on their issues, with a source claiming that Affleck, who prefers the spotlight much less than his wife, "hates the whole humiliating process."
A Page Six report from May 20 alleged that Affleck had "come to his senses" about their failing marriage, with an insider stating, "If there was a way to divorce on grounds of temporary insanity, he would. He feels like the last two years was just a fever dream, and he's come to his senses now and understands there is just no way this is going to work."
Lopez and Affleck's love story spans more than two decades, with the couple initially together from 2002 to 2004. They ended their engagement in January 2004 due to "excessive media attention" surrounding their relationship. Following the breakup, they married and had children with other partners before reconciling in 2021. They tied the knot in July 2022 in Las Vegas after a three-month engagement and later held a more elaborate ceremony in Georgia.
Throughout their relationship, Lopez and Affleck have faced numerous ups and downs, including the box office struggles of their films "Gigli" and "Jersey Girl," as well as personal challenges such as Affleck's stints in rehab for alcohol addiction. Despite these obstacles, the couple has repeatedly expressed their love and support for one another.
In a 2020 interview with CNN, Affleck praised Lopez, saying, "I don't think she always got the respect that she deserved, in part, because she was a powerful woman. And also because she was a Latina and she was really groundbreaking and nobody wanted to acknowledge that. They just wanted to kind of hate, so it's nice to see her having that success."
Lopez, in turn, told People magazine in 2022, "I feel so lucky and happy and proud to be with him. It's a beautiful love story that we got a second chance."
