Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, once Hollywood's quintessential power couple, are reportedly facing marital challenges that could lead to an easy, yet highly publicized divorce, according to divorce attorney Holly Davis. The attorney shed light on the couple's different approaches to love and fame, which may have contributed to their current troubles.
Lopez, 54, and Affleck, 51, rekindled their romance and married in 2022 after their initial engagement in 2002 ended due to intense media scrutiny. Davis, a founding partner of the Texas-based firm Kirker Davis LLP, discussed how these differences might have doomed their relationship from the start.
"No one truly knows what goes on in a private relationship behind closed doors, but we know the media, paparazzi, and public scrutiny of their relationship played a big part in the breakup of their first engagement," Davis commented. She highlighted that Affleck has always preferred a private love life, while Lopez's desire to share intimate details of their relationship publicly has caused friction.
Davis pointed to Lopez's decision to create the movie "This Is Me ... Now," which incorporated aspects of their relationship as part of her brand. "For Jennifer, it makes sense to create a movie about what captivated her passion and focus, and doing the same with an album and a world tour would be very natural for her," Davis explained. However, the fact that Lopez invested $20 million of her own money into the project, only for it to flop commercially, likely added strain to their marriage.
The lawyer elaborated on how such a financial and emotional investment could lead to blame and defensiveness within a relationship, particularly if one partner advised against it. After the project's failure, Lopez canceled her "This Is Me... Live: The Greatest Hits" tour, citing a need to focus on her family. "When people take time away from work to focus on their family, it doesn't necessarily mean they are committed to saving the marriage. It could mean they are emotionally preparing for a divorce and a change in living situation," Davis noted.
Despite the complex issues, Davis suggested that a potential divorce would be straightforward due to their prenuptial agreements. "They both have prenups in place and their families have barely had enough time to blend together, so the true terms of the divorce would likely be predetermined and undramatic," she said. However, the real drama, she added, lies in whether the couple will end their relationship after making such a public display of their "everlasting love" on film and in music.
Recent public appearances, including a photograph of Lopez and Affleck kissing at their son Samuel's basketball game in Santa Monica, have done little to quell rumors of marital discord. These images followed reports in May that Affleck had moved out of their shared home, leading to speculation about an impending divorce.
In her analysis, Davis emphasized the differing personal and professional values of the couple. Lopez's tendency to integrate her personal life with her public persona contrasts sharply with Affleck's preference for privacy. This fundamental difference, Davis argued, is at the heart of their marital issues.
The attorney also touched on how public perception and media scrutiny can exacerbate personal conflicts. "For Jennifer and Ben to be living in two separate homes, for her to be posting forced smiles on social media while canceling the world tour, all of this points to an identity crisis for Jennifer and maybe for Ben as well, and an identity crisis will always strain a marriage," Davis explained.
While the public eagerly watches for updates, it is clear that the couple's challenges are deeply rooted in their different approaches to handling fame and personal life. As Davis summed up, "They'll never stop loving each other, but she can't control him, and he can't change her. There's no way it could have lasted."
