Jennifer Lopez made a candid and self-reflective confession during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) that has since sparked widespread speculation. At the afterparty for her latest film Unstoppable, Lopez, 55, was overheard repeatedly telling her co-star Bobby Cannavale, "I'm a bad picker." The remark, made during an informal chat, has fueled rumors that Lopez was referring to her recent divorce from Ben Affleck, further igniting public curiosity about the singer and actress's personal life.
Lopez, dressed in a striking silver Tamara Ralph ensemble, was in high spirits as she attended the event solo. Her statement, "I'm a bad picker," which she repeated multiple times for Cannavale, seemed to encapsulate a lighthearted yet poignant acknowledgment of her past choices in romantic relationships. The phrase is commonly understood to describe someone who consistently chooses unsuitable partners, though Lopez did not clarify whether she was directly alluding to her split from Affleck.
The timing of Lopez's comment coincides with her filing for divorce from Affleck on August 20, exactly two years after their much-publicized wedding. The couple, who rekindled their romance in 2021 nearly two decades after their initial engagement was called off, had been the subject of persistent rumors about the state of their marriage. Sources close to the couple had previously hinted at growing tensions, citing Affleck's alleged mood swings as a point of contention.
Lopez's playful demeanor at the TIFF event, however, suggested she is moving forward with her life. She was seen engaging warmly with Cannavale, even jokingly repeating her "bad picker" confession for him when he initially struggled to hear it. The interaction, captured on video and later shared by The Hollywood Reporter, showed Lopez dancing and laughing, seemingly unbothered by the recent turbulence in her personal life.
The Unstoppable premiere marked Lopez's first major public appearance since the divorce filing. Notably absent from the event was Affleck, who co-produced the film under his company Artists Equity. His best friend and business partner, Matt Damon, was present, but Affleck's absence only heightened speculation about the current state of their relationship.
Lopez's remarks have added fuel to the ongoing narrative surrounding her complex romantic history. This is Lopez's fourth divorce, following previous marriages to Ojani Noa, Cris Judd, and Marc Anthony, with whom she shares 16-year-old twins Max and Emme. Her tumultuous relationship with Affleck has long captivated the public, from their initial romance in the early 2000s, dubbed "Bennifer," to their surprise elopement in Las Vegas in July 2022.
Despite the public scrutiny, Lopez appears focused on her career and family. On Labor Day Weekend, she shared a series of personal photos on Instagram, reflecting on her summer spent with loved ones. The post included cryptic messages like "Everything is unfolding in divine order" and "She's in bloom and unbothered out of reach and at peace," suggesting a sense of closure and new beginnings.
While Lopez has remained relatively silent about the details of her divorce, her comment at the TIFF event provides a rare glimpse into her state of mind. It remains to be seen how the divorce will impact her future projects with Affleck, particularly given their collaboration on Unstoppable. The film is the first project they've worked on together since Gigli and Jersey Girl, films that coincided with the height of their initial relationship.
As for Affleck, he has yet to publicly address the divorce or Lopez's recent comments. His move out of their shared Los Angeles home in May was seen as a significant step in the dissolution of their marriage, but he has maintained a low profile since then.
