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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez first met on the set ofGigliin 2002 — a big and complicated year for Lopez romantically after she married second husband Cris Judd in Sept. 2001. (Affleck, at that time, was off-and-on dating Gwyneth Paltrow.) Lopez filed for divorce from Judd in 2002 and made her couple debut with Affleck soon thereafter. In November 2002, they got engaged and released the famous “Jenny on the Block” music video in which they co-starred, and for nearly a full year, the world belonged to Bennifer. Like the cicadas, Bennifer can only emerge once every 17 years. And in 2003, disaster struck.
Things still seemed hot and heavy for Affleck and Lopez up until days before their Sept. 2003 nuptials, when they released a last-minute announcement that the big day was off — sadly, not the last hotly-anticipated wedding Lopez would call off in the public eye. In January 2004, the couple confirmed that they were going their separate ways. And six months later, Lopez married Marc Anthony in a secret ceremony, to whom she stayed married until 2011.
Star-crossed lovers Affleck and Lopez maintained nothing but admiration for one another throughout all these years apart, and in 2021, amid Lopez’s sad split from ex-fiancé Alex Rodriguez, they’ve once again crossed paths, first spotted hanging out around Los Angeles, then reportedly leaving the Vax Livefilming together to vacation at a resort in Big Sky, Montana. Soon after the world exploded over the news, everyone’s hearts stopped when they announced the return of Bennifer: Bennifer 2.0.
Ever since they reconciled in April 2021, they’ve been seen smooching and cuddling at a bunch of their movie premieres. They don’t care who’s watching, they just want the world to know they’re back and better than ever. Not only have they been adorable eye candy at each other’s events, but throughout 2021, they kept taking many steps with one another. First came meeting each other’s kids, then they made headlines when news broke that they were spending Christmas together, and ever since, they’ve been traveling to a new country nearly every month.
However, the biggest news of 2022 broke when Bennifer 2.0 put a ring on it again. Lopez uploaded a beautiful, teary-eyed video to her web page, confirming she and Affleck were engaged and showing off the glittering green engagement ring Affleck gave her.
Then on July 17, news broke that the two ended up eloping in Las Vegas! One of our favorite parts of their romance part II? We’re getting new songs inspired by their love. Lopez is putting out a new album called This Is Me…Now, which reflects on their relationship. “We captured me at this moment in time when I was reunited with the love of my life and we decided we were going to be together forever. The whole message of the album [This Is Me…Now] is, ‘This love exists. This is a real love,'” Lopez told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe in a recent interview.
Now, in May 28, breakup rumors started all over again, especially since they no longer live together or wear their wedding rings.
These two lovebirds have taken fans on a roller coaster.
Let’s look back on how it all started.
A version of this article was originally published in May 2021.
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‘Jenny on the Block’ Filming(2002)
Affleck famously played the doting boyfriend in the music video for Lopez’s “Jenny on the Block,” and this snap from filming looks every bit as romantic as the finished product.
‘Maid in Manhattan’ Premiere (Dec.2002)
Affleck’s goatee! Lopez’s fur! TheMaid in Manhattan premiere saw proud boyfriend Affleck accompanying the movie star to her movie’s opening.
‘Daredevil’ Premiere (Feb.2003)
Affleck and Lopez couldn’t stop laughing at the Los Angeles premiere of Daredevil in early 2003.
The Oscars (March2003)
Affleck and Lopez stole a kiss on the Oscars red carpet before going on as presenters at the show — and even though he’s pulling a Matt James with the open eyes, it’s one of our favorite photos.
‘Vanity Fair’ Oscars Party (March2003)
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez weren’t afraid to pack on the PDA at the ‘Vanity Fair’ Oscars Party.
Lakers Game (May2003)
Just another casual couple sitting courtside at a Lakers game. Lopez looks fresh-faced and Affleck looks so at home.
‘Gigli’ (2003)
The movie that started it all. Here’s Lopez and Affleck inGigli,an action-comedy movie in which they play very different assassins.
Later, in a 2022 interview, Lopez explained exactly how she fell in love with Affleck during the filming of the flick. “I think what happened is, as we worked together, we became such good friends. We realised that we were crazy about each other,” the actress said, per Daily Mail. “I found myself kind of thinking about him after the movie was over. And having to take care of my own business, because I was coming out of a relationship at that time.”
‘Gigli’ Premiere (July2003)
The Gigli co-stars posed for a series of famous photos at the Westwood premiere of their 2003 movie.
‘Jersey Girl’ (2004)
By the timeJerseyGirl hit theaters, Affleck and Lopez were over, but this was their most romantic co-starring role yet — even if most of the movie takes place after Lopez’s character has died.
Breakup (Jan 2004)
After postponing their wedding, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez broke up in Jan 2004.
‘The Last Duel’ Premiere in Venice (Sept.2021)
It’s been nearly 20 years since their last red carpet appearance together and my, oh my, they’re still gorgeous together after they rekindled their romance.
‘The Last Duel’ World Premiere (Oct.2021)
The two stepped out again a month later at the world premiere ofThe Last Duel,and things were already heating up a bunch between the two.
Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics Game (Dec.2021)
Not only do they get glammed up but the pair love relaxing in style at a basketball game.
‘The Tender Bar’ Premiere (Dec.2021)
Our hearts stopped when the two arrived at the premiere forThe Tender Bar.Look how beautiful and right the two look together!
‘Marry Me’ (Feb.2022)
At theMarry Mespecial screening event, Bennifer was in full PDA mode and we couldn’t get enough of it!
Married in Las Vegas (July2022)
As of July 2022, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s fairytale finally hit a new point: they’re married!TMZ broke the story on July 17 that the two allegedly eloped in Las Vegas, with close sources confirming soon after.
Honeymoon (July 2022)
Right after their Las Vegas wedding, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck jetted off to Paris for their honeymoon. They went to so many places like Le Matignon, the art museum Musée d’Orsay with their kids, a gorgeous cruise on the River Sienne, and more.
Wedding #2 (Aug.2022)
Then in Aug, the two married in a storybook wedding with their friends and family at their Atlanta compound.
Newlywed Life (Aug.2022)
Ever since these two tied the knot, they’ve been as happy as can be: co-parenting with their exes, going to red-carpet events, and even shouting each other out on Instagram with sweet compilation videos.
Grammys Appearance (Feb.2023)
The couple enjoyed a lavish evening out at the 2023 Grammys. Lopez shared a video of herself with Affleck on Instagram, accompanied by the caption: “Always the best time with my love, my husband 🤍.”
Dunkin’ Donuts Commercial (Feb.2023)
During 2023’s LVII Super Bowl, Affleck completed a dream he didn’t even know he had: he starred in Dunkin’ Donuts’ Super Bowl commercial with Lopez. In the hilarious ad, Affleck becomes a Dunkin’ employee for the day and clumsily serves unsuspecting customers. At the end, Lopez comes through the drive-thru and says, “What are you doing? Is that what you do when you say you’re going to work all day?” We’ll be watching this one on replay!
Matching Ink (Feb.2023)
Celebrating their first Valentine’s Day as a married couple, Lopez and Affleck got matching tattoos together. Showing off their new ink on Instagram, it looks like Lopez’s new tattoo is of an infinity sign with the names “Jennifer” and “Ben” written in cursive and an arrow also going right through it. Affleck’s ink has a similar vibe with two arrows crossing one another with the letters “J” and “B” written around them. “Commitment ♾️,” Lopez wrote in the caption. “Happy Valentine’s Day my love 🤍.”
New Home (Feb.2023)
According to TMZ, Lopez and Affleck bought a Pacific Palisades home that was listed for $34.5 million. The happy couple had been looking for a new home to settle their new family for a while so we’re happy their hunt is finally over!
New Movie in the Works (March2023)
For the first time since 2004, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are set to collaborate on their first movie in almost 20 years.Lopez is set to star in the upcoming biopic titled Unstoppable. Now Affleck won’t be starring alongside her, he will be one of the producers. The biopic will be produced by Artists Equity, the production company founded by Affleck and Matt Damon, per UsMagazine.
‘The Mother’ Premiere (May2023)
This huge PDA moment confirmed that these two are more in love than ever, despite claims that they’re fighting all the time!
‘The Mother’ Premiere (May2023)
These two looked like a million bucks at The Mother premiere on May 10, 2023!
‘The Flash’ Premiere (June2023)
While Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck looked amazing at the premiere ofThe Flash,many people were convinced they had a huge fight.
2023 Eastern Congo Initiative Poker & Blackjack Tournament (Nov2023)
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck looked amazing together at this low-key appearance at the 2023 Eastern Congo Initiative Poker & Blackjack Tournament.
LACMA Art+Film Gala (Nov2023)
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez made yet another star-studded appearance, both dripping in Gucci, at the 2023 LACMA Art+Film Gala.
ELLE’s Women In Hollywood Celebration (Dec2023)
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez looked more in love, and happier than ever while laughing throughout the ELLE’s Women In Hollywood Celebration.
81st Golden Globe Awards (Jan2024)
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez turned every head at the 81st Golden Globe Awards!
‘This Is Me Now: A Love Story’ Premiere (Feb2024)
Ben Affleck was by Jennifer Lopez’s side throughout the controversial “This is Me Now” era, including at her movie premiere.
Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors (March2024)
Throughout the springtime, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck made rare appearances, all of which looked rather tense.
Met Gala (May2024)
Breakup rumors started to swirl when Jennifer Lopez arrived to the 2024 Met Gala solo
Divorce Rumors (May2024)
In May 2024, it was discovered that not only were the pair living separately, but they were both seen without their wedding rings; psurring on divorce rumors.
