Mamdani Wins NYC Mayor’s Race, Pledges Sweeping Socialist Reforms psss
Mamdani Wins NYC Mayor’s Race, Pledges Sweeping Socialist Reforms
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani delivered a fiery victory speech late Tuesday, promising to deliver on his progressive agenda and declaring his election a historic mandate for change.
Photo Of Trump Boarding Air Force One Turns Heads, When You Zoom Out You’ll See Why
Trump Shares Heartwarming Farewell in Scotland
President Donald Trump ended his Scotland visit with a touching family moment before boarding Air Force One. He held hands with his two young grandchildren, sharing a private moment before returning to the U.S.
Grandchildren in Focus
At his side were Spencer, 12, and Chloe, 11, two of Donald Trump Jr.’s children. Their presence added a personal, family-centered tone to the farewell.
Trump Jr. and Girlfriend Join
In the background, Donald Trump Jr. appeared with his girlfriend, Bettina Anderson. Trump Jr., a father of five, has remained a visible figure throughout his father’s political journey.
Family and Politics
This scene highlighted the blend of family and public life that has long characterized the Trump family, offering a rare glimpse of their private connections during official travels.
Non-Profit’s Plot To Instruct Non-Citizens How to Vote for Mamdani Uncovered
A nonprofit organization in New York City has been caught on camera advising a supposed noncitizen to illegally vote in the mayoral election for Zohran Mamdani.
According to footage released by O’Keefe Media Group (OMG), an undercover journalist posing as an unregistered immigrant approached the nonprofit’s director, asking how to cast a ballot — and who to vote for.
The director allegedly explained how the journalist could navigate the system to vote despite not being a citizen and hinted at which candidate to choose, saying he should vote for the one whose name starts with “M.”
James O’Keefe, founder of the undercover investigative journalism organization, posted the video to X, with the caption: “La Jornada Executive Director Pedro Rodriguez Tells Undercover OMG Journalist Posing as an Unregistered Migrant to ‘Vote for the Guy That Starts with ‘M’ – Despite 501(c)(3) Regulation Prohibiting Political Activity by Tax-Exempt Organizations. Rodriguez Acknowledges Knowing the Individual Is ‘Not Registered’ Before Advising him How to Vote – a Potential Violation of Federal & State Election Laws.”
It’s illegal to vote in New York City elections as a non-citizen, but the voter ID mechanisms are not particularly strong, either.
The video shows the director of the nonprofit “La Jornada” – which boasts a focus on “assisting migrants with their paperwork and legal needs” – talking to the journalist posing as the immigrant.
Mike Casey, the correspondent, told Rodriguez, “Yes, I’m an immigrant. They sent me here to vote. I was recommended to come here to find information to vote. I was given two, dos locations. Forgive me, I am, no Espanol.”
Rodriguez responded, “No, this is perfect for me,” before asking the undercover journalist when he registered to vote.
“I did not, I didn’t sign anything. They just told me to come here to vote,” Casey said.
“You’re not registered? Okay,” the director says. OMG reported that even though the journalist posing as the unregistered immigrant was not in a legal voting status, he was nonetheless instructed to go vote at a local community college.
“It’s three guys. The guy that starts with ‘M,’” Rodriguez instructed.
The only candidate in the race was Zohran Mamdani, who wound up blowing out his opponents to become mayor-elect on Tuesday.
When O’Keefe and his team later confronted Rodriguez, the nonprofit’s director, he denied ever instructing the undercover journalist to vote for Mamdani — despite the fact that the reporter had clearly posed as an illegal immigrant in the recorded exchange.
Mamdani, a self-described “democratic socialist,” is now set to run New York City, the financial capital of America and, arguably, of the free world.
Just the News has reportedly obtained internal documents from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) outlining how the group’s New York City chapter, to which Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani belongs, plans to pressure him into implementing sweeping anti-Israel policies throughout city governance and public life.
Mamdani, who defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa on Tuesday, has long been a fixture in the DSA, where he’s listed as one of nine “New York State Socialists in Office.” The organization, which is decidedly anti-Israel, played a key role in his campaign, backing him in both the Democratic primary and the general election.
During the mayoral race, Mamdani attempted to downplay his ties to the group’s more radical and revolutionary platform — and, according to Politico, the NYC DSA branch actively helped him do so by providing public cover to make his campaign appear more moderate than it truly was.
According to the “Socialists in Office” website, the group is composed of “DSA-endorsed elected officials who work together in the New York State Legislature to advance a socialist vision for working-class people across our state” — and among those featured is Mamdani.
13.Trouble For Mamdani: Polling Numbers Crater As Election Day Nears psss
13.Trouble For Mamdani: Polling Numbers Crater As Election Day Nears psss
Trouble For Mamdani: Polling Numbers Crater As Election Day Nears
With just over a week remaining before Election Day, New York City’s mayoral race has tightened significantly.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Son Billy Undergoes Third Open-Heart Surgery, Inspires Family with Hopeful Recovery
When Jimmy Kimmel took the stage of his late-night show in April 2017, viewers expected his usual humor and irreverence. Instead, he shared a raw, emotional, and deeply personal story. Kimmel revealed that his newborn son, Billy, was facing a life-threatening heart condition: tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, a rare congenital defect that impairs the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. Billy was born just days before this announcement, and doctors quickly realized the seriousness of his condition.
Kimmel described the moment he first learned of Billy’s diagnosis as overwhelming fear and disbelief. “It was like the world stopped,” he said. “All I could think about was, ‘How do I protect this tiny human I just met?’” The condition required urgent medical intervention. Billy underwent open-heart surgery when he was only a few days old at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The procedure was complex, lasting several hours and carrying significant risks. Kimmel shared intimate details about the preparation, the waiting, and the emotional toll of watching his tiny son fight for his life in the operating room. He recalled pacing hospital corridors, feeling helpless, and finding comfort in the skill of the surgical team.
In his emotional monologue on the show, Kimmel described every moment with honesty—holding his breath as doctors explained the procedure, fearing the loss of his child, and experiencing the surreal relief when Billy emerged from surgery, fragile but alive. He used the platform not only to tell his story but to advocate for accessible healthcare, stating, “No parent should ever have to choose between their child’s life and their bank account.”
Since that frightening beginning, Billy has faced more health challenges. By 2024, Kimmel revealed that Billy had successfully undergone his third open-heart surgery. Despite the repeated procedures and hospital stays, Billy is thriving. Kimmel proudly described him as “the toughest (and funniest) 7-year-old we know,” highlighting both his son’s resilience and the family’s strong bond.
Throughout this journey, Kimmel’s wife, Molly McNearney, and their family have been pillars of strength. Kimmel often said that humor and love were essential coping tools. In interviews, he shared how their older children, Jane and Katie, brought laughter into tense hospital rooms, reminding him of the ordinary joys of family life even in difficult times.
Billy’s health battle has become more than a story of survival; it is a testament to the power of parental love, medical expertise, and resilience. Kimmel’s candid sharing of these moments—balancing sorrow with humor, fear with hope—gave viewers a powerful look at the realities of congenital heart disease and the strength families find in hardship.
Billy Kimmel’s journey is far from over, but his story stands as a beacon for families everywhere, showing that courage, love, and laughter can coexist even in the most challenging times.
Jennifer Lopez, 54, is showing
Jennifer Lopez, 54, is showing![]()
Jennifer Lopez, 54, has once again captured the spotlight, this time with whispers of a potential new romance circulating after she was seen in London last Thursday. The global superstar, currently in the midst of a highly publicized split from Ben Affleck, turned heads as she stepped out with a mysterious new man, immediately sparking speculation about her love life.
Dressed in an elegant white double-breasted coat layered over a sleek black dress, JLo exuded effortless glamour. She completed her look with knee-high leather boots and a stylish black hat, embodying her signature sophisticated style. But it wasn’t just her fashion that caught attention—it was the man accompanying her.
Her companion, a tall, blonde man dressed in a gray jacket and black trousers, has been identified as her personal bodyguard. He has reportedly been part of her security team for about a year, though their recent outing has raised eyebrows and fueled rumors of something beyond just professional duties.
While there’s no official confirmation of a romantic relationship, Lopez’s choice to step out with him amid her ongoing divorce proceedings has fans and media outlets buzzing. Whether he’s simply her trusted security detail or something more remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—JLo knows how to keep people talking.
Jennifer Lopez, widely known as J.Lo, has enjoyed an extraordinary career spanning music, film, television, fashion, and business. Even after more than thirty years in the spotlight, her influence continues to be significant. From headlining stadium tours to starring in major films and launching successful ventures, Lopez remains a prominent figure admired for her talent, style, and work ethic. Alongside her professional accomplishments, her personal life—including her relationships—often draws public interest.
Recently, there has been public curiosity regarding Lopez’s personal life, following her previous relationship with Ben Affleck. Observers have noted occasional sightings of Lopez in Los Angeles with companions, prompting discussions online. However, no official statements have confirmed any new romantic relationship.
It is important to differentiate between casual public appearances and verified personal news. A coffee outing or being accompanied by security personnel does not constitute evidence of a romantic involvement. Lopez’s bodyguards, like those of other global celebrities, perform professional duties rather than play personal roles.
Lopez has openly shared her approach to love and independence in interviews, emphasizing self-fulfillment and personal growth. She has highlighted the importance of focusing on her own happiness and well-being, demonstrating that her priorities include family, creative projects, and personal development.
Her past relationships—including those with Sean Combs, Cris Judd, Ben Affleck, and Marc Anthony—have been well-documented and shaped public perception of her life. However, Lopez continues to redefine her own path, balancing her career, family responsibilities, and personal autonomy.
The public’s fascination with her love life reflects her iconic status and relatable experiences. Yet Lopez maintains clear boundaries between her professional achievements and private life, choosing to share selectively. Her focus on inner peace, creativity, and family underscores her dedication to authenticity.
At this stage, whether Lopez is pursuing a new relationship or embracing singlehood, her fans continue to support her. Her story demonstrates resilience, growth, and a commitment to living life on her own terms—qualities that remain at the heart of her public and personal journey.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s Official Relationship Timeline
Their romance started nearly two decades ago
Before there were Marc Anthony and Alex Rodriguez, before Jennifer Garner and Ana de Armas, there was Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck.
Bennifer was the It couple of the early ’00s. Though the two went their separate ways in 2004, 17 years later they resurrected one of Hollywood’s favorite romances. After being spotted on multiple loved-up outings and at red carpet appearances together, they finally got married in 2023.
Ahead, we take a stroll down memory lane and track Ben and Jen’s relationship history, from how they met to the stunning pink diamond Affleck proposed with in 2002—and the new love story they’re creating now that they’re together again.
2001: They meet.
The Hollywood actors—then at arguably the height of their fame—first met on the set of 2003 rom-com Gigli. Not helped by its strange title (pronounced JEE-lee), the movie flopped, but sparks flew between the leading stars.
What to Read Next
At the time, J.Lo was still married to her second husband, dancer Cris Judd; she and Affleck went public with their relationship soon after her divorce from Judd. (The divorce was finalized in 2003.)
In 2016, the actor and singer reflected on the beginning of her relationship with Affleck in an interview with People. “We didn’t try to have a public relationship,” she said. “We just happened to be together at the birth of the tabloids, and it was like ‘Oh my God.’ It was just a lot of pressure.”
She also revealed her first impression of Affleck. “I felt like … ‘Okay, this is it,’” she said. “[But] sometimes I feel like what you think people are and how you see them when you love them is different than when they reveal later.”
2002: Ben makes a cameo in “Jenny From the Block.”
The now-iconic music video features a steamy moment from Bennifer. With J.Lo in a hot-pink bikini and Affleck in a white tank, the lovebirds sunbathe on a boat while the Good Will Hunting writer and star lovingly engages in some PDA with J.Lo’s bottom (a part of her body the media obsessed over back then). The video also made tongue-in-cheek reference to the tabloids’ obsession with the relationship, including surveillance camera footage and pap photos of the two.
In 2010, J.Lo talked about the pressures the media put on their relationship during a guest appearance on The Graham Norton Show. “I love Ben, he’s a great guy, but it was a lot for both of us to be under that type of siege for two years straight,” she said. “We were on the cover of every magazine, every week, it was just a weird thing. … Our relationship, I think, did suffer because of that. That’s not the only reason … but I think it definitely played a part in the dynamic of our relationship.”
November 2002: They get engaged.
J.Lo confirmed the happy news in an interview with Diane Sawyer. “It’s the most magnificent thing I've ever seen,” she said of the 6.1-carat pink diamond from Harry Winston that Affleck gave her. The rock reportedly cost him $2.5 million.
2003: They star in another movie together.
J.Lo played the dead wife of Affleck’s character in Jersey Girl, a dramedy that was slated for a 2003 release, but got pushed to the following year. Also starring Liv Tyler, the film ultimately underperformed at the box office, grossing only $36 million.
September 2003: They postpone their wedding.
Days before the two were set to officially tie the knot, they released a joint statement announcing the ceremony’s postponement:
Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date. When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate “decoy brides” at three different locations, we realized that something was awry. We began to feel that the spirit of what should have been the happiest day of our lives could be compromised. We felt what should have been a joyful and sacred day could be spoiled for us, our families and our friends.
January 2004: Bennifer is over.
On January 22, 2004, the two ended their engagement. J.Lo confirmed the sad news through her spokesperson.
“I am confirming the report that Jennifer Lopez has ended her engagement to Ben Affleck,” the statement said at the time, per MTV. “At this difficult time, we ask that you respect her privacy.”
June 2004: J.Lo moves on.
In June of 2004, the “Let’s Get Loud” singer married singer-songwriter and longtime friend Marc Anthony. The two welcomed twins, daughter Emme Muñiz and son Max Muñiz, in 2008. They separated in 2014.
In her 2014 book, True Love, J.Lo reflected on the turbulent period between announcing her split from Affleck and marrying Anthony. “Ben and I split up at the moment when I thought we were committing to each other forever, it was my first real heartbreak, it felt like my heart had been torn out of my chest,” she wrote, per Page Six. “I sought out comfort in another person, tried to find someone who could make me feel loved and wanted in my loneliest hour. … Marc came back into my life three days after I should have been at the altar saying ‘I do’ to another man.”
She added that their romance may have been her attempt at a quick fix for her heartbreak. “Thinking back, maybe deep down I knew that this was a Band-Aid on the cut, that my wound hadn’t been stitched or healed,” she wrote. “But I pushed all that to the back of my mind. Because life takes unpredictable twists and turns, right? And you’ve just got to go with what you feel is best in the moment.”
2005: Ben marries Jennifer Garner.
Affleck, too, soon moved on. He married Garner in 2005, and the new Hollywood couple welcomed three children together over the years: daughters Violet and Seraphina Affleck, and son Samuel Affleck. The couple divorced in 2018.
April 2021: Bennifer reunites.
After J.Lo ended her engagement to Alex Rodriguez and Affleck split from Ana de Armas, the two were spotted hanging out again. Page Six reported on April 30 that Affleck was photographed visiting Lopez’s Los Angeles home multiple times.
“Security picks him up at a nearby location and drops him off after spending a few hours at her house,” said a source, who insisted on the platonic nature of Affleck’s visits. “They are friends,” the insider said. “They’ve never not been.”
May 2021: J.Lo and Ben jet off to Montana together.
Nearly two decades after they called it quits, Lopez and Affleck headed to Montana for a weeklong vacation. This followed their appearances together at Lopez’s L.A. mansion the day of their departure, and at Global Citizen’s Vax Live benefit concert, per People.
An insider confirmed the getaway to E! News.
“They really care for each other and they picked up right where they left off,” a source told E!
“[Jennifer] spent several days with Ben out of town,” another source added. “They have a strong connection. It’s all been quick and intense, but Jennifer is happy.”
“They have been in touch here and there throughout the years,” said an additional insider close to the singer. “Ben reached out to her to see how she was doing and they had dinner together a few times within this last month. It’s natural between them and the chemistry is unreal. They picked up where they last left off and are enjoying each other’s company right now.”
May 2021: Both Lopez and Affleck “seem committed” to each other.
People reported that Lopez and Affleck were determined not to let distance affect their reunion and that Lopez seemed to be in a good place following her recent split from Alex Rodriguez. “Jennifer is doing well. She seems very happy and excited about her future,” a source told the outlet.
According to People, the singer flew out to Los Angeles to spend more time with her former fiancé. “Jennifer was just in Los Angeles for a couple of days,” said the source. “She spent time with Ben. They have kept in touch every day since their Montana trip … It’s a tricky situation since they live so far from each other, but they both seem committed to making things work.”
Weeks later, Affleck also reportedly took a flight to J.Lo’s residence in Miami to spend more cozy, quality time with her. A separate source told E! News that Affleck’s demonstrated investment toward their rekindling romance amid both stars’ work obligations and coastal commutes had been nothing short of impressive to Lopez, even adding that such efforts by Affleck had made her feel “giddy.”
“It’s comforting to her and she is smitten,” said the insider. “They are giddy together and you can tell she’s really happy.”
“Ben has been making the effort to make it work with their schedules. He’s really making a huge effort,” the source added. “J.Lo thinks Ben has really stepped up and loves this version of him.”
June 2021: The pair are reportedly already thinking about their future.
Lopez and Affleck let fans know they were in it for the long haul. Per People, Bennifer began “slowly starting to talk about the future” a few months after their reunion.
“This is not a casual relationship,” a source said. “They are taking it seriously and want it to be long-lasting.”
The pair were also determined to make the long distance work, the source said. Affleck was based in Los Angeles at the time, while Lopez often worked out of Miami.
“They will continue to travel back and forth between Los Angeles and Miami,” the source said. “They are very happy together.”
June 2021: The pair are “hopeful” their relationship will work this time around.
Entertainment Tonight reported that Lopez and Affleck were feeling positive about their choice to romantically reunite.
“J.Lo and Ben are very much a couple and have been telling friends that they're together,” a source told the outlet. “When they first reconnected, they had to see if the spark was still there because it had been a while. It was, so now they are both fully in it.”
Apparently, the two had also talked through their past.
“[They] talked about the past and why things didn’t work out,” the source said. “They are both hopeful about their relationship this time around and putting the effort in. They have both matured and are on the same page and it has been easy.”
Unlike in Lopez’s relationship with Alex Rodriguez, this time around, the superstar opted to keep her professional and personal lives separate.
“J.Lo and A-Rod were always investing together and mixing business with their relationship, and Ben is less into that,” the source added. “They are just genuinely enjoying each other’s company and having a great time. Jen is very supportive of Ben and his career, but she is also connected, successful, and has her own life.”
July 2021: Their families are getting along “great.”
Lopez’s and Affleck’s families began to bond more, according to E! News. Following weeks of rendezvouses between the pair, Affleck finally joined Lopez and her children at a family birthday party, and the two brought their kids together for a trip to Universal Studios. Over the July 4 weekend, Affleck also joined Lopez and her teenaged twins for some “low-key” time at her Hamptons home.
“J.Lo and Ben seemed to enjoy being on the East Coast and spending time at her beautiful home,” a source told E! News. “It was a nice change of scene for them and a great time with friends and family.”
July 2021: Ben and Jennifer may be moving in together soon.
By now, Bennifer were moving full speed ahead with their romance. According to Entertainment Tonight, close friends of the pair said they “wouldn’t be surprised” if the rekindled power couple “move in together and ultimately end up together.”
“They’re spending all of their free time together and making each other a priority. J.Lo falls hard and has certainly done the same with Ben again this time around,” a source told ET. “Ben is a guy’s guy and does his own thing, which J.Lo loves. He has his own life and is famous in a different way than she is and is not trying to compete with her by any means. They just support and love each other.”
August 2021: Ben browses engagement rings with his mom and son.
In photographs obtained by Page Six, Affleck was seen glancing at engagement rings while popping by a Tiffany & Co. jewelry store at a local shopping mall. Affleck was joined by his son, Samuel Affleck, and his mother, Chris Boldt, for the shopping excursion. The actor’s outing came after spending more time not just with Lopez, but with her children and his, as they slowly worked to blend their families.
“Since Jennifer and Ben are in it for the long run, it’s just a natural step that they all spend time together with the kids,” a source told People.
April 2022: They get engaged (again)!
In an exclusive video published in her personal fan newsletter, Lopez announced that she and Affleck had gotten engaged, a year after reuniting. Per People, the video featured Lopez beaming as she showed off her new engagement ring—an emerald-cut, pale green diamond. Fans also quickly took to social media sharing the news and congratulating Bennifer 2.0.
In addition to posting a teaser clip with the caption “Major Announcement!!!!” Lopez also added a diamond ring emoji to her Twitter name.
April 2022: J.Lo reveals the romantic, intimate way that Ben proposed.
In a new edition of her newsletter, On the JLo, Lopez revealed that Affleck proposed to her for the second time while she was taking a bubble bath.
“Did you ever imagine your biggest dream could come true?” she wrote. “Saturday night while at my favorite place on earth (in the bubble bath), my beautiful love got on one knee and proposed. I was taken totally off guard and just looked in his eyes smiling and crying at the same time trying hard to get my head around the fact that after 20 years this was happening all over again, I was quite literally speechless and he said, ‘is that a yes?’ I said YES of course that’s a YES.”
July 2022: They get married in Vegas.
Lopez and Affleck tied the knot in a surprise Las Vegas wedding at midnight on July 17. The singer confirmed the news on her newsletter, On the JLo, saying that a low-key ceremony in a chapel was exactly what the two wanted.
She also confirmed the changed her last name to match her husband’s and shared a sweet photo of her in bed with her wedding band.
“They were right when they said, ‘all you need is love’. We are so grateful to have that in abundance, a new wonderful family of five amazing children and a life that we have never had more reason to look forward to,” Lopez wrote in her post. “Stick around long enough and maybe you’ll find the best moment of your life in a drive through in Las Vegas at twelve thirty in the morning in the tunnel of love drive through, with your kids and the one you’ll spend forever with. Love is a great thing, maybe the best of things-and worth waiting for.”
July 2022: They go on their first honeymoon.
The pair jetted off to Paris for a sunny summer holiday after their surprise nuptials, and brought along their kids—Lopez’s twins Max and Emme, and Affleck’s daughters, Violet and Seraphina.
The new Mr. and Mrs. Affleck were seen enjoying romantic park walks and intimate dates throughout their stay in the city.
August 2022: They have a second wedding in Georgia.
Just a few weeks after their whirlwind Vegas nuptials, the couple tied the knot in a second wedding party, a private ceremony on the Good Will Hunting star’s Riceboro, Georgia estate, per Page Six.
Celebrity guests included Affleck’s longtime collaborator and close friend Matt Damon and his wife, Luciana Barroso; and director Kevin Smith and actor Jason Mewes. In photos obtained by Page Six, guests appeared to all be dressed in white for the lavish nuptials.
August 2022: They embark on a second honeymoon.
Lopez and Affleck embarked on a honeymoon in Italy, where they visited Milan and Lake Como. They were “really soaking up” the sites and “walking around, mingling, walking in and out of shops and of course [giving] lots of loving attention to each other,” an insider told People. “Every day, they are more in love.”
While shopping at the city’s bevy of luxury stores—like Cartier, Bottega Veneta, and Valentino—the source said, “They were very kind and available with all their fans.”
October 2022: The couple “are still in their honeymoon phase.”
A source opened up to the Daily Mail about the status of the couple’s relationship, months after they officially became husband and wife.
“Ben and Jen are still in their honeymoon phase,” the insider said. “They are very head over heels for each other.”
The source added that their union has only strengthened their existing relationship. “Becoming husband and wife hasn’t changed their relationship much, except for the fact that it solidified what they had,” they said. “They’re looking at homes to purchase together and hoping to find one they’re both happy with. It’s been an ongoing process.”
Affleck was taking care of their blended family while Lopez tackled a new project. “Jen is hard at work filming, and Ben has been taking over daddy duty and helping out with the kids a lot,” the insider explained. “She adores the fact that he is such a great father and she can always rely on him. He’s been very supportive of her and has visited her on set, which she loves.”
The kids also “enjoy spending time together as an entire family.”
November 28, 2022: J.Lo says her relationship with Ben inspired her to record her newest album.
Ahead of the release of her forthcoming album, This Is Me … Now, and in honor of the 20th anniversary of her third studio album, This Is Me … Then, Lopez sat down with Zane Lowe for Apple Music to talk about her latest musical venture. During their conversation, she opened up about how Affleck inspired her to get into the recording studio in both instances—20 years ago and now.
“That album, This Is Me … Then, really captured a moment in time where I fell in love with the love of my life. It’s all just right there on the record and I didn’t even realize what was happening or what I was doing. It was just everyday going from the set to the recording studio, doing the thing, being in love, him coming into the studio,” she reflected. “When I listen to the lyrics now, I didn’t even realize that I was writing some of our story that would happen, which was sick. … I didn’t even realize it was kind of prophetic in a way.”
She added, “When he came back into my life, again the same thing happened where I felt so inspired and so overtaken with emotion that it was just pouring out of me. When I feel good, I write music. And I wrote music and I got in the studio in I think May, and by August when we got married, it was done.”
Lopez also spoke candidly about her initial breakup with Affleck back in 2004. “It was so painful after we broke up. Once we called off that wedding 20 years ago, it was the biggest heartbreak of my life. And I honestly felt like I was gonna die,” she said. “It sent me on a spiral for the next 18 years where I … couldn’t get it right. But now, 20 years later, it does have a happy ending. It has the most, would-never-happen-in-Hollywood ending. They would be like, ‘That would never happen so we’re not gonna write that because nobody would believe it’ ending.”
January 2023: J. Lo says she had the “best year” after moving in with Ben.
Speaking with Today, the singer described the milestone year that was her 2022.
“We moved in together, the kids moved in together, so it’s been like a really kind of emotional transition,” she said. “But at the same time … all your dreams coming true, it’s just been a phenomenal year.”
She added that 2022 was the “best year, I think, since my kids were born.”
February 5, 2023: They make their Grammys debut.
Mr. and Mrs. Affleck arrived at the 65th Grammy Awards in elegant coordinating ensembles. The “Let’s Get Loud” singer looked dazzling in a navy and silver crystal-embellished gown by Gucci and matching accessories. The actor, next to her, looked dapper in a classic black suit, vest, crisp white shirt, and black tie.
May 2023: J.Lo gets candid about raising a blended family with Ben.
During a guest appearance on Live With Kelly and Mark, the “Let’s Get Loud” singer opened up about her and her husband’s blended family.
“That’s almost five teenagers. The youngest is 11, so he’s not quite [a teen], but preteen,” Lopez said, referring to Affleck's son Samuel, whom he shares with ex-wife Jennifer Garner. “He’s an angel.”
She added, “The teenage years are tough. They start challenging you and everything. You have this baby for a while and then it’s like your best little friend who loves being with you all the time, and all of a sudden they’re like, ‘Get out of my room.’ ”
Still, Lopez described the teen years as a period of required growth for their kids.
“It’s the time when they are individuating and they are challenging everything you say and everything you do and everything you are. And that’s what it is. And you have to kind of just ride the waves,” she said. “I feel like it’s like surfing. I’m just riding the waves—whoops, just got knocked over. Now, I’m back! I’m back!”
May 10, 2023: Jennifer gushes about Ben at a premiere.
Jennifer Lopez opened up about her marriage to Ben Affleck at the premiere of her film The Mother. “This whole entire year has been so special, since getting married last year and having a lot of firsts this year together so, it’s been beautiful,” she told Access Hollywood on the red carpet.
May 26, 2023: J.Lo and Ben are “closer than ever before” and “feeling united.”
A source opened up to Entertainment Tonight about the couple’s relationship as they approached their one-year wedding anniversary.
“Ben and Jen are doing phenomenally. They are closer than ever before, and both of them are elated. They’re feeling united and are in very positive spirits,” the source said. “Ben loves how talented, intelligent, and loyal Jen is. They lean on each other and are supportive of one another.”
The insider also spoke about their plans for the summer, adding that the stars had been coordinating their kids’ schedules ahead of the season. “Ben and Jen Garner are figuring out their kids’ upcoming schedules,” the source said. “As for Jen and Marc Anthony, there are no issues when it comes to co-parenting.”
February 8, 2024: J.Lo reveals Ben pushed her to finish writing the This Is Me … Now movie.
During a press conference for forthcoming movie musical, inspired by the songs from her ninth studio album of the same name, Lopez discussed how Affleck helped boost her confidence and pushed her to finish the script.
“I was like, ‘I don’t write, I don’t do this.’ He was like, ‘You do, you write, you direct, you produce, you choreograph, you do all the things. Start stepping into that, start owning a little bit of who you are,’ ” she said.
She added that her rekindled romance with Affleck was what inspired her to get back in the studio. “When Ben and I got back together, it was just like, ‘I want to make music again, I want to get back in the studio,’ ” she said. “I was very, very inspired.”
She continued, “It ended this 20-year journey about a lot of questions that I had about love and being myself, a hopeless romantic, and what it means to really enter into a kind of healthier, more self-accepting phase for myself. Now what will happen from that, I hope, will be even more wonderful things that I have been so privileged to live up until this point.”
February 27, 2024: Ben says he learned to compromise in their relationship after they reunited.
In Lopez’s Amazon Prime documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told, she and Affleck open up about their initial breakup and what they’ve learned to compromise on in the years since.
“Ben and I broke up three days before our wedding, and we crumbled under the pressure. You think you’re doing okay, so you shrug it off,” Lopez says. “I had a broken heart once I lost the love of my life, my best friend, and I couldn’t talk for so many years, and that was the hardest part.”
Elsewhere in the doc, Lopez tells Affleck, “I think I was angry at you for a long time. But that heartbreak set both of us on a course to figuring ourselves out, to being better people. I think I’ve forgiven you all the way. I think I need to forgive myself [for] some things.”
When they eventually reunited in 2021, Affleck says, he initially asked that their relationship not appear on Lopez’s social media at all.
“Getting back together, I said, ‘Listen, one of the things I don’t want is a relationship on social media,’ ” he says. “Then I sort of realized it’s not a fair thing to ask. It’s sort of like, you’re gonna marry a boat captain and you go, ‘Well, I don’t like the water.’ ”
Lopez adds, “I don’t think [Ben] is very comfortable with me doing all of this. But he loves me, he knows I’m an artist, and he’s gonna support me in every way he can, because he knows you can’t stop me from making the music I made … he doesn’t want to stop me. But that doesn’t mean he's comfortable being the muse.”
May 16, 2024: They appear together amid separation rumors.
The two make a low-key appearance at a school play to support their kids, marking their first public appearance together in 47 days. (They were last sighted holding hands in New York City on March 30.) In a video published by In Touch, Lopez wears a beige button-down, frayed wide-leg jeans, and large gold hoop earrings. Meanwhile, Affleck can be seen opening the car door for her from the driver’s seat.
The appearance comes amid widespread rumors that the two have separated, with some outlets even alleging that Affleck has moved out of their shared home. Reps for the couple did not respond to People’s request for comment.
May 17, 2024: Reports claim that Jennifer and Ben are living separately.
Multiple sources tell People that the two are currently living under separate roofs, with Affleck staying at one of their other properties as he films The Accountant 2. Over the weekend, paparazzi photos showing Affleck without his wedding ring fuel the separation rumors.
May 19, 2024: They head out on another family outing.
Amid continued widespread speculation over the status of their marriage, the two head to a movie theater in Los Angeles to attend a film event with Jennifer Garner and their mixed brood, including Affleck’s kids Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12, as well as Lopez’s 16-year-old Emme, per the Daily Mail.
July 8, 2024: They spend Fourth of July apart from each other.
The two celebrate the national holiday on opposite sides of the country, with Lopez vacationing in the Hamptons and Affleck remaining in Los Angeles. Of how Lopez is faring, a source tells People, “She seems fine.”
July 20, 2024: Ben skips Jennifer’s 55th birthday party.
Lopez rings in her milestone birthday (which actually falls on July 24) with an extravagant Bridgerton-themed bash in the Hamptons with her close friends and family, including her mom—but Affleck fails to show up, People reports.
While no explanation is given for the actor’s absence, we do know that Affleck has recently passed on attending major events like the Met Gala and the premiere of her J.Lo’s film Atlas due to production on his upcoming film The Accountant 2—reportedly the same reason he has been living in a Los Angeles rental without his wife.
August 2024: Jennifer goes house hunting in Los Angeles after Ben buys a new estate.
Days after Affleck reportedly bought a new estate in Los Angeles, Lopez is spotted house hunting—this time looking for a place by herself.
A source tells People that Lopez “hasn’t seen Ben for weeks.”
“They’re moving on separately. Jennifer is trying to find a new home to start fresh,” the insider says. “Considering everything that’s going on, Jennifer is having a good summer. She’s been off and able to focus on what’s next. She’s enjoyed spending time with her kids, family and friends.”
They add, “She always has good attitude even when things are not perfect.”
August 20, 2024: Jennifer files for divorce.
TMZ reports that Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck in L.A. County Superior Court, citing April 26, 2024 as the date of separation.
October 9, 2024: Jennifer addresses her divorce from Ben.
In a candid chat with comedian Nikki Glaser for Interview magazine, Lopez opens up for the first time about her divorce from Affleck, and how she’s come to the realization that she would rather be single.
“The pain you just went through, you do not regret,” Glaser says to Lopez.
“Not one second. That doesn’t mean it didn’t almost take me out for good. It almost did. But now, on the other side of it, I think to myself, ‘Fuck, that is exactly what I needed. Thank you, god. I’m sorry it took me so long. I’m sorry that you had to do this to me so many times. I should have learned it two or three times ago. I get it. You had to hit me really hard over the head with a fucking sledgehammer. You dropped the house on me. Don’t have to do it again,’” the singer and actor says.
“You finally got it,” Glaser responds.
“I finally got it! And by the way, that doesn’t mean I have everything figured out,” Lopez continues. “Now I’m excited, when you say you’re just going to be on your own. Yes, I’m not looking for anybody, because everything that I’ve done over the past 25, 30 years, being in these different challenging situations, what can I fucking do when it’s just me flying on my own? What if I’m just free?”
Elsewhere in the interview, J.Lo says she finally learned her lesson when it comes to romantic relationships, and she would rather follow her dreams by herself, and make herself happy, than put herself through more pain just because she feels like she needs a man to grow old with.
November 22, 2024: Jennifer says she “let go of her ego” while filming the Affleck-produced movie Unstoppable.
In a new interview with Amazon/MGM, Jennifer Lopez shares that she had to “let go of her ego” while playing character Judy Robles in her latest film, Unstoppable. The sports biopic, produced by Lopez’s ex-husband Ben Affleck (as well as Matt Damon), follows the success of wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg.
“It was an honor to be a part of Anthony’s story and to play Judy,” Lopez says in the interview, wearing a satin beige blazer. “I approached the role with a complete lack of ego where you have to go in there and have so much respect for the person you are playing because it’s her story.”
According to the actor, there was “no J.Lo” on set. “I disappeared, there was no Jennifer, no J.Lo—that person on the screen is just Judy,” she adds. “Luckily I got to spend time with her and see who she was alone and as a mother.”
March 25, 2025: Ben opens up about the divorce.
In a very rare, candid interview for GQ’s April 2025 issue, Affleck said that he does not want to explain why he and Lopez split, as it feels “embarrassing.”
The actor insisted “there’s no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue” behind the breakup—some things simply don’t work out, no matter how much people want them to.
“The truth is, when you talk to somebody, ‘Hey, what happened?’ Well, there is no, ‘This is what happened,’ ” he noted. “It’s just a story about people trying to figure out their lives and relationships in ways that we all sort of normally do.”
Affleck said that as he gets older, he realizes that “there is no ‘So-and-so did this’ or ‘This was the big event.’ ” Instead, him trying to rationalized the split wound sound “more like a couple’s therapy session, which—you would tune out of someone else’s couple’s therapy after a while.”
“For one thing, you start going, ‘Okay, clearly this person has got these issues. Clearly they have these issues.’ And the reason I don’t want to share that is just sort of embarrassing. It feels vulnerable,” Affleck added.
Affleck and J.Lo still remain on friendly terms, and have often reunited at events to support their kids.
