The early 2000 fell in love with the on-screen couple, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck and soon became known as “Bennifer” by the fans. In 2003 the couple worked together on a movie called “Gigli” which received criticism over the “bizarre” concept of combining the idea of LGTBQ community and a mentally disturbed person.
Gigli was the name of the character that was played by Affleck, was hired as a hit man to kidnap the metally disturbed brother of a local California district attorney. Ricki (Lopez), also a member of the LGTBQ community, was sent to cooperate with Gigli. Along the way both, Gigli and Ricki, fall in love and and runaway in the later parts of the movie.
Joi Ito/ Flickr | Media pressure can affect a relationship for the worse
In 2004 they worked together again on “Jersey Girl”. The storyline of this movie was completely different from Gigli as it was directed by Kevin Smith. The plot covers the life of Ollie Trinkie, played by none other than Ben Affleck, and his wife Gertude, Jenifer Lopez, who died after giving birth to their child Raquel Castro. The movie is a romantic comedy between Ben and Liv Tyler, with some subtle hints of Lopez in the backstory. This film made about $30 million whereas Gigli made only $7 million.
Many people don’t know but Lopez and Affleck also worked together in one of her music videos, specifically “Jenny from the block”
Timeline of Lopez and Affleck’s relationship
Gage Skidmore/ Flickr | Did you know Ben Affleck’s net worth is $150 million
After the release of Gigli, many fans speculated a spark between the two actors. Lopez was married to Chris Judd at that time. In an interview Affleck denied all the rumors and suspicions of them dating. He commented that Lopez was very loyal to her marriage and they were nothing more than just good friends. Ben proved to be a very good friend and great support while Lopez went through her divorce with Judd in 2002.
A month after the separation Ben and Jennifer finally took their thing to the next level and went public with their romantic relationship. During the filming for Jersey Girl in 2002 fans caught many moments of the couple together. Later that year they announced their engagement. Ben made a romantic gesture by decorating their house with rose petals and candles with the song “Glad” by Lopez playing in the background. Ben proposed to her with a Harry Winston’s custom-made 6 carat pink diamond ring, Lopez’s favourite stone.
In November 2002 Jennifer released her third album that was inspired by her new engagement. The album also contained a song called “Dear Ben” that was directed towards Aflleck and described all her emotions and love towards him.
In 2003 the couple attended the premiere of Daredevil together where Ben commented that he and Lopez were looking forward to getting married that year. However, the marriage was later postponed due to public attention. In 2004 they started attending events separately and the engagement was finally announced to be over.
5921373/ Pixabay | Both of them are play an active role in their children’s lives
Lopez married Marc Anthony in 2004, welcomed two beautiful twins and got separated in 2011. Whereas Ben married Jennifer Garner in 2005 and had three children with her. Their marriage ended in 2015. Both Lopez and Affleck remained good friends and supported each other’s careers throughout the years but kept a low key relationship in the public eye. By 2021 the couple got together again and have been going strong since then.
Tabloid attention made them split in 2004
Since then the couple had noted on multiple reasons, but the real reason behind their failed engagement was because of media and excessive public attention. They saw each other on the cover of every magazine and people started interpreting their public displays as the reason behind many conflicts between them. To avoid all the hassle again they kept in contact through emails throughout the years.
Lopez had been left heartbroken with the split and found consolation through Marc but her love for Ben remained genuine. However, neither of them could take the pressure. They now ask all their fans, paparazzi and media to respect their privacy and the need to hide their relationship for safety of their affection for each other.
