J.LO’S HOTTER THAN EVER AT 52
CELEBRATING HER BIRTHDAY IN PARADISE, THE SINGER SPARKS RUMOURS THAT SHE’S SET TO WALK DOWN THE AISLE AGAIN
Reboots and revivals are everywhere you look in Hollywood – but who could’ve guessed that the most talked about love story of 2021 would be an emotional real-life sequel featuring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez? Part 1: back in 2004, the couple broke off their engagement after an intense relationship that played out in a swirl of diamonds, red carpets and tabloid headlines. Part 2: older, wiser and still passionate about each other, the superstars have rekindled their romance – and they’re determined to make it last.
“Even though their split many years ago was devastating for Jennifer, she has never had a bad word to say about Ben,” a source close to the singer tells WHO’s sister publication People magazine. “She believes that it wasn’t just meant to be then and feels like they’ve been given a second chance.”
Their second chance at love does bear some striking similarities to their first run at romance though. On July 24, the pair were spotted looking loved up while holidaying on a yacht in SaintTropez for Lopez’s 52nd birthday. Soaking up some sun, Affleck was sprung getting handsy while applying sun cream to his lady love – reminiscent of that infamous scene from her ‘Jenny from the Block’ music video back in 2002 (see below).
The similarity could also be put down to the fact that Lopez doesn’t look like she’s aged a day, despite it being almost two decades since their original romance kicked off. Former addict Affleck, 48, also appeared to be the picture of health, with Lopez’s emphasis on fitness and wellbeing said to be rubbing off on the actor. “He has been working on himself,” another source shared with People. “Jennifer will encourage him and help him if he needs it … she’s a good influence on him.”
Lopez’s amazing body isn’t the only thing she’s held onto since their first relationship all those years ago. Soon after they were caught sneaking in several rendezvous at the singer’s home in Los Angeles back in April following her split with Alex Rodriguez, Lopez’s former publicist Rob Shuter revealed she had held onto the 6.1-carat pink diamond from Harry Winston that Affleck had originally proposed to her with. “As far as I know, Jen has never returned the ring,” he told Fox News at the time.
“She’s already got the ring” — SHUTER
“Jennifer falls hard and she falls fast … So if things move forward with these two, gosh she’s already got the ring.”
Insiders say the relationship is definitely moving in that direction. “They want a future together,” the Lopez source shared with People of the couple. “Jennifer never thought she’d end up with Ben, but she’s thrilled that she did.”
The feeling is mutual for Affleck, who first sparked buzz about their renewed bond when he praised Lopez’s “extraordinary work ethic” and “humility” in her May InStyle cover story. “They are madly in love,” says a Hollywood insider. “They are the loves of each other’s lives.”
Enjoying vacations in Montana, Miami, New York and now Saint-Tropez over the past three months, the couple are also settling into life in Los Angeles together. Affleck has introduced the singer to his three children – Violet, 15, Seraphina, 12, and Samuel, 9 – with ex-wife Jennifer Garner. While Lopez’s 13-year-old twins with ex-husband Marc Anthony, have happily accepted the actor into their lives. “Emme and Max are on board with starting fresh in LA,” the Lopez source says of her kids. “They’re slowly getting to know Ben. Everything seems to be running smoothly.”
With things going as well as they have, the pair have even been spotted househunting together in LA. Visiting a number of luxe mansions in the Holmby Hills area, Lopez and Affleck took a special interest in an $88 million estate (see left) – with the eight-bedroom, 12-bathroom pad having plenty of room to house their blended family unit. “She’s a business person and a family person, and he is, too. That’s why they work,” says the People source. “Their priorities are their family.”
Hinting at her relationship with Affleck, Lopez recently confessed she has found a new “happiness” within herself. “Once I realised that, things [happened]. Things happen that you don’t expect to ever happen,” she said in a radio interview on July 12. “Once you get to the point where you’re like, ‘This is not right for me’ … stuff starts falling into place.”
For Lopez, that appears to be a fresh start in LA and a romance that looks set to soon be headed down the aisle. But, Affleck is keen to keep an engagement under wraps for as long as possible – with their last attempt falling foul to public scrutiny. “Ben wants to protect what they have,” says the Hollywood insider. “They want to do everything they can to make this work this time around,” adds the Lopez source.
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