J-Lo and A-Rod go solo
Couple break off their two-year engagement
JENNIFER Lopez and Alex Rodriguez have confirmed they have split up, ending their two-year engagement.
Last month, the couple said they had been “working through” a rough patch.
But in a joint statement released to US TV’s The Today Show yesterday, the couple said: “We have realised we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so. We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects.
“We wish the best for each other and one another’s children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have is to say thank you to everyone who sent kind words and support.”
Jennifer has 13-year-old twins Emme and Max from a previous marriage to Marc Anthony.
Alex has two daughters, Natasha, 16, and Ella, 12, with ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis.
The pop star and actress, 51, started dating former baseball star Alex, 45, in 2017 and they announced their engagement in 2019 after he proposed in the Bahamas. But rumours of a split surfaced last month. A source said at the time: “They never officially broke up and talked about it but are still together. They hit a rough patch.”
Jennifer was shooting her film Shotgun Wedding in the Caribbean while Alex, a broadcaster, prepared for the new baseball season in Miami. They released a statement at the time, saying: “All the reports are inaccurate. We are working through some things.”
In February, US reports linked Alex, known as A-Rod, to Madison LeCroy, a reality star accused of flying to Miami to sleep with an unnamed former Major League Baseball player, which she denied. In February, Madison, 30, said she and Alex had spoken by phone but “never met up” adding: “He’s never physically cheated on his fiancee with me.” Days after their statement in March, Jennifer and Alex were spotted kissing in the Dominican Republic. But last week J-Lo, who has been married three times previously, was pictured without her $5million engagement ring.
The couple postponed their wedding twice due to the pandemic. They reportedly planned a prenuptial agreement with a $250m (£180m) “cheating clause”. Jennifer is said to be worth $150m (£108m), and Alex reportedly earns $20m a year.