How Jennifer Lopez Lived to Sing About Bennifer

CO-EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Cynthia Littleton

The first time Jennifer Lopez fell in love with Ben Affleck, she lost control of the narrative. Bennifer 1.0, an 18-month pairing from 2002 to 2004, defined a rougher moment of tabloid culture — and with every public display of affection came a counterreaction from the celebrity press and the early blogosphere. Lopez and Affleck, who were both in their 30s at the time, became a punchline, hounded by the paparazzi, stalked and robbed of any privacy. In a final indignity, their two movies together — the infamous “Gigli” and Kevin Smith’s “Jersey Girl” — flopped.

It’s amazing, then, that this Hollywood sequel two decades in the making has had a happy ending. Lopez and Affleck, both having long since climbed back from “Gigli” and now at the top of their careers, reunited as a couple in 2021 and got married in 2022. It’s given Lopez plenty to sing about: Her new album, “This Is Me ... Now,” which is accompanied by a musical film and documentary, tells the story of her and Affleck’s journey toward reunion.

Ramin Setoodeh

In this week’s cover story by Stephen Rodrick, Lopez talks about her decision to keep talking, and make music, about her greatest love. One key difference from 20 years ago: She’s finally living in public on her own terms. Lopez spent $20 million selffinancing the ambitious (and totally out there) film, which Rodrick saw an early cut of last fall at Lopez’s house, and in its complete version for this profile. Anyway, it’s a love story — who wouldn’t want to say yes?

Which brings to mind the other multi-hyphenate of the moment. Taylor Swift has had quite a month: Over a span of a week, she went from winning the album of the year Grammy for “Midnights” to performing four sold-out shows in Tokyo to winning the Super Bowl. OK, Swift wasn’t actually on the field until her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs emerged victorious on Feb. 11, but she was the main event for plenty of new NFL fans. Next up? Let’s ask this happy couple to keep the good vibes going by presenting best picture at the Oscars.