On August 20th, Jennifer Lopez marked a poignant anniversary not with celebration, but with finality.
On what would have been the second year of her wedding to Ben Affleck, Lopez, 55, quietly filed for divorce, ending a marriage that had been the subject of speculation for months.
The petition, which also included a request to revert her legal surname from Affleck to Lopez, was a clear signal: their relationship had reached its conclusion.
The divorce filing cited “irreconcilable differences,” a legal phrase often used to mask the deeper, more complex issues underlying a breakup.
For Lopez and Affleck, insiders say, these differences were rooted in their contrasting personalities—a dynamic that had caused friction both during their initial relationship in the early 2000s and again after their reunion.
“They are very different people,” one insider told People magazine. “She’s super public and is more social, and he’s more of an introvert and is happy to hang out at home.”
This fundamental clash, which may have initially seemed manageable, ultimately proved insurmountable as time passed.
Affleck’s mood swings were another significant factor. According to one insider, the Oscar-winning actor-director experienced “big highs and big lows,” creating an unpredictable atmosphere that put strain on their relationship.
Despite these challenges, the couple initially seemed eager to embrace their rekindled romance, driven by the excitement of their much-publicised reunion.
“It happened quickly,” said another source close to the pair. “These were two people who were in love with love, and who wouldn’t jump into that? They really loved each other.” However, as the novelty wore off, the reality of their differences began to set in.
Lopez, ever the pragmatist, recognised that their marriage was no longer sustainable. Although she officially listed their date of separation as April 26th, the couple had already spent much of the previous four months apart.
During this period, Lopez was in New York, deeply involved in filming and other professional commitments, while Affleck remained in Los Angeles, working on The Accountant 2 and residing in a rental property separate from their shared home.
The couple did occasionally reunite, particularly for events involving their blended family. Affleck’s children with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, and Lopez’s twins from her previous marriage to Marc Anthony, were a shared priority. Yet, despite these efforts, the distance between Lopez and Affleck continued to grow.
“She tried really hard to make things work,” reveals a source close to Lopez. But Affleck’s actions suggested a different priority. His purchase of a $20 million mansion in Los Angeles while Lopez stayed on the East Coast was telling.
Moreover, rumours began circulating about his relationship with actress Kick Kennedy, though an Affleck insider dismissed these as unfounded.
In the end, Lopez felt she had no choice but to look out for herself. Her decision to file for divorce without legal representation underscored her determination to move forward on her own terms.
Now that the couple has officially parted ways, those close to them do not expect a bitter fallout. “It’s civil,” says a source who mentioned Affleck’s emotional ups and downs.
“There’s lots of love and respect there—and sadness.”
