Jennifer Lopez is embracing her independence after a whirlwind year. In a new interview with Interview magazine, the 55-year-old got real about her personal growth, healing from her split with Ben Affleck, and her excitement over her upcoming film Unstoppable.
During the conversation with comedian Nikki Glaser, Lopez reflected on the lessons she’s learned about love, relationships, and finding herself. After filing for divorce from Affleck in August, Lopez says she’s taking the time to focus on herself. “I’m not looking for anybody,” she revealed. “Everything I’ve been through over the past 25, 30 years in different relationships and challenging situations, I realized, ‘What can I do on my own? What if I’m just free?’”
For J.Lo, this time of self-reflection has brought a new understanding of love. Despite the ups and downs of her relationships, she’s discovered that true happiness starts from within. “I thought I had it all figured out, but life keeps sending you curveballs,” she admitted. “Sometimes, you think you’ve learned a lesson, and then it all blows up again. But now, I know you can’t rely on someone else for your happiness. You have to be good on your own.”
Lopez didn’t sugarcoat how tough this path has been, especially following her highly publicized divorce. “It was f—ing hard!” she confessed. “It feels lonely, unfamiliar, scary. But when you sit with those feelings, you realize they won’t kill you. And in that moment, I knew I’m capable of joy and happiness all by myself.”
Even though the divorce is moving forward, Lopez and Affleck remain focused on keeping things amicable for their blended family. Just last month, the former couple reunited for a friendly lunch with four of their five children—Lopez’s twins Max and Emme, and Affleck’s kids Seraphina and Samuel. A source close to Lopez shared that the exes want to set a positive example for their children, showing that co-parenting can still come from a place of love and respect.
While her personal life has been a journey of self-discovery, Lopez is thriving professionally. Her latest movie Unstoppable premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, where it received a standing ovation. The film, based on the true story of wrestler Anthony Robles, who overcame physical adversity to become an NCAA champion, holds a special place in Lopez’s heart. She plays Judy Robles, Anthony’s mother, in the film, which was produced by Affleck and Matt Damon’s company, Artists Equity.
Reflecting on her own life, Lopez shared that the film’s themes of perseverance and overcoming challenges resonate deeply with her. “It’s a beautiful, inspirational story that the world really needs right now,” she said.
