In the early 2000s IT Holywood couple Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were a pop culture phenomenon. Their separation became arguably one of the most widely discussed topics of the decade. In fact, the ongoing interest in their breakup would likely have persisted if the two hadn’t chosen to reunite and rekindle their unfinished story from two decades ago, a decision they made during the lockdown period.
Subsequent to their breakup in 2004, actor Ben Affleck spoke in an interview about his broken engagement and his broken heart. He acknowledged the unfortunate timing that surrounded all the events and how it actually affected his life, which he very wisely articulated using the word “gross”.
Ben Affleck Regretted His 2002 Engagement With Jennifer Lopez
No matter the chatter, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck remain unquestionably destined for one another. While the early 2000s didn’t align in their favor, the passing of two decades more than compensated for that lost time. Hence, as the actress and singer returned the iconic 8.5 carats humongous pink diamond ring to him in 2004, regret nibbled at Ben Affleck, reminding him of what could have been. In an interview with Now Magazine, Affleck revealed,
“I should never have got engaged and never gone down that route. I thought I wanted certain things, but I didn’t. I got lost and felt suffocated, miserable, and gross,–Being in the middle of a tabloid frenzy, it became so intense I had to stop and think, ‘What am I doing with my life?’”
The extensive media scrutiny that surrounded their entire time together could be described as nothing short of detrimental leading the actor to feel extremely claustrophobic. It exacted a substantial toll on both individuals, prompting them to doubt their own instincts and eventually culminating in the dissolution of their engagement. Nevertheless, the spotlight didn’t wane after their breakup either. Jennifer Lopez, for much of the 2000s, opted to keep her private emotions away from the public eye. However, it was during their reunion that the actress chose to share more openly.
Also Read: “That’s just Batman undercover as Superman!”: Ben Affleck’s Resurfaced Scene as Superman in a 2006 Film Draws Hilarious Response From Fans
How did The Break Up Affect Jennifer Lopez?
Although it seemed on the surface level the two moved on from the 2004 disaster, it was very hard for both Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck to deal with it under the limelight. Especially for the pop star JLo. In a 2022 interview with Apple Music, she claimed it was the greatest heartbreak she ever had to experience. She said,
“It was so painful after we broke up. Once we called off that wedding 20 years ago, it was the biggest heartbreak of my life. I honestly felt like I was going to die.–It sent me on a spiral for the next 18 years where I just couldn’t get it right. But now, 20 years later, it does have a happy ending. It has the most ‘would never happen in Hollywood’ ending,”
The notion of the two reigniting their affection after such a huge gap was beyond most people’s imagination, including their own. However, according to reports, this time everything aligned in their favor. Having led rich and fulfilling lives individually, Lopez and Affleck were now finally able to direct their undivided attention to each other. Thus, this time around the pair did not take any chances and married each other twice in 2022. After all, their love story was twenty years in the making!
Source: Now Magazine (via Digital Spy)
