Jennifer Lopez has opened up about the challenges she and Ben Affleck faced during their first romance, describing it as a period of “PTSD” due to intense media scrutiny. The couple, who recently rekindled their relationship in April 2021, faced significant public attention and criticism during their initial dating years before splitting in 2004.
In an interview with Variety ahead of the release of her new album and companion film, “This Is Me … Now,” Lopez expressed her concerns about once again putting her love life in the spotlight. She acknowledged the challenges they faced during their first relationship but emphasized that they are older, wiser, and better equipped to handle the pressure.
Lopez stated, “We both have PTSD. But we’re older now. We’re wiser. We also know what’s important, what’s really important in life, and it’s not so much what other people think. It’s about being true to who you are.”
Reflecting on the changes in their lives over the past 18 years, Lopez mentioned that they are in different places, have more experience, and are conscious of their roles as parents to a combined total of five children. She highlighted the importance of appreciating and celebrating each other, stating, “We always did, but we have even more of an appreciation because we know that life can take you in different directions.”
The couple’s first romance was marked by intense media attention, and Lopez acknowledged that they are now strong enough to distinguish between what is real and what is not, emphasizing their ability to navigate external pressures.
Lopez’s upcoming project, “This Is Me … Now,” serves as a sequel to her 2002 album “This Is Me … Then.” The album and its companion film, set to be released on February 16, 2024, will offer a reimagining of her publicly scrutinized love life and mark her first studio album in 10 years. The film, directed by Dave Meyers, is co-written by Lopez, Affleck, and Matt Walton.
