Jennifer Lopez Admits Second Ben Affleck Split 'Almost Did Take Me Out for Good' but Was 'Exactly What I Needed'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jennifer Lopez in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Feb. 10, 2024; Ben Affleck in Venice, Italy, on Sept. 10, 2021.Photo:Darren Gerrish/Getty; Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Darren Gerrish/Getty; Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Jennifer Lopezgained some invaluable perspective following her split fromBen Affleck.

The actress and singer wasfirst engaged to Affleckin the early 2000s before their initial split, rekindling their relationship in 2021 and marrying in 2022. Lopez, 55, laterfiled for divorceon Aug. 20, which also marked thetwo-year anniversaryof their Georgia wedding celebration.

In a newly published chat with comedianNikki GlaserforInterviewmagazine, which took place on Sept. 10, Lopez said she doesn’t regret the pain she went through following her recent breakup with Affleck, 52, “for one second.”

“That doesn’t mean it didn’t almost take me out for good. It almost did,” she continued. “But now, on the other side of it, I think to myself, ‘F—, that is exactly what I needed. Thank you, God. I’m sorry it took me so long. I’m sorry that you had to do this to me so many times.’ "

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in Beverly Hills, California, on Jan. 7, 2024.Christopher Polk/Golden Globes 2024/Getty

Christopher Polk/Golden Globes 2024/Getty

" ‘I should have learned it two or three times ago. I get it,’ " added theUnstoppableactress. " ‘You had to hit me really hard over the head with a f—ing sledgehammer. You dropped the house on me. Don’t have to do it again.’ "

Before reconnecting with Affleck, Lopez wed singer-songwriterMarc Anthonyin a privateJune 2004 ceremony. The two share 16-year-old twinsEmme and Max, whom they welcomed in February 2008.

Lopez and Anthony, 56,announced their splitin a joint statement in July 2011. Thedivorce was finalizedin June 2014.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Jennifer Lopez in Los Angeles on Feb. 5, 2023.Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Lopez also opened up to Glaser during theirInterviewchat about what she has learned while navigating a difficult, but ultimately illuminating, year.

“It’s a lifelong process,” she said. “I think that’s what I love about life: that there’s no arrival point. There’s only getting better and growing if you want to. It’s either growing or dying, and I don’t want to do the dying part.”

As for her dating life, Lopez told Glaser, “Now I’m excited, when you say you’re just going to be on your own.”

“Yes, I’mnot looking for anybody, because everything that I’ve done over the past 25, 30 years, being in these different challenging situations, what can I f—ing do when it’s just me flying on my own,” she said. “What if I’m just free?”

Unstoppablewill be in theaters beginning Dec. 6.

source: people.com