Rekindled romance: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez sent the pop culture sphere into a frenzy by rekindling their romance after 17 years apart; Ben and Jennifer pictured on July 3
2001
The beginning: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez first met on the set of their film Gigli in December 2001
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez first met on the set of their film Gigli in December 2001.
The movie, upon its eventual release two years later, won seven Razzies and was branded ‘unwatchable’ by some critics.
It garnered $7.2m in the box office against a reported $55m budget.
Yet all was not lost, as the film brought Bennifer closer together.
SEPTEMBER 2002
Reunited: While they were yet to know about their looming box office failure, Bennifer were in front of the camera once more in 2002 as they reunited to shoot the 2004 movie Jersey Girl
While they were yet to know about their looming box office failure, Bennifer were in front of the camera once more in 2002 as they reunited to shoot the 2004 movie Jersey Girl.
The movie was where their love was cemented and the couple’s romance was born.
Their name was in fact born on-set, as Jersey Girl director Kevin Smith revealed this week: ‘Bennifer’ is trending. It’s a name I first gave the kids during ‘Jersey Girl’ pre-production, before the world found out they were dating…
‘I’d later drop the name in an interview with the @nytimes. Shortly thereafter, it appeared in the article and then entered the vernacular.’
2002 ONWARD
The duo made their red carpet debut at the premiere of her movie Maid In Manhattan and so was the birth of the tabloid favorites and their all singing, all dancing pap personalities.
From red carpet appearances to Juicy Couture tracksuits, they soon became one of the world’s most photographed couples thanks to their Hollywood good looks and glamorous style.
NOVEMBER 2002
Engaged: Ben popped the question to Jennifer in 2002 during a visit to see his family in Boston – leading to a delighted surprise; Ben and Jennifer pictured in 2003
Ben popped the question to Jennifer with an eye-popping 6.1-carat pink solitaire diamond from Harry Winston during a visit to see his family in Boston – leading to a delighted surprise.
She described the proposal, saying: ‘It’s just a blanket, a quilt of rose petals, all over the whole entire house. So many candles, and vases, bouquets. And my song I’m Glad was playing… I walk in and I was just like overwhelmed. I wasn’t expecting it, and I was just like ‘Oh my God.”
Ben then revealed that his mother Christopher Anne Boldt helped him with the proposal, after which Jennifer said: ‘I just started sobbing. Crying. I was like ‘Oh! My God!”
She went on: ‘I had cried a lot over sadness over the years. And for the first time in my life, I cried incredible purging tears of happiness…
Bling, bling: He proposed to her with an eye-popping 6.1-carat pink solitaire diamond from Harry Winston
‘It was the most cleansing feeling and the most wonderful feeling I had ever had.’
Later that month, Ben appeared in Jennifer’s Jenny From The Block music video including one scene – designed to look like a stealth paparazzi video – showing the actor caressing her famous derriere.
Not content with a video cameo, Jennifer dedicated her sensual and gushing track Dear Ben from her third studio album This Is Me… Then to her husband-to-be.
SEPTEMBER 2003
Postponed: Days before their highly-publicized wedding, the couple astounded fans when they announced a postponement due to increasingly feverish media attention; Ben and Jennifer pictured in 2003
Days before their highly-publicized wedding, the couple astounded fans when they announced a postponement due to increasingly feverish media attention.
Their statement read: ‘Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date…
‘When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate ‘decoy brides’ at three different locations, we realized that something was awry…
‘We began to feel that the spirit of what should have been the happiest day of our lives could be compromised. We felt what should have been a joyful and sacred day could be spoiled for us, our families and our friends.’
JANUARY 2004
The couple confirmed their split with a simple statement.
Jennifer’s representative announced: ‘I am confirming the report that Jennifer Lopez has ended her engagement to Ben Affleck.
‘At this difficult time, we ask that you respect her privacy.’
2004 – 2005
Later that year, Jennifer sought comfort in her longtime friend, Marc Anthony, explaining: ‘[I wanted to] find someone who could make me feel loved and wanted in my loneliest hour…
‘Thinking back, maybe deep down I knew that this was a Band-Aid on the cut.’
She married the singer that June and went on to have twins with the star in 2008. She divorced Marc in 2014.
Ben meanwhile wed actress Jennifer Garner in 2005 and they share three children, Violet, 15, Seraphina, 12, and Samuel, 9. The couple split in 2018.
Later in 2004, Jennifer sought comfort in her longtime friend, Marc Anthony and they wed in June (pictured in 2006) Ben meanwhile wed actress Jennifer Garner in 2005 and they share three children, Violet, 15, Seraphina, 12, and Samuel, 9. The couple split in 2018
2012
Ben made it clear that they very much remained friends, when he told The Hollywood Reporter: ‘We don’t have the kind of relationship where she relies on me for advice but we do have the kind of relationship where there’ll be an e-mail saying, ‘Oh, your movie looks great’…
‘I remember when she got American Idol. I said, ‘This was really smart. Good luck.” I respect her. I like her. She’s put up with some stuff that was unfair in her life, and I’m really pleased to see her successful.’
2014
Two years on, Jennifer told Huffington Post: ‘I would do it all over again, I think. I really would. Even the relationship part. I just feel like everything is part of your story and your journey and is meant to be and helps you grow if you’re willing to look at it, and I’m willing to look.’
2016
Struggles: On making their relationship work, Jennifer detailed why things struggled for the pair
On making their relationship work, Jennifer detailed why things struggled for the pair.
She said: ‘I think different time different thing, who knows what could’ve happened, but there was a genuine love there, We didn’t try to have a public relationship…
‘We just happened to be together at the birth of the tabloids, and it was like, ‘Oh my God.’ It was just a lot of pressure.’
APRIL 2021
After being proposed to in 2019, Jennifer unexpectedly called off her engagement to MLB star Alex Rodriguez in April.
‘We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so. We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects,’ read a statement the pair released at the time.
Done! After being proposed to in 2019, Jennifer unexpectedly called off her engagement to MLB star Alex Rodriguez (pictured) in April
Shortly after, Ben was seen arriving at Jennifer’s home in a white Escalade SUV that is said to belong to the Hustlers star. He was later seen being dropped off by the singer’s security.
They had also reportedly enjoyed several meet-ups at the the Hotel Bel-Air around the same time.
TMZ reported that Affleck had reached out to J-Lo via email while she was in the Dominican Republic shooting her rom-com Shotgun Wedding earlier this year.
The pair are said to have continued communicating until Jennifer wrapped up filming in late April, with numerous sources stating that they were ‘just friends.’
MAY 2021
Ben whisked his former flame Jennifer away on a private jet this past weekend for a romantic getaway trip to a luxury ski resort in Montana, where the actor is understood to own a chalet.
In exclusive pictures obtained by DailyMail.com, the former couple appeared relaxed and at ease around one another as they sat side-by-side in an SUV, with the Good Will Hunting star in the driver’s seat, amid rumors he’s been spending time at the singer’s LA mansion on multiple occasions.
In pictures of the pair arriving back to LA, both Ben and Jennifer looked dressed for comfort as they stood close together while exiting the private plane following the short trip, where they had packed a considerable amount of luggage.
Rekindled: In exclusive pictures obtained by DailyMail.com, Ben, 48, and Jennifer, 51, appeared relaxed and at ease around one another as they then sat side-by-side in an SUV in Montana
Sources claimed to E! that the pair spent ‘about a week’ together at the club, and they ‘were alone’ during their stay.
Following their getaway, Jennifer made several trips to Los Angeles to spend time with Ben, before the Academy Award-winner jetted off to Miami, Florida to spend time at Lopez’s home.
During his stay in Miami, Ben was seen hanging out on Jennifer’s balcony smoking cigarettes before joining the superstar for a gym session.
Sources told In Touch that Ben and Jen ‘looked madly in love’ during their gym date and ‘were clearly picking up where they left off in their relationship years ago.
The insider added: ‘They even shared a kiss on the gym floor and were super playful with each other between sets.’
May 31, 2021 – Rekindled romance CONFIRMED
After weeks of speculation and sources claiming the pair had taken their friendship to a ‘romantic’ level, Ben and Jennifer confirmed the news for themselves during a romantic date night in West Hollywood.
During the outing, Jennifer and Ben had their arms wrapped around one another while waiting to be seated at Wolfgang Puck’s new restaurant located at the swanky Pendry hotel
The 51-year-old On The Floor singer had her head nestled into the 48-year-old Academy Award-winner’s neck as he held her closely with one arm.
JUNE 2021
Relocating? Jennifer sparked rumors that she may relocate from Miami to the West Coast for Ben when she was seen touring school in the LA area for her twins Max and Emme, 13; Ben and Jennifer pictured in July
Jennifer sparked rumors that she may relocate from Miami to the West Coast for Ben when she was seen touring school in the LA area for her twins Max and Emme, 13.
A source told The Sun at the time that Lopez was ‘looking towards LA’ and that her Miami house reminds Lopez too much of her ex and Los Angeles is perfect for a fresh start as it’s convenient for her TV work and photoshoots, which more often take place on the west coast.
In the meantime, Jennifer hunkered down in her $28million mansion in LA and enjoyed several visits to Ben’s Brentwood home throughout the month. He also seen leaving her Bel Air abode on several occasions.
Proving their rekindled passions, Jennifer and Ben were spotted kissing one another on June 15 as they attended JLo’s sister Lynda’s 50th birthday dinner in Malibu.
Also present were Max and Emme, who Ben was seen bonding with during the family gathering at Nobu restaurant.
JULY 2021
Blending families: With their relationship in full force, Jennifer and Ben have been working to blend their families
Further blending their families, Ben and Jennifer decided to enjoy a day out at Universal Studios Hollywood ahead of the Fourth Of July holiday.
The couple, who walked with arms wrapped around one another, were joined by Lopez’s twins, as well as Affleck’s nine-year-old son Samuel.
They would then jet out of Los Angeles to celebrate the Fourth Of July in the Hamptons, along with Lopez’s daughter Emme and a pal.
Continuing the family fun, the whole gang ventured back to LA and were recently spotted getting in some retail therapy at the Brentwood Country Mart.
On Thursday, July 15, Ben was spotted driving his girlfriend around as he helped her on her ‘hunt for a mega-mansion’ in Los Angeles, according to TMZ, further fueling rumors that she plans to relocate to be closer to the actor.