Jennifer Lopez pushed back against the idea that divorce represents personal failure during a June 30 interview on “Subway Takes,” offering a pointed defense of endings and suggesting that the courage required to walk away from a marriage warrants recognition rather than pity.
The singer and actress, 56, sat down with host Kareem Rahma, 39, in her most extensive public remarks since her divorce from Ben Affleck was finalized in 2025.
Lopez and Affleck married in 2022 after rekindling their romance in 2021, nearly 20 years after their original engagement collapsed in 2004. The reunion lasted only a few years before the divorce was finalized in 2025.
She confirmed she is single during a May 2026 appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” A source close to Lopez said she feels content on her own and does not view being unpartnered as something missing from her life.
Breakups as a ‘Launchpad,’ Not a Loss
According to Lopez, society has the narrative wrong: endings that require courage deserve congratulations, not sympathy. She explained that walking away often requires more strength than staying, and suggested that those who repeatedly break hearts ultimately suffer more than those whose hearts get broken.
Lopez argued that the end of a relationship deserves celebration rather than shame, framing breakups as inflection points that force genuine self-examination in ways that comfort and stability rarely do.
Lopez said her most significant personal development has come through painful experiences, both romantic and professional. Difficulty prompts the kind of honest reflection about patterns and choices that comfort rarely inspires, she explained, making that discomfort essential for real transformation.
On What She’s Looking For
When Rahma asked about her romantic preferences during the “Subway Takes” interview, Lopez said physical appearance means nothing to her. What matters is character, not whether someone is thin or heavy, bearded or clean-shaven.
Lopez told Rahma, “I like the person inside.”
Lopez did not rule out a future relationship on “Subway Takes” — only set what sounded like a deliberately high bar for one.
A Long Road From the Altar
Her marriage to Marc Anthony lasted a decade, from 2004 through 2014, and produced 18-year-old twins Max and Emme. She was also previously married to Cris Judd and Ojani Noa, giving her a romantic résumé she has never shied away from discussing.
Goldstein Praises His ‘Office Romance’ Co-Star
Dating rumors briefly linked Lopez to Brett Goldstein, 45, following their work together in “Office Romance,” the romantic comedy directed by Ol Parker. The two appeared together at the film’s premiere on June 2, 2026, in New York City, but no relationship materialized beyond the professional.
Goldstein, known for his role as Roy Kent on “Ted Lasso,” praised Lopez in an Extra interview, calling her underrated as an actress and saying their time working together showed him her formidable talent.