Following a year of personal highs and lows, including a breakup with Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez is in her Unstoppable era.
Indeed, the actress is making headlines for her role as Judy Robles in her new film, which follows the life of athlete Anthony Robles, who made a name for himself in the wrestling world after being born with one leg. And during a recent discussion with Judy for British Vogue, Jennifer—who shares 16-year-old twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony—explained how motherhood shaped her performance in Unstoppable.
"The relationship between you and Anthony really, for me, informed and became the heart and the soul of the film," the singer told Judy in the interview published Dec. 20. "Being a mom and knowing what it is to want to give the best to your children and put forward your best face for them all the time. But also be struggling as a woman and in relationships and in life and with your own dreams and your own aspirations—and what that means and what that feels like, I think for me, was the biggest thing."
As Jennifer—who filed for divorce from Ben, a co-producer for Unstoppable, in August—put it, despite wanting the best for your kids, it doesn't stop someone from "being a human being who struggles."
And when Judy admitted it's hard watching scenes from the film that portray her relationship with her ex, Jennifer understood.
"And thank you for allowing us to do that," the Hustlers star added, "I feel that very deeply, because I've been in the same spot at times, like, 'Maybe I shouldn't be giving this person a chance.'"
"I don't think there's a woman on Earth who hasn't been in that position," she continued, "or even men."
Jennifer went on to share how she navigates challenges in her life.
"I think the way I overcome things is not by thinking of them as happening to me," she explained, "but happening for me. And, what is the lesson that needs to be learned in the moment?"
As for Jennifer's performance in the film, she's received praise from the Unstoppable family, including her ex.
“We really believe in the power of storytelling when the people involved in it are deeply connected to the story,” Ben told Entertainment Tonight in November. “Jennifer’s spectacular.”
Keep reading to revisit Ben and Jennifer's relationship through the years...
December 2001: Filming Gigli
The two prepare to film a scene for the movie in West Hollywood. The couple met on the set of the film.
October 2002: Spotted in Beverly Hills
The two are spotted in the city.
November 2002: Filming Gigli and Engagement
The two film the movie on Will Rogers State Beach in Los Angeles. That month, the actor proposes to the actress with a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring.
November 2002: Filming Jersey Girl
The two film the movie in New York City.
November 2002: Leaving MTV's TRL
Is there anything more '00s than both Bennifer 1.0 and TRL?
December 2002: Red Carpet Debut
The two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her film Maid in Manhattan.
January 2003: Sundance
The two bundle up at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben as the superhero.
February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben and future ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
March 2003: Oscars
The two attend the Academy Awards together.
May 2003: Basketball Game
The two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
July 2003: Canada Trip
The two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.
July 2003: Gigli Premiere
The two appear at the premiere for their movie in Westwood, Calif.
August 2003: Gigli Is Released
...it flops at the box office.
September 2003: Wedding Is Off
The two postpone their wedding. No future date is given.
October 2003: Baseball Date
The two are seen at a Boston Red Sox game. The team is Ben's favorite.
January 2004: It's Over
The two end their engagement.
September 2021: Red Carpet Royalty
They're baaaack. On Sept. 10, the couple makes their first red carpet appearance in 18 years at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Last Duel.
September 2021: Look of Love
There's no denying J.Lo makes for a stunning plus-one!
September 2021: Back to the Stage
Ben supports J.Lo at the 2021 Global Citizen Live event in New York City, where she performed onstage. It marked her first music gig since she performed at VAX LIVE in May, where the actor also appeared onstage separately, fueling rumors of a rekindled romance.
September 2021: Met Gala Debut
The two attend the Met Gala together for the first time.
October 2021: PDA at Premiere
Jen and Ben put on a sizzling display on the red carpet at the premiere of his film The Last Duel in New York City.
April 2022: Engaged Again!
Jennifer confirmed her engagement to the Gone Girl actor with a video posted to her On The JLo site, revealing a glimpse of her beautiful engagement ring with a green stone.
July 2022: Married!
On July 16, Jennifer and Ben tied the knot in a surprise ceremony at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.
July 2022: Post-Wedding Trip to Paris
The two vacation with her twins and two of his kids in the French capital soon after their wedding.
June 2023: Red Carpet Fabulous
J.Lo steps out with Ben in support of his movie The Flash.
February 2024: This Is Them...Now
Jennifer release This Is Me... Now, an album about her relationship with Ben. The record is accompanied by a musical film titled This Is Me... Now: A Love Story and the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
March 2024: Jenny on the Block
The couple enjoys a day out in NYC on March 30, 2024.
August 2024: Divorce
J.Lo filed for divorce Aug. 20, listing the date of separation as Apil 26, according to the filing obtained by TMZ.