Jennifer Lopez Reveals What Got Her Through “Hardest Times” in Her Personal Life

Jennifer Lopez—whose divorce from Ben Affleck was finalized in January—detailed how the support of her fans has helped her navigate challenging times in her personal life. 

By Hayley Santaflorentina Oct 09, 2025 4:37 PM
| Updated Oct 09, 2025 7:28 PM
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Watch: Jennifer Lopez Reveals What Got Her Through “Hardest Times” in Her Personal Life

Jennifer Lopez will always get loud about her love for her fans.

In fact, the Kiss of the Spider Woman star recently revealed how it was their support that helped her navigate some of the harder chapters of her life.

“I can't tell you that in the hardest times of my personal life, how my fans and followers get me through,” she said on the Oct. 8 episode of Bowen Yang and Matt RogersLas Culturistas podcast. “They get you through. They really do. Because you go, ‘I can't let them down. I can't fall right now. I can get through this, and I can show them that I can get through this.”

Because for J. Lo, that relationship with her fanbase and supporters is “a real relationship” in her life. “Even though,” she continued, “we don't know each other personally.”

And that idea of not just bouncing back, but of returning better, is also lesson she’s strived to pass onto her and ex Marc Anthony’s 17-year-old twins Max and Emme.

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Ben Affleck Gives His Honest Review of Ex Jennifer Lopez in Kiss of the Spider Woman

“I do this with my kids as well,” she explained. “It's like, ‘I said this to my kids, ‘We're going to get through this. We're going to be better. I'm going to be stronger. And you're going to see that, and you're going to see that you can do it in your own life, too.’”

Jennifer also likened the relationship to her fans with the relationship between her character, Ingrid Luna, and Tonatiuh’s Luis Molina in her new film, Kiss of the Spider Woman, which was produced by her ex-husband Ben Affleck.

Xavi Torrent/Redferns

For the Selena star, the film acted as a bright spot amid trying times, with admitting the role was “100 percent” a refuge.

"It was hard not to think about stuff, but it was like the best and the worst of times in a way," she told CBS Sunday Morning in an interview that aired Sept. 28, "because it was every moment on set and every moment I was doing this role, I was so happy. And then back home, it was not great."

The 56-year-old—who finalized her divorce with Ben in January—continued, "It was just like, how do I reconcile this? But you get through it. Honestly, I have to say it was the best thing that ever happened to me."

In fact, it served as more than just a safe space. 

Aurora Rose/Variety via Getty Images

"It helped me grow in a way that I needed to grow, become more self-aware," she explained. "I'm a different person now than I was last year."

Ben, too, recognizes the significance of the role for his ex, telling E! News at the film’s Oct. 6 screening, “She pulls it off with grace and aplomb and she's wonderful. I love her performance in the movie. She's amazing, spectacular, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.”

For more on Ben and J. Lo’s history, read on.

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.

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