Bennifer

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Bennifer
BornJennifer Lopez
(1969-07-24) July 24, 1969 (age 52)
New York City, U.S.
Ben Affleck
(1972-08-15) August 15, 1972 (age 49)
Berkeley, California, U.S.
OccupationJennifer Lopez:
  • Actress
  • singer
  • dancer
  • businesswoman
Ben Affleck:
  • Actor
  • director
  • producer
  • screenwriter
Years active(2002–2004)(2021–)

Bennifer is a name given by the media to the high-profile relationship between American entertainers Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.[1] The pair had a widely publicized 18-month romance from 2002 to 2004.[2] They collaborated on two films together during their relationship, Gigli and Jersey Girl. The pair were engaged in late 2002, but postponed their wedding before breaking up in early 2004. They rekindled their romance in May 2021.[3]

Early stages[]

Although they had crossed paths many times before, the first major meeting of Affleck and Lopez took place in late 2001 on the set of their film, Gigli,[4] while Lopez was still married to Cris Judd. It was rumored by the tabloids that the pair had started an affair due to their friendly and flirty ways, but they both denied these claims, stating that they were strictly just friends.[5][6] After wrapping filming for the movie in March 2002, Affleck had spent a reported $18,000 on a set of half-page advertisements to express the pleasure he had working with Lopez.[7] He had defended his reasoning for doing so, citing that he had been ashamed of his "preconceived notions" of Lopez.[8] Later that April, it was reported that Affleck and Lopez were "cozying up" during the opening of her restaurant Madre's.[9] Lopez and Judd separated that summer[10] and Lopez entered a relationship with Affleck. They were photographed together in July 2002.[11]

Engagement and romance[]

Lopez and Affleck's relationship garnered the first couple portmanteau name in Hollywood, 'Bennifer'.[12] Lopez' single 'Jenny From The Block' which featured Affleck in the music video[13] brought on even more attention to the couple, with Lopez describing it as a tabloid frenzy.[14] After three months of dating, Affleck proposed to Lopez at his mother's home in October 2002[15] with a $1.2M 6.1-carat Harry Winston pink diamond ring in November 2002.[16][17] Later that month, Affleck and Lopez began filming their 2nd film together, Jersey Girl. Lopez dedicated her 2002 album This Is Me... Then to Affleck, stating that he was "her life and sole inspiration for every lyric.[18] She included songs such as 'Baby I Love U!', 'I'm Glad' and 'Dear Ben' which were about her romance with Affleck.[19] On July 18, 2003, Lopez and Affleck had their first primetime interview together on Dateline NBC.[20] On August 1, 2003, Lopez and Affleck's box office bomb film Gigli released, being considered one of the worst films in history.[21] After this happened, the media started to portray them in a more negative manner.[22] Lopez had described the experience as overwhelming, and stated that Affleck hated the attention the pair was getting.[14] The following month, the couple postponed their planned September 2003 wedding just days before it was set to take place due to 'excessive media attention'.[23]

Breakup[]

The pair continued dating for four months before deciding to separate.[24] The former couple's second movie, Jersey Girl, premiered two months later in March 2004, garnering another box office bomb for the pair.[25] The two stayed respectful when talking about the other, with Affleck calling out "sexist and racist" critics for comments about Lopez,[26] while Lopez cited the constant media attention as one of the main reasons of their breakup.[27] In 2006, Affleck discussed how he felt during his relationship with Lopez, saying that he 'was no longer in control of his live and felt miserable and gross in front of the cameras'.[28][unreliable source?] In 2014, Lopez expressed that her breakup with Affleck was her "first real heartbreak."[29] In April 2021, Affleck praised Lopez for her work ethic, great talent, and success.[30]

Aftermath[]

Lopez then went on to marry singer Marc Anthony five months after Lopez and Affleck split.[31] Affleck then went on to marry actress Jennifer Garner the following year in 2005. Lopez and Anthony ended their seven-year marriage in 2011, officially divorcing in 2014[32] while Affleck and Garner split in 2015, officially divorcing in 2018.[33]

Rekindled romance[]

In April 2021, 19 years after the start of their initial romance, it was reported that Affleck and Lopez had seen each other a couple times, two weeks after Lopez split from baseball player Alex Rodriguez.[34][35] They were then photographed together for the first time since their initial romance on May 11, 2021.[36] On May 24, 2021, Lopez and Affleck were spotted at Lopez's rental home in Miami[37] with Affleck wearing the watch Lopez had given him in her 2002 "Jenny From The Block" music video.[38] On June 1, 2021, Affleck and Lopez were photographed holding each other, their first public display of affection in their rekindled romance. On June 14, 2021, photos and videos of Affleck and Lopez kissing were released to the media for the first time in almost two decades, confirming that their romance was back on. On September 10, 2021, the couple had made their red carpet debut for the first time in 18 years for the premiere of Affleck's film The Last Duel during the Venice Film Festival in Italy.[39]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Haylock, Zoe (July 28, 2021). "The Complete 19-Year Timeline of the Bennifer Saga". Vulture. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  2. ^ Gonzalez, Irina (June 28, 2019). "Jennifer Lopez Is Unwaveringly Optimistic About Love". Oprah Daily. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  3. ^ Bailey, Alyssa (June 7, 2021). "Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Are 'Telling Friends That They're Together' as a Couple". ELLE. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  4. ^ Bitsky, Leah (June 2, 2021). "A timeline of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's complicated relationship". Page Six. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  5. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Denies She Cheated On Cris Judd". popdirt.com. September 30, 2002. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  6. ^ Ben Affleck & J Lo 2003 NBC Interview, retrieved September 4, 2021
  7. ^ Sternbergh, Adam (December 15, 2002). "The Year in Ideas; Flirtation by Full-Page Ad". The New York Times.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ hellomagazine.com. "Ben Affleck Splashes His Cash on Ads to Say J L's Okay – Hello!". Hello! (magazine). Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  9. ^ "J. Lo opens Madre's". CNN. April 19, 2002. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  10. ^ "J. Lo goes it alone". CNN. June 18, 2002. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  11. ^ "Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. She is wearing the bracelet Ben..." Getty Images. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  12. ^ Catalan, Julissa (April 27, 2020). "All the Best Celebrity Couple Nicknames". SheKnows. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  13. ^ Jennifer Lopez - Jenny from the Block (Official Video), retrieved September 4, 2021
  14. ^ a b Jennifer Lopez on relationships and tabloids in the 'Bennifer Era', retrieved September 4, 2021
  15. ^ (2002) Primetime Live - Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck Engagement, retrieved September 4, 2021
  16. ^ "Ben Affleck bought $1.2m pink diamond ring to propose Jennifer Lopez". geo.tv. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  17. ^ "Bennifer gives one of the year's Great Performances". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  18. ^ "J-Lo disc declares her love". The Age. November 27, 2002. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  19. ^ "Ben Affleck is a good muse - The Boston Globe". The Boston Globe.
  20. ^ "At home with Ben and Jen". NBC News. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  21. ^ Gigli, retrieved September 4, 2021
  22. ^ "Hey Santa, what's happening with Bennifer?". TODAY.com. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  23. ^ "Bennifer Blame Media for Wedding Delay". ABC News. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  24. ^ "Jennifer Lopez dumps Ben Affleck". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  25. ^ "Jersey Girl". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  26. ^ "Ben Affleck Says Critics Were "So F--king Mean" to Jennifer Lopez During Their Relationship". E!. January 14, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  27. ^ Jennifer Lopez on the 'Bennifer' relationship - The Graham Norton Show preview - BBC One, retrieved September 4, 2021
  28. ^ "Seriously? OMG! WTF? " Aflleck regrets Bennifer 1". seriouslyomg.com. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  29. ^ "Ben Affleck was Jennifer Lopez's 'First Real Heartbreak' | Entertainment Tonight". www.etonline.com. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  30. ^ Smith, Emily; Nathan, Sara (April 5, 2021). "Alex Rodriguez noticeably missing from Jennifer Lopez's InStyle cover story". Page Six. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  31. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Weds Marc Anthony". People. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  32. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Minus Marc Anthony: What Happened?". ABC News. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  33. ^ France, By Lisa Respers (April 14, 2017). "Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner's friendly divorce". CNN. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  34. ^ Greer, Carlos; Mohr, Ian (April 30, 2021). "Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck hang out after Alex Rodriguez split". Page Six. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  35. ^ Gordon, Julie (April 15, 2021). "Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez confirm split: We're 'better as friends'". Page Six. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  36. ^ "Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez's Montana Getaway Was His Idea, Says Source: 'They Wanted to Spend Time Away'". People. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  37. ^ Bacardi, Francesca; Reslen, Eileen (May 24, 2021). "Jennifer Lopez is all smiles with Ben Affleck in Miami". Page Six. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  38. ^ "Is Ben Affleck Wearing the Same Watch Jennifer Lopez Gave Him in 2002?". GQ. May 25, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  39. ^ Claire Colbert. "Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck return to the red carpet together". CNN. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
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