Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck reunite in 2021 after breakup in 2004
Jennifer Lopez talks about her first relationship with Ben Affleck in the early 2000s, saying critics 'destroyed' it in a recent interview.
In conversation with Rolling Stone, JLo explained how brutal media criticism played a major role in ending her first engagement with the Deep Water actor.
The Marry Me actor said, "It was brutal. It's one of those things that you bury so deeply so that you can move on and go about your business."
The actor-singer continued, "It's funny because Ben and I were together, and we were so in love. It was one of the happiest times of my life."
"But at the same time, this other thing was also happening where we were being criticized, and it really destroyed our relationship from the inside," the 52-year-old star said. "Because we were too young at the time to understand what were really the most important things in life."
The couple had previously engaged in 2002, but eventually separated after two years in 2004 after their marriage was postponed due to 'excessive media attention'.
She was criticized and targeted by satirical shows and the singer was even ridiculed for her Latin background.
However, Lopez and Affleck got a second chance and rekindled their relationship in 2021 and got engaged again a year later.