Jennifer Lopez has expressed her feelings regarding the “hurtful” comments circulating on social media following her recent split from Ben Affleck. In her response, she addressed the impact of these remarks on her well-being.
The 55-year-old singer-songwriter candidly discussed the profound upheaval she experienced over the summer, describing how her “whole f***ing world exploded” and her methods of coping with the situation. In an interview with comedian Nikki Glaser for Interview magazine, published on Wednesday, she reflected on the challenges of managing the dissolution of her marriage to Ben Affleck, 52, while under public scrutiny.
Lopez also addressed her decision to cancel her tour amid intense public scrutiny. She filed for divorce in August, coinciding with the second anniversary of their second wedding ceremony, citing irreconcilable differences and officially listing their date of separation as April 26.
Subsequently, Lopez reflected on the social media storm and the “hurtful” comments that unjustly blamed her for the dissolution of her marriage. She emphasized that, having been in the public eye for an extended period, she has developed the ability to disregard such negativity.
“I know that everything that’s being written and said about me, and all the conjecture regarding my character, does not accurately represent who I am. I learned that a long time ago,” she stated in the interview conducted with Glaser in September. She further remarked, “As social media emerged after I had already established my presence in the public sphere, I do not regard it with the same seriousness that others may.”
“I know I’m a good person. I know I’m a good mother. I am aware of who my friends are, and I know they recognize my true character, as do my mother and father,” she asserted.
The Atlas actress explained that to maintain a lengthy career in the entertainment industry, she has had to develop strategies to navigate the complexities of that aspect of the business.
“Some individuals will appreciate you, while others may not understand you, and some may simply choose to dislike you without reason. Ultimately, none of that is of consequence,” she stated.
“What truly matters to me, as an artist, is producing work that inspires me and brings me joy, regardless of whether it achieves significant commercial success or merely resonates with a single individual whom no one else may even recognize.”
The Maid in Manhattan star further emphasized that everything outside of her artistic pursuits “doesn’t matter.”
She stated, “This is my life’s passion. I love to sing. I love to dance. I love to act. I love to entertain. I love to create.”
Despite her dedication to her craft, she acknowledged that it remains challenging to confront “something that’s hurtful.”
“Please don’t misunderstand me; I’m not Teflon,” she clarified.
At another juncture in the discussion, she revisited the topic of managing negativity from online detractors.
“If one is to survive in this industry, it is essential to recognize that those who express negativity represent a very small faction of individuals, likely grappling with their own unhappiness,” she remarked.
Regarding “someone who dedicates their time to creating a video solely to engage in that negativity,” the mother of two—who shares 16-year-old twins Emme and Max Muñiz with her ex-husband, Marc Anthony—expressed, “How can I afford to pay attention to that when I have these beautiful children and all this extraordinary positivity in my life? I cannot.”
“Even during challenging times, I remind myself, ‘You know the truth.’ I hold my head high. As they say in Finding Nemo: Keep on swimming.”
