How Did Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Really Get Back Together?

We may officially be living in the ‘20s again, but pop culture fans have noted that it actually feels more like the noughties, for one good reason: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are back together.

The two were seen kissing and taking PDA to a whole new level behind their masks throughout 2021, with Lopez later confirming the relationship. While some fans have accused the two stars of staging a kiss for the paparazzi, many are overjoyed to see the former flames — and once the most famous couple in existence — back together.

After 17 years apart, it seemed like a reunion between Lopez and Affleck was impossible. Both had moved on and had children, and had also become increasingly busy within their careers. But despite the odds, the couple has fallen back in love.

Read on to find out what happened between Bennifer last time, and how they really got back together.

Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck’s First Relationship

When Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck dated in the early 2000s, they were the most famous couple in the world. According to Vulture’s timeline of their relationship, the two met in 2002 on the set of the film Gigli. At the time, Lopez was married to Cris Judd.

By July of that year, the two were seen kissing and cuddling, and Lopez had filed for divorce from Judd after being separated for a month. Soon after, Affleck starred in Lopez’s Jenny from the Block music video, giving the star a smooch on her butt.

The couple got engaged in November 2002, but 2003 brought increased media scrutiny and cheating rumors that Affleck denied. In September 2003, a day before they were due to tie the knot, they released a statement postponing the wedding due to excessive media attention.

In January 2004, a rep for Lopez confirmed that she had ended the relationship.

The Films They Starred In Together

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s romance began on the set of Gigli, a film that premiered in August 2003 and bombed at the box office, earning $7.7 million against a $75.6 million budget.

In 2004, after they had officially broken up, Lopez guest-starred in Affleck’s film Jersey Girl. She was only in the film briefly, playing the role of Gertie, Affleck’s on-screen wife who dies in childbirth, leaving him to raise his daughter on his own.

Why Did Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Break Up?

After Lopez and Affleck broke up, both stars reflected on what went wrong in their relationship. Lopez revealed that the media intrusion into their privacy became too much to handle.

Meanwhile, a source told Page Six that the couple ultimately wanted different things: “Jennifer was ready to settle down and have kids, but Ben wasn’t keen on giving up his bachelor lifestyle just yet. In the end, she got tired of waiting for him to come around—even though it broke her heart to end things.”

Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Both Moved On

Both Lopez and Affleck moved on in 2004, just months after ending their engagement. Lopez married former flame Marc Anthony in June 2004, while Affleck went public with his relationship with Jennifer Garner in October.

Affleck and Garner went on to marry and have three children, while Lopez had twins with Anthony. Lopez and Anthony split in 2011, while Affleck and Garner stayed together until 2017 when they separated, before divorcing in 2018.

Lopez was then briefly linked to Drake before starting a relationship with former Yankee Alex Rodriguez, while Affleck started dating Ana de Armas, splitting in 2021. In April 2021, Lopez confirmed that she and Rodriguez, whom she was engaged to, had split.

By the end of April 2021, Affleck and Lopez were spotted together in public for the first time in 17 years. Throughout 2021, more photos emerged of the couple kissing and cuddling at various locations around L.A.

In July 2021, Lopez made things Instagram official by posting a photo online of her and Affleck locked in a kiss.

How Did Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Really Get Back Together?

An insider revealed to In Touch Weekly that the flame between Lopez and Affleck was ignited again when Affleck reached out to her to check up on her as a friend. “But he knew exactly what he was doing. He was single and she was single,” claims the insider.

Lopez reportedly “went for it” by “texting funny and flirty replies.” The insider confirmed that “Jen sealed the deal. She wanted him back just as bad as he wanted her.”