Jennifer Lopez is embracing her independence following her recent divorce, telling talk show host Jimmy Kimmel that she finds her current single status “fantastic” and perhaps long overdue.
Appearing on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Wednesday night, the actress and singer joked that after decades of high-profile relationships, she has finally found peace on her own. “I should have done it sooner. I’ve been doing it all wrong,” Lopez said while laughing during the interview. The 56-year-old star finalized her divorce from actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck last year after three years of marriage.
J. Lo is living her best life:
The split marked the end of the couple’s second high-profile attempt at a relationship, following their initial engagement in the early 2000s. Lopez told Kimmel that she is currently prioritizing her own well-being over finding a new partner. When the host jokingly asked if she would consider appearing on the reality dating show “The Bachelorette,” Lopez was quick to decline the suggestion. She said she does not want to do anything to ruin how good she feels right now, adding that she might meet someone “one day if they’re good enough.”
The “Office Romance” star has spent much of the last year reflecting on her past patterns with romance. In a previous interview with “Nightline,” Lopez admitted that she has rarely been without a partner since she was in her early 20s. She noted that she often felt things were out of her control in the past but has now reached a point of self-trust and appreciation. This new sense of confidence comes after four marriages for the global superstar. Before her union with Affleck, Lopez was married to Ojani Noa, Cris Judd and singer Marc Anthony.
She and Anthony share 18-year-old twins, Max and Emme Muñiz. Despite the divorce, sources indicate that Lopez and Affleck remain on friendly terms. While the actress has recently been linked to Brett Goldstein, her co-star in the Netflix romantic comedy “Office Romance,” she remains adamant that she is not rushing into anything serious.
For now, the pop icon said she is focused on her career and family rather than proving herself through a relationship. Lopez was in Hollywood this week to attend the opening night of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. Fans have noted the star’s upbeat public appearances recently, which align with her comments about feeling more in control of her life than ever before. “I’ve gotten to the point where I really trust myself and appreciate myself a little bit more,” Lopez said. She added that her current perspective is a welcome departure from being hard on herself in previous years.