The early 2000s are having a significant resurgence with the returns of Gossip Lady, emo tradition, and Bennifer. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck virtually created celeb couple tradition after they dated for 2 years after which obtained engaged in 2003, incomes them the Bennifer nickname from the press. The moniker marked the primary viral celeb portmanteau, and it was the identical tabloid consideration that made them rapidly name off the marriage and go their separate methods in 2004. Now, greater than 18 years, two marriages, and several other kids later with different folks, Bennifer has in some way discovered their manner again to one another.
And on April 8, 2022, J. Lo introduced that she and Affleck have been engaged. 4 days after asserting their proposal, she revealed on April 12 that Affleck proposed at her “favourite place on Earth”: the bubble bathtub. J. Lo was apparently too surprised that he needed to ask her, “Is {that a} sure?” She advised followers, “I stated YES in fact that’s a YES.”
The duo has all the time had nothing however good issues to say about one another whereas aside, with Affleck even agreeing with the plenty that Lopez ought to’ve been nominated for an Oscar in 2020, however a reunion all the time appeared far-fetched. Nonetheless, their friendship began rising right into a renewed romance someday in the summertime of 2021, after J. Lo broke up with ex-fiancé Alex Rodriguez and Affleck break up from then-girlfriend Ana de Armas.
Nothing proved their rekindled love greater than Affleck’s 2022 Valentine’s Day reward to her. In a letter despatched to followers on Feb. 14, Lopez revealed that Affleck made a montage celebrating their love story. Soundtracked by J. Lo’s Marry Me tune “On My Method,” the video options clips and pics that may gasoline your 2000s nostalgia, together with pictures from the Gigli premiere and “Jenny From the Block” video — in addition to Good Will Searching snippets along with his BFF Matt Damon for no explicable motive.
After watching the video reward from 49-year-old Affleck, Lopez reacted within the letter to her followers: “Watching it made me take into consideration the journey of real love, its surprising twists and turns, and that when it’s actual, it really can final endlessly. This severely melted my coronary heart.” The actor saved melting her coronary heart when he requested J. Lo to marry him. “I used to be smiling so massive and tears have been coming down my face, feeling so extremely joyful and entire,” she wrote in one other e mail to followers. “It was nothing fancy in any respect, however it was probably the most romantic factor I might’ve ever imagined… only a quiet Saturday night time at dwelling, two folks promising to all the time be there for one another.”
Bennifer’s revival has confirmed that the 2000s are again — and now, after two (!!) weddings in Las Vegas and Georgia, you could be questioning, how did this all start? Right here’s the whole lot to learn about their relationship from 2002 to 2022, together with their highs, lows, and immeasurable progress.
April 2002: Ben Makes His First Transfer
Lopez and Affleck met on the set of their film Gigli in late 2001. However Affleck made his first public transfer in April 2002, when he took out a full-page advert in The Hollywood Reporter to reward his co-star. “You have got proven kindness, dedication, diligence, humility, graciousness of spirit, magnificence in braveness, nice empathy, astonishing expertise, actual poise and true grace,” he wrote. “It has been nothing however an honor and a pleasure to work with you. I solely want I have been fortunate sufficient to be in all of your films.” He signed off his letter by writing, “With love, respect and gratitude, Ben Affleck.”
July 2002: Lopez Information For Divorce
Months after Affleck made his transfer, he was seen locking lips with J. Lo at a shock occasion for the singer’s thirty second birthday. Simply two days later, Lopez filed for divorce from her then-husband Cris Judd, revealing that they’d been separated for greater than a month.
November 2002: Bennifer Is Born
Whereas the entire world knew they have been already an merchandise because of PDA-filled paparazzi photographs, J. Lo made her relationship with Affleck official in a manner solely she might: by means of an iconic music video. Bennifer made their public debut in her “Jenny From the Block” video, the place the couple relaxes on an expensive yacht (and Affleck actually kisses J. Lo’s butt) as helicopters attempt to get pictures of them, poking enjoyable at tabloid tradition. The track went No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100.
Additionally they introduced their engagement, revealing that Affleck proposed with a pink diamond ring (it even impressed a Charli XCX track virtually 20 years later). In an interview with Diane Sawyer on the time, J. Lo stated that he deliberate an intimate proposal at his mom’s Boston dwelling, soundtracked by her music. “It’s only a blanket, a quilt of rose petals, everywhere in the entire total home,” she stated. “So many candles, and vases, bouquets. And my track ‘I’m Glad’ was enjoying. I stroll in and I used to be simply, like, overwhelmed. I wasn’t anticipating it, and I used to be identical to, ‘Oh my God.’”
August 2003: Gigli
By the point Gigli was launched in August 2003, Bennifer had grow to be a bonafide popular culture phenomenon, however that wasn’t sufficient to put it aside. Gigli was panned from all angles, grossing $7 million in opposition to a $75 million price range to grow to be one of many worst field workplace bombs in historical past. Critics have additionally known as it one of many worst movies of all time. The reception was so unhealthy that filmmaker Martin Brest hasn’t directed a film since. It didn’t detrimentally have an effect on Bennifer’s particular person careers, however it additionally didn’t assist alleviate their intense media consideration on the time.
September 2003: A Canceled Marriage ceremony
Only a day earlier than their extremely publicized marriage ceremony date of Sept. 14, 2003, Lopez and Affleck determined to name off their marriage ceremony as a result of media consideration. “After we discovered ourselves severely considering hiring three separate ‘decoy brides’ at three completely different places, we realized that one thing was awry,” they stated in a press release to ABC. “We started to really feel that the spirit of what ought to have been the happiest day of our lives could possibly be compromised. We felt what ought to have been a joyful and sacred day could possibly be spoiled for us, our households, and our pals.” On the time, Bennifer merely stated they have been suspending their ceremony, however that quickly wouldn’t be the case.
January 2004: Bennifer Calls It Quits
Bennifer introduced their break up far more subtly than they revealed their partnership, with J. Lo’s rep merely confirming the tip of their engagement to The Related Press in the beginning of 2004. “At this troublesome time, we ask that you simply respect her privateness,” the rep stated.
February 2020: Affleck Says J. Lo Was Snubbed By The Oscars
In 2020, J. Lo earned nominations at many award reveals, together with the Golden Globes and SAG Awards, for her critically beloved efficiency in Hustlers, however the Academy Awards opted to not acknowledge her, resulting in an outcry from followers. Even Affleck agreed that his ex was majorly snubbed in a New York Occasions profile. “She ought to have been nominated,” he stated “How superior is it that she had her largest hit film at 50? That’s f*cking baller.” In the course of the interview, he additionally talked about that he maintained a pleasant relationship with Lopez. “She’s the actual factor,” he stated. “I keep up a correspondence periodically along with her and have a variety of respect for her.”
April 2021: Lopez And Affleck Agree They Each Aged Properly
Affleck (together with a lot of her shut pals and colleagues) stated some sort phrases about Lopez for her InStyle cowl story in April 2021, even questioning his former girlfriend about her secrets and techniques for flawless getting old. “The place are you maintaining the fountain of youth?” he requested. “Why do you look the identical as you probably did in 2003 and it form of seems like I’m in my 40s … at finest.” J. Lo laughed at his reward, and complimented him proper again. “Ben is humorous! He nonetheless seems fairly good too,” she stated.
Could 2021: Bennifer’s First Reunion
On the very finish of April, followers had their first potential Bennifer sighting when Affleck was seen leaving Lopez’s home simply weeks after their respective splits from de Armas and Rodriguez. At first, the recognizing was simply dismissed as a pleasant catchup, with Web page Six reminding readers that “they’ve by no means not been” pals. Nonetheless, on Could 11, E! reported that the twosome had spent the previous week collectively on trip in Montana, the place Affleck has a house. “It’s pure between them and the chemistry is unreal,” a supply advised the outlet. “They picked up the place they final left off and are having fun with one another’s firm proper now.”
Later that month, Individuals reported that the burgeoning couple have been “in contact each day” and planning to see one another whereas J. Lo was in Miami spending time along with her children. Cue Affleck exhibiting up within the metropolis simply 4 days afterward Could 23 for Memorial Day weekend. Now, followers have been able to make it official: Bennifer was again.
June 2021: Bennifer 2.0’s First Kiss
On June 13, after weeks of speculating that Bennifer was actually official as soon as once more, followers obtained all of the affirmation they wanted after Web page Six posted pictures of the couple locking lips at Nobu in Malibu. Their dinner was a household affair to rejoice Lopez’s sister’s birthday, which was additionally attended by her twins, Max and Emme, making it clear that Affleck was part of the household as soon as once more. Neither of them had but to substantiate their romance or touch upon the hypothesis, however their kiss spoke a thousand phrases.
September 2021: Bennifer’s Purple Carpet Comeback
Lopez and Affleck made their reunion official in a manner that solely a pair as well-known and glamorous as Bennifer can do. The duo made their purple carpet comeback on the 2021 Venice Movie Pageant, the place J. Lo supported Affleck on the premiere of his film The Final Duel. They even locked lips on the purple carpet, leaving little doubt in anybody’s thoughts that the romance was again for actual.
February 2022: J. Lo Tells All
To advertise her rom-com Marry Me, J. Lo dished about her new romance with Affleck for the primary time to Individuals, saying that she’s “so fortunate and joyful and proud to be with him,” particularly after practically 20 years. “It’s lovely the best way it feels very completely different than it was years in the past,” she stated. “There’s extra of an appreciation and a celebration for it, which is sweet. Once you discover anyone and you actually, actually love them and also you get a second likelihood at that? That may be a actually uncommon, valuable, lovely factor and we don’t take it as a right.”
The singer additionally famous how a lot Affleck has grown within the time that they spent aside. “I’m so pleased with the person he’s grow to be that I’ve watched from afar,” she stated. “To see the particular person, the human being, the person that he’s at present, the daddy that he’s at present, the companion that he’s — he’s so the whole lot I all the time knew he was and wished to be.”
Lopez was extra tight-lipped when she talked to Rolling Stone for her cowl story, warning that she “received’t discuss it lots,” however she did re-assure followers that her and Affleck wouldn’t have reunited in the event that they have been frightened about it having the identical destiny as their first strive. “I don’t suppose we’d have gotten again collectively if we thought that was the place it was headed,” she stated. “We really feel like what we discovered once more is a lot extra vital, and the way we shield that and the way we reside our lives — what to share, what to not share — is the steadiness that we now have now, the advantage of expertise and the knowledge that we gained through the years.”
That month, Affleck returned the favor and accompanied Lopez to the Los Angeles premiere of Marry Me, barely being attentive to the cameras as a result of he was too busy kissing her head on the purple carpet. On Feb. 13, the couple was noticed adorably dancing collectively in a collection whereas attending the Tremendous Bowl. Is there a greater strategy to promote your rom-com than exhibiting how in love you’re?
March 2022: Ben Cheers On His “Icon”
On March 22, J. Lo gave a heartfelt speech to settle for the Icon Award on the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Whereas she didn’t point out her beau immediately, she directed her speech at her followers within the adoring crowd, which included a smiling and supportive Affleck. “Due to you, I get to do what I really like probably the most in life and that’s the most fantastic blessing,” she stated. “That’s a present that you simply give me and I simply need to say thanks for that. You guys are those who give me the chance each day to reside a life I couldn’t even think about would come true after I was a little bit woman rising up within the Bronx.” Her daughter, Emme, and Affleck’s son, Samuel, have been additionally within the crowd, making it a real household affair.
April 2022: Bennifer Will get Engaged — Once more
On April 8, J. Lo introduced her engagement to Affleck in her “On the JLo” publication, sharing a video of her lovely inexperienced engagement ring along with her followers, which was soundtracked by “Pricey Ben,” her 2004 love track to her then- and now-fiancé. “You’re good,” J. Lo is heard singing.
In a brand new publication on April 12, Lopez advised her followers concerning the intimate proposal, revealing that Affleck popped the query whereas she was at her “favourite place on Earth”: the bubble bathtub. “I used to be taken completely off guard and simply regarded in his eyes smiling and crying on the identical time attempting laborious to get my head round the truth that after 20 years this was taking place yet again,” she wrote. In truth, she was so shocked that Affleck needed to ask her, “Is {that a} sure?” She advised followers, “I stated YES in fact that’s a YES,” she wrote.
In a video connected to the e-mail, J. Lo shared extra particulars, revealing that “Affleck stated some phrases I’ll always remember.” She additionally defined the that means of her daring engagement ring. “Inexperienced is my favourite coloration, it’s additionally my fortunate coloration. Clearly, it’ll be my fortunate coloration endlessly now,” she stated. “It means a lot when anyone actually thinks about you and loves you and sees you, and it was simply probably the most good second. We’re so fortunate. It’s not typically we get a second likelihood at real love.” It seems that Affleck was the one filming the entire time. “We really feel so fortunate, and I really like you,” she concluded, to which he revealed himself and responded, “I really like you too.”
Could 2022: Mom’s Day Throwback
To commemorate Mom’s Day on Could 8, J. Lo shared a really becoming throwback video of her and Affleck wishing their mothers a contented Mom’s Day whereas sitting court-side at a basketball recreation within the early 2000s. “Comfortable Mom’s Day to all of the mommy’s on the market!!!” she captioned the Instagram submit. The announcer known as Bennifer “Hollywood’s hottest couple” after they spoke to the digital camera, which is a title that continues to be true once more 20 years later.
June 2022: J. Lo Mentions Ben In Speech
On June 5, J. Lo received the Era Award on the MTV Film & TV Awards, which was offered by her Second Act co-star Vanessa Hudgens. Whereas Affleck wasn’t current on the ceremony, she nonetheless gave him an cute shoutout in her emotional acceptance speech and made it clear that he was ready for her. “Ben and all people at dwelling, hello!” she exclaimed. “Watch for me to have dinner, I’ll be dwelling by 7!”
July 2022: Bennifer Ties The Knot At Final
It appears the inexperienced engagement ring actually was fortunate. Twenty years after they first began relationship, Lopez and Affleck lastly made it down the aisle, in response to a TMZ report on July 17. The marriage ceremony occurred the day prior at A Little White Marriage ceremony Chapel in Las Vegas, per E!, citing a consultant for the venue.
Lopez later wrote concerning the marriage ceremony in her publication, On the JLO. “We barely made it to the little white marriage ceremony chapel by midnight,” she stated. “They graciously stayed open late a couple of minutes, allow us to take footage in a pink Cadillac convertible, evidently as soon as utilized by the king himself (but when we wished Elvis himself to point out, that price further and he was in mattress).”
August 2022: A Second Marriage ceremony
Although Bennifer’s Las Vegas marriage ceremony was a whirlwind affair, they’d a extra elaborate celebration the next month. On Aug. 20, Individuals stories, Lopez and Affleck obtained married (once more) on the Gone Lady star’s non-public island property close to Savannah, Georgia.
February 2023: They Make Their Grammys Debut
On Feb. 5, the married couple had a date night time on the sixty fifth Grammy Awards, marking the primary time they attended the occasion collectively. Although the Gone Lady star regarded bored at sure instances of the night time, Affleck stayed the night time in full assist of Lopez, who offered an award.
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