Jennifer Lopez gave insight into how much what critics say about her online impacts her amid her divorce from Ben Affleck.
The Hustlers actress—who is in the midst of a divorce from Ben Affleck—has had a tumultuous year, both personally and professionally, canceling her This is Me…Now tour just a few months before her breakup.
But despite her “whole f–king world” exploding, she’s retained important perspective even as critics on social media take aim at her.
“I know that everything that’s being written and said about me, and all the conjecture of who I am as a person, is not who I am,” Jennifer told Nikki Glaser in a conversation for Interview magazine published Oct. 9. “I learned that a long time ago.”
In some ways being in the public eye for three decades has given her important clarity. She added, “And social media, because it came along after I had been in the public eye for a while, I don’t take it as seriously as everybody else.”
Amid all of the outside noise from the public, the 55-year-old said that it’s those around her knowing who she really is that keeps her grounded.
“I know I’m a good person,” Jennifer, who is mom to 16-year-old twins Max and Emme with ex Marc Anthony, explained. I know I’m a good mom. I know who my friends are. I know my friends know who I am, my mom, my dad, all that stuff. If you hope to have a long career, you have to learn how to deal with that part of the business.”
She went on to note that “some people are going to love you and some are not going to understand you, and some people just want to hate you to hate you, and none of that really matters.”
For the “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” singer, it’s also about reminding herself that she’s “been doing this for a very long time” due to her intrinsic love for performing and creating art.
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“What matters for me, as an artist, is doing work that inspires me and that I enjoy doing,” she said, “whether it’s a huge commercial success or something that only touches one person that nobody ever f–king even sees. It doesn’t matter.”
“This is my life’s passion,” the Grammy nominee added. “I love to sing. I love to dance. I love to act. I love to entertain. I love to create.”
With all of that being said, Jennifer admitted that negative comments can still affect her from time to time.
“Anything anybody could say about me,” she confessed. “Please don’t get me wrong, if I see something that’s hurtful, I’m not Teflon.”
In addition to reflecting on her public perception, Jennifer also gave some insight into what she’s learned in the aftermath of her split from Ben, who she filed for divorce from in August.
“You have to be complete, if you want something that’s more complete,” she shared. “You have to be good on your own. I thought I learned that, but I didn’t. And then, this summer, I had to be like, ‘I need to go off and be on my own. I want to prove to myself that I can do that.”
Keep reading for more on Jennifer and Ben’s relationship.
December 2001: Filming GigliThe two prepare to film a scene for the movie in West Hollywood. The couple met on the set of the film.October 2002: Spotted in Beverly HillsThe two are spotted in the city.November 2002: Filming Gigli and EngagementThe two film the movie on Will Rogers State Beach in Los Angeles. That month, the actor proposes to the actress with a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring.November 2002: Filming Jersey GirlThe two film the movie in New York City.November 2002: Leaving MTV’s TRLIs there anything more ’00s than both Bennifer 1.0 and TRL?December 2002: Red Carpet DebutThe two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her film Maid in Manhattan.January 2003: SundanceThe two bundle up at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.February 2003: Daredevil PremiereThe two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben as the superhero.February 2003: Daredevil PremiereThe two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben and future ex-wife Jennifer Garner.March 2003: OscarsThe two attend the Academy Awards together.May 2003: Basketball GameThe two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.July 2003: Canada TripThe two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.July 2003: Gigli PremiereThe two appear at the premiere for their movie in Westwood, Calif.August 2003: Gigli Is Released…it flops at the box office.September 2003: Wedding Is OffThe two postpone their wedding. No future date is given.October 2003: Baseball DateThe two are seen at a Boston Red Sox game. The team is Ben’s favorite.January 2004: It’s OverThe two end their engagement.September 2021: Red Carpet RoyaltyThey’re baaaack. On Sept. 10, the couple makes their first red carpet appearance in 18 years at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Last Duel. September 2021: Look of LoveThere’s no denying J.Lo makes for a stunning plus-one! September 2021: Back to the StageBen supports J.Lo at the 2021 Global Citizen Live event in New York City, where she performed onstage. It marked her first music gig since she performed at VAX LIVE in May, where the actor also appeared onstage separately, fueling rumors of a rekindled romance.September 2021: Met Gala DebutThe two attend the Met Gala together for the first time.October 2021: PDA at PremiereJen and Ben put on a sizzling display on the red carpet at the premiere of his film The Last Duel in New York City.April 2022: Engaged Again!Jennifer confirmed her engagement to the Gone Girl actor with a video posted to her On The JLo site, revealing a glimpse of her beautiful engagement ring with a green stone.July 2022: Married!On July 16, Jennifer and Ben tied the knot in a surprise ceremony at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.July 2022: Post-Wedding Trip to ParisThe two vacation with her twins and two of his kids in the French capital soon after their wedding.June 2023: Red Carpet FabulousJ.Lo steps out with Ben in support of his movie The Flash.February 2024: This Is Them…NowJennifer release This Is Me… Now, an album about her relationship with Ben. The record is accompanied by a musical film titled This Is Me… Now: A Love Story and the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told.March 2024: Jenny on the BlockThe couple enjoys a day out in NYC on March 30, 2024.August 2024: DivorceJ.Lo filed for divorce Aug. 20, listing the date of separation as Apil 26, according to the filing obtained by TMZ.
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