Jennifer Lopez showed everyone how to handle a tricky moment with pure class. The superstar, 56, recently sat down for a chat on the Today show, ready to talk about her new musical film. However, host Craig Melvin, 46, had a different topic in mind at one point.
Melvin brought up the elephant in the room: J.Lo’s divorce from Ben Affleck. He pointed out that her split with Affleck became final while she was busy filming her elaborate new project, Kiss of the Spider Woman. Lopez just laughed, pointing at him playfully and saying, "There you have it! Look at this guy!" She kept a bright smile on her face as the conversation continued.
A Surprising Revelation About Her Ex
The interview took another turn when Melvin mentioned a surprising detail. He had read that her ex-husband, Ben Affleck, was an executive producer on the very film she was promoting. Lopez didn’t skip a beat. She gave Affleck full credit for the movie even happening. "If it weren’t for Ben, the movie wouldn’t have been made," she stated. "And I’ll always give him that credit." She then added with a shrug, "And yes, things happen. You have to move on."
The "Let’s Get Loud" singer filed for divorce from Affleck on August 20, 2024. This date also marked their second wedding anniversary in Georgia. The former couple officially finalized their divorce in February.
Art as a Lifeline
For Lopez, diving into the film, directed by Bill Condon, became a true lifeline. It helped her get through a tough time in her personal life. "It’s funny, the movie is about escapism," she shared. "It talks about how cinema and art save us in the most difficult moments of our lives." She called the project a dream come true, adding that it "really helped me survive a time that was difficult in my personal life too."
After finishing the project, Lopez took a break. Now, she’s back and excited for everyone to see the film. "It’s a beautiful movie about love," she noted. Melvin added that the movie "might have helped save you," to which Lopez nodded vigorously, affirming, "It did, it did!"
A True Triple Threat
Melvin also praised Lopez for her diverse talents. He noted how Kiss of the Spider Woman finally showcases all three of her famous skills: acting, singing, and dancing. "It’s actually the first movie where I think people will see you do all three things you’ve become known for," he told her. He even found it "hard to believe this is your first real musical."
Lopez clarified that while she starred in the 1997 biographical musical Selena, she used Selena Quintanilla-Pérez’s actual voice in that film. This time around, filming Kiss of the Spider Woman was a unique adventure. She got to use her own voice and perform musical numbers as they went along. She also highlighted the film’s "beautiful script about love."
When asked if she would consider bringing Kiss of the Spider Woman to Broadway, Lopez teased, "There’s been a little talk about that." The story, based on Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel and the 1993 Broadway musical, has seen many adaptations. Lopez believes its timeless message of hope is why it keeps returning. "This movie keeps coming back because it has a very beautiful message," she said. "And I don’t think it’s any coincidence that this movie has resurfaced, that this story has resurfaced."