Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck made their first red carpet appearance together Monday night since finalizing their divorce earlier this year, reuniting at the New York premiere of Kiss of the Spider Woman, a project that brought them together professionally even as their marriage was ending.
The former couple appeared at the screening of the musical drama, which stars Lopez and was produced by Affleck’s production company, Artist Equity, which he co-founded with Matt Damon. Photos from the event showed them posing together and engaging in what appeared to be warm conversation, marking a notable moment for two celebrities whose relationship has captivated public attention for more than two decades.
Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024, citing irreconcilable differences, and the separation was finalized in January. The premiere comes roughly nine months after their legal split became official, though Affleck has characterized the breakup as having “no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue” in earlier interviews.
The reunion sparked immediate speculation among fans and entertainment observers about whether the appearance signals improved relations between the exes or possibly something more. Social media reactions ranged from hopeful predictions of reconciliation to more measured observations about two professionals supporting a shared creative project.
Lopez has been candid recently about the emotional toll of the divorce. In a recent interview, she reflected on how the experience “changed” her, acknowledging the difficulty of navigating such a public breakup while maintaining professional commitments.
The timing of the premiere held particular significance. The film debuted at Sundance Film Festival in January, the same month their divorce was finalized, creating an unusual situation where Lopez was promoting a passion project while simultaneously ending her marriage to one of its producers.
In recent interviews promoting the film, Lopez has expressed gratitude for Affleck’s role in getting the movie made. She’s credited his production company with believing in the project when others might not have, suggesting that despite their personal split, they’ve maintained mutual respect for each other’s professional judgment and capabilities.
The nature of their interaction at Monday’s premiere appeared cordial and even affectionate, with both stars seemingly comfortable in each other’s presence. Whether this signals a genuine friendship developing post divorce or simply two professionals putting aside personal history for a shared project remains unclear.
What is clear is that both stars have spoken about moving forward with their lives. Affleck, 53, recently acknowledged being single after finalizing the divorce, while Lopez, 56, has focused publicly on her work and personal growth following the split.
The couple’s relationship history stretches back more than two decades. They were originally engaged in the early 2000s before calling off their wedding and going their separate ways. Their rekindled romance in 2021 delighted fans who had long hoped for a second chance at happiness for “Bennifer,” as tabloids dubbed them.
They married in a small Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022, followed by a larger celebration at Affleck’s Georgia estate the following month. The marriage lasted just over two years before Lopez filed divorce papers on what would have been their second wedding anniversary, a timing that many observers noted as symbolically significant.
The divorce settlement included both parties waiving future spousal support, and Lopez’s legal name was restored from “Affleck” back to “Lopez”, reversing the name change she’d made following their 2022 wedding.
Kiss of the Spider Woman represents a particularly personal project for Lopez. The film adaptation of the musical has been described as both artistically ambitious and emotionally resonant, dealing with themes of identity, freedom, and human connection. That she was working on such material while her personal life was in turmoil adds an additional layer of complexity to the project.
For now, Monday night’s premiere offers a glimpse of two celebrities navigating the complicated territory of post divorce professional collaboration. Whether their appearance together signals a new chapter of friendship or simply represents two actors fulfilling promotional obligations remains to be seen. What’s undeniable is that both have handled a very public breakup with more grace than many Hollywood splits typically receive.
The film itself will likely benefit from the renewed attention their joint appearance has generated, though both stars would probably prefer the focus remain on the artistic merit of the work rather than speculation about their personal relationship. In an industry where former couples often go to great lengths to avoid each other, their willingness to appear together suggests at minimum a mature approach to an undeniably difficult situation.
