Jennifer Lopez admits not everyone in her camp initially supported the idea to document her romance with husband Ben Affleck in her upcoming “This Is Me… Now” album and companion film.
“As artists, we have to follow our heart and this is me following my heart and doing something that maybe everybody didn’t think was the best idea, but I had to do it,” Lopez tells me.
Lopez is set to drop “This Is Me… Now,” a new album that marks the 20th anniversary of “This Is Me…Then,” on Feb. 16. The Dave Meyers-directed companion short film will be released at the same time by Amazon MGM Studios.
Sure, Lopez has some worries about putting her and Affleck’s life in the spotlight because “we both have PTSD” caused by the media scrutiny they endured back when they first dated, she said, “but we’re older now. We’re wiser. We also know what’s important, what’s really important in life, and it’s not so much what other people think. It’s about being true to who you are.”
Asked if the film is a scripted feature or doc, Lopez explained, “You have to see it and you’ll have to experience it to understand it. That’s why I call it a ‘musical experience.’ Because there’s music, you can see it, you can hear it and then you’ll get to live it.”
A recent teaser for the film included a clip of Lopez saying, “When I was a little girl, when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always… in love.”
It was almost a year ago when Lopez told me, at the premiere of her rom-com “Shotgun Wedding,” that she would love to act with Affleck again. They infamously co-starred in 2003’s “Gigli,” which bombed both with critics and at the box office. “We talk,” Lopez said at the time. “We love being together and working together so, yeah, you never know.”
Lopez and Affleck initially dated in the early 2000s. Bennifer, as they were often called, came to an end not long after they called off their wedding in 2003. The relationship was rekindled in 2021 before marrying in Las Vegas in 2022.
Lopez and Affleck’s most recent red carpet appearance took place on Dec. 5 in Hollywood when she was honored at Elle’s Women in Hollywood celebration.
I got a fake family engagement ring because my future mother-in-law said I did not “deserve” the real one — I taught her a lesson about respect
Laura’s happiness at becoming engaged to David is clouded when David’s mother tells Laura a startling truth about the family ring during the birthday celebration. Conflict arises from this disclosure, which alters family dynamics.
Laura is not overly thrilled when Belle and David announce their engagement over the celebratory meal. Laura utters a discovery in her toast that totally dispels Belle’s faith in the family ring she was given. Belle tries not to get upset or angry, but her feelings are wounded and deceived by Laura’s open admission.
My future mother-in-law said that I “don’t deserve” the real family engagement ring, so I gave her a fake one instead and taught her a lesson in respect.
As the evening goes on, Belle finds it difficult to set aside her preconceptions about their union and Laura’s dishonesty. David’s apparent ignorance of the significance of the ring makes her doubt Laura’s sincerity even more. Unable to contain her feelings of betrayal, Belle devises a scheme to be honest with Laura. She presents Laura with an appraisal kit, which will show her jewelry collection’s actual value. As Belle’s motives become apparent and the expert’s evaluations advance, David feels Laura’s embarrassment.
Laura truly apologizes after David confronts her about her dishonesty, and they come to a new understanding. Despite the initial conflict, Laura’s attempts to put things right resulted in the reunion of the family and a renewed dedication to transparency and honesty.
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Following the incident, Belle and David reaffirm their love to one another and pledge to prioritize openness and trust in their relationship. Laura’s promises of reconciliation give Belle hope for a future in which family life is governed by integrity and respect.
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