If Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck divorce, Lopez could have a PR nightmare on her hands. Here’s what a PR expert said about Lopez’s fear of that outcome.
Jennifer Lopez’s ‘biggest fear’ in divorcing Ben Affleck has to do with her image and brand, a PR expert says
Fans loved Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s rekindled romance and rooted for the couple when they married in 2022. Affleck and Lopez first nearly walked down the aisle in 2002, but they called off their wedding in 2004. The couple fell back in love in 2021 and officially married in 2022.
The movie stars have a sweet love story, but it might end if the divorce rumors are true. A source told People that Lopez and Affleck’s relationship is “not in the best place,” as they lived in separate homes as of May 2024.
“She likes to open her heart to her fans and to the world,” the source said of Lopez. “He is more introspective and private. This has been difficult day-to-day.”
PR expert Lauren Beeching spoke to The Sun about Lopez and Affleck’s relationship and potential divorce. Beeching said that Lopez will be under “harsher scrutiny” if the couple splits, and she needs to protect her reputation.
“I would have hoped a great PR team would help them get through this without airing dirty laundry,” Beeching said. “Usually, during a break up this public, a PR firm would work with both sides to protect both reputations.
If there is a split, the public perception could quickly turn against Jennifer or Ben. … If infidelity or personal issues are publicly aired, it could tarnish their reputations. Otherwise, a split could pose a significant risk to their financial assets amid all the intense scrutiny.”
Beeching added that Lopez’s “biggest fear would be rumors spreading on social media” post-divorce. “If there is a divorce, her image and brand might suffer negative publicity, impacting sales and partnerships,” the PR expert continued.
“Jennifer should focus on maintaining her image throughout this process. Jennifer could shift the narrative from her relationship status to reminding the public that she is J.Lo.”
A source says Ben Affleck knows his marriage is never ‘going to work’
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez | Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
So, what does Ben Affleck think of the divorce rumors surrounding him and Jennifer Lopez? While the Hollywood superstar hasn’t publicly commented on the speculation, a source told Page Six that Affleck is coming to terms with the state of his marriage.
“If there was a way to divorce on grounds of temporary insanity, he would,” the source shared. “He feels like the last two years was just a fever dream, and he’s come to his senses now and understands there is just no way this is going to work.”
Additional sources told the publication that Affleck is currently “house-hunting” by himself in Los Angeles. As for Lopez, she’s reportedly also looking at homes for investment property purposes.
Jennifer Lopez shut down divorce rumors
Jennifer Lopez wasn’t having it when recently asked about the divorce rumors regarding her and Ben Affleck. A reporter asked Lopez about her current marital status with Affleck during a press conference for her new film, Atlas.
Lopez appeared to laugh off the question at first, but she then leaned into the microphone with her answer.
“You know better than that,” she told the reporter, as seen in El Gordo y la Flaca Instagram footage.
After Lopez’s answer, another person on the panel said, “Don’t come in here with that energy, please.”
For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, follow Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram.