How Jane Fonda Predicted Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s Divorce
Jane Fonda is always looking out for those she loves—and that includes Jennifer Lopez.
After the “On the Floor” singer filed for divorce from Ben Affleck after two years of marriage on Aug. 20, fans are looking back on a frank conversation Jennifer and Jane had in the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
“I want you to know that—I don’t entirely know why—but I feel invested in you and Ben,” Jane told Jennifer, “and I really, really, really want this to work.”
But the Oscar winner—who has been very close with J.Lo since the two bonded on the set of 2005’s Monster-in-Law—had some reservations about the rekindled romance.
“However, this is my concern,” she continued. “Like, it feels too much like you’re trying to prove something instead of just living it. You know, every other photograph is the two of you kissing and the two of you hugging.”
Jennifer was quick to laugh at the assertion and reassured her friend, “That’s just us living our life.”
But the 55-year-old understood where her friend was coming from.
“She’s very protective of me,” Jennifer explained, “and she felt like ‘You’re putting yourself out there to get beat up again.'”
But as Jane got ready to shoot her scenes as Sagittarius for This Is Me…Now, she got candid with Jennifer about some of Ben’s behavior that gave her pause.
Mark Sullivan/WireImage
“I get real scared,” the 86-year-old began, “you know, with all that s–t about the Grammys and he looked unhappy and I’m like, ‘Oh, my God, what’s happening?'”
Once again, Jen was quick to note that nothing was going on with Ben at the time, adding, “He was like, ‘It’s like I’ve become the symbol of the beleaguered man.'”
Before agreeing to participate in the film, Jane had actually expressed her thoughts to Jennifer’s longtime manager Benny Medina, which he relayed to the Hustlers actress.
“I believe that everyone in the entire world is pulling for this relationship and this love,” Jane had told him. “And the idea of how you present that is so sacrosanct, is so important that it should be handled in a way that you aren’t overly flaunting it, so much so that it creates any form of criticism or resentment. My biggest concern is that when critics or people sort of come at her in any way.”
New Line/Everett/Shutterstock
But Jane wasn’t the only one sharing her thoughts, as the documentary also featured a conversation with Ben, who described how he and Jennifer have very different thoughts on life in the spotlight.
After restarting their romance, the two would go on to marry in a private ceremony in Las Vegas on July 16, 2022, followed by a larger one in Georgia on Aug. 20 where they were surrounded by friends and family including Jen’s 16-year-old twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony, and Ben’s children with ex Jennifer Garner, Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12.
Jennifer’s divorce filing came in on the two-year anniversary of the Georgia wedding, with Jen asking the court to waive her claim to spousal support and asking the judge to deny Ben the same type of payment as the two did not have a prenuptial agreement in place.
Keep reading to take a look back at Ben and Jen’s relationship through the years.
Mel/Getty Images
December 2001: Filming Gigli
The two prepare to film a scene for the movie in West Hollywood. The couple met on the set of the film.
Mel Bouzad/Getty Images
October 2002: Spotted in Beverly Hills
The two are spotted in the city.
Ben-Ari Finegold/Getty Images
November 2002: Filming Gigli and Engagement
The 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.
James Devaney/WireImage
November 2002: Filming Jersey Girl
The two film the movie in New York City.
James Devaney/WireImage
November 2002: Leaving MTV’s TRL
Is there anything more ’00s than both Bennifer 1.0 and TRL?
Tom Kingston/WireImage
December 2002: Red Carpet Debut
The two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her film Maid in Manhattan.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
January 2003: Sundance
The two bundle up at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
Chris Weeks/WireImage
February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben as the superhero.
Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images
February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben and future ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
March 2003: Oscars
The two attend the Academy Awards together.
Vince Bucci/Getty Images
May 2003: Basketball Game
The two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images
July 2003: Canada Trip
The two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
July 2003: Gigli Premiere
The two appear at the premiere for their movie in Westwood, Calif.
Moviestore/Shutterstock
August 2003: Gigli Is Released
…it flops at the box office.
Christopher Polk/Jason Merritt/Getty Images for DCP
September 2003: Wedding Is Off
The two postpone their wedding. No future date is given.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
October 2003: Baseball Date
The two are seen at a Boston Red Sox game. The team is Ben’s favorite.
Steve Granitz/WireImage
January 2004: It’s Over
The two end their engagement.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
September 2021: Red Carpet Royalty
They’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.
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images
September 2021: Look of Love
There’s no denying J.Lo makes for a stunning plus-one!
Robert Kamau/GC Images
September 2021: Back to the Stage
Ben 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.
Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
September 2021: Met Gala Debut
The two attend the Met Gala together for the first time.
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
October 2021: PDA at Premiere
Jen and Ben put on a sizzling display on the red carpet at the premiere of his film The Last Duel in New York City.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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.
onthejlo.com
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.
Pierre Suu/GC Images
July 2022: Post-Wedding Trip to Paris
The two vacation with her twins and two of his kids in the French capital soon after their wedding.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
June 2023: Red Carpet Fabulous
J.Lo steps out with Ben in support of his movie The Flash.
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
February 2024: This Is Them…Now
Jennifer 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.
Gotham/GC Images
March 2024: Jenny on the Block
The couple enjoys a day out in NYC on March 30, 2024.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
August 2024: Divorce
J.Lo filed for divorce Aug. 20, listing the date of separation as Apil 26, according to the filing obtained by TMZ.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
