Jennifer Lopez reflects on 'brutal' criticism that destroyed her relationship with Ben Affleck

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck may the hottest Hollywood couple on the block, but the rekindled lovers faced huge criticism and 'brutal' media attention during their first relationship nearly 20 years ago.

Speaking to Rolling Stone about their romance in the 2000s, the Let's Get Loud singer admitted the hysteria around their romance "destroyed" their chance of making it work.

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"It was brutal," Lopez described the criticism at the time. "It's one of those things that you bury very deeply so you can move on and get about your business."

Both Lopez and Affleck had reached new heights in their careers when they began dating.

Their combined star power meant the media became obsessed with every detail of their relationship, effectively ruining it, Lopez admitted.

"It's funny because Ben and I were together, and we were so in love," she said.

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"It was one of the happiest times of my life. But also, there was this other thing happening where we were being criticised, and it really destroyed our relationship from the inside out, because we were just too young to understand at that time what were really the most important things in life."

Now, two decades on, Lopez and Affleck have found each other again and are firmly back in the spotlight.

Lopez said the couple have gained "wisdom" over the last 20 years and are navigating the media furore much better this time around.

Affleck and Lopez originally began dating in July 2002 before getting engaged that November.

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But just days before their September 2003 wedding, they agreed to postpone the big day due to the intensive media coverage.

They eventually called off their engagement and relationship altogether in January 2004.

The Hustlers actress rekindled her romance with Affleck in 2021 after splitting from Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez.

Their official red carpet return was at the 2021 Venice Film Festival for the premiere of Affleck's film The Last Duel.