Jennifer Lopez has been confidently stepping into the limelight following her divorce from Ben Affleck, in stark contrast to her ex-husband, who has largely stayed out of the public eye.
Lopez recently made a notable appearance at the Sundance Film Festival, attending the premiere of her latest film Kiss of the Spider Woman. This marked one of her first major public appearances after finalizing her divorce from Affleck in January. Her red carpet presence was in line with her usual confident and bold style, ensuring all eyes were on her as she showcased her latest work.
On the other hand, Affleck has kept a much quieter profile. After months of staying out of the public eye, he surprised many with an unexpected appearance at the Next on Netflix Special Presentation in Los Angeles on January 29, 2025. This rare outing marked his first major public appearance since the split.
Experts weighed in on the contrasting approaches the two stars have taken since their divorce. Kathy Fielder, CEO of Thrive by Kathy Fielder, spoke with Fox News Digital, explaining that Lopez has embraced her next chapter following her divorce filing in August 2024. “Jennifer Lopez appeared ready to move on into this next phase of her life, while Ben might need more time and space to figure out his next steps,” Fielder shared.
Eric Schiffer, CEO of Reputation Management Consultants, also commented on Lopez’s media presence, highlighting how she’s dominated headlines with her roles in Kiss of the Spider Woman and Unstoppable. “Jennifer is the one dazzling with bold fashion, while Ben has intentionally stayed out of the public eye to avoid drawing attention to their personal lives,” Schiffer said.
PR expert Doug Eldridge of Achilles PR agreed, noting that both stars have been mindful of not letting their personal lives overshadow their professional endeavors. “Ben wants his work to stand on its own,” Eldridge said, acknowledging Affleck’s apparent frustration with questions about his divorce.
Affleck’s public appearances, the expert explained, are calculated, often made to support long-time friends like Matt Damon or to avoid the controversy of being associated with his ex-wife in the public sphere.
However, some experts believe Lopez may face more pressure to stay visible. One PR expert shared, “Lopez must remain visible in order to stay relevant in Hollywood, as maintaining her media presence is key to her continued success.”
As Lopez continues to thrive in the public eye, Affleck remains more reserved, allowing their professional lives to speak for themselves while navigating their personal transitions.
