Jennifer Lopez Opens Up About “True Love” and Self-Discovery Amidst Kiss of the Spider Woman Promotion
Global icon Jennifer Lopez, 56, offered a surprisingly candid assessment of her romantic life during her inaugural visit to SiriusXM’s “Howard Stern Show” on October 15, 2025. The multifaceted artist, currently promoting her film Kiss of the Spider Woman, revealed to Stern that despite four marriages and numerous high-profile relationships, she believes she has yet to experience “true love.”
When probed by Stern, 71, about whether she felt she had “truly been loved,” Lopez paused before delivering a definitive “No.” She clarified, however, that the issue wasn’t her own capacity for love or her lovability. “What I learned, it’s not that I’m not lovable — it’s that they’re not capable,” Lopez stated, adding, “They don’t have it in them.” She acknowledged that her partners had given her everything materialistically: “All the rings, all the things I could ever want. The houses, the rings, the marriage. All of it. But….” This poignant ellipsis underscored a deeper emotional void.
A Journey of Self-Love After Divorce
Lopez openly admitted that a significant part of the challenge stemmed from an internal struggle. “I didn’t love myself” at the time, she confessed. This self-awareness, she explained, was hard-won, particularly after her most recent divorce, which she paradoxically described as “the best thing that ever happened to me.” This pivotal moment propelled her into an intensive journey of self-discovery and healing.
“I mean, I had a religious coach, I had a therapist, a couple’s therapist, an individual therapist, I had a coach to understand addiction. I had everything,” Lopez recounted. “I was like, ‘I’m gonna f—in’ figure this s— out if it kills me.'” Through this comprehensive introspection, she arrived at a profound understanding: “the core of the thing is you — it’s nobody else.”
Lopez and Affleck: A Complicated Narrative
Lopez’s public romantic history is well-documented, marked by four marriages. Her most recent union was with actor Ben Affleck, a relationship that garnered immense media attention, particularly during their highly anticipated reunion. Prior to Affleck, she shared 17-year-old twins, Max and Emme, with her ex-husband, singer Marc Anthony. Despite the visible trappings of love and commitment in these relationships, Lopez maintains that the deepest form of reciprocal love has remained elusive, experienced only in “glimpses.”
Adding another layer to the narrative, Ben Affleck, 53, who also serves as a producer on Lopez’s latest film Kiss of the Spider Woman, had previously spoken about their divorce. In a March interview with GQ, Affleck stated that there was “no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue” behind their separation. He characterized the end of their marriage as a more common human experience. “There’s a tendency to look at breakups and want to identify root causes or something. But honestly … the truth is much more quotidian than probably people would believe or would be interesting,” Affleck explained, concluding, “…It’s just a story about people trying to figure out their lives and relationships in ways that we all sort of normally do.”
A New Chapter of Self-Acceptance
Today, Lopez presents a picture of resilience and self-acceptance. “Now I’m able to sit here in a much more self-assured, self-aware way of the things that have happened to me… and know who I am and just really appreciate that person,” she articulated. “I feel really comfortable and good in being myself, all the good parts and all the kind of complicated things.” While true love may still be a distant horizon, her journey of self-discovery has evidently fortified her spirit. As Stern wished her that elusive “true love,” Lopez gracefully accepted, continuing her multifaceted career, including her starring role in Kiss of the Spider Woman, now in theaters.
