Ben Affleck is speaking warmly about Jennifer Lopez nearly two years after their divorce, praising both her talent and the work she has done on screen. In a new Variety interview, Affleck said he has an enormous amount of respect and admiration for what Lopez can do as a performer.
The comments came during a discussion about awards recognition and why some acclaimed performances never receive Oscar nominations. Affleck acknowledged that he is personally biased but argued that awards are inherently subjective.
Affleck praises Lopez’s acting
Lopez has generated awards attention for performances including Hustlers and Kiss of the Spider Woman without receiving an Academy Award nomination. Affleck said commercial success, critical response and awards voting do not always line up.
He has personal and professional context for his assessment. Artists Equity, the company Affleck shares with Matt Damon, was involved with Kiss of the Spider Woman, giving him a close view of Lopez’s work on the project.
The former couple after divorce
Affleck and Lopez rekindled their relationship years after ending their first engagement, married in 2022 and later divorced. Their marriage ended, but Affleck has repeatedly avoided publicly attacking Lopez and has previously praised her relationship with his children.
His latest remarks continue that tone. Rather than revisiting the details of their split, Affleck focused on Lopez’s abilities and the unpredictable nature of Hollywood awards.
Affleck also discussed social media and stardom
The broader interview touched on the changing movie business, modern celebrity and how performers build value outside traditional films. Affleck credited both Lopez and his former wife Jennifer Garner for understanding social media in ways he says he does not.
The result is a notably respectful public update on one of Hollywood’s most closely followed former couples, with Affleck making clear that the end of their marriage did not erase his admiration for Lopez’s career.
Sources: Variety and PEOPLE interviews and reporting published Oct. 7-8, 2026.