From the moment I heard the first Grammy-winning record, “Know My Dad,” I was blown away. The lyrics really resonated with me. It’s a shame we didn’t agree more often when we were still married. But thinking back, we did share some common ground during those years, didn’t we?
Mark Anthony is finally speaking out about his ex, and his comments are far from flattering. According to the buzz, Mark is exhausted from constantly explaining to his and JLo’s kids why they’re caught up in their mother’s chaotic love life. It seems he believes JLo is once again putting their kids through unnecessary drama, focusing more on her Diva image in the media than on being there for them. As a result, Mark is left to pick up the pieces and look out for their kids’ well-being.
Mark isn’t the only one frustrated with the JLo and Ben divorce rumors. Word has it that Jennifer Garner is also upset, feeling that JLo is letting down her and Ben’s kids after promising to be a part of their lives. With JLo heading towards her fourth divorce, she’s leaving a wake of heartbroken kids who might need therapy down the line, and Mark has had enough.
When asked about the divorce, Mark said, “It’s a decision we made together, and we’re seeing it through.”
Mark and JLo’s relationship wasn’t always like this. They were once one of Hollywood’s hottest couples, with a love story that captivated the media. They first met in 1998 backstage at Paul Simon’s Broadway show “The Capeman,” where Mark was performing. At that time, JLo was just ending her first marriage to Ojani Noa, which had wrapped up that same year. When she and Mark met, there was an instant connection. JLo later shared in her book “True Love” that one of the first things Mark told her was, “One day you’re going to be my wife,” a statement that showed his confidence and sincerity.
Despite developing feelings for each other, they kept things professional while working on a song together. That song, “No Me Ames,” would later appear on JLo’s 1999 breakthrough album “On the 6.” After this collaboration, JLo and Mark both married other people. Mark wed former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres in 2000, and they divorced in 2004. JLo married her dancer and choreographer Chris Judd in 2001, but the marriage ended after barely a year, with JLo citing irreconcilable differences.
That same year, JLo started dating Ben Affleck, and their relationship quickly became serious. By 2003, they were engaged, and the media couldn’t get enough of them, declaring them a perfect match. They were set to marry in September 2003, but their relationship was already unraveling. Insiders said Ben struggled with the media scrutiny, while JLo enjoyed being in the spotlight. There were also rumors that JLo was trying to control Ben, which he didn’t appreciate. Everything came to a head when they postponed their wedding just a day before it was supposed to happen, marking the end of their relationship.
In 2004, JLo and Mark rekindled their old flame, and it seemed like they were truly meant to be together. JLo even wrote in her book “True Love” that she believed they were destined to end up together, just as Mark had predicted when they first met. They married on June 5, 2004, in a small, secret ceremony. Insiders said they were very intentional about keeping their relationship out of the media. The wedding was even a surprise to family members, who were told they were coming to an afternoon party at JLo’s house. The couple didn’t go public with their relationship until the following year when they performed “Escapémonos” together at the 47th Grammys.
For the next few years, Mark and JLo enjoyed their happy marriage, merging their personal lives and careers. In 2006, they co-starred in the movie “El Cantante” and went on tour together that same year. During the tour in November 2007, JLo announced her pregnancy to the crowd, saying, “We didn’t want to say anything before because we didn’t want to take away from the tour, but we’re expecting.” Their twins, Emme and Max, were born in February 2008. Later that year, Mark and JLo renewed their vows to reaffirm their love for each other and their growing family.
In 2010, Jennifer Lopez gave an interview with Latina Magazine where she talked about how amazing her marriage to Marc Anthony was, calling it “the best thing since sliced bread.” She said, “First and foremost, we love each other, truly love each other in a way that’s very deep and meaningful, not in a superficial sort of way. There’s a deep respect, admiration, and love for each other. We honestly believe that we make each other better people. We force each other to be better, and I think in a relationship that’s how it should be. You shouldn’t be with somebody if he makes you feel less than who you are.”
In 2011, Marc and Jennifer launched their lifestyle line at Kohl’s, which included men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. It seemed to be going well for them, at least on the surface. However, behind the scenes, their relationship was struggling. That same year, they announced they were splitting up. They said it was a mutual decision, with no hard feelings. They released a joint statement saying, “This was a very difficult decision. We have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters. It is a painful time for all involved, and we appreciate the respect of our privacy at this time.”
Not long after, rumors started swirling that Marc had cheated on Jennifer with his co-star Jada Pinkett Smith, though Marc denied the allegations.
When asked about what went wrong in the marriage, Marc said, “I’ll tell you that it wasn’t some sensationalistic happening. Infidelity? No, absolutely not. Nothing sensationalistic. It was the flight attendant. It was the pilot. I heard it. It was this guy sitting next to me in rehab in Houston. I’ve heard it all. There are some ugly rumors out there. When something like that happens, it’s laughable. We’re here laughing. We’re like, wow, we’ve been friends for years, Jada, Jennifer, and me, for years. What bothers me is the effect it has on family, to Will and Jada’s circle, and their children, and their relatives, and their loved ones.”
Marc shared his perspective, explaining that the divorce was a mutual realization. “It was a realization on both our parts, so you know, it wasn’t shocking. These things happen. What do you tell Max and Emme? You know, I’m always going to be Daddy. They’re used to me traveling, and Jennifer traveling, and you know, we Skype all the time and try to maintain that presence. They’re still young, you know what I mean? Do you love Jennifer? I always love Jennifer. Yeah, I always love Jennifer. She knows that. But the important thing is that she knows that.”
For a while, it seemed like things were amicable between them. They co-parented, worked on their reality show together, and even referred to themselves as Sonny and Cher. They appeared to have fun together, often laughing and maintaining a friendly demeanor.
Their divorce was finalized in 2014, and over time, more details about their relationship emerged. Despite the ups and downs, JLo and Marc tried to present a friendly front, with JLo even calling Marc her best friend during a 2017 appearance on “Live with Kelly.”
“That’s so cute! I have to say, you and Marc Anthony have this amazing co-parenting thing down pat.” “Yeah, totally. We’re best friends, you know? We’re actually working on an album together right now.” “Really? Which album?” “My Spanish album. He’s helping me with it. At first, I was worried that working together might cause some tension, but it’s been great. Honestly, it’s even helped our relationship. We’re in such a good place, and it’s great for the kids to see us working together. It’s been good for the whole family.”
But on the flip side, JLo has also talked about how heartbroken she was after their divorce. In her 2014 book “True Love,” she explains how their marriage fell apart. She says Marc was the one who wanted to break up, telling her he wasn’t happy anymore. This all happened when her career was really taking off. “In the middle of my career success, everything came crashing down with three simple words: ‘I’m not happy.’ Marc was venting about our problems, and then he said it again: ‘I’m not happy. I’m only here because of our family, but I’m not happy.'”
JLo says Marc’s words completely devastated her, making her feel like she was letting everyone down, including their kids. “My happiness and self-worth were tied to his, so when he said he wasn’t happy, it shattered me.”
Despite the pain, JLo said she was glad Marc was moving on and that they were on good terms. “Hey, did you hear about Marc getting engaged? It was made public today. Are you okay with that?” “Yes, I know.” “Are you okay with it?” “Absolutely. His happiness is crucial for our kids, which is important to me. So I’m very pleased that he’s happy.”
But later, she made it seem like Marc was the bad guy, saying she had to go to therapy to heal from the heartbreak. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, she described that time as the lowest point in her life, feeling like a failure and worried she couldn’t give her kids what they needed.
Over the years, JLo’s true personality started to show. As her album, movie, and documentary flopped, people realized she was far from the relatable, down-to-earth Jenny from the Block she tried to portray. Sources said she was rude, condescending, fake, vain, and self-centered. It seemed like everything she did was to keep up her media image, no matter who got hurt.
Jennifer Lopez is facing a lot of criticism after her recent movie and documentary. Here’s why people find her hard to relate to:
Trying Too Hard: She keeps talking about her roots in the Bronx, but many people from there feel she no longer represents them.
How She Treats Others: Lopez has a reputation for being harsh to those who work under her. This might be because she’s very hard on herself, a trait common in perfectionists, but it often makes her overly demanding of others.
Avoiding Fans: Lopez often refuses to sign autographs or engage in short conversations with fans, which is generally expected from celebrities.
Lack of Humility: She seems to believe she works harder than others, displaying an arrogance that suggests she thinks she’s superior. This might be why other celebrities declined to participate in her documentary.
Insatiable Need for Recognition: Despite her wealth and fame, Lopez seems to constantly crave more recognition. Her husband, Ben Affleck, confirmed this in the documentary. This relentless pursuit of validation can be off-putting, as it indicates she hasn’t addressed her personal issues, making it hard for others to connect with her.
Additionally, Lopez’s behavior towards her ex-husband, Mark Anthony, has raised eyebrows. After their marriage ended, she often portrayed herself as hurt and helpless, casting Mark as the villain, seemingly forgetting that their children should have been their priority. She has used their children as pawns, such as excluding Mark from Father’s Day posts while praising Ben Affleck for being a great dad.
For instance, on Father’s Day in 2023, Lopez posted a tribute to Ben, calling him “Papa” and praising all the great fathers out there, but did not mention Mark. She did the same this year, captioning a post for Ben as “Our hero.” Allegedly, Lopez has even used Ben’s children as pawns and attempted a smear campaign against his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner. This was reportedly because she couldn’t tolerate Ben and Jennifer’s close relationship, which is understandable given they share three children.
Jennifer Garner has supported Ben through his struggles with alcoholism, which was a significant factor in their divorce. Despite their separation, she remained by his side during his public relapse in 2018, helping him get back on track. This supportive behavior starkly contrasts with the public image Lopez is currently portraying, further complicating people’s perception of her.
Hey, Jennifer! It’s Jennifer Garner to the rescue as she swooped in on Ben Affleck’s home to stage an intervention after her ex apparently relapsed.
“Can you guys please do me a favor out of respect? Yes, can you give some space?” At some point, tabloids began referring to Ben as Jennifer’s fourth child. And when Ben and JLo announced they were back together, Jen said she was happy Ben had finally found someone to be there for him.
Given their history, it’s not surprising that Ben and Jen are so close. However, this didn’t sit well with JLo, who reportedly had her sources running to the tabloids to spread stories about how Jen’s kids preferred JLo because she was cool while their mother, Jennifer Garner, was too strict.
Jen Garner has been open about her strict parenting style, which she says allows her to set boundaries for her kids—something the other Jennifer doesn’t understand. Jen said she grew up with strict parents who gave her a solid foundation that kept her grounded, even in Hollywood. Despite their strictness, they supported her dreams. Jen tries to do the same for her kids, giving them a safe environment with clear rules and boundaries to protect them from the media and “Hollyweird.”
“You pay attention—I don’t look at it. I had to get serious with myself and say this is not healthy. Nobody should see pictures of themselves taken by paparazzi. In the morning, you can either be making breakfast for your kids, making their lunch boxes, or getting paparazzi ready. I know which way I’m going.”
When JLo and Ben Affleck got back together, Jen understood her kids would be around JLo, so she tried to accept her, hoping JLo would care for them as her own. But allegedly, JLo undermined Jen’s parenting because she didn’t like Jen’s presence. Whenever the kids were with her, she let them do whatever they wanted, breaking Jen’s established rules—all to win some internal war against Jen Garner.
Sources say Jen worried that JLo’s attention-seeking and narcissism would affect her kids. Jen always kept her children away from the media as much as possible because she hated reporters scrutinizing every aspect of her private life.
“I just told my kids, ‘Show me the articles proving social media is good for teenagers, and then we’ll talk. But find scientific evidence saying it’s not good for teenagers, then we’ll chat.'”
“And how do they feel now?”
“My eldest is grateful.”
“Wow, see? It’s a long haul. I have a couple more to go, so knock on wood. We’ll see if I really hang in there.”
“But whenever her kids were with Ben and JLo, she feared they would be exposed to the media because JLo couldn’t resist attention. You might wonder where JLo’s kids are in all this. Sources say JLo is not above throwing her kids under the bus for her own benefit. Unlike Jen, JLo struggles with enforcing boundaries.”
“When your kids are individuating and challenging everything you say and do, you have to ride the waves.”
JLo admitted her kids find it hard to cope with media attention from having famous parents, but she never protected them from the spotlight. Instead, she pushed them into it. From day one, she sold the first photo of her twins to People magazine for $6 million, making them the most expensive celeb photos ever.
Sources say Mark is unhappy that JLo isn’t protecting their kids from the media circus surrounding her messy divorce drama. While neither Ben nor JLo has confirmed anything, rumors of their split have circulated. Allegedly, Ben is tired of JLo’s narcissism and need for attention. The telltale sign was JLo attending this year’s Grammys without Ben. He was also absent during JLo’s recent movie “Atlas” premiere. Reports say JLo is house hunting and their $60 million mansion is on the market. JLo all but confirmed the rumors when asked directly at a recent press conference.
Divorces are tough for everyone involved, but children suffer the most. Mark Anthony and Jennifer Garner are scrambling to protect their kids from being collateral damage in JLo and Ben’s divorce, while JLo is allegedly using them as pawns. When JLo reunited with Ben, she tried to get cozy with Ben and Jen’s kids, even turning them against Jen. But as her marriage with Ben faltered, JLo distanced herself from the kids.
Last month, Ben attended his daughter Violet’s high school graduation party, and JLo didn’t show up despite claiming to have a special bond with Violet. Even when JLo attended Seraphina’s school play earlier, rumors suggested it was for good press. Despite canceling her tour to be with her family, she was spotted taking pictures in Italy.
There’s nothing wrong with a trip during a messy divorce, but traveling to Italy for a photo shoot while your kids struggle at home won’t win you Mother of the Year. Sadly, it seems JLo doesn’t care how her actions affect her kids and Ben’s kids. Mark is calling her out for being selfish and inconsiderate, and most people aren’t siding with JLo on this one.
“Those poor children, seeing all those men come in and out of their lives, must be psychologically traumatic. Don’t forget there are two kids involved. This isn’t good for them. They get hurt the most in this mess.”
“These children must be so confused. JLo has had so many men in her life; it’s disgusting. What kind of mother does this?”
On the flip side, some say Mark isn’t in a position to comment on JLo’s approach with the kids, as he has also been married and divorced multiple times.
“Isn’t Mark on his fourth marriage? He doesn’t have much room to talk. All his ladies have moved on, minus the first, who he left for JLo.”
Now, I want to know: whose side are you on? Sound off in the comments below
