Jennifer Lopez has posted a raunchy thirst trap amid rumours of a split from Ben Affleck.
The ‘Jenny from the Block’ singer, 54, is one of the highest-profile celebrities in the world.
Be it her hit tunes or leading roles in films like Hustlers and Marry Me, she’s never far from the spotlight.
But it’s also J Lo’s personal life that has kept fans invested.
Her relationship with Affleck, 51, has made headlines in recent years – from their seemingly tense exchanges on the red carpet to paparazzi shots of their blended family.
And now, there are rumours of a split mounting – amid the gossip, Lopez has taken to Instagram and posted some steamy snapshots…
Lopez and Affleck first began dating in 2002 but two years later, they shockingly broke up. Although they were together briefly, they had become an iconic celebrity couple.
So when they reunited in 2021, fans were delighted by the news and even more so when the pair tied the knot the following year.
However, the A-list pairing is often caught in seemingly heated exchanges and their interactions are constantly scrutinised.
In general, it’s been a challenging time for Lopez.
Before the breakup rumours had even started, the ‘On The Floor’ singer was making headlines over her music career.
Lopez’s first album in a decade ‘This Is Me… Now’, released in February, was intended to be her major comeback.
The public’s interest in her reunion with Affleck initially provided press, and the album’s theme of second-chance love intrigued many.
However, the album and its two accompanying films, This Is Me… Now: A Love Story and a documentary on its making were poorly received.
The album is the lowest charting of her career, according to Forbes.
Meanwhile, the film, a $20 million production funded by Lopez herself, featured high-profile cameos from friends like Post Malone, Keke Palmer, and Jane Fonda.
Lopez’s efforts did not pay off.
The high costs and controversial content fueled a media storm, with critics arguing that she was disconnected.
The subsequent This Is Me… Now tour has also become a flop – seven dates have been cancelled due to a low demand, reports Variety.
The tour has been quietly rebranded as a greatest hits retrospective, which Variety reports is an attempt to attract listeners who didn’t connect with her new material.
Amid the pandemic came a turning point in Lopez’s public image.
People began scrutinising the lifestyles of wealthy celebrities in much closer detail – and it was argued that the singer was ‘out of touch’.
A particular moment triggered this wave of comments – when Lopez celebrated the 20th anniversary of her single ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing’, she recreated a memorable scene from the track’s video.
It involved the singer tossing expensive jewellery, sunglasses and clothes onto a beach.
The clip would go viral and an onslaught of comments would follow, with one reading: “Jennifer Lopez is so damn out of touch with reality it’s frightening.”
“Ma’am this is tone deaf,” a second comments. “Can’t nobody afford to be throwing their stuff on the beach.”
Somebody else writes: “J Lo is someone who is so far detached from the poverty of it all.”
Lopez’s ventures into beauty and beverages also appear to have had bumps in the road.
According to numerous reports, including Beauty Independent, the ‘Let’s Get Loud’ singer’s beauty line, JLo Beauty, has exited Sephora doors in the US.
It remains available to shop on Sephora’s US website and Sephora stores outside the US.
Rachel Roberts Mattox, a beauty brand developer and market strategist, speculates: “The evolving Sephora demographic leans towards younger consumers who tend to be brand agnostic. Their buying behaviour is driven more by a brand’s virality on TikTok, efficacy, affordability, branding and playful packaging.
“JLo Beauty seems to be targeting a slightly older consumer with product strategy, branding and messaging that feels outdated in today’s landscape.
“If you look at other successful celebrity brands like Rhode or Rare Beauty, they have tapped into the cultural zeitgeist in a way that JLo Beauty hasn’t with cult-worthy, viral products that are safe, fun and feed-worthy.”
Last year, Lopez also launched an alcohol brand named Delola – and it’s been met with criticism.
In an Instagram video promoting the drink, she said: “I have been grinding non-stop for decades, and more and more I’m realising the importance of enjoying life.
“I just wanted to create something better – something better tasting, better ingredients, something I would want to drink with my friends and family, and that is Delola.”
Many of Lopez’s followers rushed to the comments and insisted the star doesn’t actually drink.
“Jlo you don’t drink. This is like something that is known and has been pointed out on numerous occasions. I mean… I get it – a coin is a coin – but mama, you don’t drink alcohol,” one person writes.
In agreement, another adds: “But you literally don’t drink? This is such a money grab ugh.”
To which Lopez would reply in an Instagram video: “You know what, I know that a lot of people have been talking about, ‘Oh, she doesn’t even drink, what’s she doing with a cocktail out?’. And to tell you the truth, for a long time I didn’t drink.
“Years back, as you will see from several photos of me out, over the past 10, maybe 15 years, I have been, you know, having the occasional cocktail.
“I do enjoy the occasional cocktail. I do drink responsibly, I don’t drink to get s***faced. I drink to be social and to have a nice time and just relax and let loose a bit, but always responsibly.”
But the main reason Lopez is making headlines is her relationship with Affleck – fans are desperate to know what is happening behind closed doors.
Us Weekly recently alleged that Affleck had moved out of the pair’s home weeks ago, with an insider claiming: “Jen and Ben are having issues in their marriage.”
A source allegedly close to Affleck has also told Page Six: “If there was a way to divorce on grounds of temporary insanity, he would.
“He feels like the last two years was just a fever dream and he’s come to his senses now and understands there is just no way this is going to work.”
At the promotion of Lopez’s new Netflix movie, Atlas, Lopez was actually questioned about the breakup rumours.
A reporter asked the star (via Evening Standard): “Is your divorce with Ben Affleck real? These rumours?
Lopez’s co-star Simu Liu interjected, saying: “OK, we’re not doing that.
“Thank you so much guys, we really appreciate it. Thank you.”
Lopez then leaned forward and looked directly at the reporter, responding: “You know better than that.”
Behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings tells The Sun that the ‘next few weeks will be pivotal as to whether they make it work or part ways’.
And now, Lopez has added further fuel to the fire by sharing a photo of herself in a revealing ruffle robe outfit.
She attended the Mexico City premiere of Atlas on Tuesday and looked stunning in the braless white number – photos of which have gone on Instagram.
People have taken to the comments and gushed over the star’s look, with one writing: “Stunning queen.”
Another adds: “She looks beautiful.”
“Girl, he must be committed to being miserable because it ain’t you,” jokes a third.
A fourth fan comments: “Absolutely gorgeous.”
