Jennifer Lopez’s Best Friend Reveals How She Coped with Ben Affleck Split

Jennifer Lopez found comfort in a close friend while navigating the painful end of her marriage to Ben Affleck. As the pop icon and actress faced the emotional turmoil of her two-year marriage coming to an end, her longtime best friend Loren Ridinger was by her side, offering unwavering support.

Jennifer Lopez’s Support System During Divorce

The “Waiting for Tonight” singer finalized her divorce settlement with the Good Will Hunting actor in January, marking the end of their rekindled romance. Throughout this difficult time, Loren Ridinger, a successful entrepreneur and one of Jennifer’s closest friends, remained a pillar of strength. “She’s been one of my best friends for so many years and somebody who’s been a big support,” Loren shared in an interview with Us Weekly on Feb. 12. “I love her, admire her, and look up to her, but she’s also been a pillar of strength at a time when it’s been hard for her too.”

A Friendship Built on Mutual Support

Loren, who tragically lost her husband, JR Ridinger, at the age of 63 in August 2022, leaned on Jennifer Lopez through her own period of mourning. The loss occurred just days after Loren and JR attended Ben and Jennifer’s wedding celebration in Georgia. “Part of this whole journey was the week before JR passed away, we went to the wedding,” Loren explained. “By the time I finished my book, she was grieving with me.”

Though their losses were different, Loren and Jennifer bonded over their shared experience of grief. “I realized that you don’t have to lose someone to grieve,” Loren added. “You can actually go through the loss of a loved one or a divorce and grieve.”

Jennifer Lopez’s Personal Growth After the Split

The Hustlers star has been candid about what she learned from her split with Ben Affleck, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency. “You have to be good on your own,” Jennifer told Interview magazine in October. “I thought I learned that, but I didn’t. And then, this summer, I had to be like, ‘I need to go off and be on my own. I want to prove to myself that I can do that.’”

Looking Back at Ben and Jen’s Romance

From their early 2000s engagement to their rekindled love story, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s relationship has been one of Hollywood’s most talked-about romances. Despite their recent split, Jennifer remains focused on personal growth and resilience.