Jennifer Lopez is gearing up for her next big release, a sequel to her 2002 album titled “This Is Me … Then.” The upcoming album, “This Is Me … Now,” marks a significant moment for Lopez, as she collaborates with her husband, Ben Affleck, on a short film that accompanies the album. An insider shared with Us Weekly that Lopez couldn’t have imagined a better partner than Affleck for this venture, emphasizing the deep understanding he has of her.
Lopez, now 54, dedicates this new album to Affleck, 51, reflecting their rekindled romance. The couple, who married in July 2022 after an 18-year hiatus from their initial engagement in 2004, have found renewed happiness together. The forthcoming film is a creative exploration of Lopez’s love life, which has often been under intense public scrutiny.
Affleck’s involvement in the project has been a source of comfort and inspiration for Lopez. She expressed to Entertainment Tonight that the music from the album led her to recognize the need for a more expansive narrative, one that encompassed more than just a love story. It was a journey of self-discovery and personal growth that Lopez felt compelled to share.
Lopez and Affleck have found a unique synergy in their creative collaboration. Lopez credits Affleck with a deep understanding of her story, making him an ideal partner for this project. In a conversation with Vogue in November 2022, Lopez expressed her intention to clarify misconceptions about her romantic history, revealing aspects of her life that have remained hidden.
While Lopez embraces her identity as “Mrs. Affleck,” her husband sees her as the person he fell in love with two decades ago. Affleck admires Lopez’s enduring kindness and capacity for love, qualities he has always found remarkable.
The couple’s journey is poetically depicted in the trailer for “This Is Me … Now,” which Lopez shared on Instagram. The trailer revisits their initial relationship, starting in 2002 on the set of “Gigli.” A poignant scene shows Lopez burning a letter from Affleck, dated December 24, 2002, symbolizing both the end and a new beginning in their relationship.
“This Is Me … Now,” Lopez’s ninth studio album and her first since 2014’s “A.K.A.,” along with the film, is set to release on February 16, 2024, marking a new chapter in her illustrious career.
