JLo gets engaged to Ben Affleck 18 years after split
U.S. actors Jennifer Lopez (JLo) and Ben Affleck arrive for a special screening of "Marry Me" at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles, U.S., Feb. 8, 2022. (AFP File Photo)


Some 18 years after the couple originally called off their wedding, Jennifer Lopez ("JLo") announced to her fans that she and Ben Affleck are now engaged.

The singer and actress revealed the news in her OnTheJLo newsletter, where she shared a video of herself crying while admiring a huge green engagement ring.

The clip opens with a close-up of the ring before panning up to Lopez's face, where she appears to wipe away tears.

JLo had teased the "major announcement" with a video on Twitter and Instagram, in which she said: "I have a really exciting and special story to share..." and encouraged people to register for her newsletter.

She also added a diamond ring emoji to her Twitter handle.

It comes a year after Lopez, 52, and Affleck, 49, rekindled their romance following Affleck's split from the actress Ana DeArmas and Lopez's break up with baseball star Alex Rodriguez.

The Hollywood stars previously began dating in July 2002 and were engaged in November of that year. They were due to tie the knot in September 2003 but postponed the wedding just days before the ceremony. They ultimately called off their engagement in January 2004.

JLo officially confirmed she was back together with Affleck in an Instagram post for her 52nd birthday when she shared a picture of them kissing while on a private yacht.

They have since become red-carpet fixtures as a couple, supporting each other at various film premieres and awards shows.

Lopez announced her split from Rodriguez, 45, in April 2021 and was photographed with Affleck in Montana in May.

Affleck was previously married to actress Jennifer Garner, with whom he has three children – Violet, 16, Seraphina, 13, and Samuel, 10. They divorced in 2018 after 13 years of marriage.

Lopez's other past relationships include her 10-year marriage to singer Marc Anthony. The former couple, who divorced in 2014, have 14-year-old twins Emme and Max together.