At 86, Jane Fonda has seen her fair share of Hollywood romances, and when it comes to Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s relationship, she didn’t hold back her reservations. In Lopez’s 2022 documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told, Fonda revealed her mixed feelings about the high-profile romance, admitting she was both hopeful and concerned.
Fonda candidly shared, “I really, really, really want[ed] it to work” and was “invested” in the couple’s success. However, despite her hopes, she admitted that she saw the split coming, citing her “concerns” about the dynamics of their relationship. Her unease was rooted in how public and seemingly performative their love appeared. “It feels too much like you’re trying to prove something instead of just living it,” Fonda remarked. “You know, every other photograph is the two of you kissing and the two of you hugging.”
Jennifer Lopez responded to Fonda’s concerns, defending her relationship with Affleck. “That’s just us living our life,” Lopez stated, implying that their public displays of affection were simply a reflection of their genuine love, not an effort to prove anything to the world.
The Atlas star also described Fonda as “very protective,” suggesting that Fonda’s worries stemmed from a place of care. According to Lopez, Fonda was concerned about her “putting [her]self out there to get beat up again,” particularly after the challenges Lopez faced in her past relationships.
Fonda’s fears were amplified when she saw headlines about Ben Affleck looking “unhappy.” The seasoned actress admitted she got “real scared” at that point, worried about the toll the relationship might be taking on both Lopez and Affleck. Lopez, however, brushed off these concerns with humor, joking that Affleck has become the internet’s “symbol of the beleaguered man.”
Fonda wasn’t alone in her apprehensions. She shared her worries with Lopez’s manager, Benny Medina, who reportedly has “bad blood” with Affleck and “can’t stand” him. This tension added another layer of complexity to the situation, as Fonda emphasized the importance of keeping love “sacrosanct” rather than “overly flaunting” it in public.
Even Ben Affleck himself, while reflecting on his and Lopez’s first engagement from 2002 to 2004, expressed doubts about the relationship. The public scrutiny and intense media attention from that time weighed heavily on both of them, casting a long shadow over their rekindled romance.
As the world watches the ongoing love story of Lopez and Affleck, Fonda’s words serve as a reminder that even in the glow of celebrity, love is a delicate balance of private emotions and public perceptions.