Jennifer Lopez, known for her thriving music and acting career, raised eyebrows when she requested to drop estranged husband Ben Affleck’s surname in her divorce filing. Page Six obtained court documents showing that Lopez is asking a judge to change her legal name from Jennifer Lynn Affleck back to Jennifer Lynn Lopez, the name she had prior to her marriage to the actor. The couple had eloped in July 2022, and at the time, Lopez had spoken fondly about taking Affleck’s last name, calling it “romantic” and “traditional.”
The change in Lopez’s stance was evident when she spoke to Vogue in November 2022 about the name change. She explained that while people might still call her Jennifer Lopez, she wanted her legal name to be Mrs. Affleck because she and Affleck were “joined together.” Lopez emphasized that she felt proud of their marriage and didn’t view the name change as a problem. She noted that taking on Affleck’s last name carried a sense of tradition and romance for her, and she described herself as a romantic person who valued these aspects in a relationship.
Lopez delved deeper into her feelings about the name change, noting that she saw it as a way to hold on to tradition and romance in a world where she felt empowered as a woman and individual. She expressed that the decision to take on Affleck’s last name was a personal one, stemming from her own beliefs about what felt right for her relationship. This sentiment was evident when she referred to herself as “Mrs. Jennifer Lynn Affleck” in her newsletter in July 2022, shortly after they had gotten married. The singer had initially planned to take on the name Affleck when she and the actor were first engaged in the early 2000s, expressing her desire to become Jennifer Affleck in an interview with “Access Hollywood” in 2003.
Despite the initial intentions and romantic gestures that surrounded their marriage, Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck after two years of marriage. The divorce filing, which she submitted on the second anniversary of their wedding ceremony, listed their separation date as April 26. The absence of a prenuptial agreement may lead to a legal battle over the couple’s assets, including their $68 million Beverly Hills mansion, which was put up for sale. Sources close to the couple revealed that Lopez felt “humiliated” that her second chance at love with Affleck had come to an end, while Affleck reportedly showed no interest in salvaging their marriage. This divorce marked the end of a whirlwind romance that had captured the public’s attention.
