Jennifer Lopez, once the unstoppable force in entertainment, faced a challenging year marked by professional disappointments and personal struggles. The multi-hyphenate star weathered multiple controversies, career setbacks, and ultimately, the end of her marriage to Ben Affleck.
The year began with Lopez's highly anticipated musical comeback falling flat. Her first album in a decade, "This Is Me...Now," debuted at a disappointing No. 38 on the Billboard 200 before quickly dropping off the charts. The accompanying movie musical and documentary also failed to generate significant buzz.
Adding to her professional woes, Lopez's planned concert tour "This Is Me... Live" was canceled, officially due to "logistical issues," though industry insiders pointed to poor ticket sales as the real reason. Her film projects also struggled, with "Atlas" receiving scathing reviews and a mere 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Another film, "Unstoppable," performed dismally at the U.K. box office, earning just $3,900 in its opening weekend.
Her beauty empire took a hit when JLo Beauty parted ways with Sephora after two years. Industry experts attributed this setback to a lack of consumer credibility, noting the disconnect between Lopez's access to premium beauty treatments and her mass-market skincare line.
Public perception issues plagued Lopez throughout the year. She faced criticism for her behavior at the 2024 Met Gala, where her interaction with a reporter went viral for all the wrong reasons. Former employees came forward with stories about difficult workplace experiences, while her claims about her Bronx background were challenged on social media.
The most significant personal blow came with her divorce from Ben Affleck. Filed on August 20 - ironically their wedding anniversary - the split marked the end of their rekindled romance. In a candid interview, Lopez reflected on the relationship's dissolution, acknowledging the need for self-examination and personal growth.
The year's challenges culminated in an uncomfortable moment when Lopez abruptly left an autograph signing event after being questioned about her former partner Sean 'Diddy' Combs' legal troubles.
For Lopez, a star accustomed to success, this period represented an unprecedented series of setbacks across both her professional and personal life, forcing her to confront hard truths about her career trajectory and public image.