The Hollywood actor praises his ex-wife for breaking barriers, challenging double standards and taking financial risks to build her career.

Ben Affleck has described his ex-wife Jennifer Lopez as a “pioneer”, praising her determination to overcome barriers in Hollywood and achieve success despite being told that her ambitions were impossible.

The 54-year-old actor spoke about Lopez, 57, during an appearance on the podcast The Moment with Jorge and Paola Ramos on Wednesday. The hosts asked him what he had learnt from the singer and actress about how Latinos navigate the entertainment industry.

Affleck said it would be difficult to summarise Lopez’s experiences briefly, highlighting her persistence in the face of obstacles and her ability to demonstrate, through social media, that an audience existed for her work.

“You have to understand, I think to understand Jennifer Lopez, honestly, is to understand somebody who really is a pioneer who did things when he was told they’re not possible and you’re not welcome and by kind of force of will,” Affleck said.

He also suggested that Lopez continued to face criticism shaped by an implicit or subconscious double standard.

Affleck praises Lopez’s determination and business instincts

The actor praised Lopez for believing in herself, taking significant risks and investing her own money in her projects.

He compared her career to the degree of difficulty faced by a diver, suggesting that the challenges she had overcome deserved the highest recognition.

Affleck also highlighted Lopez’s entrepreneurial approach, noting that she had embraced the very qualities often celebrated in successful American businesspeople.

He described her as “probably the hardest working person that I’ve ever known”.

“I feel like I work pretty hard, but around her, I’ve always thought like, ‘Woo, damn,’” he added.

His remarks echo comments he made to Variety recently, when he expressed “an enormous amount of respect and admiration” for Lopez.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s relationship

Affleck and Lopez, popularly known as “Bennifer”, first dated in the early 2000s and ended their engagement in 2004.

The pair rekindled their relationship years later and married in July 2022. Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024, and their divorce was finalised in January 2025.

Despite the end of their marriage, Affleck has continued to express admiration for Lopez’s professional achievements.

He produced her 2025 film Kiss of the Spider Woman through his company with Matt Damon and attended the film’s premiere in support of her.

His latest comments highlight Lopez’s perseverance and career achievements, as well as the professional respect that has continued between the former couple following their separation.