As Jennifer Lopez navigates her tumultuous divorce from Ben Affleck, her first ex-husband, Ojani Noa, has stepped back into the spotlight, sharing candid reflections on their past.
Jennifer Lopez’s love life continues to be a hot topic, keeping fans and the media buzzing. After four high-profile marriages, her latest split from Ben Affleck after just two years has sent shockwaves across Hollywood.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of “This Is Me…Now: A Love Story” in Hollywood, California on February 13, 2024
But while everyone’s talking, one voice from the past has emerged—her first ex-husband, Ojani Noa. And he’s got a lot to say. Noa, who was married to Lopez back in the late ’90s, has kept quiet over the years, but now he’s breaking his silence.
Ojani Noa attends the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards at Watsco Center on October 05, 2023, in Coral Gables, Florida.
Yet, despite their history, he insists there’s no bad blood between them. “There are no bad feelings at all,” he shares. “I would always be her friend. He also expressed sympathy for both Lopez and Affleck, acknowledging that divorce is a difficult process.
Ojani Noa is seen at Telemundo’s “Los 50” VIP preview event on July 17, 2023 in Miami, Florida.
While addressing speculation about a potential reconciliation, Noa laughed off the idea, making it clear that he had no intentions of becoming Lopez’s fifth husband. Still, his advice for Lopez is as honest as it is heartfelt.
He suggests she take a break from the dating game. “Stay single for a while, take 12 months off,” he recommends. “If she meets someone new, maybe keep it private and not get married again.” Noa goes on to praise Lopez’s career, calling her a “hard-working, beautiful woman,” but he also points out that relationships need more than just chemistry.
Jennifer Lopez and husband Ojani Noa attend the “Men in Black” Hollywood Premiere on June 25, 1997, at Pacific’s Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, California.
Looking back on their marriage, Noa revealed that he was the one who ended the relationship, though he quickly received divorce papers afterward. He also mentioned feeling unfairly portrayed during the breakup, as Lopez’s team worked to protect her public image by making it seem as though he didn’t want to be with her, which was not the case.
Ojani Noa and Jennifer Lopez at the 55th Annual Golden Globe Award in 1998
“I never looked at another woman when I was with Jennifer,” he recalls. “They made it sound like I didn’t want to be with her, but it was the opposite.” Following their split in January 1998, Noa reportedly received a $50,000 settlement.
Jennifer Lopez and Ojani Noa attend “That Old Feeling” Century City Premiere on March 31, 1997 at Cineplex Odeon Century Plaza Cinemas in Century City, California.
Interestingly, the fallout from his marriage bears striking similarities to Lopez’s recent split from Affleck. Friends of the singer have not held back, recently labeling Affleck as “selfish, sullen, impossible to please, and negative.”
Yet, in a surprising twist, Noa defended Affleck, describing him as “an amazing guy.” He noted that even amidst the glitz and glamour, Affleck exudes a sense of privacy that sets him apart.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were seen walking a bit apart from each other in New York City on March 29, 2024
Regarding their engagement, Noa chuckled about the $15,000 ring he gifted Lopez, noting that while it was significantly less than Affleck’s jaw-dropping $5.6 million green diamond, it was still a substantial amount at the time.
Contrary to the stereotype of a controlling bridezilla, Noa portrayed Lopez as calm and collected. He explained that while they were in Arizona for her filming, they would travel to Miami on weekends to meet with the wedding planner.
Jennifer Lopez and Ojani Noa attend the “Anaconda” Westwood Premiere on April 7, 1997, at Mann Village Theatre in Westwood, California.
In stark contrast to her extravagant ceremonies with Affleck—one in Las Vegas and another at Affleck’s impressive 87-acre estate—Noa and Lopez exchanged vows in a friend’s backyard in Miami. Their honeymoon in Key West was equally unpretentious, a far cry from Lopez and Affleck’s opulent trips in Paris and Italy.
Jennifer Lopez and Ojani Noa on June 5, 1997 at The Barker Hangar, Santa Monica Air Center in Santa Monica, California.
Noa fondly remembered their time in Key West, where they engaged in simple pleasures like museum visits and boat rides. He described their honeymoon as genuine, humble, and straightforward, a world away from the lavish experiences Lopez and Affleck would later have.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the “Marry Me” screening in Los Angeles on February 8, 2022
Sources close to the situation informed TMZ that the exes attended a back-to-school night at an L.A. school where their kids are enrolled. They appeared friendly and cordial, showing a united front for their children.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are seen on September 14, 2024, in Los Angeles, California.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the World Premiere of “AIR” held at the Regency Village Theatre on March 27, 2023 in Los Angeles, California
In a surprising twist, Noa’s candid revelation follows a cryptic Instagram post from Lopez’s former fiancé, Alex Rodriguez, which emerged soon after her divorce from Affleck was announced. The mysterious message sparked a wave of speculation among fans, who couldn’t help but wonder about its timing and implications.
The Instagram story, originally from The Concept, quoted the ex-MBL star himself, “You either go one way or the other, you might as well be the one deciding the direction.”
While Rodriguez didn’t provide context for the post, its timing concurred with TMZ’s report of Lopez’s divorce filing. This coincidence didn’t go unnoticed by social media users, who quickly shared their thoughts on the matter.
Some users supported the former MLB player, with one stating, “Jlo won the battle, but arod won the war [sic].” Another commented, “I get him. I get it. Karma ♾ [sic].”
However, not all reactions were positive. Critics called out Rodriguez, suggesting he was a “bitter ex with no dignity.” Someone even said, “He’s still salty that she didn’t marry him [sic].” One user wrote, “What he being shady and nosey for 😭 [sic],” while another labeled it the “Definition of ‘I’m not over my ex’ [sic].”
Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez attend the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 19, 2020 in Los Angeles, California
Some users were simply confused by the post, with one asking, “And what the hell does that even mean???? [sic].”
To understand why people immediately jumped to the conclusion that Rodriguez was directing that post e at his ex-fiancée, let’s revisit their breakup and how quickly the “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” singer moved on.
Jennifer Lopez talks with Alex Rodriguez, after she performed at the POTUS inauguration on January 20, 2021
In April 2021, JLo and Rodriguez ended their engagement after four years together. In a joint statement to Today, they said, “We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so. We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects.”
Shortly after this announcement, the singer was spotted with her former flame, Ben Affleck, at her home in Los Angeles.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez kissing in St. Tropez in 2021
The pair, who had previously dated in the early 2000s, originally told sources that they were only “friends,” but they eventually rekindled their romance. They also went Instagram official in July 2021 while celebrating Lopez’s 52nd birthday together.
The couple tied the knot in Las Vegas on July 16, 2022, followed by a larger celebration in Georgia on August 20, 2022. Ironically, exactly two years later, the singer decided to file for an official separation.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez has moved on and seems very much in love. He’s been linked to Canadian fitness instructor Jaclyn Cordeiro since October 2022 and her Instagram posts indicate that they are still together.
As more details of Affleck and JLo’s divorce come to light, fans and onlookers alike are left to speculate about the motivations behind Rodriguez’s cryptic post and if there are details of their past breakup that no one will ever know about.
