Jennifer Lopez’s highly anticipated hosting gig at the 2025 American Music Awards took an awkward turn when her attempt to flaunt her post-divorce freedom left viewers cringing instead of cheering.
The Controversial Moment
During her explosive opening performance—a medley of hits including Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”—J.Lo locked lips with multiple backup dancers, a move widely interpreted as a dig at ex-husband Ben Affleck. The couple’s divorce was finalized in January 2025, but fans weren’t buying Lopez’s “carefree” act.
Social Media Backlash
Viewers flooded X (formerly Twitter) with criticism:
- “Embarrassing. This isn’t 2003.”
- “Desperate for headlines much?”
- “Madonna and Britney did it better—22 years ago.”
The consensus? The stunt felt like a forced attempt to stay relevant rather than a genuine celebration of independence.
Lopez’s “New Chapter” Narrative
Despite the backlash, Lopez doubled down on her “free and happy” era in a pre-show interview with People, teasing her upcoming “Up All Night Live” tour:
“Everything in my life feels healthy and good right now. I just want to make people sing, dance, and have a good time.”
Affleck’s Post-Split Happiness
Meanwhile, Affleck appears to be thriving post-divorce. A March 2025 Page Six source revealed the actor is “happier than he’s been in years,” frequently spending time with ex-wife Jennifer Garner and their three kids. Fans joked he should “avoid dating anyone named Jennifer” and maybe “take notes from J.Lo’s playbook”—though hopefully with less cringe.
The Takeaway
While Lopez aims to reclaim her single-girl persona, the AMAs proved that audiences prefer authenticity over orchestrated drama. Sometimes, less is more—especially when your ex is winning the breakup narrative.
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