Jennifer Lopez has opened up about one of the most difficult periods of her life, admitting she was close to giving up after the breakdown of her third marriage.
The singer and actress made the emotional revelation while performing during the opening weekend of her new Las Vegas residency, The JLo Show: Up All Night Live, where she reflected on the aftermath of her split from Marc Anthony.
@tupresentemusical @jlo & @marcanthony - No Me Ames . . . . . #salsa #puertorico #jenniferlopez #marcanthony ♬ sonido original - Tu Presente Musical
Speaking candidly to the crowd, Lopez explained how the divorce left her struggling both personally and emotionally at the time.
“After my third divorce - that's when I really started getting good at it,” she joked, prompting laughter from the audience before quickly adding, “Seriously that's not funny.”
The couple, who share twins Max and Emme, announced their separation in July 2011 after seven years of marriage. Their divorce was finalised in June 2014, marking the end of one of Lopez’s most high-profile relationships.
Reflecting on that period, Lopez admitted the split left her feeling overwhelmed.
@extra_tv During her “The JLo Show” in Vegas Friday night, @JLO shared the advice she got after her third divorce: “Just keep dancing.” ❤️💃 🎥: jpasc24 #jenniferlopez #jlo #jlover ♬ original sound - ExtraTV
“It was actually a really tough time. I was really about to give up on it all. I mean, I was a single mom with two three-year-old twins.”
During the emotional moment on stage, Lopez shared how she turned to a mentor for guidance while struggling to move forward.
“I called up one of my mentors. Her name was Louise Hay. Some of you might know who she was. She passed away.”
The motivational author and spiritual teacher Louise Hay, known for her work in personal development and self-healing, gave Lopez advice that the star says stayed with her.
“But she said to me, ‘Jennifer, you’re a dancer, right?’ I said, ‘Yes, I am.’ She said, ‘When you're learning a dance and you get the steps wrong, what do you do?’ I said, ‘I just keep going until I get the steps right.’ And she said, ‘That’s right, Jennifer. Always keep dancing.’”
Lopez said the message helped shift her perspective during one of the lowest moments of her life.
She ended the story by sharing the same advice with fans in the crowd.
“And I wish the same for each and every one of you that no matter what life throws at you that you dance and you dance and you dance again and again and again. I love you so much!”
The emotional moment came as Lopez returned to the Las Vegas stage with her latest residency show, marking another chapter in a career that has spanned music, film and television for more than three decades.
J-Lo had previously opened up on how her split with Ben Affleck had impacted her.
In an interview dated back to 2022, she said: 'Once we called off that wedding 20 years ago, it was the biggest heartbreak of my life. I honestly felt like I was going to die. It sent me on a spiral for the next 18 years, where I just couldn't get it right.'
@pagesix #JenniferLopez thought she was ‘going to die’ after ‘painful’ #BenAffleck split #Bennifer ♬ love triangles - Happy Trees
Lopez first rose to global fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s, going on to become one of the best-selling Latin artists of all time with hits including On The Floor, Jenny from the Block and Love Don't Cost a Thing.
Alongside her music career, she has also starred in a string of films including Hustlers, Maid in Manhattan and The Wedding Planner, cementing her status as one of the most recognisable entertainers in the world.
Despite the challenges she has faced in her personal life, Lopez has often spoken about resilience and self-belief — themes that continue to shape both her music and her live performances.
Her latest Las Vegas residency is expected to run through multiple dates in 2026, bringing fans an energetic mix of her biggest hits alongside the personal stories that have defined her journey.
For Lopez, the message she shared on stage remains simple: keep moving forward — and keep dancing.
Jennifer Lopez is embracing a new chapter in her life at 56, describing it as a “happy era” where she feels liberated, joyful, and more grounded than ever.
After decades in the spotlight as a singer, actress, dancer, and businesswoman, Lopez says she is finally experiencing a sense of freedom that is unique for her.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Lopez reflected on her mindset, explaining, “I call it my Happy Era because for the first time in my life, I feel very free. I feel very joyful. I’m very aware of things that I, you know, have learned along the way. I’m very grateful.” She added, “Just like I just wake up every day with a smile on my face. It’s a different life now than it was a few years ago.”
This renewed sense of happiness comes as Lopez prepares for the return of her Las Vegas residency, which has become a cornerstone of her live performance career.
In an exclusive interview with Extra TV, she told Derek Hough, “We’re very excited. We’re doing the show again in Vegas and we’re there every weekend in March, which is exciting and adding some new songs to the show.” Fans can expect “the quintessential J.Lo show,” blending chart-topping hits, high-energy dance routines, and her signature charisma. Lopez said, “I’m in my happy era and I have that in the show,” promising that her current sense of joy and gratitude will be reflected on stage.
Jennifer Lopez says for the first time in her life, she feels very free as she embraces her “happy era” while giving ET an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at her residency, ‘Jennifer Lopez: Up All Night in Las Vegas.’ 🥹 pic.twitter.com/0MifqQ5v38
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) March 6, 2026
Lopez’s career spans more than three decades and has been marked by reinvention and versatility.
She first gained international recognition in the late 1990s as an actress in Selena (1997), earning widespread acclaim for her portrayal of the Tejano singer.
She soon transitioned into music, with her debut album On the 6 (1999) producing hits like “If You Had My Love” and “Waiting for Tonight,” cementing her status as a global pop star.
Over the years, Lopez has balanced music, film, television, and fashion ventures, releasing chart-topping albums like J.Lo (2001) and This Is Me… Then (2002), while appearing in major films such as Out of Sight (1998), The Wedding Planner (2001), and Maid in Manhattan (2002).
She also achieved renewed prominence with the 2018 Super Bowl halftime show alongside Shakira, a performance widely regarded as iconic for its energy and cultural impact.
Off stage, Lopez has navigated high-profile personal challenges and public scrutiny, including her relationships and the pressures of long-term celebrity. She has repeatedly emphasised the importance of self-care, mental health, and protecting her joy, and her current “happy era” is a reflection of those lessons.
Her Las Vegas residency exemplifies her enduring popularity and ability to adapt over time.
First launched in 2016, the residency has allowed Lopez to perform in a stable, immersive environment, giving fans a full-scale experience of her music, dance, and persona.
By adding new songs to her show in 2026, she demonstrates a continued commitment to evolving creatively while staying connected to her audience.
Lopez’s current outlook and career trajectory highlight a balance of artistic ambition, personal growth, and gratitude. As she puts it, “I’m very grateful… I wake up every day with a smile on my face. It’s a different life now.” Her fans can expect that sense of joy to radiate from the stage in every performance during her Las Vegas residency, proving that even after decades of fame, Lopez continues to reinvent herself while protecting her happiness.
