Ben Affleck may have had a reason to feel uneasy after two of his former partners appeared together on the cover of a glossy magazine for the very first time. What looks like a powerful alliance could easily work against him. Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lopez posed together for the Los Angeles Times in an issue dedicated to “Women in Film” ahead of the awards season.
The cover brings together women who are currently making headlines with major projects. Gwyneth is promoting the film “Marty Supreme,” in which she stars alongside Timothée Chalamet, while Jennifer is presenting “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” a movie notably produced by Ben Affleck himself — a detail that did not go unnoticed by fans.
For the cover shoot, Paltrow appeared in a white satin ensemble that emphasized her minimalist elegance. She wore a delicate micro top with thin straps paired with a flowing maxi skirt and sharp black pointed heels, creating a refined yet modern look.
Jennifer Lopez opted for a light gray outfit consisting of a cropped long-sleeve top and a fitted midi skirt adorned with fringe. She completed the look with silver stiletto pumps, staying true to her signature glamorous style. Joining them on the cover were Sydney Sweeney, Emily Blunt, Tessa Thompson, and Elle Fanning, all dressed in coordinated pastel tones chosen by the stylists.
The joint appearance felt especially symbolic given the complicated history between the two stars. Back in 1998, Jennifer publicly criticized Gwyneth in an interview, suggesting that Paltrow’s fame was largely connected to her relationship with Brad Pitt. For years, the two actresses remained distant, with little indication of any friendship.
That distance now appears to be firmly in the past. More than 25 years later, Paltrow and Lopez seem to have grown genuinely close. When Jennifer Lopez married Ben Affleck in 2022, Gwyneth reacted warmly on social media, writing, “Love is in the air,” signaling public support rather than rivalry.
Earlier this December, the actresses were seen together again at The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment event. They arrived hand in hand, smiling broadly during a celebratory breakfast at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Both women were honored that day: Lopez received the Equity in Entertainment award, while Paltrow was presented with the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award.
According to insiders, their relationship is genuinely friendly and drama-free. Sources insist there is no hostility, jealousy, or lingering tension between them, despite their shared romantic history with Affleck. Instead, they describe a calm, supportive bond between the two.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck dated on and off from 1997 to 2000. Jennifer Lopez and Affleck famously dated in the early 2000s, splitting in 2004 just days before their planned wedding, before rekindling their romance in 2021. Interestingly, another of Affleck’s former partners, Jennifer Garner — whom he was married to from 2005 to 2015 — is also reportedly on good terms with both Paltrow and Lopez.
Despite the shared past, insiders emphasize that there is no awkwardness between any of them. Instead, the women appear united, confident, and focused on their careers — a dynamic that may say more than any public statement ever could.
