Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez Announce Split After 4 Years: ‘We Are Better as Friends’

It’s over! Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez broke their silence about their split on Thursday, April 15.

“We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so,” the couple wrote in a joint statement to Today. “We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects. We wish the best for each other and one another’s children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have to say is thank you to everyone who has sent kind words and support.”

In Touch confirmed the A-listers had “called off their engagement” on March 12. “[Jennifer and Alex] are on a break. It’s been a long time coming. There were trust issues and the relationship just wasn’t working. They’re both sad about it,” says the insider. “She is prioritizing her family and kids. They may get back together in the future but need time to figure out what they really want.”

Page Six was the first to report news of the pair’s breakup following rumors that Rodriguez had been in a fling with Southern Charm star Madison LeCroy. However, the Bravo star shut down speculation they were ever physical and described the athlete as an “acquaintance” amid cheating theories.

The former Hollywood power couple, who began dating in 2017, announced their plans to wed in March 2019. At the time, Rodriguez, 45, (a.k.a. A-Rod) took to Instagram to share the news that he popped the question to Lopez and “she said yes.”

Since then, Lopez, 51, and Rodriguez have pushed back their nuptials twice. “We had to cancel the wedding … because of COVID, because of the quarantine. And we actually did it twice, which people don’t know,” she shared in December 2020. 

“You know, they say third time’s a charm, so let’s hope it’s what we want to hear,” the former MLB player added about their plans to tie the knot during his appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in January 2021.

Fans were convinced the pair was going strong in recent weeks, because the “On the Floor” singer and her now-ex-beau shared heartfelt Valentine’s Day messages to each other and attended the Super Bowl together in Miami, Florida, in February. That same month, Lopez revealed they visited a counselor amid the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. “We got to work on ourselves. We did therapy,” she told Allure. “I think it was really helpful for us in our relationship.” 

The Second Act actress was previously married to Ojani Noa, then to Cris Judd and to Marc Anthony — who is the father of her twins, Max and Emme. She was also engaged to Ben Affleck in 2002, but they parted ways in 2004. As for Rodriguez, he was last wed to ex Cynthia Scurtis, the mother of his daughters, Natasha and Ella.

In Touch reached out for comment, but did not hear back by the time of publication.