Divorce, Scientology and Family Dramas: Inside Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini's Rock-Solid Friendship
Former BFFs Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini reconnected amid the 'Atlas' actress' divorce from Ben Affleck.
Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini Met in 2004
Lopez and Remini met at a 2004 red carpet premiere.
Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini's friendship kicked off when they met at a 2004 red carpet premiere.
In an interview, Remini revealed Lopez's then-husband, Marc Anthony, asked her to meet the Atlas actress. Though she was initially nervous, it was the beginning of their close relationship.
Remini told Entertainment Tonight in 2018: "(I was) hoping (Lopez) was gonna be ugly in real life.
"I was like, 'She could be dumb!' I wanted to find something, and I didn't."
According to Lopez, their similar upbringings helped them bond instantly.
Jennifer Lopez Reacted to Leah Remini Leaving Scientology
Lopez said their similar upbringings bonded them instantly.
In 2013, the Second Act star left the Church of Scientology years after she joined with her parents. At the time, she revealed that the well-being of her daughter, Sofia Bella Pagán, pushed her to make the decision.
Speaking with People in 2015, Remini shared how Lopez reacted to the ordeal.
She said: "She told me to keep the good things and move on with love. She doesn't judge."
Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini's Children Grew Closer to Each Other
Remini said Lopez supported her when she left the Church of Scientology.
Leah and Angelo Pagán reportedly asked to become the godparents of Max and Emme following their births in 2008.
Angelo quipped: "Not sure whether it entails that we have to sing, dance, recite a monologue, but we're ready!"
Even Leah and Jennifer's kids became close because of the matriarchs' friendship.
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Over the years, Jennifer and Leah constantly supported each other while speaking highly of their friendship.
The Man in the Family alum said of "loving, warm" Jennifer during her appearance on The View: "We're very close like sisters are, but in a different way that sisters are."
Meanwhile, the Jersey Girl actress shared: "We understand each other's lives. We have similar lives, and similar careers, and we understand nuances that other people don't understand, so that also bonded us."
Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini Worked Together on and Off Camera
The duo starred together in the romantic comedy 'Second Act' in 2019.
Jennifer and Leah got the chance to show off their friendship on the big screen by starring together in the 2018 romantic comedy Second Act. They also spent time cooking during their off days.
As a fan of the Hustlers star's recipes, Leah constantly shared photos and videos of her pal on her social media pages.
She said in one of the clips: "Here's my girl, making some Puerto Rican food for everybody.
"Just a normal Puerto Rican girl at home cooking a meal."
They Seemingly Fell Apart After Jennifer Lopez's Reconciliation With Ben Affleck
The friendship suffered during Jennifer's romance Ben Affleck.
Leah posed for a picture with Jennifer and Ben Affleck during the former's 51st birthday celebration to remember her special moment with the then-couple.
However, Bennifer's reconciliation seemingly caused the two best friends to grow apart.
The rift even made headlines when Leah skipped Jennifer and Ben's Las Vegas wedding in July 2022. At the time, TMZ said the Saved by the Bell star missed the ceremony as she was preparing for her daughter to go to college.
However, a source claimed Leah was actually mad after Jennifer allegedly cut her ties with her because she was not supportive of the romance.
In 2023, Leah also refused to comment on the friendship's status.
Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini Reconnected
The pair supposedly reunited after their respective divorces this year.
Amid Jennifer's marital woes with Ben, a source told Page Six Leah wanted to fix things with her "former" BFF.
The source said: "They were friends for years. She wants to reach out to her, but she can't just call up and say, 'I told you so.'"
The news outlet then revealed Leah reconnected with Jennifer following their respective divorces.
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