Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez Divorce Rumors A Possible 'Strategy' To 'Divert Attention' From JLo's 'Career Downfall': PR Expert
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck possibly used the divorce rumors as a strategy, according to a PR expert.
Lopez, 54, and Affleck, 51, have been plagued by split and divorce rumors. Although the celebrity couple still steps out together to support their children's activities from time to time, the rumors claiming they have marital strife never stopped, so a PR expert suggests that it could be a strategy to divert the attention from Lopez's "career downfall."
"In March, JLo canceled the last seven dates of the tour. Then, in April, the tour name was changed from 'This Is Me...Now' to 'This Is Me ... Live: The Greatest Hits,'" Mayah Riaz, a celebrity manager and publicist known as PR-to-the-Stars, told the Mirror.
"It's no wonder there's speculation about the divorce rumors surrounding her and Ben could have been created to distract from her career downfall. It is not uncommon for celebrities to face speculation and rumors, particularly during challenging times in their careers. Divorce rumors or personal life distractions can sometimes be used as a strategy to divert attention from any professional setbacks."
She encouraged the others to approach the rumors about Lopez and Affleck's marriage with skepticism "until we have credible information." But she did note that there could trouble in paradise, and there are chances it has something to do with Lopez's low ticket sales.
"It could be about her marriage to Ben Affleck, which seems to be under intense scrutiny daily," the PR exert continued. "However, it may also be that ticket sales haven't been exceptional. If Lopez is seen performing in half-filled arenas, it'll harm her image. Canceling the tour may have actually been a choice between [the] lesser of two PR disasters."
Leading U.S. publicist Michael Levine also weighed in on Lopez's recent decision to cancel her summer tour. He acknowledged that it was a "difficult decision" for the "Let's Get Loud" singer while noting the challenges the tour faced, including "low ticket sales and the need to cancel several dates."
"Last month, the tour was rebranded as a greatest hits show to align with audience interests after her latest album, 'This Is Me... Now,' received mixed reviews and saw a decline on the Billboard charts. The accompanying feature film, 'This Is Me... Now: A Love Story,' and the documentary, 'The Greatest Love Story Never Told,' did not resonate as strongly with fans as anticipated," Levine added.
Lopez announced via her website that she decided to cancel the "This Is Me...Live" tour as she would be "taking time off to be with her children, family and close friends." According to her, she was "completely heartsick and devastated" for letting her fans down, but it was "absolutely necessary."
An unnamed source spoke with People and said that while the "Marry Me" actress was "sad" and "devastated" about canceling the tour, she was also "relieved" because she has to take care of herself.
"The decision was something that her team encouraged," the source added. "Everyone is supportive of her focusing on family right now."
