16 Female Artists You Should Know

Anuli Akanegbu
Mar 15, 2015

Making it as a woman in the art world is not easy. At an academic level, women are doing awesome — in fact, women make up 50 percent of art school graduates. But the professional art world has a glass ceiling that still hasn’t been cracked. According to a 2014 study from the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), female directors earn 71 cents on average for every dollar earned by male directors. That’s even less than the oft-debated statistic that women make 77-cents to every dollar men make in the workforce. Despite these inequalities, women are making names for themselves through their artistic prowess and thoughtful approaches to visually communicating important social issues. Get your cultural fix with these 16 uber-talented female makers you should know about.

1. Alexa Meade: Alexa Meade’s paintings are quite a sight to behold. She uses the human body as her canvas to turn real-life people into works of art that look two-dimensional. Check out Alexa’s TED Talk, “Your Body is My Canvas,” to learn more about her unique approach to painting. (Photo via Alexa Meade)

2. Laure Prouvost: The Turner Prize is one of the most prestigious honors an artist can earn. It also serves as a glaring example of the lack of gender equality in the art world — women have made up only 13 percent of Turner Prize winners since 1984. In 2013, French mixed-media artist Laure Prouvost joined this super elite sisterhood when she won the Turner Prize for Wantee, a video installation that included elements of sculpture, painting and drawing. (Photo via Laure Prouvost)

3. Sam Vernon: Sam Vernon is another mixed-media artist on the rise. Her work fuses drawing, photography and print making to address social issues of post-coloniality, racialization and sexuality. In 2010, the City of New York’s Department of Transportation tapped her to work with artists Heidy Garay and Mikell Fines Iles to paint a large-scale mural under the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO. The mural project ended last year, so if you’re looking to see more of Sam’s work, then check out her “How Ghosts Sleep” installation at the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle, WA, which starts on Mar. 28. (Photo via Sam Vernon)

4. Victo Ngai: Victo Ngai is a New York-based illustrator from Hong Kong who has created gorgeous work for companies such as IMAX, McDonald’s and General Electric. Victo, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 (Art and Style) in 2014. Her advice to aspiring freelance illustrators? “Freelance illustration is more than a job — it’s a lifestyle,” Victo notes on her website. (Photo via Victo Ngai)

5. Chitra Ganesh: This Brooklyn native’s work is inspired by Hindu, Greek and Buddhist iconography as well as nineteenth century European portraiture. Her drawings and illustrations fuse anime and a comic book-style narrative form to present these themes in a totally contemporary way and express her own articulation of femininity. (Photo via Chitra Ganesh)

6. Aurel Schmidt: Aurel Schmidt’s work transforms everyday mementos such as cigarette butts, tampons, pill bottles and even a boyfriend’s real chest hair into art. In fact, this bad-ass native of British Columbia, Canada was featured in the Whitney Biennial in 2010 with a submission that featured a Minotaur made out of cigarette butts and Budweiser cans. (Photo via Tim Barber/HUH Magazine)

7. Caitlin Cherry: Caitlin Cherry lives and works as a multimedia artist in New York City. A year after graduating with an MFA from Columbia University, she snagged a summer solo show at the Brooklyn Museum that featured work inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches of weapons. How is that for cool? (Photo via Caitlin Cherry)

8. Nanibah Chacon: Nanibah started her career in art at sixteen as a graffiti artist. Ten years later, the birth of her son inspired her to explore other mediums, like oil painting. She has since become known as much for her mural painting as for her graffiti. She has created works for the International ISEA Arts and Technology Symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, AZ. The female characters in her work allow Chacon to spark a dialogue around feminism in traditional and modern cultures. (Photo via Nani Chacon)

9. Lisa Solberg: Lisa is an abstract expressionist painter and installation artist recognized for her large-scale pieces, which can literally take up a whole room. Her work has been exhibited in both solo and group shows across the country. (Photo via Lisa Solberg)

10. Awilda Rodriguez Lora: Awilda Rodriguez Lora has explored issues of identity, sexuality and gender in her work as a performance artist. For her, performance art feels like personal therapy. Check out one of Awilda’s performances to see what we mean. (Photo via Cynthia M. Kaselis)

11. Yuka Otani: Yuka Otani was trained as a glassblower in Japan before coming to the United States in 2005 to pursue her master’s degree at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Her work incorporates transparent materials like glass, water and light and draws on the connection between economic bubble bursts and glass bubbles. (Photo via Shiro Oni)

12. Tauba Auerbach: Tauba Auerbach is an artist who plays with perceptions of space. Her art prowess expands far beyond painting — she has also worked in photography, sculpture, artists’ books and performance. One of her most recognizable exhibits was her 2009 Auerglass piece, where she designed a two-person, working wooden pump organ. She and her musical collaborator performed a duet on it daily. (Photo via Tauba Auerbach)

13. Wangechi Mutu: Wangechi Mutu’s collages explore themes of cultural identity, colonial history, contemporary African politics and fashion. She is a Kenyan native who has been trained as both a sculptor and anthropologist. She currently lives and works in New York. (Photo via Wangechi Mutu)

14. Vanessa Prager: Vanessa Prager is known for her colorful illustrations and paintings that feature snapshots of her life. She currently lives in Silver Lake, CA and believes that making art makes her feel the most comfortable. (Photo via Vanessa Prager)

15. Suzy Gonzalez: Artist and feminist Suzy Gonzalez grew up in Texas, but is now a student at Rhode Island School of Design, where she is pursuing a MFA degree in painting. Her work as an artist examines women through a lens of marginalized identity and explores themes of fashion, beauty and advertising. (Photo via Hispanic Pro)

16. Ashley Longshore: Ashley Longshore is a New Orleans-based artist known for her Hollywood clientele and long-standing collaboration with Anthropologie. She’s your favorite actor’s favorite artist and she is basically besties with Blake Lively. Her work employs pop art and portraiture to poke fun at American consumerism. She sells a lot of work on her Instagram, so you should definitely follow her there to see what some of your favorite stars are purchasing. (Photo via Alexandra Arnold Photography)

What do you think of these talented women? Who are some of your favorite artists?

A Day in the Life of a Female Winemaker

Cambria Estate Winery
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Hi there! It’s Sarah Sherman Samuel, interior designer and blogger. I recently moved from LA to Michigan, but a couple weeks ago I had to travel back to LA for work, and I got the chance to zip up north to partner with Cambria Estate Winery! I sat down with their winemaker, Jill Russell, to chat about the art of winemaking and the importance of female leadership at Cambria. I often get asked where I find inspiration and one of my main sources is by learning about a different artistry or craft. Nothing can dig me out of a creative slump quicker than delving into a new type of skill, and I did just that with an afternoon at Cambria.

I drove up from Los Angeles for the day, meandering through roads of open fields and vineyards, stopping for lunch in Los Olivos on the way while very excited for the day ahead. I haven’t been alone in the car sans one or two kids for a very long time, or have been able to do anything alone for that matter, so I really took it all in. Arriving at Cambria, Jill had a wine tasting all set up for me, complete with a beautiful cheese plate from Fromagerie Sophie with wine pairing notes, and we dove right in.

After the tasting, Jill took me on a full tour of the estate, and we dove deeper into the history of Cambria and what it is actually like to be a winemaker (and we tasted grapes, played in the dirt, and took a few Boomerangs…as one does).

Cambria was founded by wine icon Jess Jackson and his wife Barbara Banke in 1986. Their daughters, Katie Jackson and Julia Jackson, grew up among the vines and continue the family business alongside Barbara. Jill was hired as winemaker in June 2017 to continue Cambria’s legacy of talented women winemakers. Cambria has strong women in leadership roles and out in the vineyards, and I thought it was interesting to hear that the female vineyard workers were sometimes preferred, as they were considered to have a more discerning eye and attention to detail when harvesting grapes.

So, what does a typical day look like for a winemaker? According to Jill… it is “Busy!”

From Jill: “During harvest, I arrive at the winery around 5:30am, check in with the teams and get to work calling picks, writing work orders for various fermentation activities including punchdown schedules, yeast additions, and so forth. I’m constantly walking the vineyards, checking the crushpad and making sure things are running smoothly for when grapes come in. Post-harvest, it’s all about the tanks and barrels – here I’m tasting wines, seeing how they’re progressing and running blending trials to determine the final blends for our wines.”

I was curious how one can get creative in the wine business since Jill mentioned that it is part farming, part artistry and part science. She explained how her favorite way to get creative is running new blending trials and the freedom of considering, “What happens if I try this? or this?” There are so many variables to get creative with. Her mind is always thinking of new methods or blends to test out.

As Jill talks about what she strives for in her winemaking, I can’t help but see the parallel in the work I do as a designer, as well as the work of other artists and makers across the board. For example, the search for that harmony or balance. I talk a lot about how I strive for balance in interior spaces —just replace flavors and tannins with visual weight, pattern, and colors, and she could have taken the words right out of my mouth. Then when it comes to “energy,” it is even more apparent. I always want whoever experiences my work to feel something, and feel the love and the story behind it. The same goes for the wine of Cambria. Jill wants the wine to make you feel the energy, and know that the wines you drink from them are lovingly made by a team of passionate wine lovers.

As a fan of Pinot Noir,Julia’s Vineyard has this amazing “Santa Maria Spice” as Jill explains, that isn’t the traditional sweet spice you may find in other red wines, but something a bit more savory like Chinese Five Spice. It really achieves that harmony in texture that Jill is so passionate about it! On the other hand,Katherine’s Chardonnay has this beautiful bright acidity and pretty citrusy floral notes. This isn’t your mother’s oaky, buttery Chardonnay (not that there’s anything wrong with those), but it truly tastes like the place. The tour of the estate and vineyards with Jill really illustrated how these single-vineyard wines are able to showcase the terroir they come from in the glass. This isn’t a blending of flavors from different areas, this is Cambria’s rocks, earth, fog, and wind all neatly captured in a bottle.

Interested in getting into the wine business? I asked Jill if she had any advice for someone who thinks he or she might want to work with wine. Her answer was the same that I often give to people interested in getting into design — and that is to just get working! She advises, “The best thing you can do is get a job at a winery, whether it’s a part-time gig at a tasting room or a full-on harvest internship. No matter where you start, you’ll learn so much about the industry and can start to forge your own path in where you want to work whether it’s in the vineyard, in the cellar, in operations, marketing or working with customers.”

FEATURED PRODUCTS

2016 Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay
$22
2015 Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir
$25

Thank you for following along, I loved getting to learn more of the origins of some of my favorite wines and I hope you did too! I will definitely be back.

Would you consider being a winemaker? Share your thoughts on Instagram using #britstagram.

Author: Sarah Sherman Samuel

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The Top 10 Kid-Friendly Summer Vacation Ideas For Fun Family Adventures

It's almost summertime which means parents are going to be thinking about how many kid-friendly summer vacation ideas we can fit in before a new school year starts. I know I'm not the only parent feverishly planning toddler activities to keep my son entertained, so I'm thinking long-term — and thinking of something fun we can all do together.

Last year we took a family trip to the Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, GA and my son still talks about it. He also walked around the entire park without losing an ounce of energy which means I've got my work cut out for me. In the same boat as I am and need ideas that won't require you to travel out of the country? Keep scrolling for fun, family-friendly summer vacation ideas!

Kid-Friendly Summer Vacations

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Gonzales Jambalaya Festival (May 24-26) in Gonzales, LA

Take a trip to Gonzales, LA in time for the city's annual Gonzales Jambalaya Festival! According to official site for the festival, Gonzales has the best Jambalaya you'll find in the bayou. Each day will feature live music from popular acts that truly capture Louisiana's sound and will make your bones feel good as you enjoy food that makes your taste buds swirl.

There's also a cooking contest, pageant, car show, plenty of vendors, and a carnival for the whole family to enjoy!

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Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, FL

I'm a Florida native so any theme park or resort is always at the top of my list, but I'm partial to visiting Universal Orlando Resort during the summer. Although it's at the top of my own kid-friendly summer vacation ideas list, there's tons of stuff adults can have fun doing. The resort usually have packages that allow you to bundle a few days together so you visit a different park each day — something my mom and stepdad definitely took advantage of.

From there you and your kids get to let loose. There's rides dedicated to Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and Dr. Suess, and you dine at the famous Hard Rock Café! Everyone will need a nap once you're done exploring which isn't a bad idea.

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Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, CA

If you've memorized all the different versions of "Baby Shark," you may be entitled to a kid-friendly trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium. While the trip itself won't be free, you'll love watching your kid's face light up when they get to see real sea animals. You can enjoy visiting the following habitats with them:

  • Beaches & dunes
  • Coastal waters
  • Coastal wetlands
  • Coral reefs
  • Deep sea
  • Kelp forest
  • Open waters
  • Reefs and pilings
  • Sandy seafloor
  • The rocky shore

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Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa in Pigeon Forge, TN

Take a dream to Pigeon Forge, TN to book a fun stay at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa! The theme park alone is situated on 160 acres of land which should tell you how much fun you and your family will have. Still need convincing? No worries!

If you have smaller kiddos, rides like Busy Bees and Black Bear Trail are available for them to enjoy. But if they need to burn off excess energy, they can run and jump as much as they want inside of Hidden Hollow. It's a secret play area that's based on the forest so your kids will feel like they're little explorers.

If you want to sneak off for a little me time, you can find goodies at The Southern Pantry or Mountain Laurel Home!

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Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, TX

Everything's bigger in Texas, including the kid-friendly summer vacation ideas. That's the main reason why Morgan's Wonderland is on my list. The 4D Cinema alone is enticing, but there's also tons of other rides and attractions to see! There's everything from the classic carousel to Pirate Island (sorry Squidward — there's not any robots here), plus a Sensory Village that encourages creative play!

And if your kid's birthday is this summer, you can throw a birthday party for them at Morgan's Wonderland.

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Keystone Resort in Summit County, CO

All I can picture is the episode of Bob's Burger when the Belchers spend a night at a national park so that Tina can make up for a Thunder Girls event she missed, but the tubing that'll be done at Keystone Resort will be supervised. It'll officially open June 20 for a summer of fun that your family will love remembering.

There's Lakeside Village activities to enjoy, snow tubing, hiking, tennis, yoga, and more! You can also choose from 16 dining options.

I don't know about you, but I love having options.

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Atlantic White Shark Conservatory in Cape Cod, MA

Still have "Baby Shark" on the brain? Travel to Cape Cod, MA to visit the Atlantic White Shark Conservatory. Beginning May 16, Shark Center Chatham and Shark Center Provincetown will be open for the 2024 season. You can book an expedition that lets you see everything from great white sharks to various seabirds. It's an all day tour so make sure you and your family are prepared for that if you choose this option!

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The Lodge at Blue Sky in Park City, UT

If you prefer to deal with nature in a different way, The Lodge at Blue Sky in Park City, UT may be just the place you need to visit this summer. Besides hiking, you can introduce your kiddos to the Little Vaqueros Camp. Here's a daily breakdown of what each day offers:

  • Monday — Wilderness Explorers
  • Tuesday — Cowboys & Cowgirls
  • Wednesday — Mountain Creativity
  • Thursday — Culinary Exploration
  • Friday — Discovering Gracie's (rehabilitation center for animals)
  • Saturday — Little Miners
  • Sunday — Love of the Land
If one of your kids is a teenager, they'll be able to participate in activities like axe throwing, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

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Explore Activities in Hilton Head, SC

Instead of focusing on one singular thing, I decided Hilton Head, SC deserves it's own spotlight. There's so much to do and it's probably one of the best kid-friendly summer vacation spots to create new memories in. You can visit The Sandbox Interactive Children's Museum, Station 300 Bowling Lanes, or Commander Zodiac Kids Camp. At the latter, you and your kids can go on a private boat tour that allows you to see wildlife like dolphins.

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Niagara Falls State Park in Niagara Falls, NY

Have your kids been expecting to see a big miracle and can't stop talking about what they think it could be? Sounds like it's time to plan a trip to Niagara Falls State Park! There's literally so much to do that you'll even be talking about this trip during Thanksgiving. Here's some of the attractions that are available to visit:

  • Cave of the Winds
  • Aquarium
  • Maid of the Mist
  • Fireworks Show
  • Observation Tower

There's also hiking trails you and your kids can take advantage of!

Which kid-friendly summer vacation ideas sound like they're perfect for you and your kids to enjoy in the coming months?

For more travel inspo, be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter!

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The Most-Anticipated Summer TV Shows Of 2024

My favorite time of year for media is, without a doubt, summertime. Colors are brighter, the sun is shining, and everyone gets a little more pep in their step. In addition to some of the best new music and summer movies, this year's summer TV show lineup is STACKED. Here's everything you need to add to your watchlist.

Bridgerton Season 3 — On Netflix Now (Part 2 Coming June 13)

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Bridgerton season 3 (whose first part dropped today!) focuses on Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton (whose ship name is "Polin," meaning you can always use the bee emoji when texting your friends about the show). Check out our Bridgerton season 4 post for more news, and our interview with Claudia Jessie, Jessica Madsen, and Hannah Dodd here!

Part one of Bridgerton season 3 drops on Netflix May 16, and stars Luke Newton, Nicola Caughlin, Claudia Jessie, Luke Thompson, Ruth Gemmell, Florence Hunt, Will Tilston, Simone Ashley, and Jonathan Bailey.

The Acolyte — On Disney+ June 4, 2024

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After hit series like Andor and Ahsoka, this summer TV show focuses on a Jedi Master, who has to stand against a warrior from the past after an unexpected crime spree rocks the galaxy.

The Acolyte premieres on Disney+ June 4 and stars Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, and Carrie-Anne Moss.

House Of The Dragon Season 2 — On Max June 16, 2024

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If you loved the complex storytelling in Game of Thrones and you loved the vibe of Damsel, then you won't want to miss House of the Dragon season 2. It'll have just as much intrigue as the first season, and (hopefully) lots and lots of dragons ;).

House of the Dragon season 2 drops on Max June 16. The show stars Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Rhys Ifans, Bethany Antonia, Tom Glynn-Carney, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, and Matthew Needham.

Orphan Black: Echoes — On AMC June 23, 2024

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Any summer TV show that centers a group of women gets a stamp of approval from me, and this one is all about how complicated, engaging, and scary life can be. The storylines weave in and out of one another, and it touches on themes like identity, which I love.

Orphan Black: Echoes hits AMC June 23 and stars Krystin Ritter, Keeley Hawes, Amanda Fix, Avan Jogia, Rya Kihlstedt, and James Hiroyuki Liao.

​Land of Women — On Apple TV+ June 26, 2024

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In this new TV show, when a New Yorker learns about her husband's financial scandal, she trades the chaos of midtown for a small Spanish town with her mom and teen daughter. In addition to being a heartwarming story about family, this is going to give you the travel bug!!

The Bear Season 3 — Coming To FX June 27, 2024

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While I have a ton of questions about The Bear season 3, there is one thing we know for sure: Will Poulter is coming back. (And honestly thank goodness). Once you've read up on everything you need to know about the new season, check out the latest tea about season 4!

The Bear season 3 is coming to FX June 27. We'll see Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, and Matty Matheson.

Cobra Kai Season 6 — Coming To Netflix July 18, 2024

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First there was The Karate Kid, then there was The Karate Kid (this time with Jaden Smith), then we got Kickin' It. The latest in the lineup of karate-focused entertainment is coming to a close this season. You won't want to miss this first part of the emotional goodbye!

The first part of Cobra Kai season 6 hits Netflix July 18 and stars Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Martin Kove, Xolo Maridueña, Jacob Bertrand, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan, Peyton List, Gianni DeCenzo, Courtney Henggeler, Vanessa Rubio, Dallas Dupree Young, Yuji Okumoto, Alicia Hannah-Kim, Griffin Santopietro, and Oona O'Brien.

The Summer Olympics — On NBC Friday July 26, 2024

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Drop everything because the Summer Olympics are the event of the year!! I love watching the gymnastics and the swimming, but I also can't wait to see the rest of the athletes do incredible. Check out our Fruity Olympic Torch Desserts for snack inspiration!

Emily In Paris Season 4 — Coming To Netflix August 15, 2024

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Emily in Paris season 4 is trading Paris for Italy (as if we needed any MORE of a comparison between Lily Collins and Audrey Hepburn, she's going on a Roman holiday!) TBH, above all, I just hope Emily and Gabriel FINALLY get together!

Emily in Paris season 4 is coming to Netflix August 15 and will star Lily Collins, Lucas Bravo, Ashley Park, Camille Razat, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Samuel Arnold, and Bruno Gouery.

Only Murders In The Building Season 4 — Coming To Hulu August 27, 2024

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In a totally unexpected turn of events, Only Murders in the Building season 4 won't be in the building at all — it won't even be in New York! Our favorite trio is traveling to Hollywood to meet a producer who's interested in turning the podcast into a film. Now THAT's a movie ticket I'd buy.

Only Murders in the Building season 4 is coming to Hulu August 27 and stars Selena Gomez, Martin Short, Steve Martin, Meryl Streep, Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, Kumail Nanjiani, and Molly Shannon.

Which summer TV show are you excited for?

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If Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Are Breaking Up Again, I'm Giving Up On Love

There are few celebrity breakups as infamous as those of the 2000s — just looks at Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, and Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck! But when Ben and Jen (or Bennifer, as fans like to call them) got back together in 2021, it felt like a literal movie. In Jennifer Lopez' new documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told, the couple finally reveals why they actually broke up in the first place: "the massive amount of scrutiny around our private life." Here's everything you need to know about Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, in the 2000s and now.

Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck's Relationship Timeline

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Winter 2002 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Meet On The Set Of Gigli

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck first met while filming their 2003 movie Gigli. "The first time meeting him on that film was at the read-through," Jennifer tells Variety. "I remember kind of just walking in and I think he was outside, smoking a cigarette...I don't remember a whole bunch more about it, but I remember being on the set with him every day and loving it."

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November 2002 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Announce Their Engagement

During an interview with Diane Sawyer at the end of 2002, Jennifer Lopez showed off the engagement ring from Ben Affleck. The platinum band + pink diamond combo is absolutely beautiful, just like the proposal itself. "[It was] traditional, but also in a very spectacular way, as of course Ben would do it," Jennifer says, via ABC News.

"He is brilliantly smart, loving, charming, affectionate," she continues. "And I just admire him in every way. I respect him. I feel like he teaches me things."

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Early 2003 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Experience The Tabloids Firsthand

Before the age of iPhones and TikTok, celebs constantly dealt with the tabloids — even more than they do now. And as one of the hottest couples in the world, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez constantly faced paparazzi and tabloids. “We didn’t try to have a public relationship,” Jennifer Lopez tells PEOPLE in 2016. “We just happened to be together at the birth of the tabloids, and it was like ‘Oh my God.’ It was just a lot of pressure.”

"People were so f*cking mean about her," Ben Affleck says on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcastin 2021. "Sexist, racist. Ugly, vicious sh*t was written about her in ways that if you wrote it now you would literally be fired for saying those things you said...Now it's like, she's lionized and respected for the work she did, where she came from, what she accomplished — as well she f*cking should be!"

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September 10, 2003 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Call Off Their Wedding

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were supposed to be married on September 14, 2003, but four days before their wedding, they postponed the ceremony. "Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date," the couple says in their official statement, via PEOPLE. "When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate 'decoy brides' at three different locations, we realized that something was awry."

"It was so painful after we broke up," Jennifer tells Apple Music's Zane Lowe in 2024. "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. But now, 20 years later, it does have a happy ending. It has the most would-never-happen-in-Hollywood ending."

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February 18, 2020 — Ben Affleck Supports Jennifer Lopez In Hustlers

At the beginning of 2020, in an interview with The New York Times, Ben Affleck voiced his support for Jennifer Lopez. "She should have been nominated [for Hustlers]," he says. "She's the real thing. I keep in touch periodically with her and have a lot of respect for her. How awesome is it that she had her biggest hit movie at 50? That's f*cking baller."

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May 10, 2021 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Take A Trip Together

After Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez broke up in the spring of 2021, J.Lo was seen hanging out with Ben Affleck around Los Angeles. "[Jennifer] spent several days with Ben out of town," a source tells PEOPLE. "They have a strong connection. It's all been quick and intense, but Jennifer is happy."

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July 24, 2021 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Make Their Relationship Instagram Official

Hidden at the end of an Instagram carousel, Jennifer Lopez posted a photo of her kissing Ben Affleck. "5 2 … what it do …" the caption reads.

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September 10, 2021 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Walk The Red Carpet

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck attended the premiere of his film The Last Duel at the 2021 Venice Film Festival. They both looked amazing in old school glam!

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April 8, 2022 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Announce Their Second Engagement

PEOPLE confirmed that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were engaged again in the spring of 2022. Jennifer also revealed the news via email and on social media. "So I have a really exciting and special story to share," she said on Twitter.

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July 16, 2022 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Finally Get Married!

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck finally tied the knot in July of 2022. Jennifer shared the details about the "best night ever" via On The JLo newsletter (via PEOPLE) the next day. The couple later had a larger ceremony in Georgia.

"It's a beautiful outcome that this has happened in this way at this time in our lives where we can really appreciate and celebrate each other and respect each other," she says. "We always did, but we have even more of an appreciation because we know that life can take you in different directions."

"[Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck] were attentive only to each other, didn't have eyes for anything else," a PEOPLE source said after spotting the couple on their honeymoon in Lake Como, Italy.

Image via Jennifer Lopez/Instagram

February 14, 2023 — Jennifer Lopez Reveals Her Tattoo With Ben Affleck

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck showed off their coordinating tattoos on J.Lo's Instagram. The tattoos (hers of an arrow through an infinity sign on her ribcage and his of two arrows tied to one another) are super cute together!

"Commitment," Jennifer says in her Instagram post. "Happy Valentine’s Day my love."

Image via Monica Schipper/Getty Images

May 3, 2023 — Jennifer Lopez Calls Ben Affleck A "Wonderful Father"

When she was on the Today Show (via Twitter) at the beginning of May 2023, Jennifer Lopez had high praise for Ben Affleck's relationship with all their kids. Jennifer has twins, Max and Emme, with Marc Anthony, while Ben Affleck shares three kids, Samuel, Seraphina, and Violet, with Jennifer Garner.

"He's a wonderful, wonderful father," J.Lo says in the interview. "And a father figure to [Max and Emme] as well, because he has his own three beautiful children, and then there's us...They love him. And they appreciate him, and so do I."

Image via Jennifer Lopez/Instagram

August 21, 2023 — Jennifer Lopez Celebrates Her One Year Anniversary With Ben Affleck

In honor of their first wedding anniversary, Jennifer Lopez shared some photos, and some lyrics from "Dear Ben, Pt II", to Instagram. "One year ago today," she says in the caption. "Dear Ben, Sitting here alone / Looking at my ring ring / Feeling overwhelmed / It makes me wanna sing sing / How did we end up here / Without a rewind / Oh my / This is my life...Jennifer"

Image via Dunkin'

February 11, 2024 — Ben Affleck And Jennifer Lopez Star In A Super Bowl Commercial

Following Ben Affleck's iconic, viral photos with his Dunkin' coffee, the couple starred in Dunkin' Donuts' 2024 Super Bowl ad — in addition to Matt Damon, Jack Harlow, and Tom Brady. The commercial features Ben and his friends coming into the studio while Jennifer records her newest album This Is Me Now... — a move that is not well received.

Image via Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios

February 26, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Reveal Why They Originally Split Up

"Ben and I, we broke up three days before our wedding," J.Lo recalled in her new documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told. "We had a big wedding planned—14 ushers and bridesmaids—and three days before, we just crumbled under the pressure."

"For all those years, it was really hard because I didn't just feel like I lost the love of my life, I felt like I lost the best friend that I ever had," Jennifer continues. "I've made it through. I've made something good of my life. I'm proud of that."

Image via Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images

May 2024: Rumors Swirl About Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's Alleged Divorce

Though Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have reconnected, there have rumors that their marriage may be in trouble. A source alerted InTouch Weekly that there have been obvious signs that something is wrong for a while.

"The writing is on the wall – it’s over," the source claims before saying, "They’re headed for a divorce – and for once, [Ben’s] not to blame!" The source believes the two have a lot of love for each other, but that they're jus too different to be together.

TMZ has also reported that Ben seems like he hasn't been living at home — yikes! He was photographed leaving going to and coming from a L.A. home without Jennifer. It's also being reported that he's been allegedly spending the night there.

But, TMZ also pointed out that the pair are still wearing their wedding rings so it's hard to say if there's any merit to the breakup rumors. Until Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck actually give a statement, I'm going to cross my fingers and hope for the best!

What's your favorite Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck moment? Check out The Latest On Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce's Relationship and The Latest News On Blake Lively And Ryan Reynold's Kids for more of your favorite celebrity couples!

Lead image via Amy Sussman/Getty Images

This post has been updated.

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