Jennifer Lopez Pens Sweet Post-Birthday Message to Fans After Celebrating Without Ben Affleck
Jennifer Lopez is grateful for all of her birthday wishes.
The birthday girl turned 55 on Wednesday, and celebrated in Bridgehampton, New York. Last weekend, she went all out for her big day when she hosted a Bridgerton-themed bash in the Hamptons. The singer took to Instagram on Thursday to thank her fans for all the birthday love.
"I've been seeing all of your birthday wishes, beautiful videos, and posts all last night and this morning from all over the world. I have laughed, smiled, shed some tears, and when I saw the billboard in Times Square, I was completely overwhelmed. I really do have the best, most amazing fans in the world. I could never express how moved I am or how incredibly blessed I feel to have all of you be a part of my life. Thank you sooooo very much. 🤍🙏🏼," Lopez wrote.
The Atlas actress shared a picture of herself in pajamas that read "JL's Golden BDay 7-24-24" on one side and "Lady Lynn" on the other, a nod to her middle name. She also wore a birthday crown and held a noisemaker in her mouth as she stood underneath a "Happy Birthday" balloon banner. In the second photo, Lopez smiled at her tiered birthday cake, which was topped with flowers.
She continued in the caption, "It's hard to believe we have spent all this time together. It's funny as I sit here contemplating on the most extraordinary journey I still feel like the same girl starting out so full of energy and bravado, so ready to take on the whole world on the outside and yet so tender, fragile and sometimes frightened but always full of love on the inside. I have so much love for you. I want you to know on my birthday that YOU are my biggest gift. Besides my family and friends, you have always been there for me in the good times and in the tough times. I can always count on you. And I want you to know that you can always count on me.
"Thank you for your caring, your understanding, your loyalty and most importantly your love," she concluded. "🤍 Thank you, Thank you, Thank you… Always, Jennifer."
In photos obtained by multiple outlets, the Bridgerton birthday party was on theme with an appearance of a horse-drawn carriage, lavish furniture that was driven onto the property and multiple orders of flowers. Lopez was the clear diamond of the season as she wore a dress custom designed by Indian designer Manish Molhotra that took over 3,490 hours to make. 40 artisans helped create the custom corset and Victorian skirt with vintage brocade. The floral sequin motif contained over half a million crystals.
Not mentioned in the birthday post or seen at her birthday celebrations was Lopez's husband, Ben Affleck. The pair has been going through marital woes as of late, even celebrating their two-year wedding anniversary apart.
On Wednesday, a source told ET that Lopez is using her 55th birthday as an opportunity to "focus on the great things in her life" and "is doing her best to stay positive" amid ongoing rumors that she and Affleck are headed toward divorce.
On her birthday, Lopez seemed unbothered as she took to Instagram to share a swimsuit selfie, captioning the pic, "This Is Me…Now," a reference to the album of the same name that she released earlier this year.
The source continued to say that Lopez "always loves getting to spend time on the East Coast, especially during the summer, and it's been nice for her to be surrounded by friends and family who love her."
"It has been a hard year with some unexpected realizations, changes, and obstacles, but Jen is trying to view her 55th birthday as a fresh start," the source added. "She is trying not to let her situation with Ben bring her down."
On her birthday, Lopez stepped out to visit Candy Kitchen in Bridgehampton, alongside her 16-year-old son, Max, and a male friend, an eyewitness told ET.
"She was with a guy friend who was wearing a birthday tiara and Max. JLo was in a green dress and rode her bike to and from there," the eyewitness said. "Max arrived in a car driven by a female friend and left in the car. He walked out before JLo."
"JLo looked happy and content," the eyewitness added. "A fan shouted out to wish her a happy birthday and she thanked them. JLo and her other friend then rode away on their bikes."
RELATED CONTENT:
How Ben Affleck Feels About Jennifer Lopez Spending Time With Daughter Violet Amid Split Rumors (Source)
Jennifer Lopez Sees 55th B-Day as 'Fresh Start' Amid Divorce Rumors
Jennifer Lopez Posts Swimsuit Selfie on 55th Birthday
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Relationship Timeline
Jennifer Lopez Has 'Bridgerton' -Themed Birthday Party in the Hamptons
Jennifer Lopez, Violet Affleck's Closeness Is 'Tricky' For Ben: Source
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Ring In Anniversary on Different Coasts