Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez made a brief, cordial appearance together at the New York premiere of Kiss of the Spider Woman on October 6, their first public reunion since finalizing their divorce earlier this year. Affleck, who executive produced the film through Artists Equity, joined Lopez on the carpet and praised her performance; she in turn thanked him from the stage, saying the movie would not have been made without his support. Photos and video from the event show the pair posing with cast and greeting guests before the screening.
The premiere highlighted both the film’s release push and the unusual post-marriage collaboration between the former couple. Affleck spoke about wanting to back “great artists” and called Lopez “incredible,” while Lopez credited the producing team for helping land director Bill Condon and mount a full musical production. The event followed a months-long rollout that began with a Sundance debut and now leads to the theatrical opening on October 10.
Red carpet coverage also noted Lopez’s sculptural Harris Reed gown and the presence of family and collaborators, underscoring the premiere’s mix of personal and professional milestones. Affleck’s appearance, not announced in advance, drew attention to Artists Equity’s continued role in mid-budget theatrical projects as the company scales its slate. The public show of support arrives after a high-profile timeline that included a split in 2024 and a finalized divorce in January 2025; both have emphasized maintaining a working relationship around the film.
Kiss of the Spider Woman adapts the stage musical (itself drawn from Manuel Puig’s novel) and centers on the bond between a political prisoner and a window dresser, with Lopez portraying the silver-screen diva who inhabits their shared fantasies. The New York screening framed the project as a showcase for Lopez’s singing and dancing under Condon’s direction and gave Affleck an opportunity to amplify the production he helped steer. With the festival launch behind it and the New York event complete, the film enters release week with heightened visibility from the pair’s brief reunion.
