The pair said in a joint statement to TODAY, “We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so. We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects. We wish the best for each other and one another’s children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have to say is thank you to everyone who has sent kind words and support.” The pair, formerly known as “J-Rod,” first started dating in February 2017. In March, reports circulated that the couple had split, but at the time they denied the rumors. “All the reports are inaccurate,” Lopez and Rodriguez said in a joint statement to TMZ and E! hours after the breakup reports emerged. “We are working through some things.” TMZ said the pair also noted that no third party was involved in their decisions. PEOPLE reported last month that the couple was donezo, with sources saying that the split was “a long time coming” and it would likely take a while for the Hustlers star and former MLB player to make a full, clean break for good. “They are tied in their business worlds so it’s not a cut and dry break up,” an insider said at the time. “It’s taken a while for them to even think about untangling it all.” Rodriguez, 46, popped the question to Lopez, 51 in March 2019 while vacationing in the Bahamas. The pair shared property and cohabited with their blended family: Lopez and Marc Anthony’s twins Emme and Max, 13, and Rodriguez’s daughters with ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis, 16-year-old Natasha and 12-year-old Ella. There was talk of expanding their family together, though they may not have been on the same page in that regard: In September 2019, Lopez told Hoda Kotb that she wanted kids with Rodriguez. When he was asked about it later, he seemed shocked. “Interesting! That’s a lot to unpack,” he said, before eloquently diverting with, “Hoda, I think honestly, you’ve inspired her. I see how happy you are, and I think she may want to follow in your footsteps. Maybe we’ll have you over to give us a little teaching, a little tutoring.” Some reports alleged that the rumored breakup came after Rodriguez was rumored to have hooked up with Southern Charmstar Madison LeCroy, but LeCroy denied ever being physical with A-Rod (but did say they Facetime and talk occasionally). LeCroy said Rodriguez was “an acquaintance,” but sources close to Rodriguez denied he ever met her. Lopez and Rodriguez had to postpone their wedding twice due the COVID-19 pandemic. She told Ellein January 2021 that they didn’t revisit planning since the world is still in limbo and they’re busy with work. “We had planned what we really, really wanted to do, [but] I don’t know if we’ll be able to re-create that. We canceled it, and since then we haven’t really talked about it,” she said. “There’s no rush. We want to do it right when we can do it.” In February, Lopez revealed to Allurethat she and Rodriguez spent some of their downtime during the pandemic going to therapy together, noting, “I think it was really helpful for us in our relationship.” Reps for Lopez and Rodriguez did not immediately return requests for comment. Next, check out our best breakup anthems ever.
