Jennifer Lopez and Loren Ridinger have shared a deep and enduring friendship, one that has carried them through some of the most difficult times in their lives. 

Ridinger recently opened up about how the two leaned on each other during their respective heartbreaks

Ridinger through the tragic loss of her husband, JR Ridinger, and Lopez through the end of her marriage to Ben Affleck.

In an interview with Page Six, Ridinger, 56, described Lopez as her rock following JR’s sudden passing in August 2022. 

In turn, when Lopez faced her own heartbreak two years later, Ridinger was there to return the favor.

“She has been such an incredible friend for me through this—and a longtime friend,” Ridinger shared. “One of my longest friends.”

Their friendship not only helped them navigate personal grief but also became a testament to the power of having a strong support system during life’s toughest moments.

A Friendship Built on Strength and Support

Lopez, 55, and Ridinger have been friends for years, frequently attending events together and celebrating milestones in each other’s lives. However, their bond deepened when tragedy struck Ridinger’s life.

In August 2022, JR Ridinger, a well-known Miami entrepreneur and socialite, unexpectedly passed away from a pulmonary embolism while vacationing in Croatia. The devastating loss came just weeks after he and Loren had attended Lopez and Affleck’s wedding in Georgia.

At the time, Lopez and Affleck were there to support Ridinger, later attending JR’s star-studded memorial service. But what truly stood out was Lopez’s daily presence in Ridinger’s life during the aftermath of her loss.

“She was going through her own grieving at the same time,” Ridinger revealed.

Lopez’s personal struggles played out in Ridinger’s new book, Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up?

“At the beginning of the book, we are going to [her] wedding, and at the end of the book, we are dealing with her grief,” Ridinger explained.

Lopez Faces Her Own Heartbreak

Two years after JR’s passing, it was Lopez’s turn to experience heartbreak. In August 2024, the Marry Me actress filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, marking the end of their two-year marriage.

According to sources, Affleck had “come to his senses” about their rekindled romance, which had already been struggling months before Lopez officially filed for separation.

For Ridinger, it was time to step in and be the unwavering friend that Lopez had been for her.

“I think together we were able to lift each other up, which was remarkable,” she said. “She is so strong. She is amazing.”

Ridinger also emphasized that grief isn’t just about losing a loved one to death.

“You don’t have to lose somebody to go through grief,” she said. “You can lose a marriage, you can lose somebody that you love, you can lose a longtime friend [after] an argument.”

A Friendship That Stood the Test of Time

After JR’s passing, Lopez made it a point to check in on Ridinger constantly, offering comfort and encouragement.

“She would FaceTime me 20 times a day,” Ridinger recalled, noting that even as time passed, Lopez would continue to send messages at just the right moments.

“She would always say, ‘Today is going to be great for us. We’ve got the whole future ahead of us,’” Ridinger shared.

During moments of deep sadness, those words became a lifeline.

“And I think in times where you can’t really change your circumstances, you really need to hear that,” she added.

The Power of Friendship in Tough Times

Ridinger highlighted how crucial it is to have a strong support system, especially in moments of grief and hardship.

“I think it’s so important to have friends in your life who lift you up,” she said. “That’s where the rubber meets the road—where you know who your tribe is, who your group is, who is looking out for you.”

For both Jennifer Lopez and Loren Ridinger, their friendship has proven to be more than just Hollywood glamour and high-profile events—it has been a source of strength, resilience, and unwavering support.

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