Marc Anthony Says J.Lo Divorce Isn't 'Shocking'

'It wasn't something sensationalistic happening,' Anthony tells 'Nightline.'
By Gil Kaufman

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony
Photo: WireImage

While the couple appeared to be happily married and had plans for a joint reality show, clothing line and other business ventures, Marc Anthony said there's nothing shocking about the fact that he and soon-to-be-ex wife Jennifer Lopez are getting a divorce.

The Latin singer sat down with ABC's "Nightline" for an interview that will air Thursday night (September 1), in which he said that he was not surprised when Lopez, his wife of seven years, filed for divorce on July 15.

"I'll tell you that it wasn't something sensationalistic happening," Anthony said of their split. "It was a realization on both our parts. So, you know, it wasn't shocking. These things happen. It was a decision that we made jointly."

Anthony said the bottom line was that the marriage just no longer "worked," but despite the split, he will always have feelings for Lopez, with whom he has 3-year-old twins Max and Emme.

"I'll always love Jennifer," he said. "She knows that ... my kids know that. Jennifer's a wonderful, wonderful woman, a wonderful mother, a wonderful friend."

He also denied rumors that he was unfaithful during his marriage, but did not address recent reports about an alleged close relationship with married "HawthoRNe" star Jada Pinkett Smith that set off whispers about alleged trouble in her marriage to Will Smith. Since the split, he said he's been taking long motorcycle rides and spending time at his Long Island home, which he refers to as "Casa Marc Anthony."

"It is sad, because you think about the impact of all those people who believe in you," he said. "You think about your family and the possibilities, but we realized very early on that even though we're not together, our story's not over. There are things to do together; there is life to see together through Max and Emme. So it's all good, man."

The couple still apparently plans to work together on their Latin talent-search show "¡Q'Viva! The Chosen."

"This is not a funeral. This is not a burial," Anthony said. "This is just two people who came together and just realized ... I'm saying that it wasn't sustainable the way it was, and that's that."

Related Artists

• Marc Anthony
• Jennifer Lopez

Emma Stone Danny Sandra Oh Shania Twain