Jennifer Lopez is reveling in the current phase of her life, an era she calls her "happy times." Despite the numerous life changes she's undergone in recent years—including her divorce from Marc Anthony, with whom she shares 18-year-old twins Max and Emme—she feels more confident and at peace than ever before.
"I call it my 'happy era' because for the first time in my life, I feel very free," Jennifer told Entertainment Tonight in an interview published on March 10. "I feel very joyful. I'm very aware of things that I have learned along the way. I'm very grateful."
The 56-year-old added, "I just wake up every day with a smile on my face. It's a different life now than it was a few years ago."
Indeed, Jennifer has experienced a rollercoaster ride in recent years. After splitting from Alex Rodriguez in 2021, she reignited her romance with Ben Affleck, and they married a year later. However, their union came to an end in 2024, and their divorce was finalized by January 2025.
Throughout this journey, the "On the Floor" hitmaker has focused on raising her twins and maintaining a busy work schedule, which includes her acting career and headlining a residency in Las Vegas.
But another significant change is on the horizon as Max and Emme prepare to head off to college. "They leave in August," she told ET. "I know, it's crazy."
While the Kiss of the Spider Woman star is "ready" for them to spread their wings, she's also feeling some sadness about her teens finally leaving the nest.
"It is very emotional," Jennifer explained. "I found myself being very emotional about it. I've been writing their end-of-year letters... that you give to the seniors, and it's hitting you. It hits you in waves."
As she navigates her emotions, the mom of two knows one thing to be true: "All I want is for them to be happy," she said. "And know that they always have a home. That's it, with Mama."
Until her kids officially leave the nest, Jennifer will embrace every moment with them—including relying on them for input as she levels up her Las Vegas residency performances.
"They tell me everything they think," the Maid in Manhattan alum noted. "We have that kind of relationship. I always run things by them. I'm like, 'Look at this. What do you think of this? What do you think of that?'"
She continued, "We put together a little reel of this show, and I showed it to them. They're like, 'That's really good, mom!'"
Jennifer's comments come just two weeks after she celebrated her twins' 18th birthday. At the time, she detailed how motherhood transformed her life for the better—and raved about her close bond with the teens.
"When I would hold you as infants, I honestly felt as if I were holding two angels sent straight from heaven above," she wrote in a post on Instagram on Feb. 22 alongside a video featuring highlights from the twins' childhood. "My life was changed forever. I cannot believe you are now adults...18 years old!"
Calling Max and Emme "kind-hearted, generous and loving," the "Waiting for Tonight" singer vowed to always be there for her kids, writing, "It has always been the three of us. We have been on this journey together. We have always had each other to hold on to and be that steady presence in the middle of any snowstorm."
"And I promise you, my beautiful coconuts," she added, "no matter how big you get, that's how it will always be."
