Jennifer Lopez Reunites With Matt Damon At TIFF, Says She ‘Enjoyed Spending Time’ With Him

Jennifer Lopez is showing that life moves forward with grace and strength, even in the midst of personal challenges. The singer and actress made her first public appearance since filing for divorce from Ben Affleck, 52, by attending the premiere of her new movie Unstoppable at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 6. And she didn’t go alone — one of her oldest friends, Matt Damon, was right by her side.

Jennifer, known for her resilience, wasn’t just there for the cameras. She was warmly greeted with a standing ovation for her role as Judy Robles, the mother of real-life wrestler Anthony Robles, a young man born with one leg who went on to become an NCAA wrestling champion. 

Her powerful performance resonated with the audience, and Jennifer made it clear that the story held deep personal meaning. During the Q&A session after the screening, she explained, “I think it was my job really to help her feel safe. Both of them, Anthony and Judy, to feel safe and kind of put this in our hands and trust us with all the information that they could give us and know that we wouldn’t misuse it in any way, but only use it to tell their story in the best and most beautiful way that it deserved. Because it is one of the most beautiful, most inspiring stories I think I’ve ever seen on screen.” 

While Jennifer shined on stage, another notable moment came later that evening during the afterparty. Jennifer and Matt Damon, 53, were seen in deep conversation, reminding everyone of the strong friendship they’ve maintained over the years. 

A source close to the two said they “spent over 20 minutes talking” and were seen laughing and clasping hands, engaged in what seemed to be a meaningful exchange. Damon’s wife, Luciana, and actor Don Cheadle also joined them at the table. Matt and Jennifer’s friendship has remained strong, even through the ups and downs of life.

Ben, who co-produced Unstoppable with Damon through their company Artists Equity, was notably absent from the event. His absence didn’t go unnoticed, especially since the premiere came just weeks after Jennifer filed for divorce on August 20, marking the end of their two-year marriage. Instead of attending TIFF, Ben was spotted in Los Angeles on the same day, looking sharp in a navy suit and sunglasses.

Jennifer, however, appeared focused on her career and the positive connections in her life, particularly her close bond with Matt. A source told PEOPLE that the two have been “very close” for years, and Jennifer “enjoyed spending time” with him at the event. 

As for Unstoppable, the film tells the remarkable story of Anthony Robles, and Jennifer’s portrayal of his mother is already earning praise. The movie is set to hit select theaters in December and will later be available on Prime Video, ensuring that more people will get to witness this inspiring story.