Why Jennifer Lopez Is 'Much Happier' and 'Truly Uplifted' After Her Whirlwind Toronto Trip (Exclusive Source)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jennifer Lopez attends the premiere of ‘Unstoppable’ during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 06, 2024.Photo:Cindy Ord/Getty

Jennifer Lopez at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival “Unstoppable” Premiere held at Roy Thomson Hall on September 06, 2024 in Toronto, Canada.

Cindy Ord/Getty

The Toronto International Film Festival came at a great time forJennifer Lopez.

Days afterthe actress, 55, made her first major public appearance since filing for divorcefromBen Affleckat the premiere ofUnstoppable,a source tells PEOPLE that she “was happy to be in the spotlight again because of work.”

“She’s so over all the attention on her personal life,” says the source. “The film festival truly uplifted her. She was excited to focus on work again.”

Lopez serves as a producer for the film and plays Judy, the mother of real-life wrestlerAnthony Robles, who was born with one leg and won a national championship in 2011 while competing at Arizona State University.

Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of ‘Unstoppable’ at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival.Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez Smiling Posing to the Side in Silver Mirror Gown With Cutouts and Black Bows at Premiere of ‘Unstoppable’ at 2024 Toronto Film Festival

Getty Images

The multi-hyphenate dazzled at the Friday, Sept. 6, red carpet event in asexy floor-length silver Tamara Ralph dresspaired with a metallic Judith Leiber clutch, Dolce and Gabbana heels, and Hassanzadeh jewelry.

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While Affleck, 52, and his longtime friend andArtists Equityproduction company co-founderMatt Damonalso served as producers,Affleck did not attend the premiere.

Bobby Cannavale, Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle, and Matt Damon

Monica Schipper/Getty

The source tells PEOPLE that Lopez is “very close with Matt [Damon],” whowas present at the premiere, and “enjoyed spending time with him.”

“She seems much happier than a few weeks ago. She continues to look for a new home for her and the kids,” the source says. “She’s taking her time.”

On the event day, Affleck was spottedstepping out in L.A.wearing a suit and sunglasses outside a building, seemingly on his way to work. Later in the day, hespent time with two of his kids,Samuel, 12, and Seraphina, 15. He shares the two kids, in addition to his 18-year-old daughterViolet, with ex-wifeJennifer Garner.

Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles and Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Bobles in ‘Unstoppable’.Amazon MGM Studios

Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles and Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Bobles in Unstoppable

Amazon MGM Studios

While catching up with PEOPLE a day after the premiere,Lopez shared that her latest movie role felt “very cathartic.”

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“Women who are moms who get in relationships, and you struggle with them, and you find yourself in dynamics that are not healthy, but you care about the person, love the person,” she said. “That’s those complicated dynamics about life that I understand really well.”

source: people.com