Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez’s relationship through the years
Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez were one of the hottest power couples ever, but their romance was a relatively new development.
Lopez, 51, and Rodriguez, 45, had known each other for years but began dating in 2017 “after running into each other at an event in LA,” sources told Page Six at the time. From there, they “rekindled their friendship” and then things “escalated.”
They each have children from previous marriages — the former Yankees slugger has two daughters, Natasha and Ella, with ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis and the music star has twins, Emme and Max, with ex-husband Marc Anthony — and the pair made their blended situation work — for a time.
Here is a timeline of J-Rod’s relationship, from where it all began to how it ended.
2017
When it all started
Page Six confirmed in early March of 2017 that the stars were dating, with an insider saying: “They are really into each other because they have so much in common — from their Latin roots to their love of New York and their kids.”
Their relationship came shortly after Page Six exclusively reported that Rodriguez had split from Silicon Valley CEO Anne Wojcicki after less than a year of dating.
A gradual start
The duo slowly began popping up in each other’s daily lives after news broke of their romance.
In mid-March, Lopez posted what looked like an intimate Instagram shot with her new beau — then quickly deleted it while the pair vacationed together in the Bahamas.
Days later the singer quietly joined A-Rod at a Yankees camp.
Going public
Rodriguez officially confirmed the romance during an interview on “The View” in March 2017.
“It’s obvious. We’ve been having a great time,” he said. “She’s an amazing, amazing girl. One of the smartest human beings I’ve ever met and also an incredible mother.”
As an added bonus, Rodriguez said the “Jenny from the Block” singer was a huge Yankees fan.
Becoming inseparable
From then on, the new “It” couple began doing just about everything together.
They lunched in the city, traveled to the Dominican Republic for a $10,000-a-night romantic getaway and even partied with J.Lo’s ex-husband Marc Anthony.
After being spotted on a date at a Miami steakhouse in April that year, a source told us, “It’s a way more serious relationship than most people think.”
They celebrated their July birthdays in Miami and spent Christmas cozied up together.
2018
Families unite
A-Rod and J.Lo began publicly merging their families right as the new year hit.
The couple brought their children to sit courtside at a Lakers game in LA in January 2018.
The one-year-mark
J-Rod hit a milestone in their relationship, celebrating their one-year anniversary at the Super Bowl with their kids in February 2018.
They celebrated over dinner at Manny’s Steakhouse in Minneapolis.
Shacking up
Lopez and Rodriguez took things to the next level by moving in together in a $15.3 million love nest at Manhattan’s 432 Park Avenue. The 4,000-square-foot apartment included three bedrooms, three baths, a powder room, a library and a private elevator.
No rock just yet
In May 2018, J.Lo subtly hinted at A-Rod proposing.
The singer appeared on “The Tonight Show” and discussed the meaning behind her new single, “El Anillo” (“The Ring”), rumored to be about her relationship with A-Rod.
“I felt like it was kind of something that all women get to a point where they say, ‘OK, what’s up?’” said Lopez, 48. “Like we’re good, everything’s great, what’s going on? Am I staying or am I [going]?”
Jimmy Fallon then held up a photo of the couple, saying, “Alex, are you watching? Hello,” to which Lopez replied, “No pressure.”
Ring, ring, ring?
Despite J.Lo’s denial that she had a fiancé, the singer was spotted wearing a huge diamond ring while out with A-Rod in October 2018.
But the sparkler appeared to be just another one of Jenny’s rocks that she’s got.
The year ended without a proposal, but J.Lo was hopeful it would happen when the time was right.
“We think about getting married, but it will happen naturally when and if it’s supposed to,” Lopez said at the time.
2019
Starting the year off right
J.Lo and A-Rod decided to shape up together, entering into a 10-day “no carbs, no sugar” challenge. Unfortunately, their A-list pals were not as enthusiastic about the challenge.
Still, a couple who gets into shape together stays together.
Wedding bells are ringing
Shortly after celebrating their two-year dating anniversary, the couple announced their engagement in March 2019.
“She said yes ♥️,” Rodriguez announced on Instagram.
Page Six exclusively reported that A-Rod spent seven months shopping for Lopez’s massive $1.8 million ring.
Trouble in paradise?
Weeks after their engagement, a former Playboy Playmate and porn star claimed that Rodriguez sexted her, begging for a threesome.
Lopez addressed allegations against A-Rod in an interview with radio’s “The Breakfast Club,” also addressing former baseball star Jose Canseco alleging on Twitter that A-Rod was “cheating on [Lopez] with my ex-wife Jessica” — a claim that Jessica then vehemently denied.
Lopez said when asked about Jose’s remarks: “It doesn’t matter. I know what the truth is. I know who [A-Rod] is, he knows who I am. We’re just happy.”
Birthday love
A-Rod celebrated Lopez’s big 50th birthday on July 24 with a sweet tribute. Lopez returned the favor for her fiancé’s 44th birthday days later, buying the athlete a vintage blue Ford Bronco.
2020
Flip the switch
Life changed for the couple once the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020, which led to Rodriguez quarantining with Lopez and her children.
During their time together, they had some fun moments, participating in the popular “Flip the Switch” challenge.
Met life
The couple hoped to buy the New York Mets in April, but were outbid by billionaire Steve Cohen by the Aug. 31 deadline.
The founder of Point72 Asset Management offered $2.35 billion for the team — or just $50 million more than the $2.3 billion bid offered by Rodriguez and his group of investors.
New digs
The couple purchased a $40 million waterfront home on Star Island in Miami Beach in August, complete with 10 bedrooms and 10.5 bathrooms for quarantining with their brood.
Third time’s the charm?
Lopez revealed in December that she and Rodriguez had to postpone their wedding twice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve talked about so many different things ’cause we had to cancel the wedding … because of COVID, because of the quarantine. And we actually did it twice, which people don’t know,” Lopez said.
2021
Southern charm
While J. Lo performed at Biden’s inauguration, J-Rod’s 2021 went downhill from there, with news breaking in February that “Southern Charm’s” Danni Baird alleged on the “Reality Life With Kate Casey” podcast that fellow cast member Madison LeCroy copped to FaceTiming with Rodriguez.
But, “[Rodriguez] doesn’t know this woman,” an insider close to the ex-MLB star exclusively told The Post. “Look, does this mean he didn’t DM her and liked a photo or two? I guess not, but he doesn’t know her — and he definitely didn’t hook up with her.”
Despite the whirr of the rumor mill, the couple was seen dining out together and later attended the Super Bowl together.
Retail Couple’s therapy
Lopez revealed shortly after the LeCroy situation that she and Rodriguez had undergone therapy while quarantining together during the pandemic. Purportedly, their different views on being in lockdown contributed to whatever friction they were experiencing.
“I miss being creative and running on 150,” Lopez explained. “But Alex, of all people, was like, ‘I love it. I love being at home. I love doing my Zooms. I love knowing the kids are there, and you’re there all the time.’”
But, she said, “It has been actually really good. We got to work on ourselves … I think it was really helpful for us in our relationship,” she added.
Splitsville
Page Six exclusively revealed in March that J-Rod was no more. Miami sources revealed that the pair were on the rocks in February, and by March they were in separate cities, with Rodriguez prepping for baseball season in Miami and Lopez filming the formerly-starring Armie Hammer film “Shotgun Wedding” in the Dominican Republic.
Sources blamed the LeCroy scandal for the split, with one telling Page Six definitively, “The Madison LeCroy scandal was the reason they finally broke up. There were already problems, but Jennifer was really embarrassed by it.”
‘Better as friends’
Although Lopez and Rodriguez claimed they were working on the relationship following Page Six’s bombshell report — and were photographed smooching — the couple confirmed in April that their engagement was over.
“We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so,” they said in a statement to the “Today” show. “We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects. we wish the best for each other and each other’s children.”
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