While Jennifer Lopez’s relationships often make headlines, her marriage to Cris Judd, though less known, holds its own narrative. Here’s an insight into Judd’s life, career, and his brief relationship with Lopez.
Judd and Lopez’s Meeting and Marriage
Cris Judd met Jennifer Lopez in 2000 during the filming of the music video for her single ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing,‘ where Judd was a backup dancer. Their professional collaboration quickly blossomed into a romance. However, the couple kept their early relationship under wraps, secretly dating to avoid paparazzi.
Judd and Lopez made their first public appearance together at the Oscars in March 2001. Judd then proposed to Lopez two months after their Oscars debut, and the two got married in September 2001. Judd recalled the moment he met Lopez, saying:
“Oh my God, I’m going to marry this woman!”
The newlyweds honeymooned in a villa in Lake Como, owned by Donatella Versace. However, their marriage was short-lived, concluding in divorce in June 2002, less than a year after they tied the knot.
Judd’s Struggle with Fame and The Couple’s Divorce
The main issue Judd had during his marriage with Lopez was the unrelenting media scrutiny. Judd, who had a relatively private life prior, found the sudden loss of privacy and the constant public attention overwhelming.
Recalling their wedding, he described it as ‘a circus’ with several intruders getting arrested attempting to crash the event. This was a contrast to Judd’s preference for a quieter life away from the spotlight. Despite this, Judd stated that the intense media attention wasn’t the root cause of their split, saying:
“It had no bearing on the outcome of a relationship. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work out.”
According to Lopez, the reason was ‘irreconcilable differences.’ On the other hand, Judd’s family blamed Ben Affleck for the breakup, alleging an affair during the filming of ‘Gigli.’ Despite the strains, Judd expressed no ill will toward his ex-wife and praised her talent and work ethic in various interviews.
Before her divorce from Judd was finalized, Lopez got engaged to Ben Affleck. Judd reportedly received a $12 million divorce payout in exchange for his silence. Lopez later claimed her marriages to Judd and Ojani Noa didn’t count.
His Life After Lopez
Beyond his marriage to Lopez, Judd has a career in the entertainment industry as a dancer and choreographer. His portfolio includes working with artists like Michael Jackson and choreographing various music videos and award shows. He has also ventured into acting, appearing in films and television series such as ‘Unfabulous’ and ‘Bringing Down the House.’
As of 2023, Judd’s net worth is estimated to be around $500 thousand. His recent works include ‘La La Land’ and ‘Rock of Ages.’
In November 2009, he married Kelly A. Wolfe, and they welcomed their daughter, Vivienne, in 2013. Judd has since lived a more private life, but he occasionally shares moments with his family on Instagram with his 372k followers.
