In a moment that has captivated Hollywood, Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow have publicly signalled the end of their long-rumoured, decades-long feud. The two stars posed arm-in-arm for their first-ever photograph together at The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Gala in Beverly Hills this week.
A Thaw in a Quarter-Century Chill
The historic moment occurred on Wednesday, December 4, 2025, at The Beverly Hills Hotel. Both actresses were being honoured for their professional achievements; Lopez received the Equity in Entertainment Award, while Paltrow accepted the prestigious Sherry Lansing Leadership Award. Onlookers described the pair as warm and relaxed, chatting easily and smiling for cameras during the breakfast event—a stark contrast to the widely discussed tension that had defined their relationship since the late 1990s.
A source close to the event confirmed the reconciliation to the DailyMail, stating plainly: ‘They are doing OK, they are friends. There is no frost, no bad vibes, they are good.’ This public display marks a definitive close to a chapter of Hollywood history that has fascinated fans and media for over twenty-five years.
The Roots of the Rivalry
The origin of their strained relationship is famously traced back to a 1998 interview with Movieline magazine. At the time, Lopez, who had recently broken through with her role in Selena, gave candid assessments of several fellow actresses. When asked about Paltrow, who had just won an Oscar for Shakespeare in Love, Lopez was dismissive.
‘Tell me what she’s been in? I swear to God, I don’t remember anything she was in. Some people get hot by association. I heard more about her and Brad Pitt than I ever heard about her work,’ Lopez was quoted as saying. The remark became a persistent footnote in pop culture, fuelling rumours of a bitter rivalry. Lopez later claimed she was misquoted, but the perceived slight lingered.
Complicating the dynamic further was a significant shared romantic link: both women dated actor Ben Affleck at pivotal moments. Paltrow and Affleck were a high-profile couple from 1997 to 2000, co-starring in films. Lopez and Affleck later became one of the most talked-about couples of the early 2000s, meeting on the set of Gigli, getting engaged in 2002, and parting ways in 2004 before famously rekindling their romance in 2021.
A New Chapter for Hollywood Icons
Despite the shared history with Affleck and years of industry gossip, both women have always maintained public respect for one another. Their decision to pose together so warmly, however, suggests a genuine private reconciliation that has now moved into the public eye. Neither star has commented publicly on the moment, allowing the photograph to speak for itself.
The image not only closes the book on a fabled Hollywood feud but also highlights their enduring status and mutual respect as leaders in the entertainment industry. As they celebrated their individual accolades side-by-side, Lopez and Paltrow demonstrated that time and maturity can indeed heal old wounds, even under the relentless spotlight of fame.
