After endless speculation, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are officially getting a divorce.

On Tuesday, Jennifer Lopez, 55, filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, 52, in Los Angeles Superior Court. This filing comes on the second anniversary of their wedding in Georgia, and reports indicate that they separated on April 26.

TMZ was the first to break the news. YSL News has contacted representatives for both Affleck and Lopez for further statements.

This marks the second marriage for Affleck and the fourth for Lopez. They were engaged to each other two times: once in 2002 and again in 2021.

Recently, rumors about their split have been rampant, many of which have been both playful and harsh. But what fuels this interest?

Many people find a certain satisfaction in watching the lives of the rich and famous fall apart, especially when it involves the drama of celebrity relationships.

Experts suggest that this morbid interest, often linked to the idea of **schadenfreude**—taking pleasure in another person’s misfortune—along with the allure of a compelling story, keep us engaged.

“There’s a certain enjoyment in observing wealthy individuals who appear to have everything; these situations serve as reminders that they aren’t immune to struggles,” said Elizabeth Cohen, an associate professor at West Virginia University, who studies media psychology. “This notion can shake the perception that they deserve all they’ve achieved.”

‘It Can Inspire, Yet Make You Self-Conscious’

The fascination with celebrity divorces can also be explained by the “social comparison” theory, according to Cohen. This theory suggests that people constantly assess where they stand in life by comparing themselves to others. When someone appears to be “better off,” it leads to what’s known as upward social comparison.

“While upward social comparison can provide motivation, it may also lead to feelings of inadequacy,” Cohen explains. “This means it can inspire, yet simultaneously make you feel like you’re falling short.”

Downward social comparison is another aspect, where individuals may consume media to feel superior to others. Watching Lopez and Affleck’s relationship struggles highlights their vulnerabilities, making it easier for viewers to relate and critique.

“Observing individuals with seemingly privileged lifestyles experiencing difficulties serves to remind us that they too can face problems,” said Erica Chito-Childs, a sociology professor at Hunter College and The Graduate Center, CUNY.

‘We Enjoy Witnessing Human Flaws’

In an era dominated by reality TV and social media, it has become evident that those in the spotlight are not infallible. Audiences seem to take delight in witnessing the missteps of celebrities, particularly those of Lopez and Affleck, who attract attention for even the slightest blunders.

Robert Thompson, founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, noted, “We find pleasure in observing others act foolishly, regardless of their financial status.”

Such dynamics contribute to what makes a captivating narrative. “There’s often a storyline about people’s rise to wealth and success, but once they attain it, the narrative shifts to their inevitable downfall,” Thompson pointed out. “Many of us experience a sense of schadenfreude during these downturns.”

Your personal feelings on this drama—whether you love it or loathe it—come down to individual preference rather than a psychological phenomenon.

“The reasons some people detest or enjoy such stories are not grounded in psychology,” Thompson adds. “It’s more a reflection of show business.”

Regardless, if you find yourself overly invested in celebrities’ lives, consider taking a step back and exploring your own neighborhood instead of fixating on theirs.