The singer and actress has spoken about adjusting to an empty home after her twins Emme and Max started college, revealing how new music, daily routines and her children’s academic achievements have shaped the next stage of her life.
Jennifer Lopez has revealed watching her twins leave home for college was “devastating and sad and scary” – but the emotional upheaval has inspired her to write what she believes are some of the best songs of her career.
The singer and actress, 57, spoke to Variety about adjusting to life without her 18-year-old twins, Emme Muñiz and Max Muñiz, whom she shares with her former husband, singer Marc Anthony, 58.
Jennifer said their departure for university this autumn had prompted her to return to the recording studio and begin work on a new album, following a summer spent travelling with her children before they started their studies.
She revealed: “They take up such a big part of your brain for so long, and when they’re gone, which is devastating and sad and scary, you’re facing a life that’s totally different now, and you’re like, ‘What am I going to do with this space and this time?’”
Jennifer added: “For me, I just went back in the studio. I’ve written some of the best songs that I’ve ever written, and I’m really excited.”
The On the Floor singer said the material reflects both the sadness of her children leaving home and the opportunities she has found in having more time for herself.
Jennifer said: “It’s a very happy era album. It’s some of the most joyous, beautiful songs that have just a tad of a tear in them.”
The new music follows the singer’s 2024 album This Is Me…Now, which explored her personal relationships and was accompanied by a musical film, This Is Me…Now: A Love Story.
Jennifer, whose best-known songs also include If You Had My Love, Jenny from the Block, Love Don’t Cost a Thing and Let’s Get Loud, has continued balancing her recording career with acting and business commitments.
She previously discussed the transition to becoming an empty nester in a video shared on her JLo Beauty Instagram account on 26 September.
Jennifer said: “Good morning everybody! This is a beautiful day, a beautiful morning.”
She continued: “I was just about to start my skincare routine, and I was thinking about routines because I’m sure a lot of people are going through this out there. My kids are going away to college.”
The actress said maintaining familiar habits had become particularly important as she adjusted to her children no longer being at home.
Jennifer said: “But those routines really keep you going. And I think when they go away, and I’m sitting here being an empty nester, and crying and thinking about them and looking at baby pictures of them and all of that stuff.”
She added: “These routines are the things that are going to keep me sane. Working out, doing my skincare routine, caring for myself, with the newfound kind of space that’s in your life.”
Jennifer, who has also starred in films including Selena, Maid in Manhattan, The Wedding Planner, Hustlers and Atlas, encouraged other parents facing similar changes to revisit ambitions they may have put aside while raising their children.
She said: “You know, you’re so excited for them to step into this new era of their life, but it’s also, we have to remember, it’s a new era of our lives too. And maybe it’s time to revive some old dreams that you had. Something you put aside during the time that you were raising your kids, or things you didn’t have time for.”
She also described the experience of adapting to a home where her children were no longer nearby.
Jennifer said: “It’s a scary time. It’s a transitional time. It’s a new beginning, in a lot of ways, for them, certainly, but also for you.”
She added: “So don’t forget that. Keep your routines going. Stay hydrated. Stay happy, stay joyful, stay productive.”
Before Emme and Max left for college, Jennifer travelled with them through Italy, sharing photographs of their summer holiday on Instagram in August.
The 20-picture collection showed the family visiting Italian landmarks, shopping, eating together and posing for photographs during their road trip.
The singer had previously revealed both teenagers had received offers from every college to which they applied.
Speaking to Extra in July, Jennifer said: “I am so proud that they set goals for themselves.”
She added: “They all got into all five colleges that they applied to. They both got a scholarship to each, you know, one scholarship to each. Each one got a scholarship to a school. And I just felt like they work so hard.”
Jennifer Lopez admits ‘devastating’ family change left her in tears – but sparked unexpected new chapter
