She once called him “just so cute” and gushed about making music together. Now Woman’s Day hears Jennifer Lopez could be dialling up that chemistry with Keith Urban once again, at least if their friends have anything to do with it!
In the months following their respective high-profile splits from exes Nicole Kidman and Ben Affleck, Keith, 58, and Jennifer, 57, laughed off rumours that they were “exploring a relationship in private”, but those rumours have ended up reigniting the flirty friendship between the old friends and former American Idol co-judges!
As the one-year anniversary of his split from Nicole looms later this month, a close source says, “Keith’s gone through his mourning phase and is moving on from his regrets at walking out on his marriage. It’s becoming clear he half hoped Nicole would beg him to come home – instead she called a divorce attorney. “But it wasn’t until he saw those pictures of her in Italy [with new boyfriend Michael Reinstein] that he finally accepted there was no going back. He poured it out on stage in Atlantic City and now he’s ready to move on.”
Friends play cupid
In July, Nicole, 59, was pictured looking loved-up as she lounged poolside in Portofino, with millionaire beau Michael – pictures that are said to have broken Keith’s heart. And while rumours are rife that Nicole’s romance might’ve gone south already, friends think falling into the arms of drop-dead gorgeous Jen could be the answer to all of Keith’s problems!
“His friends have been urging him to take Jen out on a date,” reveals our insider.
“They’ve never been out of contact at all since working together and she’s been checking in on him since the divorce. “Keith’s always adored Jen – loved working with her, loves her talent and thinks she’s ridiculously gorgeous. She was the only one who got Nicole’s hackles up because their chemistry was off the charts.”
Meanwhile, Jen has been embracing single life since splitting from Ben in August 2024. “I’m good right now where I’m at,” she said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! But she’s not ruling out finding love again.
“I’ll meet somebody somewhere one day if they’re good enough,” she told Jimmy.
A spark from the start
And country crooner Keith could be that man. Whispers of their close connection first started circulating when they sat side by side as TV judges 13 years ago on American Idol. Back then, Keith was married to Nicole, while Jen was finalising her divorce from singer ex Marc Anthony and dating dancer Casper Smart. But despite their love lives going in different directions, Jen happily confessed it would be a “dream come true” if they recorded a duet together, and they sparked speculation of romance with their constant whispering in each other’s ears and were regularly seen touching each other’s hands.
Despite Nicole being a big fan of J.Lo – gushing about her being a “goddess” in interviews and even going to see her Las Vegas residency – behind the scenes she was said to be unsettled by their friendship.
“Keith knows Jen’s going through her own post-divorce blues, so they have a lot in common. The good thing is they’ve been friends and colleagues first so they trust each other. Neither of them feel ready to dive into another romance, but testing the waters with someone they trust could work. “He’s always had a soft spot for Jen, and at the very least it’d be a ton of fun to wine and dine someone even more famous than his ex – and if it annoys Nicole in the process, so be it!”
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