Jennifer Lopez finally made her debut on The Howard Stern Show this week, a notable event since Howard Stern has long critiqued her appearance, talent, and personal life.

Stern has a long history of mocking Lopez on-air. Back in 2000, he tore into her MTV Awards outfit, saying it ‘looks like a potato sack.’

In the past, Stern had criticized her musical abilities, suggesting that her performances were akin to karaoke and arguing she ‘wasn’t a great singer,’ as reported by Alternative Nation.

By 2012, he was still at it, dismissing her as ‘the worst judge out there’ during her stint on American Idol. 

He even ridiculed her romance with Ben Affleck in 2003, calling it ‘ridiculous but real,’ per the outlet.

Despite years of public jabs, the 56-year-old Kiss of the Spider Woman star put on a brave face to finally join Stern on his SiriusXM show Wednesday.

Lopez opened the interview by admitting, ‘I was always scared to come on the show.’

 But fans were surprised when she revealed it wasn’t because of his past comments — it was because she worried she might ‘say something’ she regrets.

As it turned out, the two didn’t dwell on past digs and hit it off immediately. 

Lopez candidly discussed everything from her dating life and fame to getting older — and even revealed the one movie role she regrets turning down. 

During the interview, Stern asked Lopez if her celebrity status complicated relationships with other public figures. This seemed to reference her recent breakup with Ben Affleck.

Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck in August 2024 — roughly two years after their reunion and July 2022 wedding.

The couple had originally dated and been engaged nearly 20 years earlier. 

‘It’s difficult to be under that microscope,’ she agreed.

Howard pressed, ‘Does it seem like everything is doomed from the beginning?’

‘No, I don’t feel that,’ she quickly replied. 

Lopez reflected, ‘I believe that finding the right person who understands that dynamic is key… I’ve made mistakes… by being too open, even as a public figure.’

‘And I wanted to share my life with someone. I want someone to be there to share my big important moments on the red carpet. 

‘I’ve been upfront about it. But now, after everything my family and I have experienced, I feel it’s crucial to keep my private life more protected,’ she continued.

She continued, ‘When you have this level of fame, there is a compromise… cause its a very blessed life… that one of the trade offs… you have to learn to navigate your personal life and my personal life has suffered at times because of that.’

‘And now I realize that you have to change, you have to change your behavior’… if you want to have a successful relationship in your life.’

Stern then pivoted, asking, ‘Was there ever a time you wanted a guy and didn’t get him?’

Lopez laughed as she replied, ‘There was one guy that I had my eye on… and I kind of threw it out there and he didn’t pick it up. I won’t say his name… but this was… 10 years ago…”

She continued, ‘Yeah, he didn’t respond back and I was just like ‘ok.’ I just kind of moved on. I regret saying this already. I was very subtle so maybe they didn’t pick up the signal.’

As for the one movie she regrets turning down?

‘Adrian Lyne’s Unfaithful,’ she answered, referring to the 2002 thriller that eventually went to Diane Lane opposite Richard Gere.

Lopez admitted she passed on it ‘because the script wasn’t good… and then Lyne made it great.’