Of all the awards Jennifer Lopez could have received at IndieWire Honors, held in Los Angeles December 5, winning the Maverick Award “held a special place” in her heart. In fact, she even looked up the dictionary definition of “maverick,” which she related in her speech accepting the prize.
“I wanted have to the real definition, OK!,” Lopez said. “It means an individualist, a nonconformist, a free spirit, an original, a trendsetter, an eccentric, an outsider, a rebel, a dissident, a disruptor. OK, I could go on, but I’m not going to. But seriously, what a beautiful thing to be recognized for, for charting your own course. I’m appreciative of being seen in that way and recognized for who I am and kind of who I’ve had to be because I think every artist and everyone in this room has had to figure out how to do it their own way, blaze their own trail. So I’m honored to be included among you.”
While Affleck, 52, spent Thanksgiving with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner and their three kids (Violet, 19, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12), Lopez shared a glimpse of her own festive holiday on Instagram.
“I hope everybody had a beautiful and Happy Thanksgiving. I am so incredibly grateful for all of you,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself smiling with her turkey.
Related: Jennifer Lopez Admits Second Ben Affleck Split ‘Almost Did Take Me Out for Good’ but Was ‘Exactly What I Needed’
Lopez’s latest film Unstoppable, a true-story sports drama produced under Affleck’s company Artists Equity, is in select theaters now before it later streams on Prime Video Jan. 11.
The actress is receiving awards buzz for her supporting role as Judy Robles, mother of Anthony Robles (played by Jharrel Jerome), who defied expectations by becoming a wrestling champ after being born with one leg. On Dec. 5 she was honored with the Maverick Award at the 2024 IndieWire Awards for her performance.
Next year will also mark the release of her movie musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, which she has called the “most challenging and rewarding role I’ve ever had.” She’ll also be working on a rom-com titled Office Romance with Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein, plus she’s producing a series adaptation of Emily Henry’s hit novel Happy Place.