A source tells ET that Jennifer Lopez is using her 55th birthday as an opportunity 'focus on the great things' in life.
Jennifer Lopez is looking toward the future and focusing on the positive as she steps into a new chapter in her life with her 55th birthday.
Lopez celebrated her special day on Wednesday, and a source tells ET that the iconic pop star "is doing her best to stay positive and focus on the great things in her life" amid ongoing rumors that she and husband Ben Affleck are headed toward divorce.
The source says that Lopez -- who spent her birthday in Bridgehampton, New York -- "always loves getting to spend time on the East Coast, especially during the summer, and it's been nice for her to be surrounded by friends and family who love her."
"It has been a hard year with some unexpected realizations, changes, and obstacles, but Jen is trying to view her 55th birthday as a fresh start," the source adds. "She is trying not to let her situation with Ben bring her down."
On Wednesday, Lopez stepped out to visit Candy Kitchen in Bridgehampton, New York, alongside her 16-year-old son, Max, and a male friend, an eyewitness told ET.
"She was with a guy friend who was wearing a birthday tiara and Max. JLo was in a green dress and rode her bike to and from there," the eyewitness said. "Max arrived in a car driven by a female friend and left in the car. He walked out before JLo."
"JLo looked happy and content," the eyewitness added. "A fan shouted out to wish her a happy birthday and she thanked them. JLo and her other friend then rode away on their bikes."
Lopez went all out for her big day last weekend when she hosted a Bridgerton-themed bash in the Hamptons. In photos obtained by multiple outlets, the festive gathering was on theme with an appearance of a horse-drawn carriage, lavish furniture that was driven onto the property and multiple orders of flowers.
While Lopez's mother, Guadalupe Rodríguez, was on hand for the party, Affleck was not. The pair has been going through marital woes as of late, even celebrating their two-year wedding anniversary apart earlier this month.
All the while, though, Lopez has remained close to Affleck's kids, specifically his and ex Jennifer Garner's 18-year-old daughter, Violet.
A source recently told ET that Lopez and Violet "have gotten close throughout Jen and Ben's relationship, and maintaining that closeness is important to everyone."
Affleck and Garner also share Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12, while Lopez has 16-year-old twins Max and Emme with her ex, Marc Anthony.
However, it seems Lopez isn't letting any of the rumors and speculation keep her down. To commemorate her 55th birthday, the actress and singer took to Instagram to share a swimsuit selfie.
In the pic, Lopez stunned in a white one-piece swimsuit. She completed the look by wearing her hair in a high ponytail and sporting gold jewelry.
"This Is Me…Now," she captioned the photo, a reference to the album of the same name that she released earlier this year.
For more on Lopez' strained relationship with Affleck, see the video below.
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