Jennifer Lopez recently shared a touching tribute to her “wonder twins” on their 18th birthday, emphasizing their unbreakable bond: “It has always been the three of us,” the singer continued. “We have been on this journey together.”
And in light of the milestone, Max and Emme’s journey to adulthood with their famous parents (dad is Latin music icon Marc Anthony) is anything but typical, an insider shared exclusively with Us Weekly. But the superstar exes have always put their children first.
“They have had a very atypical childhood. They have lived between New York, Florida and California on and off, and attended boarding school in Florida for some time,” said the insider. “In the past few years, they have been in school in California and lived at home with Jennifer, and this is the closest she has ever been with them in a more traditional way.”
The former power couple wed in June 2004 and separated in July 2011, finalizing their divorce in June 2014, six years after welcoming twins Emme and Max, who turned 18 on February 22.
Jennifer Lopez and her twins, Max and Emme. Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images
J. Lo, 56, and Anthony, 57, “have always moved around a lot and worked in different locations, and Marc is famous for his nonstop touring schedule,” the insider added.
Lopez notably kicked off her new concert residency, Up All Night Live in Las Vegas, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in December 2025, and her final gig is set for late March.
Anthony also has his own Vegas…My Way! residency, which kicked off February 13 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, and runs through August 2026.
Proud mama! Jennifer Lopez is a triple threat performer but being a mother is her favorite role to date. “Happy birthday to my beautiful, brilliant coconuts 🥥🥥,” the Marry Me actress gushed via Instagram in February 2023, celebrating kids Max and Emme’s 15th trip around the sun. “You bring so much joy and happiness to my heart and soul. […]
And over the years, the twins’ relationship with their parents has evolved.
“When the children were little, they definitely spent more time with [Anthony], and he would do what he could to accommodate their schedule, even sending private jets to bring them to see him,” the source added. “But that became more difficult and more infrequent.”
“It was [due to] a variety of things — the kids getting older and being in boarding school, Marc traveling. It wasn’t one thing,” continued the source. “Jennifer is the primary parent. [Marc] defers to her. It works for everyone.”
In her social media post the “All I Have” songstress gushed about her journey to motherhood reflecting on the unforgettable day her twins arrived. “When I would hold you as infants, I honestly felt as if I were holding two angels sent straight from heaven above,” she wrote in the post on Instagram alongside a video featuring some of her favorite memories over the years. “My life was changed forever. I cannot believe you are now adults.”
“It has always been the three of us,” the actress continued. “We have been on this journey together. We have always had each other to hold on to and be that steady presence in the middle of any snowstorm. And I promise you, my beautiful coconuts, no matter how big you get, that’s how it will always be.”
Shutterstock; Inset: Courtesy of Jennifer Lopez/Instagram Mama bear. Jennifer Lopez opened up about wanting to “protect’ her 15-year-old twins — who have struggled with the realities of having famous parents. “I think being the child of famous parents is really not something many people can understand and I feel for [my kids] for that because […]
Eight years after her split with Anthony, J. Lo married fourth husband Ben Affleck in 2022. They divorced three years later. (Lopez was previously married to Ojani Noa from 1997 to 1998 and to dancer Cris Judd from 2001 to 2003.)
Anthony is a soon-to-be father of eight. In addition to his kids with J. Lo, the crooner is also dad to Arianna Muñiz, 31, and Chase Muñiz, 28, with ex-girlfriend Debbie Rosado, as well as Cristian Muñiz, 24, and Ryan Muñiz, 22, with his first wife Dayanara Torres and son Marco, 2, with current wife Nadia Ferreira. (Anthony and Ferreira, 26, announced in January that they are currently expecting their second child together.)
“Marc is a very loving father, he loves all of his children,” continued the source. “He provides for them financially and that is his standard of being a good father. He may not be able to give his time and physically be there, but he communicates with all of his children and tries to provide for them.”
“All in all, they are all on good terms at this point. He is healthier physically and emotionally than he was when they were younger,” added the source.
“The twins have relationships with some of [their older siblings]. Marc’s older sons have always tried to foster a relationship with Max.”
And the insider told Us the one-time celebrity couple also remain friends.
“Jennifer and Marc are amicable. They have no ill will toward each other,” said the source. “They understand each other and their unconventional lifestyles.”
