While fans may be captivated by J-Lo’s revived romance with Ben Affleck and her enduring persona, her latest album and North American concert tour aren’t drawing the crowds expected of a superstar of her caliber.

Despite her global fame and high-profile reunion with Affleck, 2024 hasn’t been smooth sailing for the multi-talented artist. Recent headlines questioning why there’s a sudden shift in public sentiment toward Jennifer Lopez highlight the challenges she’s facing this year.

Industry insiders, including entertainment experts Matthew Belloni and Lucas Shaw, have labeled her as one of the year’s “losers,” pointing to sluggish sales of her first album in a decade, “This Is Me … Now,” and lukewarm reception for her upcoming tour.

Although Lopez boasts a massive Instagram following, her album struggled to maintain traction on the Billboard 200 chart after peaking at No. 38. Similarly, ticket sales for her North American tour have been underwhelming, prompting the cancellation of seven dates and a rebranding effort to emphasize her greatest hits.

Despite a significant promotional push and a substantial investment of $20 million in self-financed projects, including two accompanying films, Lopez’s album and tour fail to generate the anticipated buzz. Critics note that while Lopez remains a cultural icon, her music career may not match the level of interest garnered by her persona and acting roles.

While Lopez’s latest documentary, “The Greatest Love Story Never Told,” draws attention to her relationship with Affleck, highlighting their creative collaboration and status as a power couple, her music ventures seem to fall short of expectations. With questions surrounding her relevance in the music industry, Lopez’s career trajectory remains uncertain amidst shifting public perceptions and evolving industry standards.

Affleck, moreover, also appears in “The Greatest Love Story Never Told.” He’s seen supporting Lopez on the set and giving her constructive feedback as they sit side by side on the sofa with their laptops. The famously guarded Affleck explains how loving the very public Lopez means that he’s had to adjust his views on sharing aspects of their private life.

The film has garnered plenty of positive reviews but it also have given more ammunition to Lopez’s detractors, prompting Los Angeles Times writer Alex Zaragoza to ask in an essay, “Why does everyone suddenly hate Jennifer Lopez?”

TikTokers came down especially hard on a moment in the film when Lopez is seen in her home gym after a work-out, letting out her hair and shaking it out with her hands, Zaragoza reported.

“I like taking my hair out like this,” Lopez said a 13-second clip from the film that went viral. “It reminds me like, when I was 16 in The Bronx running up and down the block. Crazy little girl who used to be (expletive) wild. No limits, all dreams and (expletive…”

To TikTok users, the moment was seen as a failed attempt by the megastar to prove her humility and force a connection to her roots as a regular “Jenny From the Block” from the Bronx, Zaragoza said

“I understand that you’re trying to milk this whole ‘I’m humble, I’m from the hood,’” one TikTok user said in commenting on the clip. “This story doesn’t really work for you anymore… This whole story of her trying to seem relatable and more, you know, ‘normal,’ it’s not really gonna work for you. Just stop.”

Zaragoza wrote that authenticity and personal narrative have long been a part “of the fame machine,” and performing authenticity “is a razors-edge walk for anyone in the spotlight.” The writer noted that audiences will turn on a celebrity as soon as they become “too annoying, too present, too cute, to anything, particularly if you’re a woman.”