THE GREATEST LOVE STORY NEVER TOLD: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck File for Divorce

"Jennifer Affleck—I like the sound of that," said Jennifer Lopez to the camera about her engagement to Ben Affleck, seemingly oblivious or indifferent to the fact that his previous wife was also named Jennifer Affleck. That’s when I knew this was one of the most ridiculous romances ever, and we would have to watch. And watch we did. Her self-funded $20 million Netflix love story inspired by the couple’s private diary was toxic feminity at its worst. The Greatest Love Story Never Told was terrifying and we all knew where this was going.

Why am I writing about a banal celebrity romance turned divorce? Because something about this whole spectacle feels like the end of celebrity worship culture. My generation was raised to see these figures as serious aspirational role models. Serious artists and actors. But I hope this embarrassing and sad ending reminds us that we don’t actually want what these talented and beautiful people are selling. We don’t want unchained, unchecked egos constantly killing anything true that might come into our lives.

This wildly public and fast-paced love affair also seems to capture something about our time. Jennifer Lopez wanted to showcase her love story before it had scarcely begun. We’ve forgotten the nature of marital commitment. The massive, sparkly rocks the rich pass around look like those ridiculous jeweled candy rings we used to buy as kids, leaving us sticky and clown-lipped. We’re moving so fast and becoming so self-centered that endings happen before beginnings.

I’m just a human person with a human heart who sees these celebrities as nothing more than human. I don’t enjoy watching anyone flail in their search for a soulmate, even if they’re rich, even if their egos suggest they’ll be fine. I take love seriously. It’s one of the few places of genuine safety and transcendence in this mad world. We should help each other find and keep it. It’s one of the only liferafts we have. A career can’t hold you in the dark. Money won’t wonder if you’re going to die.

Love and marriage are not nothing.

Let’s use this celebrity spectacle as a teachable moment. Let’s slow down, keep our egos in check, and remember that the rich and famous don’t have everything. It would seem that in many celebrity cases, being adored by millions can lead us to being loved by no one.