Loren Ridinger is forever grateful for the love and support longtime friend Jennifer Lopez provided her during a difficult time. “She’s been one of my best friends for so many years and somebody who’s been a big support,” Ridinger, 56, exclusively shared with Us Weekly while promoting her book Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up?. “I love her and I admire and I look up to her, but she’s been a pillar of strength at a time where it’s been hard for her too. She’s a powerhouse.”
In August 2022, the entrepreneur and Motives creator had her life changed forever when her husband, JR Ridinger, suddenly died at the age of 63. Just weeks earlier, the couple was able to celebrate Lopez and Ben Affleck’s wedding before the two Hollywood stars split in August 2024.
“Part of this whole journey was the week before JR passed away, we went to the wedding. By the time I finished the book, she was grieving with me,” Loren shared with Us. “I realized that you don’t have to lose someone to grieve. You can actually go through the loss of a loved one or a divorce and grieve.”
While Loren also gives thanks to famous friends like Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx, and Serena Williams for helping her grieve her husband’s death, the entrepreneur and cofounder of Market America and SHOP.com said Jennifer Lopez was a strong source of love and support. “I think we were so fortunate that we had each other,” she explained. “If we wanted to cry, we could cry. If we wanted to laugh, we could laugh. And we realized that there is sun again and there are rainbows again. She’s such an inspirational person.”
Whenever Loren was feeling down, she could “rely on” Lopez to pick her up and make days better. “I would say, like, ‘Hey, it’s not a good day.’ She’s like, ‘OK, are you fine? Are you good? Are you great?’ And we knew the difference, and we knew the words when we needed each other,” she said. “I think that’s what great friendships are about when you can test really rocky roads, really rocky times.”
As detailed in her book Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up?, Loren ultimately found the strength to move through grief and start living fully by embracing each day — no matter what life served up next. She’s confident Lopez will be more than alright as she begins a new chapter of her life in 2025.
“I realized that she is as strong as ever and just a powerhouse,” Loren explained. “And I love her. I’m so proud of her.” Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up?: Living Your Best Life after Losing Your Greatest Love is available in bookstores now. With reporting by Christina Garibaldi.
