Report: Jennifer Lopez and Puffy Are Splitting

By
ABC News
January 6, 2006, 3:31 AM ET
2 min read

Jan. 24, 2001 -- J.Lo may be giving Puff Daddy the heave-ho.

The New York Daily News is reporting that Jennifer Lopez and Sean “Puffy” Combs are splitting up.

Columnist Mitchell Fink cites unnamed sources claiming that Lopez is leaving Combs just as his criminal trial gets underway.

Combs faces gun possession and bribery charges stemming from a shooting in December 1999 at a Times Square night club. Combs is standing trial with fellow rapper Jamal "Shyne" Barrow, who allegedly pulled the trigger and is facing three counts of attempted murder.

A jury is now being chosen for that trial.

According to the report, Lopez left Puffy for a dancer named Chris, who appears in her latest video, "Love Don't Cost a Thing."

Lopez Out Promoting Record and Movie

Combs and Lopez or their representatives failed to return calls this morning from ABCNEWS.com. But Combs' Web site, puffdaddy.com, maintains that Lopez "stands behind her man."

News of the split comes at a time when Lopez is out promoting two projects. Her film The Wedding Planner had its premiere Tuesday in Los Angeles and opens nationwide Friday. Her new album, Jlo, hit record stores Tuesday.

Lopez went public with her relationship with Combs 17 months ago. She was with him on the night of the shooting and may be called on to testify. Daily News sources say that she was with Combs in New York last week as a show of support.

Combs, 31, founded Bad Boy Entertainment, a record label. He also owns the Sean John clothing line and restaurants in New York and Atlanta.

Combs, Lopez and Shyne arrived at the Club New York in Manhattan together on Dec. 27, 1999. Three people were shot after a patron reportedly threw money in Combs' face.

Combs and Lopez and bodyguard Anthony "Wolf" Jones left the scene in a sport utility vehicle driven by chauffeur Wardel Fenderson. They were pulled over and arrested.

Police say one firearm was thrown from the vehicle, and a second was found on the floor of the SUV.

Police also allege that Combs offered Fenderson $50,000 and a diamond ring if he would claim ownership of the gun found in the vehicle.

The Grammy winner has pleaded not guilty to the charges and will be tried along with Barrow and Jones, despite his requests to be tried individually.