Jennifer Lopez looks at the ring on her finger. It is certainly magnificent - but how does it measure up to its predecessors? First there was the one Ojani Noa gave her; then there was Cris Judd's. Next, in 2002, came an engagement ring from Ben AffleckAn American actor and filmmaker. - but then the wedding was called off: instead, she married Marc Anthony.

After divorcing Anthony, she became engaged to baseball star Alex Rodriguez. But again she stopped short of marrying. Finally, there was a second ring from Ben Affleck, with an engraved message: "not.going.anywhere."

This time they did marry - but only for two years. Last week they filed for divorce.

Writing in The New York Times, Jennifer Weiner warned that JLo risked becoming like Elizabeth Taylor: "A multitalented female celebrity who is best known not for her vast creative output nor even for her undeniable beauty and charm, but, instead, for her many marriages."

Taylor found fame as the child star of National Velvet, and went on to win two Best Actress OscarsA colloquial name for the Academy Awards, named after a nickname for the golden statue given to winners.. But increasingly it was her long series of marriages that fascinated the public. She even married one of her seven husbands - the great actor Richard BurtonA Welsh actor who lived from 1925 to 1984 and was twice married to Elizabeth Taylor. - a second time.

Though few people have such a chequered marital career, the list of celebrities in short-lived relationships is a long one. British reality stars Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury prompted dozens of articles last week after calling off their engagement. Britney Spears's marriage to Jason Alexander lasted only 56 hours. Other celebrities who were married for less than a year include Milla Jovovich, Kim Kardashian and Renee Zellweger.

According to dating coach Sabrina Alexis Bendory, "The nature of being a celebrity is not very conduciveContributing to a good result, or helpful. to having a long-lasting relationship." Break-ups are no longer shocking: instead, "it's shocking when they've been together for 15 years. Like, this is a miracle".¹

There are several factors involved. Stars who married before they became famous often decide that their spouse does not fit in with their new lifestyle. Making a film can involve spending long periods away from home and working closely with a very attractive co-star.

Then there is the strain of being in the public eye. Businessman Dalton Gomez became engaged to Ariana Grande after the two spent lockdown together, but is said to have been overwhelmed when her career went back to normal and they were surrounded by bodyguards and paparazziPhotographers who take photos of celebrities as they go about their normal lives to sell to newspapers and magazines.. ²

Is true love impossible for celebrities?

Yes: The pressure of fame is just too much for them. They do not have a chance to meet normal people under normal circumstances, and career demands mean that they neglect their relationships.

No: Though it is short relationships that make the headlines, there are many long ones too. Hollywood stars Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were married for over 50 years; Bob Hope was for nearly 70.

Or... It is a question of priorities. If love really matters to them, they will give it precedence over their careers and reduce their work load and time spent travelling far from home.

FOR YOUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.