Jennifer Lopez has been opening up about how important she considers it to fall in love and a source exclusively tells In Touch she’s moving ever closer to a grand return to the dating scene – all while taking steps to protect herself this time around. 

Since her divorce from Ben Affleck was finalized on January 6, following months of ticky-tack back and forth negotiations over the settlement, the source says, “She’s back out there mixing in the Hollywood scene and plans to be front and center for the rest of awards season.”

J. Lo, 55, has a reason to hold her head high while out and about, too. She recently scored a success with her last project, Unstoppable, which won her an award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and has been promoting her new movie, Kiss of the Spider Woman, at awards festivals.

“All this praise for her work in Unstoppable has put the wind back in her sails,” the source says. “Settling her divorce has helped as well, she’s not mired in this back and forth with Ben and can truly look towards starting a new chapter.” 

The “Let’s Get Loud” singer made a point that she believes, “that love heals all divides,” when discussing her upcoming movie at the Sundance Film Festival in January. “It’s about two different people who come together and find the humanity in one another and fall in love,” she added. “To me, that is something that is special and needs to be seen. We are all just human. It’s an important movie in this way.”

The movie, a musical drama from Bill Condon, who won an Academy Award for Gods and Monsters, received a standing ovation at the festival and rave critical reviews, particularly for Jen’s part.

With the Ben chapter of her life tucked away in the past for the second time, the insider notes she’s now free to focus on the future, which may or may not include another man.

“She says she’s done moping around and crying over her divorce, she wants to have fun again,” the insider says. “Ultimately, she does see herself falling in love again but that isn’t the immediate goal. More than anything she wants to feel carefree again, she wants to embrace her independence.”

J. Lo is set to host the WorldPride Music Festival in Washington D.C.  in June, alongside performances by Troye Sivan, RuPaul and Trisha Paytas. She was also seen hitting the Hamptons society scenes over the summer as her divorce was ongoing, partying it up for her 55th birthday with royal costumes and a full band for her Bridgerton-themed bash.

The singer and actress isn’t wasting anytime getting back out there following her divorce finalization, as the source notes she’s more interested in meeting someone within entertainment.

“The idea of possibly meeting someone at one of these industry functions she has to go to for work makes it all a lot more exciting. She’s getting dressed up to possibly attract a new lover, it adds a thrill and is giving her motivation to look extra sexy.”