MARK ANTHONY SPEAKS ON HIS BREAK-UP WITH J-LO!

Ever since Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez announced the end of their seven-year marriage in July, the rumor mill has been in overdrive with speculation as to why the couple suddenly split.

In a "Nightline" interview set to air Thursday night, the Latin crooner cleared the air and denied tabloid reports that the end of his marriage was caused by an affair.

"It was a flight attendant, it was the pilot -- I heard it was this guy sitting next to me in a rehab in Houston. I've heard it all," Anthony, 42, said in his first post-split interview.

"People are trying to peg it on things because it was so shocking. It was like, it must have been something … It wasn't something sensationalistic," he added.

The truth of the matter is, he said, that the marriage simply stopped working.

"It was a realization on both our parts," said Anthony, who was previously married to former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres. "It wasn't shocking. These things happen. It's a decision that we made jointly."

Anthony has been the target of multiple reports that claim he was unfaithful while married to the 41-year-old "American Idol" judge. In addition to Us Weekly alleging he hooked up with a flight attendant whom he met in 2009 and Life & Style claiming he reached out to Eva Longoria for comfort, the latest and most headline-making scandal linked him to his "HawthoRNe" co-star Jada Pinkett Smith. While Anthony did not discuss the nature of his relationship with Pinkett Smith, a rep for the actress previously denied they were anything other than colleagues.

Despite his recent split, Anthony said he remains a constant presence in his children's lives.

"I'm always going to be Daddy," he said of his 3-year-old twins, Max and Emme. "And they're used to me traveling and Jennifer traveling and, you know, we speak all the time, and try to maintain that presence."

As for his feelings toward Lopez, Anthony said he has nothing but love for her.

"I'll always love Jennifer. She knows that. It's not the end of that. This is not a funeral," he added. "This is just two people who came together and just realized … that it wasn't sustainable the way it was, and that's that."

Far from being the jealous spouse he was portrayed as in the media, Anthony said he has only the best wishes for his ex.

"I think anybody will tell you how I supported her, from day one. I'm really, really happy for her," he shared. "We're going to be in each other's lives for many, many, many years, and I'm glad that our friendship is that strong. … What would make it difficult is if we didn't get along."

While their personal life has had a setback, Anthony and Lopez's professional relationship continues to flourish. They plan to go forward with their upcoming Latin talent show, "Q'Viva! The Chosen," and recently unveiled a clothing line for Kohl's department stores.

Looking forward, Anthony playfully dodged questions as to whether he was ready to date again.

"That's like asking a boxer in the 12th round if he's going to retire or not," he laughed. "He'll always say, 'I'm done. I'm done.' You know what I mean? And then two weeks later is when you ask him.

"So give me two weeks."


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