Anthony denies rivalry with Lopez

Marc Anthony denied that professional rivalry -- notably Jennifer Lopez's success as a judge on "American Idol" -- led to their recent split, in an interview that appeared Thursday night on ABC's "Nightline."

According to transcripts released Wednesday, Anthony debunked a checklist of other reported reasons, including affairs and various tabloid rumors of ties with Jada Pinkett Smith, wife of Will Smith and his co-star on the TNT drama, "HawthoRNe."

But "Nightline" correspondent John Quiñones also raised the "tabloid claims" that he was "jealous and controlling and that 'Idol' had put a strain on their marriage."

"It wasn't 'American Idol,' " said Anthony, who appeared with Lopez on last season's finale. "It wasn't her working there. It wasn't. I think anybody will tell you how I supported her from day one."

Lopez recently signed a new one-year contract extension to remain on the show.

Of the Smith rumors, he said "what bothers me is the effect it has on [her family] -- to Will and Jada's circle and their children and their relatives and loved ones."

Anthony and Lopez announced their plans to divorce mid-July, though both will continue to maintain a handful of other professional ties, notably an "Idol"-like reality show, "Q'Viva! The Chosen," that's expected to go into production later this year.

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Anthony said it would not be "weird" to continue working with Lopez on the program: "Being Puerto Rican, born and raised on the streets of New York, you know, you go, 'Wow, you're still friends with your ex, man? Really? That's weird' . . . I don't play that."