Jennifer Lopez reportedly fell for toy boy Casper Smart because she was ''fertile ground''.

The 42-year-old 'Love Don't Cost a Thing' singer -who has also had relationships with Ben Affleck and P. Diddy - started dating the backing dancer after her seven-year marriage to Marc Anthony collapsed in July 2011.

And her manager Benny Medina claims Casper was such an appealing prospect because he could give her what she needed.

He said: ''She's not oblivious to her own reality right now, as in, 'Damn, I'm 42 with a 24-year-old. Why?

''We talked about it yesterday. She was just like, 'It's not even the age, Benny.

''It's actually that I just came out of a relationship where I felt like I was kind of not getting what I needed. And I'm open!

''So somebody who Steps in right now and is actually touching me in a way - it's very fertile ground!'''

However, Benny admits he had hoped the three-times married star would take time out from the dating scene before getting into a new relationship.

Talking to Vogue, he explained: ''The thing that I always sort of wished is that she would give herself time to just naturally meet someone, instead of having obsessive guys pursue her.

''The ease with which that obsession becomes a relationship I think sometimes works against her ability to have a real meaningful relationship.

''And she never half does anything. When she commits to anything in her work, her life, or her relationships, she is in it.''