Ben Affleck has finally shared his thoughts on his marriage breakdown with Jennifer Lopez and his ongoing relationship with his first wife, Jennifer Garner.
In a candid interview with British GQ, the actor, who is 52, opened up about the difficulties he faced in his two-year marriage to Lopez, which ended with her filing for divorce in August 2024.
Affleck Speaks Out About His Split with Jennifer Lopez
While Affleck had kept quiet about the reasons behind his split from Lopez, he now insists that there was no scandal or major drama involved.
He emphasized that the end of their relationship was not a soap opera-like affair.
The actor admitted that he chose not to delve into the details of their breakup in interviews because it felt “embarrassing” and “vulnerable” to do so.
Instead, he clarified that it wasn’t about placing blame on either side but more about acknowledging the personal and emotional toll it had taken on both of them.
The Documentary That Sparked Conversation
Affleck also discussed his involvement in the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told, which is the third part of Lopez’s $20 million media project dedicated to their rekindled romance.
Fans noticed that Affleck appeared visibly uncomfortable in the documentary, where he admitted that he felt uneasy being on camera and shared that he values his and Lopez’s privacy deeply.
He explained that he agreed to be part of the documentary to offer an honest look at their relationship.
However, he noted that there’s a significant difference in their approaches to fame, with him being more reserved and Lopez being much more public.
Affleck admitted that he respects Lopez immensely and doesn’t want fans to misunderstand their personal issues based on the documentary.
Affleck Reflects on Co-Parenting with Jennifer Garner
When the conversation shifted to his first wife, Jennifer Garner, Affleck spoke warmly about their relationship.
Despite their divorce in 2015 after 11 years together, the pair have maintained a strong co-parenting partnership for the sake of their three children: Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12.
Affleck expressed his gratitude for having a good co-parent in Garner, calling her “wonderful” and saying they work together well to raise their children.
Garner’s Trust Issues and Affleck’s Relationship with Her Boyfriend
Recent sightings of Affleck and Garner together, hugging during an outing, sparked widespread speculation, especially among fans who were quick to comment on their close bond.
However, insiders revealed that Garner is hesitant to rekindle any romance with Affleck.
A source shared that Garner still has “trust issues” from their past, particularly after Affleck’s affair with their children’s nanny.
Although she still loves him, she fears being hurt again and doesn’t want to expose their children to further emotional turmoil.
Garner’s current boyfriend, John Miller, is reportedly uneasy about the affectionate interactions between Affleck and Garner, as sources suggest it could be uncomfortable for him to witness.
Affleck’s Love Story with Jennifer Lopez and Their Short Marriage
Affleck’s love story with Lopez, famously dubbed “Bennifer,” dates back to 2002 when they first got together while filming Jersey Girl. They got engaged the following year but broke up in 2004.
Their reunion in 2021 was one of the most talked-about events in Hollywood, and they married in 2022.
However, despite the highly publicized rekindling of their romance, their marriage ended in divorce just two years later.
Affleck’s discomfort with Lopez’s public display of affection in the documentary became a key point in their relationship, with Lopez acknowledging that her husband struggled with being in the spotlight.
After their split, Lopez has since focused on healing, spending time with family and friends.
Jennifer Lopez’s Search for New Love
Lopez, who has been open about wanting to find love again, has reportedly been linked to actor Kevin Costner, with sources revealing that they were seen together during a visit to a western store in Aspen, Colorado.
However, Lopez is said to be interested in someone who can handle the complexities of her life, much like the character Rip Wheeler from Yellowstone.
A close friend of Lopez’s shared that she wants a partner who will put her first, making her feel special, just as Rip loves Beth Dutton in the show.
Affleck and Hauser’s Unlikely Connection
In an interesting twist, Affleck’s close friend, Cole Hauser, who stars as Rip Wheeler in Yellowstone, played a part in Affleck’s life years ago.
The two starred together in Good Will Hunting, and now their personal lives are intertwined in an unexpected way, with Hauser’s role in Yellowstone echoing the qualities Lopez seeks in her next partner.
For more on Ben Affleck’s reflections on his relationships with Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner, check out the full interview in the April/May issue of British GQ, available for digital download and on newsstands starting April 8th.