Ben Affleck still has “a lot of respect” for Jennifer Lopez. Their relationship has been the subject of intense media scrutiny since they first dated in the early 2000s, becoming one of Hollywood’s most-watched couples.
The 52-year-old actor and Jennifer, 55, finalized their divorce earlier this year, but Ben has insisted there wasn’t “some major fracture” behind their break-up. The couple, often referred to as “Bennifer” by the media, had rekindled their romance in 2021 after nearly two decades apart.
“There’s a tendency to look at break-ups and want to identify root causes or something. But honestly … the truth is much more quotidian than probably people would believe or would be interesting,” the Hollywood star told the April issue of GQ magazine. The interview marks Affleck’s first major public discussion about the divorce since it was finalized.
“There’s no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue [about our divorce]. The truth is, when you talk to somebody, ‘Hey, what happened?’ Well, there is no, ‘This is what happened.'” Affleck has always been known for his candid approach to discussing personal matters in interviews.
Ben starred alongside Jennifer in ‘The Greatest Love Story Never Told‘, her 2024 documentary. But the actor acknowledges that his ex-wife “handled celebrity more adeptly and more adroitly” than himself. The documentary explored their relationship and Lopez’s creative process for her album “This Is Me… Now,” which was inspired by their reunion.
“My temperament is to be a little bit more reserved and private than hers,” he explained. Throughout his career, Affleck has often expressed discomfort with the intense media attention surrounding his personal life.
Ben was also keen to support Jennifer by appearing in the documentary. Despite their different approaches to fame, the actor has consistently expressed his support for Lopez’s artistic endeavors.
“As happens in relationships, you don’t always have the same attitude towards these things. And so I thought, Oh, this is interesting because how do you reconcile that? Because … I love and support this person. I believe in them. They’re great. I want people to see that,” the Oscar-winning star shared. Their professional collaborations have spanned multiple projects over the years.
Ben insists the documentary didn’t have any role their break-up, either. Many tabloids had speculated that disagreements about the documentary contributed to their marital issues.
“I think it’s important to say that wasn’t the cause of some major fracture. It’s not like you can watch that documentary and go, ‘Oh, now I understand the issues that these two had,'” said the ‘Argo’ star – who dated Jennifer in the early 2000s, before rekindling their romance in 2021. Their initial relationship ended in 2004 after they postponed their planned wedding.
Ben believes their break-up also is much simpler than many people imagine. Despite the public fascination with their relationship, Affleck maintains that their issues were ordinary.
“It’s just a story about people trying to figure out their lives and relationships in ways that we all sort of normally do,” the actor explained. This perspective aligns with Affleck’s previous statements about seeking normalcy despite his fame.
The couple’s relationship has been a significant focus of media attention since they reconnected, with their wedding making headlines worldwide. Sources close to the couple have indicated that their busy professional schedules and different lifestyle preferences contributed to their separation.
Affleck, who has three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, has been focusing on his production company and directing projects since the divorce. Lopez, meanwhile, has continued her multifaceted career in music, film, and business ventures.
Industry insiders note that both stars have maintained professional respect for each other throughout the divorce proceedings, prioritizing privacy despite their high profiles. This approach reflects their maturity and experience navigating public relationships.
Friends of the couple have emphasized that both Affleck and Lopez remain committed to maintaining a cordial relationship, particularly given their interconnected professional projects and shared social circles. Their ability to speak respectfully about each other post-divorce has been praised by relationship experts as setting a positive example.
Throughout his career spanning over three decades, Affleck has demonstrated resilience in both his personal and professional life, overcoming various challenges while maintaining his status as one of Hollywood’s most respected actors and filmmakers.
