Uh-oh! It looks like we have another 2024 breakup on our hands, folks. This time, it’s Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. But didn’t we already see this one coming? Apparently, it’s over, and they’re headed for divorce. Surprisingly, this time, Ben’s not to blame. Allegedly, he’s been regretting leaving his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, and getting back with JLo.
Here’s some background before we dive into the divorce drama. Bennifer first started dating in 2001, with Ben proposing in 2002 with a massive pink diamond engagement ring. However, they called off their wedding just days before they were set to say “I do” in 2004 and split for good a few months later. Then, almost 20 years after they first got together, Ben and Jennifer were spotted on a sweet date in the Hamptons in 2021. By the summer of 2022, they had already gotten married.
But if you’ve been paying attention, you probably noticed that Jen and Ben haven’t been seen together publicly since around March 30th when they were out in New York. Jennifer further raised eyebrows when she liked an Instagram post about healthy relationships, which read in part, “You can’t build a relationship with someone who is disconnected from themselves.” Jen also attended the Met Gala solo, with the reason given being that Ben was working on “The Accountant 2” and couldn’t attend with her. However, it doesn’t take a genius to notice there’s trouble in paradise, or maybe even a whole lot of trouble, considering we’re talking about a divorce here.
Even before the recent reports, we had seen plenty of signs. For example, a viral video showed Ben looking stressed and unhappy during a coffee run in LA, even slamming the car door after helping Jennifer into the passenger seat. That same month, there was footage of them in what seemed like a heated argument in their car at a Beverly Hills traffic light. Ben was pointing at Jennifer, who turned away to look out the window, clearly upset.
There have been other public signs of tension too. At last year’s Grammy Awards, Jennifer appeared to snap at Ben during a tense moment, which they later tried to downplay. There’s also a video of Ben telling Jennifer he’d be back, looking like he couldn’t wait to get away from her. Now, reports say they’re on different pages in their marriage. According to a source who spoke to Us Weekly, Jen and Ben started having issues a few months ago, around the time Jennifer ramped up her work commitments and began preparing for her tour. TMZ even reported that Ben moved out, with a source saying he’d been spending nights at a different house.
With divorce rumors swirling, fans have come up with their own theories about why the marriage isn’t working. Many think Ben got tired of Jennifer always seeking attention and putting their love life out there for everyone to see. This isn’t surprising, considering Ben once said that if it were up to him, their marriage wouldn’t be on social media at all.
Jennifer and Ben first broke up in 2003 but reconnected 20 years later. Ben explained that the constant public scrutiny put a strain on their relationship back then, but he learned to adjust when they got back together. In Jennifer’s 2024 documentary, “The Greatest Love Story Never Told,” Ben said, “Getting back together, I said, ‘Listen, one of the things I don’t want is a relationship on social media.’ But I realized it’s not fair to ask that. It’s like marrying a boat captain and saying, ‘Well, I don’t like the water.’ We’re just two people with different approaches trying to learn to compromise.”
Maybe he never quite got used to having his love life on display, which apparently put a lot of strain on their marriage. In one part of the documentary, Ben looked visibly uncomfortable when JLo shared details of their old love letters with her friends and colleagues. On top of that, there are allegations that JLo really pushed Ben to maintain a certain image. It got to the point where Ben was furious because he was being criticized for getting fillers and Botox that JLo encouraged him to get. She reportedly convinced him that everyone in Hollywood does some facial maintenance, including his close friends like Matt Damon.
Moreover, since they haven’t been photographed together since March, many believe their divorce might be linked to Jen’s involvement in Diddy’s case. Around that time, rumors started circulating that Jen was complicit in some of the crimes. Natan Ruan, who was deeply involved in the case, was hit in the face and stated she wants the bullet fragments removed for ballistics evidence. She’s even willing to have the 9 mm bullet fragment taken out of her face for the trial, despite the risk to her life.
Natan also accused JLo of lying to the jury and suggested she should be investigated along with Diddy. A lot of people, including JLo, testified before the grand jury, and there’s a call to reopen the case if it turns out JLo lied in her testimony.
If you’ve been keeping up with the latest on JLo, you’ll know she’s been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Beyond the Diddy scandal, her recent projects haven’t been doing well, and she’s caught up in the Bronx orange drink controversy. There was even an incident where she was seen spitting chewing gum into her assistant’s hand in New York City. On top of that, she’s been called out for mistreating her staff, with many former employees sharing similar negative experiences, making it hard to believe it’s just a coincidence. She’s also faced criticism for appropriating Black culture without acknowledging the Black artists who contribute to her music. While she identifies as a Nuyorican, hinting at African heritage, these controversies keep piling up. People are speculating that her attitude might be affecting her marriage, saying it was bound to struggle.
Despite all this, reports suggest that JLo and Ben Affleck aren’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. Ben is reportedly open to therapy, even though he finds the process humiliating, and he’s willing to participate with an open mind. A source mentioned that Ben doesn’t measure the success of his marriage by therapy outcomes and that he has a higher tolerance for conflict than most. Another insider, who has known Ben for over a decade, said that everything is a struggle for Ben and Jen, but overcoming obstacles gives Ben satisfaction. The couple’s reunification has highlighted their ongoing ego battles, tempered only by their evident passion and respect for each other. However, it’s worth questioning why they choose to navigate their marriage in such a contentious manner.
Despite their challenges, Ben and Jennifer don’t resort to the silent treatment when facing issues. They’re willing to address problems directly, whether through calm discussion or heated arguments. However, many doubt this approach’s long-term sustainability, especially as they continue collaborating on new film projects. Recently, both were seen wearing their wedding rings despite rumors of a possible split. Ben was spotted on a solo drive in Los Angeles, with his left hand clearly displaying his ring. Jennifer was seen wearing hers as she arrived at an LA dance studio, ready for some choreography. It seems they might be trying to work things out.
What do you think? Do you believe they will reconcile, or is their marriage over? Share your thoughts in the comments below.