Their reunion in 2021, after two decades apart, seemed to be straight out of the pages of a romance novel. But just two months shy of their second wedding anniversary, rumours have intensified that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck may not be in for the happy ending they hoped for.
Reports have surfaced that Jen, 54, and Ben, 51, are facing a crossroads, with fans noting that the PDA-packed couple haven’t been seen together since March. And as whispers started up that Ben had been staying at a separate home without the On The Floor singer, Jen liked a cryptic Insta post reading, “You cannot build a healthy relationship with someone who lacks integrity and emotional safety”.
Now, insiders tell heat that the pair, who are said to have been trialling a separation, have been at loggerheads for months. “Ben and Jen have been locked in this standoff, and as much as Jen would love for it to be the other way around, it’s looking like she’s the one who’s going to have to grovel. The truth is, Ben’s adjusted to their time apart a lot better than she has,” we’re told. “Divorce is not an option for her, and she’s mortified that it’s gotten to the point where people are openly talking about them being on the verge of a split. Not only would breaking up shatter her heart and destroy her self-esteem, but the sheer humiliation of it is unimaginable. That’s why she’s willing to do whatever it takes to fix things.”
After being spotted together in LA two months ago, the pair have been living separate lives. While Ben has been busy filming a new movie in LA, Jen has spent a lot of time in New York – notably attending the Met Ball alone – and also jetted off to Paris with her daughter Emme, 16. But for all her bravado, we’re told there’s panic behind the scenes. “Jen had a horrible time at the Met Gala without Ben and could hardly hold it together,” we’re told. “She then raced off to Paris to try to distract herself, but she was talking about Ben non-stop. When she wasn’t busy with Emme, she was on the phone to friends trying to get advice. It’s sinking in that Ben’s got one foot out the door, and the threat of divorce is very real.”
The stuff of Hollywood legend, Bennifer first got engaged back in 2002, before splitting in 2004. Jen went on to welcome twins Emme and Max, 16, with Marc Anthony, 55, while Ben had Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12, with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, 52. However, the couple proved love stories really do come true, rekindling their romance in 2021 after a whopping 17 years, and eloping to Las Vegas the following year.
But since tying the knot, the pair have been dogged by tense run-ins, with four- times-married Jen spotted at the 2023 Grammys urging Ben to “look more friendly, look motivated”. And now, we’re told Jen realises that it’s time to make some compromises to save her marriage and squash the divorce rumours once and for all.
“Jen doesn’t want to lose Ben, and she’s realised her only option now is to throw herself at his feet,” we’re told. “She says she’ll arrange her schedule around his, and is bending over backwards to impress his family – who she hasn’t always gotten on with.
"The game plan now is to be as easy-going as possible and focus on making things drama-free. She’s hoping that, if she plays things right, they can be back on track by their second wedding anniversary in July.”
