Last week, Jennifer Lopez put on her most ambitious show to date as she engaged in a series of public appearances with her husband Ben Affleck.
Stepping out amid reports they are heading for divorce, J-Lo, 54, and Ben, 51, have been pictured engaging in awkward displays of affection as they reunited for recent family events. It comes after rumours swirled that the couple are living separate lives – with the Gone Girl actor moving out of their Beverly Hills home.
Now, insiders tell heat that Jen hopes their “candid” appearances will buy them some time. We’re told, “She is a genius when it comes to putting on a show, and she’s trying hard not to be too pushy and scare Ben off. Right now, the occasional staged outing is as much as he’s agreed to. They’re in touch the rest of the time, but there’s not a whole lot of communication.”
The pair have put on a united front for their blended brood, spotted holding hands at Ben’s 18-year-old daughter Violet’s graduation, before onlookers witnessed a “platonic” kiss on the cheek at Ben’s 12-year-old son Samuel’s basketball game. The appearance came after Jen faced yet another career blow, revealing she had cancelled her poor-selling US tour This Is Me…Live! to spend time with her “children, family and close friends”.
And now, we’re told she’s using her free schedule as a final chance to change Ben’s mind. “Despite the signs that Ben isn’t coming back, Jen’s hoping they could have a fresh start,” says our insider.
“The air kisses were a total slap in the face, but cancelling the tour allows her the chance to spend more time with Ben. As long as no paperwork is actually filed, she’s clinging to the possibility that they’ll work things out.”
But if the famous couple – who are set to celebrate their second wedding anniversary this summer – fail to rekindle their romance, we’re told they’ll waste no time in planning their departure. The insider says, “If they can’t work things out, they’ll work on the terms of their exit strategy instead – including when they’ll go public with it all.
“Jen’s pleading with Ben to reconsider and is hoping for a Hail Mary, but it isn’t looking good.”