Now that the dust has settled on Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s highly-publicized split and subsequent divorce, the stars are embracing new beginnings—and taking a look back at what went wrong during their second chance at love. Just weeks after Affleck broke his silence on his divorce from Lopez for the first time in British GQ’s April cover story, multiple sources are claiming that one aspect of their rekindled relationship always irked Affleck.
While the Gone Girl actor pushed back on the idea that their differing comfort levels with fame was the “cause of some major fracture” in their relationship in his British GQ interview, a source told Us Weekly in an April 15 story that Affleck wasn’t a fan of “the public aspect of their relationship” and is enjoying his new chapter in which he “doesn’t feel as exposed.”
In addition, the source claims that Affleck was reportedly bothered by the attention surrounding their revived romance, including being “frustrated with the Bennifer 2.0 nickname.” The source added that he was “never really comfortable with it all.”
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck after their breakup. Getty Images
Before news of their split broke, the Pearl Harbor actor’s sullen and downcast public appearances at red carpet events sparked speculation that there was trouble in their relationship. Affleck addressed these differences during his British GQ interview, telling the publication that his “temperament is to be a little bit more reserved and private than hers.” However, as the star reiterated during the interview, “You don’t marry a ship captain and then say, ‘Well, I don’t like going out in the water.’”
He explained, “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?'”
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck on the red carpet. Getty Images
A second source told Us Weekly that Affleck is “very happy” with his new chapter, which includes focusing on work, his kids with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, and himself. He’s reportedly still friendly with Lopez, although they shared that they’re “not in contact very often.”
When they do talk, they’re “in a place where they know they can call or text at any time and be cordial,” a third source added.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck a month before their breakup. Getty Images
While Lopez and Affleck have “taken a step back from each other,” the actor’s close relationship with Garner has drawn romance speculation. The first source clarified that the pair’s dynamic is completely platonic, explaining, “Their relationship has deepened since [Ben’s] divorce, but there is nothing romantic between them. There’s just a real trust and familiarity there, which makes it easier to coparent. They are family for life.”
