How Did Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Reconnect?
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have seemingly reconnected romantically, 17 years after they ended their engagement. In the early 2000s, Bennifer was the hottest couple in Hollywood. The actors were glued at the hip, eagerly showcasing PDA on red carpets and gushing over one another to the press and public.
The Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice star proposed to the On the 6 singer with a massive pink diamond ring, and the duo even had a lavish wedding planned. Unfortunately, it all fizzled before they could walk down the aisle. Since then, then they have each been married and divorced, and they have children.
Now, it looks like they may be giving their romance another chance nearly two decades after they parted ways.
Why did Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez break up?
Affleck and Lopez were first spotted together in July 2002. They were two huge stars, and they were eager to showcase their love at a time when the tabloid culture was absolutely booming. The Hustlers actor admitted that she was terrified of being alone, so when she and Affleck connected, it took off like a rocketship.
“I think Jen and I made a mistake in that we fell in love, we were excited and maybe too accessible,” Affleck said in 2008 via Latina.”I don’t think either of us anticipated the degree to which it would take on a world of its own.”
The media obsession around Bennifer was immediate, and it became so intense that they had to cancel their September 2003 wedding when plans leaked. “Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date,” they said in a joint statement via CBS.
In the end, considering their opposing lifestyles and the drama surrounding their relationship, a new date was never set in stone, with the Gone Girl actor ultimately getting cold feet.
“As the [wedding] date got closer, reality set in that this may not be the person Ben wants to spend the rest of his life with,” an insider told People. “He started getting scared…What’s worse—marrying someone you don’t want to marry or calling off the wedding before it happens?” Lopez gave [Affleck] ultimatums. He never followed through. She finally realized they were never going to get married.”
Ben Affleck recently gushed over Jennifer Lopez’s beauty
Though the breakup was harsh, Affleck and Lopez have always respected each other. The pair have remained in touch over the years, with Affleck recently acknowledging the racism that the singer/actor endured when they were a couple.
“People were so f***ing mean about her; sexist, racist,” he told The Hollywood Reporter’s podcast, Awards Chatter in January 2021. “Ugly, vicious s*** was written about her in ways that if you wrote it now you would literally be fired for saying those things you said. Now it’s like, she’s lionised and respected for the work she did, where she came from, what she accomplished- as well she f***ing should be.”
He also penned a short piece for Lopez for her May 2021 issue of InStyle cover story. “Where are you keeping the fountain of youth?” Affleck asked. “Why do you look the same as you did in 2003 and it kind of looks like I’m in my 40s…at best?”
How did Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck reconnect?
The pair have always been in touch. Lopez and Affleck have both stated that they’ve spoken over email ever now and again. However, it appears that everything shifted in February 2021. TMZ is reporting that Affleck reached out to Lopez when she was filming her upcoming movie Shotgun Wedding in the Dominican Republic.
By the time Lopez announced her split with Alex Rodriguez, communications between herself and Affleck had become more romantic. Now, the pair were spotted spending a week together at a luxury ski resort in Montana.
“[Jennifer] spent several days with Ben out of town,” a source told People via Daily Mail. “They have a strong connection. It’s all been quick and intense, but Jennifer is happy.”
