Jennifer Garner Said She Works ‘Hard’ to Avoid Seeing Stories About Ben Affleck in the Media

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have dealt with a heavy level of scrutiny on their relationship since they first got together. Garner described the constant media attention as exhausting and wanted to protect her children from it. She also said that she wants to avoid the stories herself. She doesn’t like reading anything about her ex-husband. 

Jennifer Garner said she doesn’t want to read stories about Ben Affleck

In the years since his divorce from Garner, Affleck has consistently made headlines. He has had several widely talked about relationships, including his recent marriage to Jennifer Lopez. It’s difficult to avoid seeing his name or picture in the media, but Garner said she tries her best. 

“I really work hard not to see either of us in the press,” she told Stellar Magazine, per Elle. “It doesn’t make me feel good, even if it’s something nice about one of us. I just try to forget that I’m out there in any way, and the same with anyone I love.”

She said she doesn’t want to see her loved ones turned into memes, something that happens to Affleck often.

“I don’t need to see anyone in my family made into a meme,” she said, though she added, “Although I’m sure he’s quite meme-worthy, yes!”

She said she wants her children to avoid seeing stories about him too

Garner said she wants her three children to also avoid stories written about their parents. It’s not possible to protect them entirely, but she wants to be able to talk to them about whatever they see printed.

“When they were smaller and there were things out there that were shocking, my request to them was always, ‘Let Dad and I talk you through whatever it is,’” she told The Hollywood Reporter in 2021. “I’d tell them, ‘If you see an image on the front of a magazine, I’ll look at it with you and we’ll process all the scary feelings that come up together.’”

Jennifer Garner said at least one story about Ben Affleck made her laugh

While Garner wanted to avoid stories about her ex-husband, it was difficult. Shortly after they decided to separate, Garner was watching the Golden Globe Awards. When host Ricky Gervais welcomed Affleck’s longtime friend Matt Damon to the stage, he referred to him as “the only person who Ben Affleck hasn’t been unfaithful to.”

She said the joke made her laugh, even if it referenced his alleged infidelity in their marriage.

“I laughed,” she said. “People have pain — they do regrettable things, they feel shame, and shame equals pain. No one needs to hate him for me. I don’t hate him. Certainly we don’t have to beat the guy up.”

She added that it wasn’t as though a reference to his infidelity was anything particularly shocking to her.

“Don’t worry — my eyes were wide open during the marriage,” she said. “I’m taking good care of myself.”