Ben Affleck discussed his former relationships and personal life in an interview with Variety, praising the social media savvy of Jennifer Lopez and his first ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, while addressing past cinematic snubs.
Ben Affleck Breaks Silence on Jennifer Lopez in Variety Interview
Actor and producer Ben Affleck opened up about his former relationships during a wide-ranging conversation with Variety, addressing his second ex-wife, Jennifer Lopez, alongside his first ex-wife, Jennifer Garner in the published interview. Affleck, 54, expressed continued respect and admiration for Lopez following their divorce.
When asked about Hollywood’s historical oversight of Lopez’s career successes and awards, Affleck offered a transparent assessment of his personal perspective.
He also offered a critical view of industry awards criteria, arguing that commercial success does not always align with the tastes of voting juries and that the field remains subject to personal tastes and individual perspectives. He stated that the process is ultimately just a group of people voting on film awards, and he does not believe the appropriate person or work always wins.“I am biased; I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for what she is able to do.”
Ben Affleck, via Variety
Affleck Discusses Building Commercial Brands Through Social Media
Beyond his remarks on cinematic recognition, Affleck examined how modern stars build standalone commercial brands and maintain online presence. He praised both Garner and Lopez for their ability to leverage digital spaces and social media to strengthen their market value, noting that managing such a presence requires genuine professional effort.
Displaying a lighter tone, Affleck admitted that he lacks that particular skill set, joking about modern promotional methods by asking whether he should start filming Unboxing
videos to keep pace with contemporary marketing trends.
Reflecting on Career Milestones and Artistic Collaborations
Affleck highlighted Lopez’s performances across multiple cinematic projects, pointing specifically to her role in the 2019 crime drama Hustlers and her work in the 2025 feature film The Kiss of the Spider Woman, a project produced by Artists Equity, the production company Affleck founded alongside Matt Damon. Affleck and Damon both expressed eagerness to be part of the project, with Affleck describing Lopez as amazing and wonderful.
Affleck previously supported Lopez during the premiere of The Kiss of the Spider Woman, calling it one of her best roles and stating, Jennifer is amazing in this movie.
He noted the difficulty of the performance, which required a combination of acting, dancing, and singing.
A History of “Bennifer”
The relationship between Affleck and Lopez began in December 2001 during the filming of Gigli, quickly becoming a media sensation known as “Bennifer.” This first chapter included an engagement in November 2002, when Affleck gave Lopez a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring from Harry Winston. However, intense media pressure led the couple to postpone their September 2003 wedding and officially announce their split in January 2004.
Following the breakup, Lopez married Marc Anthony in 2004, while Affleck married Jennifer Garner in 2005. Affleck and Garner remained married until 2018 and share three children. Despite their divorce, the two have maintained a friendly relationship focused on co-parenting.
The couple reunited in 2021, leading to a second engagement in April 2022 featuring a green diamond ring. They wed in a small Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022, followed by a three-day celebration at Affleck’s Georgia estate in August 2022. The second marriage ended when Lopez filed for divorce on August 20, 2024—the second anniversary of their wedding—with the settlement finalized in January 2025.
Despite the split, Affleck has continued to speak highly of Lopez. In March 2025, he described her as someone he respects, and during the premiere of his film The Accountant 2, he emphasized that she remains an important figure in the lives of his children and shares a good relationship with them.
