As rumors of marital troubles continue to swirl around Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, sources close to the couple have revealed that Lopez has failed to convince her husband not to file for divorce. Despite her best efforts to avoid being "too pushy" and potentially scaring Affleck off, the Gone Girl star is reportedly convinced that their relationship cannot be salvaged.
An insider with knowledge of the couple's issues told Closer Magazine that Lopez and Affleck have resorted to staging public displays of affection for the cameras while they figure out their next steps. "Jen is a genius when it comes to putting on a show for the cameras," the source said, adding that Lopez asked Affleck to maintain appearances until they officially file for divorce.
The source further elaborated on Lopez's delicate approach to the situation, stating, "Right now, the occasional staged outing is as much as he's agreed to. The rest of the time, they're in touch, but there's not a whole lot of communication going on. Having this all play out in front of the world makes it even worse - she wants to try even harder and prove people wrong."
In an effort to spend as much time with Affleck as possible, Lopez reportedly delayed canceling her tour until the last moment. "As long as no paperwork is actually filed, she's still clinging to the possibility - however remote - that they'll be able to work things out. And if they can't, they'll work on the terms of their exit strategy - like when they'll go public with it all," the insider added.
Despite the strain in their marriage, a source close to Lopez told PEOPLE magazine that the couple remains on good terms. "They're still friendly and see each other every few days," the source said. The pair was last seen together publicly on June 2, attending Affleck's 12-year-old son Samuel's basketball game in Santa Monica, California, along with Affleck's mother, Chris Anne Boldt, and his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner.
Another source told the outlet that Affleck and Lopez's attendance at the sporting event was "a good sign," suggesting that they are trying to maintain a united front for their family. However, multiple sources have confirmed that the couple is currently selling their $61 million Beverly Hills mansion, which they purchased together in the spring of 2023.
Lopez is reportedly living in the property, while Affleck is staying at a rental home a few miles away while shooting his film The Accountant 2. The singer and actress was recently spotted arriving solo at Giorgio Baldi in Los Angeles, wearing both her wedding and engagement rings, hinting at her desire to hold on to the marriage.
An insider told Entertainment Tonight that while Lopez and Affleck are "not officially separated yet," they have been "living separate lives." The source added, "At this point, they are just doing their own thing. They went into their relationship very optimistic and thought things could change, but they haven't."
As for Affleck, he is said to be only half-heartedly interested in making the relationship work, primarily because Lopez pleaded with him not to rush into divorce. The actor has been leaning on his close friend Matt Damon and his ex-wife Jennifer Garner for support during this challenging time.
"Jen can't stand by and do nothing. That's not in her nature," a source shared, referring to Garner's unwavering support for Affleck. "She has dropped everything to make sure Ben doesn't spiral out of control again. At the end of the day, Ben is still the father of their children, and she will help him however she can."
