Ben Affleck accompanied Fin, his 15-year-old child, to his children's Los Angeles school for an evening engagement on October 18. He and his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, entered the establishment as a family, appearing to be the perfect co-parents.
However, Jennifer Lopez, Ben's second ex-wife, was also present on the same evening, as was Emme, her 16-year-old daughter from her previous marriage to Marc Anthony. Icier was that reunion or nonreunion; the two groups stayed separate.
"Ben knows he’s going to see Jen at these functions. Their kids go to the same school, so how could he not?" a source exclusively informed In Touch Weekly. “Still, it’s awkward.”
Jen filed for divorce after two years of marriage, and the event was just one of many encounters between the former couple in the two months since, E! Online reported. In mid-September, they joined Fin, Ben's son Samuel, 12, and Emme's twin sibling Max for brunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
While Ben and Jen were married, their children developed a strong bond. Three days later, Ben, 52, and Jen, 55, were both present at their children's back-to-school event.
Like many divorced couples, the "Argo" director and the "Shotgun Wedding" actress are frequently compelled to interact, regardless of their intentions. “Ben would rather not see Jen, but the kids come first,” the source stated. “He can’t be selfish.”
J.Lo states that she is intent on progressing. In a recent interview with Interview Magazine, she disclosed that she had reconciled herself to the painful separation from the man of her dreams.
“It was like my whole f–king world exploded,” she said of the breakup, adding that the experience forced her to face her fears about being alone. “You have to be complete, if you want something that’s more complete,” she elaborated.
The singer disclosed that she gained knowledge through a complex process. “You have to be good on your own,” she elaborated, stating that it required a lonely summer of self-discovery for her to "prove" to herself that she was content to be alone after the breakup of her fifth marriage. “Being in a relationship doesn’t define me. I can’t be looking for happiness in other people. What if I’m just free?”
The contrast between J. Lo and Jen., also the mother of Violet, 18, is as stark as it can be for Ben. “She’s a stabilizing influence, and she’s been a huge support throughout his split,” the insider stated. “They’re the best of friends and there’s no awkwardness between them.”
Throughout his sobriety struggles, Jen has been an invaluable support system, even transporting him to recovery following their separation. Conversely, J. Lo, with whom he does not have children, exerts less influence over him in the future. Not that that is the case with This Is Me... Presently, the icon yearns for.
“She’d like to be closer,” adds the source, “but as far as Ben’s concerned, it’s better for them to keep separate lives as much as possible.”
For now, they can only do so much to avoid each other. “It’s not like they’re not going to pull their kids out of school,” the source stated. Unstoppable, their forthcoming film project (produced by Ben and starring Jen), is scheduled for release in early December. This project might require them to spend additional time together.
They are improving precarious circumstances. According to the insider, Ben and Jen have come to terms with the fact that they will continue to maintain the status quo. It is hoped that as time passes, it will become less difficult.
Business Times has reached out to Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck for comments.
