On the very day Jennifer Lopez made the painful decision to file for divorce, her estranged husband, Ben Affleck, was captured in a very different moment. See where he was and who he was with that had the internet buzzing.
After nearly two decades apart, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez decided to give their relationship another shot, rekindling a romance that once dominated headlines in the early 2000s. However, not long after their second chance at love, whispers began to circulate that all was not well in paradise.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at a basketball game on March 16, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
On the day Lopez officially filed for divorce, Affleck was seen in public, but his demeanor told a very different story. See why Affleck’s whereabouts and attitude left some social media users feeling bad for Lopez.
Ben Affleck spotted in Los Angeles, California, on June 7, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
The Rise and Fall of Bennifer
Months after rekindling their romance and announcing their engagement in April 2022, Affleck and Lopez obtained a marriage license in Clark County, Nevada. The duo then exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony.
According to sources close to the couple, the wedding was deliberately understated. “It was super, super small. They just wanted to be married, so they got married,” an insider revealed.
However, their marital bliss was short-lived. Cracks in their relationship started to appear, and reports surfaced that Affleck showed little “commitment and interest” in resolving their issues.
Affleck’s lack of effort and indifference came as a painful blow to Lopez, who was reportedly “very disappointed and sad” as the reality of their faltering marriage set in.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez seen in New York on March 29, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
An allegedly “devastated” Lopez gave the marriage her all and wanted to make things work after the couple rekindled their romance, a source noted. However, an insider revealed, “It’s gotten to the point that she just needs to look out for herself.”
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez spotted in New York on March 30, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
The Divorce Filing and the Day It All Ended
After months of swirling rumors and speculation, Lopez took the decisive step to end her two-year marriage to Affleck. On August 20, 2024, exactly two years to the day after their romantic Southern wedding in Georgia, the singer officially filed for divorce.
The timing of the filing was significant, marking what should have been a celebration of their second wedding anniversary. In the divorce papers, Lopez listed the official date of separation as April 26, 2024.
Jennifer Lopez photographed in Los Angeles, California, on March 7, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
That same day, paparazzi in New York City photographed Lopez exiting the luxurious apartment building, The Whitman. Dressed in a cozy, fuzzy sweater paired with oversized blue jeans and boots, Lopez appeared to be in no mood for the cameras.
Her expression was unmistakably grim; she pursed her lips and furrowed her brow, radiating a sense of frustration and sorrow. The actress was in New York City working on her upcoming project, a movie musical adaptation of the classic Broadway show, “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”
Jennifer Lopez spotted in New York on April 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Just weeks before this sighting, Affleck had visited Lopez in New York City. However, as she emerged from the apartment building on April 26, he was on the opposite coast, in Los Angeles, busy filming his upcoming movie, “The Accountant 2.”
As news of the split date spread, social media was abuzz with reactions. Users expressed sympathy for Lopez, with one person writing, “I don’t know much about her but feel sorry for her. Of course she must be sad & upset it’s a horrible time she is going through and all played out in public.”
Jennifer Lopez seen in New York on April 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
However, other people had less sensitive things to say about the singer’s appearance. “What on earth is she wearing, it’s actually scary,” one person commented.
Another person shared the same sentiment, typing in part, “JLo looks no bueno — just ridiculous in those faux dirty distressed jeans and sweater in summer and some platform shoes that look like they belong on a 15-year-old.”
Jennifer Lopez in New York on April 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Where Was Ben Affleck on the Day of the Divorce Filing?
On August 20, while the world was just learning about Lopez’s decision to end their marriage, Affleck was focused on a different kind of family matter. Hours before the news of the divorce filing broke, the actor was spotted arriving back in Los Angeles with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner.
The former couple had just returned from dropping off their eldest daughter, Violet Affleck, at college. The two had traveled to New Haven, Connecticut, to help Violet settle in at Yale University.
Affleck was spotted in good spirits as he deboarded a private jet alongside Garner. Dressed in a button-up shirt and black slacks, the actor carried a leather duffle bag as he walked down the steps of the plane, a smile on his face despite the absence of his wedding ring.
Garner followed closely behind, casually dressed in a black T-shirt and green cargo pants, with a backpack slung over her shoulder. Their other daughter, Seraphina Affleck, also accompanied them, wearing a Yale sweatshirt. The three then climbed into Affleck’s matte black BMW, with Garner taking the passenger seat as they drove away together.
Jennifer Garner and her daughter Seraphina after deboarding a private jet on August 20, 2024. | Source: Instagram/quiencom
A source close to the family highlighted the strong bond between Affleck and his ex-wife, particularly regarding their children. “Jen and Ben are great at coming together for family events. Violet’s brilliant and very responsible. Jen and Ben know she’ll do fantastic,” the insider shared.
The insider further revealed that Affleck had been “very focused on getting Violet ready for move-in” in the weeks leading up to the college drop-off, even as his marriage to Lopez was unraveling. “It’s, of course, a huge deal for the whole family, and they’ve all been so excited the last few weeks,” the source added.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner spotted in Los Angeles, California, on May 11, 2019. | Source: Getty Images
As news of the divorce filing spread, social media quickly reacted to the contrasting images of Affleck’s day. “Man is happy!” one person shared. Another person shared the same sentiment, typing, “He is so happy. I have never seen him smile like that. Whoa.”
Ben Affleck seen in Brentwood, California, on June 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
“Unstable man,” another person commented. A fourth added, “I kinda feel bad for jlo. I think she tried too hard to make it work, but he always showed a bad face with her and with his kids mom all happiness. Imagine how your wife may feel.” Someone else said, “This is so strange.” Another person shared, “He looks SO happy!”
Ben Affleck photographed in Brentwood, California, on June 12, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
As Jennifer Lopez took the difficult step of filing for divorce, Affleck’s focus remained on his children and co-parenting with his ex-wife. Ultimately, the split served as a reminder of the challenges that even high-profile couples face in maintaining relationships under the glare of the spotlight.