Jennifer Garner loves black gowns, but she’s been mixing up her style ever so slightly lately. She wore a few bright colored dresses during the press tour for Miracles from Heaven. Overall, she falls back on staid black dresses so while this Victoria Beckham gown is solid black at least it’s somewhat glamorous, with an open neckline and asymmetric spaghetti straps. It’s also very appropriate for the event. She had lovely styling too, she always looks so different on the red carpet with her hair and makeup done.
Garner was being honored at a Starkey Hearing Foundation gala in St. Paul, Minnesota for her extensive charity work with Save The Children. She’s been involved with the charity for years, with a focus on distributing books and educational materials to needy children in her native West Virginia. She received a medal, which was put around her neck before she gave her speech. So far, the only details I can find of her speech are from People:
“Oh my gosh, this night. I didn’t know what I was getting into. Did you guys? I mean, I got a necklace, and I’ve been crying back there. It’s an honor to be here with you all, it’s an honor now especially at the end of the night to receive this award.”
Garner and her not so estranged husband, Ben Affleck, have been in a holding pattern with theit relationship for over a year, with neither filing for divorce. We’ve heard several times that a divorce was imminent, but the latest news has them putting any official filing on hold. Celebrity outlets stop short of calling it a reconciliation, and TMZ ran a story a couple of days ago which mirrored US Magazine’s recent coverage. TMZ’s source said “It’s just been status quo. Nothing’s changed.”
Here are photos of Ben Affleck at LAX yesterday and out with his oldest child, Violet, 10, on Friday. He looks sober-ish.
photos credit: FameFlynet and Getty
Jennifer has that same bland fashion effect Chutney has on clothes – making lovely dresses look a bit meh.
The dress itself is “meh”, nothing could save this. I suppose it’s full length to hide whatever hideous shoes she typically wears, because only a pair of killer legs could make this a workable look.
She has killer legs!
She looks good. Still don’t buy a reconciliation.
Why is Ben wearing all these too small/uncomfortable looking leather jackets? It’s July, Batfleck!
Her dressed up looks are a million times better than her casual-ware. I think she looks lovely.
I like the dress!
What’s with Ben and the ugly colored leather jackets?
I was side-eyeing his glaring white shoes. Just because something’s a trend doesn’t mean you should wear it.
Both he and Jennifer have terrible street style, but somehow he’s gotten away with it for much longer.
He DEFO wears a man-girdle.
She looks nice, but asymmetry like that bothers me. That’s a nice cause she’s involved with, sounds like it is very personal to her.
I think she looks wonderful – very natural. I love the neckline. I wonder why he is wearing the bomber coats now? Does he have a different color for every day of the week?
I actually like that gown on her
I want to like this dress for its simple lines and delicate straps, but the problem is that the breasts end up asymmetrical too…the visual illusion is that one is higher than the other. So, no…
Her reported speech (if she really said that onstage) sounds dumb for a grown woman.
She looks lovely – she really does have a pretty face.
Classy. Even if she could sometimes take more fashion risks, a charity gala is the not the place to go full-Hollywood – very event-appropriate.
There is a video of her intro and entire speech and both were quite good and passionate.
https://twitter.com/ericworre/status/754865209366294528
Is Ben with her in WV? Someone commented at DM that he is, but who knows.
She’s doing a big charity fundraiser there on weds, so we shall see if the whole family goes. The event is billed as an event w JG, no mention of Affleck too. I would think if he were coming they’d mention him too (and it would raise even more money).
I thought Ben went back to London Saturday night. There were pics in a few places saying that is where he was headed, back to work on justice league. Since it was LAX and he flies private domestically, he probably is in London. Only Jen will be in WV. Tomorrow . She usually does not bring her kids to these types of events.
@J – I’m sure she might not bring them to the event itself, but I’ll bet they’re in WV with her and her family. Didn’t @Tina say that US Weekly said she’s taking them to WV for an extended vaca? Why wouldn’t that be right now, while she’s there.
@jojo unless the nanny brought them to WV, I would say they are still in LA. Jen was spotted last Friday very early taking a flight solo to WV. (Before Ben came home which is very interesting and maybe very telling). Ben was seen leaving by himself as well Saturday night.
I’m sure Jen will bring the children to visit her parents at some point this summer, even if it is not this week.
I’m curious what Jen’s next acting project is. She worked a lot last spring, summer and Winter, but does not seem to be working now. Ben has been working non-stop.
I really do wonder what is going on with those two. I would think that if Ben supposedly wanted back in with Jen, that he would actually spend time with her. So I too am beginning not to believe all the reconciliation stories. I guess it’s what some fans want to hear, sells magazines, so the mags keep publishing it. Next month Jen promotes Nine Lives, I am curious to see if that comes up in the conversation at all.
Anyone know how much longer Ben is supposed to be in the UK filming justice league?
@J – I agree, it’s odd that Ben flew home from London for less than two whole days and completely missed Jen when he arrived. They haven’t been papped together since May in London except July 4, and Jen seems to be asserting her independence more than in the past (Paris/Versace show, etc.) I know there doesn’t need to be PDA, but I just don’t see much between these two as a couple. But we will see … 🙂
@jojo Ben will be back and forth all summer. It’s been quoted in a few articles. I think he has a movie coming out in the fall – the accountant which looks pretty good. So my guess is he will be back full time by then to promote it. it may just be with all the time they are spending apart because of his work, they may have just kicked the can down the road and said we will deal with our relationship later and decide then whether to file or not. How much can US and people squeeze out of this this summer, I would think not much unless an event like a filing or pda sighting occurs.
@jojo just saw a posting on Facebook that indicates that Jen’s kids are in WV now.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1061960267215666&id=100002051070576
So you were right – I guess they came with the nannies.
@J – Hmm. I really do wonder then, why would Ben fly all the way home for less than 2 days? Maybe he did fly with the kids to WV (but sent them through LAX with the nanny?)
@jojo he was photographed with Violet on Friday and tending to some sort of lawyer business. My guess he spent some time with the kids and then perhaps put them and the nanny on his private plane to WV before heading back to London via LAX. Maybe this is his way of proving to Jen that he is an involved father with the little time he has. I had seen it in some article about her giving him more and more responsibility with regard to the kids and him stepping up to the plate. But that is all tabloid speak.
@J – Yeah, I read that same article, but it seems a bit hard to believe that Jen would ask him to fly all the way back from London for what amounted to one full day to put the kids on a plane. The nanny could have easily done that. Still waiting to see whether he is in fact in London. Usually the paps get him landing at Heathrow, but that didn’t happen. He has to be back late this week for Comic Con, so still thinking there’s a chance he’s in WV.
@jojo there have been numerous Twitter and Facebook sightings of Jen and their children – at her alma matter hs theatre practice, ice cream store etc. no Ben. Also if you read the latest comic con schedule – Affleck is not scheduled to appear. Maybe Jen did not ask him to come back to LA for 2 days, but that’s probably the time off he had and I think is great that he flew over 20 hours of air travel to see them. Others on this site think he came back to sign divorce papers, but there has not been a filing. It is interesting that the paps found him picking up his daughter from summer camp. He was either continually followed from the airport or it was arranged so fans would see him as the family man.
Pretty sure he’s in London because he flew out of LAX. He always takes a private jet for domestic flights. That person probably read that bogus radar online story.
Until I see Ben wear his wedding ring and some public display of affection from him to Jennifer with his camp confirming the divorce is off then I don’t believe it. They just make a really bad couple. They act like brother and sister. But that’s awesome about her charity work.
Yep. This. The tabloids have been doing their usual spinning, getting Jen’s minivan-driving fans all riled up about the possibility of a reconciliation. All total bunk.
So, I just bought the hard copy of US Weekly. It’s really like a case study in modern day media manipulation. The headline leads you to believe that there is some big news, “Why They Can’t Let Go,” and we all already know most of the content in the story since it has been repeated by hundreds of media outlets by now. But as you get closer to the end of this same story, it mentions how neither one is hurrying to find someone new, but is a little vague when it comes to Ben. It says Jen is “afraid of dating,” but “When it comes to Affleck, Garner doesn’t know or care if Ben is seeing anyone. That’s not Jen’s business anymore.” ‘With Aftleck wrapping Justice Leaguein London, Garner will take their brood to her native WV for an extended stay with her parents.’
I know @Tina briefly mentioned this last quote last night, but I thought it must be part of a new/different US article. It’s amazing to me how US chose not to include that part of the story in the online version, so it was completely misinterpreted while also being amplified across the Internet. The story just contradicts itself, making it seem like they’re both having second thoughts while also saying they’re still working stuff out privately with a lawyer, and Jen doesn’t care if or who Ben dates.
They can’t even get the simple things right. Ben is “wrapping” Justice League? That implies that they’re almost finished. On June 17, when they invited bloggers to visit the set, that was day 31 of 111. They don’t shoot 7 days per week and have scheduled breaks all the time. They will be filming for ages, well into Fall.
She looks gorgeous even a bit sexy, which is refreshing.
So…was he at the charity thing last night? I can’t find anything on social media.
he wasnt there. was he ever supposed to be or was just that hopeful minivan fanfic?
He was never scheduled to be there just Jen
Random but i saw some old pictures of jen arriving at a meeting a couple weeks ago and it looks like she arrived in Ben’s Dodge Challenger. Someone else was driving it though.
http://www.justjared.com/photo-gallery/3695481/jennifer-garner-helping-people-of-west-virginia-flood-15/
Make that of what you will.
I just want to know what was up with him flying to CA for what amounted to less than 48 hours. Spotted at what the paps/tabloid said is a lawyers office and then jetted back to London. And no, Jen wasn’t even there.
Probably in town to see his children and take care of business. From what others have posted here, justice league will be filming for months, and I guess that was his weekend off. Interesting that other times he has come in and out of the country unnoticed and these 2 days he was papped wherever he went.
The Dodge Ram picture above is interesting. It does look like Ben’s, but hard to tell for sure. I think that day was their “anniversary” (?) because I remember wondering if they’d be papped together or as a family on that date, but then she appeared at this meeting. (And, I hate to say it, but it does seem realy odd that paps seem to just happen to find her no matter where she goes – like this.)
Re: his short trip back last weekend, I personally have never doubted that Ben adores his kids, but I find it hard to believe he’d fly home for not much more than 24 hours for that reason alone. Guessing he did have other business too. I think it was x17 that said he was at his lawyer’s office, and they said it was because he didn’t want to go through with the filing, which makes no sense at all. What reason is there to visit your lawyer in person if you don’t want to go through with something. Seems a call or email would suffice.
A note-Some legal documents have to be signed before a notary public and he could not sign those in Europe. He may have come for the kids and took care of business at same time.
Oh yes, I know. But I’m guessing since they haven’t even filed that deciding NOT to file wouldn’t require going there in person?Seems in that case you’d just put a hold on any further negotiations? But I realize it’s probably more complex…
My guess is his visit to the lawyer had nothing to do with their potential divorce. Probably other business.
Lots of Facebook posts today if Hen in WV at restaurant, pies and pints ;or vice versa), visiting more damaged areas. She really does seem very devoted to her home state just a really nice generous person. There is great video of her giving a speech at the fundraiser last night. She comes across very genuine. Most adorable is the way she starts speaking in a siuthern accent again. But then again again she is a professional actress.
Seems she will be back in LA by next weekend as she is expected to appear at the teen choice awards. Wonder if Ben will show up as well as he is also nominated.
Hmm, yeah, wonder if he’lll go to that. By all accounts, he’ll be at Comic Con this weekend. He may not be listed on the schedule, but there appears to be strong speculation he’ll be showing up for the JL panel.
More Facebook posts of Jen at a baseball game and visiting impacted areas. No press on these visits, just ordinary WV people posting their encounters with her.
Ok we will see if this weekend brings Ben Affleck back to the states again. It must be exhausting doing all that travel.
Speaking in a fake Southern accent is very genuine? That’s a new one. Phony just like I always thought.
I have always thought some of her speech patterns were southern. It would be easy for her to slip back into her native accent. My husband left NYC 30 years ago, but always reverts to the New York accent when he is there surrounded by his friends and family. He doesn’t even notice he is doing it.
As predicted by @jojo Ben Affleck is back in LA, from what I can tell from Twitter about 2pm local LA time. Great guess jojo. Talk about logging a lot of flight hours in one week. Seems like 3 trips across the pond in 7 days, wow!
Question is will Jen and kids be staying in WV this weekend or back in LA. Facebook sightings still had her in WV today.
It seems that Ben is doing as much as possible to stay close to his family.Maybe something is really changed..
Thanks @J. I wish I could say I have great psychic abilities :), but Comic Con is this weekend, and there’s a lot of buzz that the cast of JL will make a surprise appearance on Saturday. Ben already pretty much confirmed it when he told fans who were asking about it at LAX on Father’s Day. So, it was kind of expected that he’d be back home for that. That said, I don’t doubt he’ll be back and forth a lot now with upcoming movie promotions and to see his kids. I just don’t see him and Jen as a couple anymore, but … 🙂
I think the holiday in Europe has allowed them to spend time together as a couple,not just co parenting
@charlotte. That certainly what the Twitter and Facebook buzz was while they were in London. Sightings of Ben and Jen at the theatre multiple times, at the savoy and at private clubs. No kids mentioned in those sightings. However if that carried over to the U.S. You would not know it. Except for July 4th they have not been spotted together even as a family.
@J: They could have been with other adults, who knows. I don’t think anyone would bother mentioning it if they were with other randoms. If they were alone I’m guessing they don’t have many friends in London, he probably felt bad that she was alone with the kids all day and took her out a couple times? As friends.
If those outings were truly romantic dates, I don’t why they would go to places that are so public. A West End play and The Savoy – both are very touristy and busy. There was a fanpic of Ben at the theatre in fact.
@J True that they spent very little time together but really both seem to be very busy : paris , london , west virginia ..who knows what will happen when they’ll have more time ..sorry for my English,I’m writing from Italy
Hmm, wow – look at this. Could explain some of the ambiguity with these two. Looks like there could be a lot more involved when it comes to their financial assets, etc.
http://www.bravotv.com/blogs/ben-affleck-and-jennifer-garner-may-not-actually-be-separated-heres-why
You know sometimes it really is easier to stay together – even if you don’t have what you once did. And especially if you are still friends. 🙂
Agreed. But who knows the depth of their friendship – it may be tolerance for the kids at this point. Also not necessarily easier to stay together when your relationship has carried years and years of turmoil, infidelity and addiction vs. just one public affair (all rumored of course, but Jen seemed to confirm somewhat with her “eyes wide open during the marriage.”) I’ve noticed that the whole nanny thing has really changed the conversation about these two – now people are talking about their split as if the nanny was just a short blip in their otherwise idyllic life. A brief mid-life crisis for Ben. When in reality, these two were in counseling for years and years with serious problems plaguing them soon after they got married. After the split, the narrative was that no one could even believe it lasted as long as it did. I would find it easier to think they could get past this if it really was more of a blip, but to me, things have seemed “over” for a long time already. I don’t doubt they could stay together for whatever reasons, but I predict it getting messy again if that happens. :/
@jojo. All good points. I actually never paid much attention to them until after their split announcement. I find this whole living together and coparenting a little unbelievable. I think it has to be extremely hard to continue to live with and raise children with the person who you admit is the love of your life but your divorcing (or at least that is what you have told everyone), and who is rumored to have cheated on you. To go on vacations with this person, go out with as couple even if only as friends. It’s more than I personally could ever do, even for my kids. I have to think something else is going on here.
@J: totally agree..what do you think it’s going on?
Here’s what I personally think. Ben wanted out of the marriage last year. Jen didn’t. Stories at that time said she didn’t want to announce the split and that she would “stay in the dysfunctional relationship forever if she could,” but Ben was pushing it – he wanted out. However, he never planned on the nanny going public. When that news came out after their split announcement, it completely changed the narrative. He was crucified, and he took a massive reputation hit, something he has never been good with or handled well. I’m not saying he doesn’t love/care about/respect Jen (I think he does, and I fully believe he adores his kids), but I do think if the nanny hadn’t gone public, they’d be in a very different – and more separate – place right now. As for what’s going on now, it’s hard to tell. She’s seeming more and more independent, and they’re still not wearing their rings. I don’t really know how you come back from something like this (and years of it.) Even if they’re dragging their feet right now, I can’t help but feel it would be incredibly hard to go back into the relationship again and for her to trust him – seems very close to impossible if you believe any of the things that have been said going back to 2010 and before.
And sorry, that’s JMO! I love to analyze relationships and could go on all day. I have no idea what the real story is, but it’s fun to speculate. 🙂
I think Jen has been forced to separate due to the nanny scandal , to protect herself and kids somehow.
if Jen had not known that the scandal would erupt in a little while , she would not ask for separation ever,because”he’s the love of my life”
I believe her and I think she still loves him.As for Ben,well I think that as far as his restlessness and issues,his hectic work and absences have very burdened their marriage.
then it may be that Ben wanted to get out of the marriage before the scandal but then when he realized what was missing-and I speak not only of reputation-something has begun to change.The interview with Vanity Fair was the turning point. Ben loves his children and I am convinced that there is still a special bond with Jen. I know it’s a romantic view but that’s my opinion
Jen is back in LA too