This magazine cover is from December, 2015
Here’s another installment in our multi-year Ben and Jen divorce saga. US Magazine has a follow-up to People Magazine’s claim that it’s totally possible that these two will reconcile at some point, since no one is planning to file for divorce in the immediate future. Remember that this all was proceeded by a report in US that Jen was going to file for divorce any minute now. Then she didn’t, Ben went MIA (Lainey’s blind suggests he may be in rehab) and People had a report heavily implying they might get back together. Then E! and ET followed up with “things are the same they’re not reconciling” reports, Gossip Cop even denied a story from People(!) by using Hollywood Life as a stand-in for People, and it all got very confusing.
Remember the last round of conflicting reports in the major outlets about these two? I barely remember, even though I wrote about it, so I looked over our past coverage. Last year, in May, People Magazine ran a cover with Garner stating that Ben wanted her back. Then E! contradicted that story. Then in June we heard even more details suggesting a reconciliation was possible. (Re-reading my analysis at the time, I think I was wrong and that it was Ben who wanted to get back together, not Jen. Many of you told me this.) So here we are almost a year later, with almost the same story. Jen is probably telling the press she could still pull the plug at any time, all while not doing it, maybe in an attempt to get Ben to straighten up. Maybe it works somewhat, or at least enough to give her hope. Here’s US’s report.
Not so fast. Despite recent reports that suggested Jennifer Garner has pressed pause on her plans to divorce husband Ben Affleck, a source exclusively tells Us Weekly that the actress, 44, is still considering a permanent split and she plans on moving forward when the time is right.
Another source tells Us that the Miracles From Heaven star — who shares kids Violet, 11, Seraphina, 8, and Samuel, 5, with Affleck — could be holding off on filing divorce papers because their current family dynamic is working so well.
“They could always get back together,” the insider tells Us. “There is a lot of love and support there, and they have worked out a way to have their family that works for them.”
Ok so this sounds like Jen is still holding divorce over Ben’s head but that she probably won’t do it and is content to just leave everything the same while he wants more of a commitment from her that she’ll put up with any bullsh-t he throws at her.
You know that saying “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?” A couple of other sayings also come to mind like “the devil you know,” and “once a cheater.” Oh and “there’s three sides to every story, your side, my side and the truth.” I guess the truth is that nothing has changed, one side thinks a reconciliation is coming and the other doesn’t and/or is using divorce as leverage.
Photos below are from November, 2016. Credit: FameFlynet
I see Zac’s great body on the cover, that’s all I care about.
These two messes deserve each other. Honestly figure out what you want for your kids at least. This separation limbo isn’t good for any member of the family!
I just can’t. At this point I’ll be retired, and their kids in grad school, before these two figure out what to do. This is the divorce that just won’t quit.
I just came here to say –“I can’t”— but you covered it nicely in your comment!
Like I’ve already said, she doesn’t love herself otherwise she would have moved on by now.
When I see Ben, I see a bloated mess.
If you have a chance listen to Heather McDonald’s latest episode of Juicy Scoop…right off the bat she talks about shooting a pilot for a Jennifer Garner talk show and it’s really interesting.
@talie. I listened. Not that juicy. Sounds like she doesn’t know her and it’s very butt kissing.
I haven’t listened to the podcast but Lainey had a barely-blind item about that failed talk show from August 2015 titled “Too upper class for talk.”
Why does she dress like she only shops from a Sears mail order catalogue?
For real! Every time there’s a new BenJen article I finding myself offended again by her clothing choices. She has a stunning figure… I don’t understand!
its like she is actively fighting being hot.
I don’t really understand, it takes actual effort to look this bad, and shes spending money. The shoes and scarf probably cost more than my entire outfit today.
Right??? Not only does she have an amazing toned body, shes a multi millionaire!! I’m sure its part of her “relatable mom” shtick but I find it a little ridiculous…
Do you think it’s all PR? Or does she just not care, some people just don’t. As long as the bits are covered, no cares.
@detritus I think its a mixture of both. I definitely think the sears catalog style (even though i bet those are designer clothes most of us couldn’t afford) is deliberate but I also think not much matters to her outside of that image….
*NOT that she doesnt actually care about her kids, but like most celebs in general and ppl like her – image is everything…
hollered laughing…. thank you
lol, ty, but you probably shouldn’t encourage me too much 😉
She dresses as frumpy as she ever did and some of the outfits on the kids look faded and old. There’s nothing wrong with thrifting but at least look for decent stuff. They will divorce so prolonging the inevitable because of the kids makes no sense, but with two devoted parents, they will do fine. This seems to have gone on for years and it’s become nauseatingly boring.
but she isn’t thrifting! She spends so much, I remember finding out her orthopaedic looking shoes cost as much as REAL orthopaedic shoes.
she is trolling us ….that ‘s all.
give us that money!!!
I just don’t get her! She’s slim and pretty, has money, and she always just looks so frumpy and mom-ish.
Some people have no clue how to dress for their body type. She is one of them. She leans toward boxy cuts that make her look, well, boxy. I think she only uses stylists for events (tends to look fabulous when glammed up), but a stylist could make over her casual wardrobe beautifully.
Let’s face facts if they do actually divorce, then whenever they are in the same room together or seen with the children. There will be the “Ben and Jennifer were laughing and cozy with each other” sightings and then the endless “They are in a good place now” or” are they reuniting? ” rumours.
Magazines need to sell copies to stay afloat. This couple moves copies. Magazine waits patiently for official story. Magazine gets desperate and takes unreliable source (aka the kids driver). Other magazine sees opportunity to sell copies by rebutting story, finds different unreliable source (aka the starbucks barrister). Different magazine wants in on the sale action, recruits another unreliable source (aka the Church organist). And on it goes. I really dont know why anybody puts stock in these outlets reports, they’ve been wrong for two years straight.
I’m sick of reading about these two idiots
Me too, shall we make up stories about them that are more interesting?
Story 1: Jen has an alien parasite occupying her brain, this is why she’s making strange decisions re: shoes and husbands
Story 2: Ben is actually a covert North Korean operative, and he needs to make as many connections are possible, Jen is his cover.
Story 3: Jen is actually a cult leader and will not let Ben leave until he provides her with ten children to continue on the cult
Story 4: The sex is really good, and she’s addicted to the smell of old booze and cards
I really wat to know how this works practically on a day to day basis. Do they go to dinner parties together? Does she introduce him as her husband? Are we supposed to believe they’ve both been celibate through all this with each other or third parties?
If nothing else, these two make me feel better about my life choices. Shit.
Jennifer is so dowdy
I just don’t get her, at all–in many ways.
can you imagine being their child, and they’re like “yo we’re divorcing” and then after 2 years “guess what we’re not divorcing anymore! got ya!!”. violet affleck will write her own memoir by the time she’s 15, probably.
Just tiresome, this is helping the kids.
So the Daily Mail has pics of Jen out and about this week. I thought she was supposed to be in Utah at Ben’s rehab? They also have a pic of a moving van at the home from Wednesday although it’s not clear if stuff is coming or going. Very confused!
Ben is not in rehab.If he was we would of had pics of him already.It only takes one person to tip of the paparazzi.He’s in Canada with Casey. He’s directing his first movie.so Ben is probably helping him.until they start filming production on the Batman movie.
Why do you think he’s in Canada helping Casey? Do you have any proof?
No Ben is very much in rehab in Salt Lake City. He’s been there for almost 3 weeks now. He was photographed on a plane leaving Salt Lake on Oscar Sunday.
Do you have any proof that he’s in rehab other than him being on a plane?
I reeeeaaaally don’t think Ben wants to get back together; I think her forgiveness and willingness to try again makes him feel trapped with guilt.
I agree.
I really think this is more about not wanting to go through the whole legal process that is a formal split and custody agreement. The bottom line is the they both have what they want now. She has control of the family situation, which is his preference too and she doesn’t have to send her babies to stay with potentially off-the-rails Ben and this week’s bimbo. He doesn’t have to try to take care of children while on a bender or make any commitments to this week’s bimbo. Everybody gets what they need.
This is exactly what I think, too.
Oh and Zimbio has pics of Jen, Violet and Sam outside the “therapist” office from yesterday. (Therapist is in air quotes because x17 likes to call this office their marriage counselor’s office but a quick google of the clearly-visible doctors’ names on the door and it’s a pediatricians office.)
Someone made a good point in yesterday’s post: People basically confirmed US Weekly’s story last month that she was getting ready to file. So US must have a very reliable source and it is denying that the divorce is off. Also Gossip Cop’s reaction to People’s story is very interesting!
Celeb*tchy, Gossip Cop didn’t use Hollywood Life as a stand-in, they name People directly! Not in just one post but in two! LOL. I almost think that this saga is more interesting from a PR team tug-of-war than anything else.
At this point, who cares? I mean, except for their friends and family… But her shoe and clothing choices are the worst! How can someone so pretty be so consistently fashion backwards?
Over at Daily Mail, a comment was made that Ben went to rehab because WB asked him to. He is doing this according to the comment so he will not lose his industry credit. This is more for his career than anything else. He could care less about JG and family.
The comment sounds just about right describing Ben. We knew that all along. The divorce is on.
This is exactly what I think happened. It coincides too well with all of the Batman fallout.
Yes I think a huge amount of Ben’s behavior is dictated by WB who knows they might be willing to throw Jen a few bones too.
At the same time, forcing JG to file for divorce because she had to issue several denials through her PR team that the divorce is still on. Ben is forcing her to.
These are great lessons to teach your children about love.
Never give up – even when he’s an alcoholic with gambling issues!
Never give up – even when he cheats on you and tells the press you are a chore
Never give up – why look for love when you have a father for your children
Find someone who loves you, no matter how you treat them.
Find someone who will never leave you, no matter how you treat them.
Yes. Great lessons. This is definitely all for the ‘good of the children’.
I thought you were being serious until your last bits, lol. Because I’ve seen comments like yours on DM and facebook from people (prob older women tbh) who are being totally serious and think that it’s just great if she’s taken him back. It’s so sad.
Its sad when satire is so close to reality isn’t it?
I think people often use ‘its for the kids’, when they are really to scared to create a new life without their partner. It’s an easy way out, one that no one can ‘judge’, except it isn’t true. It’s projection.
someone said this on one of the Goop threads, and I agree. No matter how much I hate goop (it’s a lot), her and coldplay have done a really good job for their kids through the divorce and as they coparent.
people who can’t live alone and think of their status above all are give an awful emotional heritage to their children.
they are just egocentric their babies are a not a priority
yup. true true true.
At this point, I feel sad for them both. It may seem like a long time ago when they first broke up, but honestly I have experienced a separation and it took about that long before my husband and I let our guards down and became close again. He publicly humiliated her more than he ever intended and that side piece that came out in the beginning REALLY milked it for all it was/could be worth. I don’t blame Jennifer for being cautious. I don’t blame Ben for accepting the time it takes. I think he will wait forever for her to let him back in. She is probably stronger than he’ll ever be, and he loves her for that. I would be so happy to see this all be old news and them still together years from now. FWIW, it will seem like their time spent separated flew by. I will always read the news about their marriage. I’m rooting for them both!!!
Saw the new Jen article on DM. So she’s actually been in LA this week? lmao I thought she was in SLC (in the hotel next door to his rehab!). Rolling my eyes so hard here. Is Ben even in rehab? Where are the receipts? Don’t talk to me about BS blind items either. He could really be anywhere. Jen probably has no idea where he is, never has, never did.
Jen’s dealing with the heartbreak of alcoholism. No one knows what goes on behind closed doors. What begging and promises he makes when sober.
Alcoholism takes down more than the alcoholic. Even though they have money and celebrity, it’s a total heartbreak to be as ill as Ben seems to be. Gambling, cocaine, booze binges. Strippers, strangers, God knows what.
I really feel for Jen and the kids. Sad.
Sometimes separations can work for couples. Pink and Carey Hart have always been on and off but they seem to actively fight for their relationship to work. It’s not the norm though and at this point I just wish these two would stop telling the status of their relationship to the press. Either they stay together or get divorced or stay separated but enough with the back and forth! They will inevitably divorce, that much is obvious so they can stop pretending they might get back together. I feel like both of them are being lazy about it and don’t want to deal with it, but it must be confusing for the kids. They’re old enough to understand what is happening, especially Violet. Just go away and stop updating us and figure out your s*** privately.
Brush your hair!
Even TMZ is throwing their hat into the ring now. lol They say that they’ve been told all week that their sources with direct knowledge of the divorce say that it is very much moving along and there’s no talk of reconciliation. People magazine, all lonely and cold out there on that limb alone.
I wonder if holding on is her way of avoiding responsibility for the direction of her life. She would prefer to leave it up to someone else and she can wash her hands and say that she tried and evil Ben abandoned his family. If she were a strong woman, she would have filed and left for good.
At this rate, his career will be as dead as hers if he keeps being part of this farce.
Not surprised unreliable People’s story has been denied by everyone and his brother at this point. Their so-called source sounds like a hopeful fan, not anyone actually close to them. The entire article seemed like your garden variety tabloid trash, not a scoop.
Wonder if it’s a custody issue or money issue so they’re going back and forth?
Have you guys figured it out yet? US weekly has a good source. Might be the only true source in the whole thing. WB has a good director on board and it’s obvious to all with eyes that he can’t film in his condition. They want to set dates, they can’t do it while he’s a mess. She didn’t go to Family Week bc she’s not involved. She’s still going to file. Can’t have him formally served with papers where he’s at. The continued tabloid push and pull is a charade. They won’t publish what he’s really doing right now.
I am puzzled. Even US gives different versions depending on the “source”requested. Divorce is still on but they could also get back together. I think Ben is in rehab and that Jen will wait his return before making any move