Yesterday, after the news of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s joint Easter service appearance (where he wore a Rolling Stones t-shirt and jeans with a suit jacket on top, still not as bad as Gwen Stefani’s outfit), TMZ reported that Affleck was dating someone new. Their source said that it wasn’t serious, and that Affleck was preparing to move out of the guest house. Well E! has a totally contradictory report to that. Their source says that Ben isn’t dating anyone seriously, that they’re still working on their relationship, but that dating is possible in the future. It’s all very bizarre, like someone spoke out of turn and they’re trying to dial it back. The weird thing is that E!’s quote doesn’t say Ben isn’t dating, just that he’s not dating seriously. That’s pretty much what TMZ reported, but E! characterizes it differently. Just read the lead-up to the quote:
Despite the latest reports claiming that Ben Affleck is already hitting the dating scene just one week after he and Jennifer Garner filed for divorce, a source tells E! News that simply isn’t the case.
“Ben is not dating anyone seriously,” our inside explained. “He and Jen are working on their relationship and have no ruled out dating in the future. [sic]”
So what is in store for the two friendly exes? Well, aside from continuing to co-parent as they have been over the course of the last two years (they first announced their split back in 2015), it looks like Affleck will be moving out of the family home.
“As divorced couples do, Ben will likely move out. The idea is to keep the kids together and close.”
E! also has exclusive details of Jennifer Garner’s 45th birthday party Sunday night at Soho house, which was attended by about 20 friends including Reese Witherspoon and some of Garner’s friends from school. There are effusive quotes about how gracious Garner was and what a nice time everyone had, so I think we know where E! is getting their information. The source said, in part, that Jen “had the best evening and was so gracious. She gave a little speech and thanked everyone for coming. Everyone went out of their way to make Jen feel special and be there for her.”
Good for her. There’s a lot of speculation about whom exactly Affleck is dating and whether he’s going to go public with a new relationship. Judging from these quotes in E!, that won’t be anytime soon.
Photos credit: FameFlynet and WENN
She looks like one of Warren Jeffs’ wives.
OMG, cannot unsee.
Just. Dreadful.
Dang, that made me laugh.
OMG that’s funny! I’m tired of these two frankly. Ben’s in recovery right now but you know that’s a volcano waiting to erupt. I think that relationship is done, except for co-parenting.
Seriously! All she needs is a braid!
OH MY GOD we’re still doing this? This ridiculous he said she said?
It’s over. Move on, Ben and Jen. The rest of the world did a year ago.
I think he was trying to when he leaked those quotes to TMZ and she responded with these to E. I’m starting to think she’s refusing to let him move on or is just in total denial that he already has.
I think you’re right: TMZ is his mouth piece and they have the info on who’s his new gf, just that he’s on good terms with them and they’re letting him pace it out.
This is called non-threatening white people privilege. If this was anyone else where the guy had screwed the nanny. You’d never hear the end of it. Every gossip piece and every article would either be slamming him or victim shaming her or both. She’d be constantly humiliated if she was a different sort of woman – the kind other women don’t like and are envious of.
As it stands you can read piece after piece with no one saying boo about the nanny boinking.
My guess is, they had some agreement about not giving the appearance of being in a ‘serious relationships’ with another person..
They kind of screwed themselves. If they had officially split two years ago when the nanny thing went down, they would be on to the next no problems by now.
As it is, she did him a favor by seemingly forgiving him, helping through his alcohol problems and rehab and making the public wonder about their status. Like people went, if she can forgive him…what am I mad about? So he got her graciousness but then had to be in limbo for a few years. They both are
Clean breaks are best.
He’s gotten plenty of heat about the nanny and so has she for her co-dependent enabling support. I’m not following your pointed label of “white people priveledge.” They are white and priveledged obviously but I don’t get your point.
Oh for goodness sake, I wish they would just make up their minds!
They need to stop being around each other this much. They’re making it uncomfortable for when I date Ben š
I’m mostly just surprised by how many celebs have been papped going to church – maybe it’s because there I’ve heard little or no mention of easter service in the UK…I guess I’m surprised there are so many church goers in hollywood?
church makes for good PR, specially now that the conservatives are living their dream…
@Clare, more Americans generally are churchgoers than people in Europe, so it’s not really shocking, especially on Easter, the holiest Christian holiday of the year. Even people who normally don’t go to church tend to go on Easter and Christmas. They’re nicknamed CEOs for Christmas-Easter-Only.
“Working on their relationship”? Really?! After filing for divorce? What’s to work on now? Move on. This is starting to look like an absolute freak show. I don’t think she’s going to deal with it well when he ends up in another serious relationship. I envision a lot of control and guilting designed to make him think he has to choose between whomever he’s dating and his kids.
Ding,ding,ding… she’ll go into full meltdown mode. Especially if it’s someone with a high profile.
I took that to mean working on their relationship as co-parents. I think she’s the one that will end up in a serious relationship first. For guys who like the perfectionist girl next door type, she’s a great catch. But I feel for her–she was clearly mad about Affleck and he busted her heart in a million little pieces. I admire her for keeping up a positive front for the sake of those three little kids and, no, I don’t think it was all for PR. I think this all must have been humiliating and very, very hard for her, but she has been quite dignified through it all. I don’t know that I would have had the fortitude.
Well, they have no prenup, so I guess she will be paid a lot of money to keep up the united and friendly front in public. She probably has a lot of dirt on him and she can use that to negoiate her exit package. She keeps up appearances, gets a lot of money in return and both can keep their public personas/ images. win-win
Before TMZ and E! “Ben is now dating someone, although” not seriously “the BG was already speaking in the blind” four conditions “…” However, we will say low-drama is not the same as āsuper amicable.ā āSuper-amicableā is a bit of a stretch. Why? Because although Garner really, really wanted Affleck to meet the four conditions we discussedā¦(He had to stop drinking. He had to stop doing drugs. He had to stop cheating on her. He had to be a better, happier, more engaged father to the kids.)… he only succeeded in meeting three.”
for me BlindGossip Jen team 100%.
Gossip Cop not even a whisper of denial ???…. Lol
Bad judgment?
@Tracking, I don’t think twice-divorced with three kids is a great catch, even if she is the girl-next-door type.
You are so right
I don’t see him getting into another serious relationship. He doesn’t like them. He’s got the best set up ever for a committment phobe. An Ex wife that is hard to measure up to. Because she the perfect stepford wife, and she puts up with his deep dicking around. She’ll be there like Pepper Potts with their dry cleaned clothes and cab fair to send his skanks on their merry way.
This! I actually laughed out loud at Jojos comment. Ben (insert middle name here) Affleck is not going to be in a serious relationship. He’ll have casual bangs, long term bangs, medium term bangs, Pr bangs but not a serious relationship. Why would he? Jen is more than willing to provide the relationship aspects he finds beneficial such as a nest he can dip in and out of, stability when he needs it and image. Now, when Jen gets into a serious relationship and withdraws the nest, THEN Ben will go hunting for a serious (but open) relationship.
He’s always been in relationships. He definitely likes them, he just doesn’t like staying faithful.
KB has it…also he’s always reminded me of Michael Douglas who was terrible in his first marriage and then married CZJ and while their marriage has been rocky he seemed to have calmed down and been more devoted. (Or at least hid his tracks well).
Ben may grow up and be a real husband but when he says ready and not with her.
Exactly @KB. He might have a problem being faithful and might like the Hooters types on the side, but he’ll eventually have his “serious” relationships as well. He always has. And when it comes to the relationships, I think it/they will be with relatively age-appropriate women in the industry. JMO. Look at his history – Goop, JLo, JG. Even some of those he was rumored to cheat with were in this category – Olga from Into the Wonder, etc. Of course, then you have the Emily Rs – it’s a mix. š
Of course they have to have a
relationship. They have three children.
It doesn’t need to be a sexual or partner relationship but the better it is the better for all concerned.
I don’t think Jen has any clue what Ben is doing in his romantic life. She didn’t know about the nanny for a long time either. If Ben is regularly hooking up with the same person all the time (which is what everyone seems to agree), I bet she has no idea. Doesn’t sound like it.
Or doesn’t really care!
I don’t side eye them for trying to be friendly. Kids need to see that. They are a part of 2 people. And it hurts kids when they think or feel their parents don’t like each other. So good on them for doing what is best for their children. It will be best for them all. in the long run.
Jen needs to get as much money as possible because once he is free he is going to blow it strippers, booze, and gambling. The man is an addict and was pictured in a Vegas casino not to long ago. Don’t try to save him, Jen — save yourself sand your kids. His freedom tour/ hedonist festival is going to be epic.
For the most part I agree. I hope he is able to break the cycle but his consistent previous MO is to clean up and climb to peak performance—then self destruct monumentally —then make the climb again.
Why does she need to get as much money from him ‘as possible’? She is wealthy in her own right – if he blows his money on strippers and booze, she and her children will not be going to bed hungry. I think her concern is probably that her children have a healthy and present father, rather than getting her hands on their father’s money.
@theotherone- Affleck was in Vegas for Cinemacon. It was work to promote Justice League. But yes, he’s an addict and needs help. I hope he did well with the last rehab stint. But Jen is a bunny boiler type, imo. I think she’s addicted herself- to being the long suffering wife of an addict who depends on her.
“Dating” but not seriously huh? That’s funny
So statue quo from how he behaved in the marriage.
Does a serial cheater cares about church and psalms? When do you recognize a genuine smile to a fake one? Don’t get me wrong: I see Ben as ordering beer and girls while gambling and Jen making cupcakes with her kids and force a smile. She should let loose. Go date and date and date.. she’s free to roam but I suspect she is very conservative. her dress would have been nice as a skirt other than that it’s good to wear while spring cleaning
They’re both serial cheaters
@Troll Her dress is something Ethel Mertz would have worn on “I Love Lucy,” and legend has it that Lucy purposely made the Ethel actress look dowdy because she wanted to be the glamorous one.
That fcking dress…
In other words: he’s just sleeping around, no string attached. I guess she had no idea too.
That dress is what we used to call a housecoat.
As for Ben, who wears a faded Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers T-shirt to church for Easter?
A good boy who wants so bad to be a bad boy.
They dress like archetypes.
Why why why do they keep “updating”? I really don’t get it. Which one of them is behind it? It is not for their kids either, because if they want to do the united, loving front they could easily do just that, without going to the media every other (or every) day. My guess is Jen. But what I don’t see is why. This has been going on for over a year now (or two)? It won’t effect how much she will get in the divorce, and it doesn’t effect her career, because she doesn’t have that kind of sucess. She will be wealthy, and she will get whatever custody she thinks is appropriate. So what is she doing?
Yes! STOP with the constant “updating”. There is no point to it….at all. They’re getting divorced…what is left to say?!
Also, I normally don’t comment on her DOWDY attire, but this dress can’t go unchecked. What the hell image is she trying to convey with this outfit? I mean….of what bible college clearance bin did this outfit get fished out???
I’ve come to the conclusion that a lot of the quotes are made up. It’s not just two different viewpoints (Ben and Jen) being presented.
This article says they’re still working on it and may date each other again, last week E! said they had taken multiple vacations alone together in the past year, and yet the E! News TV correspondant said a few days ago that there was no reconciliation attempt at any point. That’s just sloppy on E!’s part.
Ben has been dating women while in a marriage so nothing new there.
If I were going to drop stories in the press about myself as she is doing to E!…I’d tone down the “Jen is amazing and everyone loves her and her friends are so lucky to have her” rhetoric. It comes off as desperate and pathetic.
Hold your head up, get a makeover, smile and move on, Jen. There is strength in walking away, dignity intact.
E! looks ridiculous right now. All TMZ said was that Ben was dating someone but not seriously. So the first line of E’s article is this frantic “not so fast!” …and then they reiterate that Ben is dating but not seriously. The fact is, who cares?! Of course he’s dating, he’s getting divorced. That is what divorced people tend to do. The source saying that Ben & Jen are “working on their relationship” is stupid and makes it sound like, if Ben is dating someone seriously, that would negatively affect his relationship with Jen. Uh, they are in for a major sh*tshow if that’s the case.
I wonder if he’s hooking up with Sienna Miller. She lives in NYC, where he has been spotted recently.
I’d be really surprised. They seemed to get on very well during the promo tour but didn’t have that kind of chemistry at all.
I’m confused. āHe and Jen are working on their relationship and have no ruled out dating in the future.” Someone translate, what does this mean. That they are working on their own personal relationship, but aren’t ruling out future dating – with others or each other?
And, why would any continued establishment of a co-parenting relationship affect their current or future dating abilities? They are separated and divorcing – newly single people are supposed to date. It has nothing to do with their ex. Why wait for the ‘future’? this whole thing is screwy.
They’re working on their co-parenting relationship and have not ruled out dating (other people) in the future. E and their BS source are slipping with all of this stupidity.
+1
Why does anyone believe eonline’s sources? They did not predict the divorce filing — no one’s sources did. TMZ broke the story because they have a contact at the courthouse who tipped them off.
My two cents on Bens’ dating. Robin Wright or Dianne Lane. Do either of them live in NY? There have been rumors over the years of him having affairs with them, and I think both of them are respected in the film community, roughly the same ages, and more than likely are at an age were they don’t want more children.
There were several blinds about Robin and Ben hooking up when they filmed State of Play. Interesting if you google back for the timing, right after that shooting Robin and Sean started their on/off divorce saga (with Sean acting out and weirdly filling HIM for divorce first even if he was historically the cheater on that marriage) and Garner got pregnant with their second child. Now Robin has several projects with Warner Brothers. Ben is a Warner Brother’s boy. Also they both are close friends with Fincher and rumor has it they’re both linked to Fincher’s Strangers on Plane remake. Interesting…
With Diane instead there’s no sign of any interactions with ben nor gossip of them hooking while filming Hollywoodland. Diane, unlike Robin, doesn’t seem to be Ben’s type, but I do believe that he’ll be looking for an acclaimed actress, someone talented and respected in the industry and both Diane and Robin fit that bill, unlike Garner.
Robin Wright and Ben Foster broke up in Aug 2015, just as Ben was done with Garner.
the plot thickens! but then the question is why would Robin take YET another cheating arse after 20 years with Penn just while she’s enjoying her career resurgence and freedom with her kids already grown up? She also got rid of that Scientologist idiot so why more drama with someone like Affleck? Is also true that she seems to be attracted to f*cked up relationships and drama, so maybe she thrives for someone like Ben Affleck and loves the thrill of it?…
I don’t get the big deal TMZ said he was dating it just wasn’t serious. Not sure what E News was trying to clarify as it was pretty much the same statement. I just don’t think he wanted it out there plus with the divorce being filed now I’m pretty sure the last thing Ben wants is to piss her off. The source said Ben was ready to move on again not surprised he had been ready for years. I am surprised Jennifer finally accepted it and filed. He is most likely has a bed buddy. When Ben does move on things will get tricky and Jennifer is going to have let go of those reins a bit as he won’t be around for everything. Ben definitely looks much happier now and I am sure Jennifer will find someone else as well.
Will these two please make up MY mind….one day they’re separated…next they’re seen on vacation together….then they are working on their relationship…then she files for divorce. Today they are working on their relationship AGAIN. Ever hear that old expression…S**T or get off the pot???? These two need to get it together or get apart. PERIOD.
I think it’s a poorly-worded statement from their intern… er, I mean, source. They have filed for divorce and he’s moving out, if he hasn’t already.
I can’t unsee those shoes. Where does she even find them?!
At a shop that stocks comfortable shoes?
I think she’s trolling because it takes some effort to actually go and find the ugliest shoes in those expensive stores in Beverly Hills. And is not that the shoes are ugly: she makes a point in pairing them with her dowdy clothes in the most unflattering way.
It’s not my business how she chooses to live her life, but ‘for the kids’ doesn’t seem legit. She can easily kick him to the curb; he won’t be homeless. Kids have survived divorce in tact and will continue to do so. I understand being friends – that’s certainly ideal – but it seems like a clean break would be less confusing for everyone.
Like someone upthread (@a?) I’ve concluded that a lot of these people claiming to be inside sources are just making stuff up. Because it’s easy enough to do and even the “top tier” rags are buying into printing the most ridiculous things. I just saw an article on People about whether or not Ben and Jen are dating again. It’s comical. But I get why they’re running these nothing stories. I bet they get a lot of clicks.