you’ve already seen these photos from 8-8-15
The press maneuvers throughout Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s high-profile divorce have been both obvious and smart. They’re obvious to gossip followers, but smart in terms of keeping up appearances for the general public. There’s been a steady stream of insider quotes along with paparazzi photos to reinforce the point that they’re trying to maintain a friendly relationship for their children’s sake. All of that went off the rails when their former nanny, Christine Ouzounian, started leaking her story late last month.
It seems like Ben and Jen are back on message after a weekend trip to Orlando, where they were seen with their kids at Universal Studios and Disney World. Judging from photos, the couple was somewhat miserable. It was around 88 degrees in Orlando this weekend and many people would look over it in that weather, VIP treatment or not. So rinse and repeat, here come the quotes about how they’re trying to get along, lest we jump to our own conclusions. As we’ve seen before, the Garner-Affleck PR team gave quotes to different outlets that basically said that same thing, worded slightly differently. Smart and yet obvious and predictable. I would be surprised if there wasn’t a new story about them every day.
Message: Ben wanted to spend his birthday with his kids and Jen
E’s source: “Ben just wanted to spend his birthday weekend with his family. And that’s what he did.”
US Weekly’s source: “This was all he wanted to do for his birthday, go to Disney World with his family and that included Jen. They planned this and all went to Orlando together.”Message: it was hard but they did it together and had fun
People’s source: “They are both making the best of a hard situation. It’s hard to get through an amusement park sometimes with three kids. It’s not always easy, especially when there are a lot of onlookers. They did it together and the kids had a great time, which is what they both wanted.”
E!’s source: “Anyone who has been knows that navigating through an amusement park with multiple children is difficult at times. But they had a great day.”
US’s source: “They didn’t outwardly appear to be having a ton of fun. But they weren’t rushing around, and kept telling the kids they would do whatever they wanted.”Message: They are on good terms now and are putting on brave faces
E!’s source: “Ben and Jen are making the best of the situation. They are just trying to get through the separation and have put on really brave faces.”
People’s onlooker: “Looks like a family to me, with a very brave face.”
Us’s source: “They’re actually on good terms and truly are keeping the peace for the kids.”
[From US Magazine, People and E! Online]
You know, as calculated as this is, it sounds nice. It has Jennifer’s type-A keeping-up-appearances approach all over it, but you can tell she’s trying to minimize the impact on her kids, and that Ben is on board somewhat. He’s showing up, he’s trying, he’s even wearing his ring. Of course this benefits him press-wise too and there’s still the issue of this being confusing to their kids, but I understand it. They’re trying hard to do this the right way. I think they should pull back and do this behind closed doors though, out of the view of photographers and without talking to the press about it. This family needs some space. Maybe there’s no going back at this point.
Also, the former nanny has been quiet recently. I wonder what she’s got up her sleeve, but as Kaiser mentioned to me she probably got a big chunk of money from Ben that came with an NDA.
photos are from 8-8 and 8-14-15. Credit: FameFlynet
Honestly, I think a lot of the pr is more Ben than Jen, he has a lot more to lose than her. The kids probably know what’s going on, but they’re trying to establish a whole “joint family” thing. Which could go south really fast.
In other news though, I heard around that during the last couple years of their marriage that they had an open marriage. Thoughts?
@CidySmiley
She probably “agreed” to look the other way but the nanny was too much (a part of their household, around the kids a lot, etc.) or the last straw for her when it came to Ben. Even open marriages can have rules.
They were already on their breakup vacation when she found out about the nanny.
I agree. I don’t know why people keep claiming that it is Garner’s doing when he has shown time and time again how obsessed he us with controlling his image (e.g. the Prof Gates debacle). He’s also the one with the most to gain, regardless of the sulk he always seems to be in during these outings.
Warner Brothers doesn’t want their new Batman to be hated before the movie comes out. They need a successful 4 quadrant film.
I think Jen in certain ways has more reason to benefit from a narrative where they are co-parenting and on good terms.Ben’s career is in a much better place than hers, she’s over 40 in agist Hollywood, she was really badly panned for her performance in Dallas Buyers Club, she hasn’t had a hit in years. She may not want to be percieved as being bitter, scorned and cast out of Ben’s inner circle. Hollywood is sexist most men have cheated on their wives in Hollywood.
I disagree. Almost every woman I know loves Jen. Loved her in Alias etc. And it’s not just the minivan majority. People really like her – although her fashion sense sucks. Come on girl. Get a crazy awesome stylist post break up. Ditch the asics and baggy butt jeans for nice fitting jeans and some cute loafers. Just as comfy I swear. ….. What was I saying ahsin?
I also disagree, Jen is widely adored whether you like her or not. All the media sources say she has the same amount of money as Ben currently, plus she is starting to release craft products and has always spoken highly of Martha Stewart, a mogul in her own right. Jen can easily take her career in Marthas direction (just like Jessica Alba says Honest is the priority over acting now) and have staying power for years to come. Ben is the one who’s career it is to lose right now, and he’s the one coming out of this “family PR” for the better, not her because it’s expected of her.
Women may like her but men make the majority of movies and tv shows these days.
By the way this sounds like her
http://www.laineygossip.com/Too-upper-class-for-talk-blind-riddle/40388
I totally disagree, and she wasn’t panned by any of the critics I read for Dallas Buyers Club. Now what I would say is Jennifer has not been cast in blockbuster films like Ben, and now in her 40’s, which is ancient for Hollywood women, she has a limited number of parts for her anyway. She is generally cast as the second lead or a supporting part for a while now. Even with her family schedule she has worked steadily over the last 10 years. This is probably her career, not award winning or big box office, just nice medium but good films and steady work. This by most people’s standards would be a success.
Now Ben is different he has had the big budget films, some award success, writer, director, actor and conversely some big bombs and disappointments. I think with the new Batman he has the most to lose. Even before his “personal” life blew up I felt Batman was a bad move. He really isn’t Robert Downey Jr. who can basically turn a super hero into amazing acting, and Ben has to follow Christian Bale and now people are reminded about how wonderful Michael Keaton was too after his Birdman performance. Ben has far more to lose, because he has more to disappoint. For most of Jen’s work, if she is dependable and gives decent performances she probably would still get those kind of parts. Ben could flame out immensely.
Thanks, noway, you voiced my opinion much better than I could.
She works tons for an actress post 40 and that says alot and she is one of those actors who can get away making a domestic commercial (Cap one) and still doing good films. And she has a rep for being professional and kind on set. She has a solid following amongst the minivan majority and she is VERY well liked in her community (Palisades). She is a very hands on mom and seen all over the village with her kids (without paps mind you) and helps at school. Pali moms are usually very casual …so her “fashion sense” is just blending in with other moms.
He has a shaky reputation (PR wise) and isn’t known for being the most agreeable person to work with. Thus far, if there is a PR game to be won…she is winning. But I do think he cares more about said “game”.
Good for them. I like this trend of celebs actually putting the kids first when they decide to divorce, and divorcing amicably. Goop and Chris did it brilliantly, and it looks Jen and Ben are following suit.
This does look like it has aged her though. She is looking haggard, poor thing.
I’m kinda tired of reading their stories already, same old stuff. I think Garner and Affleck need to go away to figure their stuff out and either crap or get off the crapper. All these forced outings show more of a dysfunctional dependence between them, sick really…while they use the shtick of doing it all “for the kids”. I think they are damaging the kiddos more than they are helping them. The message they are modeling to them is: Go ahead, no matter how miserable you are with someone you stick it out and fake it to keep up appearances in the name of the kids. Keep blurry boundaries because you have no self respect, so the other party keeps coming and going to their pleasure and as needed…it’s ok to be used indefinitely for money, status quo, image…etc.
What a bunch of bull! My ex and i divorced and though we have joint custody and have a better friendship than when we were married, we still do our own separate thing with the kids. They understand the value of being true to yourself, working things out for the best interest of EVERYONE involved, no tension, no forced situations, no name calling and most of all respecting boundaries is HUGE. They are well adjusted and happy. I know that when they grow up if they are ever in a miserable marriage they will do the right thing facing things and either working it out or being honest enough to leave before things reach a point of pathological mental/control/fake games.
+1000
interesting..I think he is looking older.
More like Ben’s image is in trouble due to his own bad choices and he convinced Jennifer to help him out.
Absolutely!
Okay. We get it. It’s all for the kids. Which i know it should be, but I think the adults are the ones who need some freaking guidance here. They can still see Ben without Jen. So I’m wondering why she is insisting on these miserable outings with him. I hope it’s not because he has to be forced to see the kids. I hope these two hammer it out and get it over with soon. The Nanny has gone radio silent. Gossip fatigue on this is setting in.
I think maybe the outings (seemingly) help Ben’s image right now and it doesn’t hurt that it makes Jen look good, too. Ben’s team must have finally got the nanny under control? Not sure she seems like she’d go away that easy….
Gossip fatigue, indeed. Are their PR people going to read article comments and respond every few days from now on?
If nanny didn’t get shut down in some way, I’m sure we’ll see her out and about this week. Because all of these articles just inadvertently fuel her ‘girl on fire’ delusions.
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing! Not to mention the fact the kids are bound to pick up on the fact that their parents are barely speaking to eachother? If they can’t hide how miserable they are, like the photos indicate, maybe it would be better if they saw their kids separately right now? This is such a mess, and a bad situation for those kids no matter what.
Why does someone always pop up claiming JG insisted on the family outing? He’s the dirtbag with the most to lose imagewise. Maybe he begs her to go along to help him look good and she agrees because she’s a nice person who invested more than ten years of her life in this man.
Yeah I don’t get it. I 100 percent don’t think she has any craps to give about BA anymore. But she was married to the guy and I am sure if someone you were married to asks for a favor you do it. The weekend before last when they showed that pic of her with him talking he looked so relieved it was pretty sad.
Doesn’t matter who insists on it, IMO. They should put their kids ahead of their own image issues, and I’m not sure they are doing that at the moment.
Maybe she insists on it now that she knows he can’t be trusted to watch his own kids and not be banging some random Heaux when he’s supposed to be the parent in charge.
My response to this latest brand-saving move: BARF. We get it already. Laying it on real thick, eh? Why, pray tell? I think they need a few more “fun” family outing where people can get loads of pictures to really sell this “brave face” nonsense. I mean, really?!?!
It all just makes me wonder what exactly they’re trying to hide. This is turning into the lady (or couple) doth protest too much.
Is Nanny Oozie still in the hotel? I’ve been out of the loop this past weekend.
It still cracks me up how his son looks soooo much like Matt Damon.
If Ben really wanted to spend his birthday with his family, he could have kept his d!ck to himself and put a little more effort into being a husband and father. In that case, he would have a hell of a lot of birthdays to spend with his family. But we’re supposed to buy the idea that he wanted to spend time with his family NOW? Lolz.
I feel as if his thought process was something more along the lines of, “Jesus, it’s hot as f*ck. Did I remember to stash my weed in my socks when I was packing? Does that stripper from Boca, Cinammon or something, still have my phone number?”
I totally understand this strategy, but trotting the kids out makes me cringe…and I do think that’s what is happening because I can’t imagine paps stalking them 2/47 in Georgia. My opinion is that throwing shade would probably be very very satisfying (or exposing Ben’s issues) for Jen—but they have kids and the press would never let her go after that. It’d turn into a ten year Brad/Jen/Angie/Justin saga. I think a lot of celebrities learned from that mess, so even if they have a messy af divorce they try and keep it civil in the press so it doesn’t become eternal tabloid bait.
there is a lot of film production in GA. There are paps there–you don’t need to call them for them to find you. They have “friends” on crews who alert them who is town/where they are staying.
I don’t agree that Ben is the one pushing these outings and he gets Jen to agree. Bad behavior aside, I do believe that Ben actually does want to spend time with his kids and he truly loves them. I actually think Jen is more concerned about the public image piece of it, which pre-split coverage seems to confirm (she didn’t want to announce, but Ben did.) Again, I actually like them both, but I would suspect that Jen, yes despite everything he’s done, is likely the one holding on and wanting to keep wearing the rings. She kept hers on consistently, even when Ben’s was on/off/on again. I think she’s reluctant to give Ben back to the world (sorry, I know spears are flying at me!) But as a woman, I can relate. How many of us have hated/wanted to hate a guy that betrayed us, but you can’t help how you still feel (love doesn’t just stop), and you don’t really yet want that guy to be with anyone else. For her, I think the rings send a message to the world. I personally don’t believe the rings are about the kids at this point. And I don’t see her as the type to keep up the outings purely for the studios – I think it’s that she’s still holding on to the full family unit and wants the world to know this.
In related news, Gossip Cop ran this latest story, maybe coming from both of their camps (?), about how the kids are “sad” but “get it.” :/
http://www.gossipcop.com/ben-affleck-children-divorce-jennifer-garner-kids/
I think you’re right about it not being Ben pushing these shows (because that’s what they are). Jen has always trotted out the “Dimple Parade” when rumors about their marriage surfaced and this is no exception. Yes, I know we’re beyond rumors at this point but still. I think they both care about public opinion (Ben’s PBS f*ck up, anyone?) but Jen is simply far better at it. She probably pays more attention to detail and isn’t the type to simply put out fires, so to speak, she plans ahead. This latest simpering coverage has her stamp all over it. Regardless of how she actually feels, I bet this is EXACTLY what she wants people to think.
@Wren – You’re right about Ben caring about perception too. Somehow, I forgot about the PBS thing. To me though, their motivations seem different. JMO, but it seems like he cares more about his overall image and credibility as an actor/director/writer public figure, humanitarian, possible future in politics, etc., whereas Jen seems to care mainly about keeping up the perception of a happy family and marriage, even at this stage.
I think both of you are spot on!
I completely agree. Ben happily took off his rings and seemed so happy once the divorce press was released until the nanny drama started. I truly believe Jennifer is still holding onto Ben and they are doing things her way for now because she got screwed. No matter what Ben wants out and refers to her as being pretty controlling. He can see his kids without Jennifer being there. That’s what most people heading towards divorce do.
What she ever saw in this petulant slob of a manchild, I have no idea.
Let this self-destructive clown try and salvage his own reputation. Beyond facilitating a relationship with the kids, I can’t imagine how Jennifer Garner can stand to be around him.
(Full disclosure: I’ve always thought that Affleck was an arrogant shouty tool, so my assessment may be harsher than others…)
Social climber B list actress to A list status.Arrogance thinking she could change him more than any other women.Lack of humility always wanting to get her way.Should I go on it takes two to tango.Ben never hid he was a douche bag so Jennifer has no excuse she was with him for ten years.She is either very niave or sneaky two qualities that make people fail all the time.
What are you talking about? How in the world was JG social climbing. She had a hit tv show and was starring in movies. She was doing great. BA needed her to help rehab his image which was doing really badly after flops and the Bennifer mess.
Except that when they got together Garner’s career was on the rise and his had tanked due to Bennifer 1.0 and Gigli.
God, what a horrible assessment. I couldn’t disagree more.
How is she a ‘social climber’ when her career was as hot as his when they got together (especially after his Gigli bomb); when she’s a homebody who avoids Hollywood events and famous people; and when she effectively gave up her career to support his. In what parallel universe is this somehow her ‘fault’?
And unlike Affleck, she can actually act. Garner was the best thing in Juno, among other things.
She basically gave up her career for him. She was doing much better than him at the time. Ben was a punch line.
How dare u say such horrible things about JG she had a hot movie career when she met Ben, haven’t you seen Elektra? All jen wanted was to stay home, bake bread and have babies she had no idea ben had so many issues when she got knocked up by him six months after they started dating. LOL.
Jennifer was never more than a TV star. Many people had never heard of her (and probably never would have), despite the success of Alias. She really benefited career-wise from her marriage to Ben. Her pattern of relationship behavior does demonstrate her social climbing (although it is clear that she was truly infatuated with and head over heels for Ben for eons).
There is some biography (“documentary”) about Ben and Jen (you should be able to find it online) in which one of the celebrity “journalists” talks about Jen’s ambition. He or she does not paint her as a bad women, but definitely differently than the sainted mom and wife that she has since become.
@Blue – LOL I’m assuming you’re being facetious re: Garner’s acting prowess. May I add to the list “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”, “Arthur”, & the classic “Butter”?
Yeah, they met on a movie they were working on *together*, so if she was B list then so was he.
Everyone forgets how much Ben was hated after Gigli and the public butt-rubbing displays. Say what you will about Jen’s carefully crafted PR, it has helped his career–so much that people like you forget how down he was on his game before she got with him.
Am I the only person that remembers that Alias was cancelled?
I CANT TAKE THIS ANYMORE!
There, I said it. This is really annoying and upsetting and sending mixed signals, now if I am feeling like that, and I’m not even related to them, imagine their kids?
This has to be promo for Batman Vs Superman, like in a reverse-psychology kind of way.
I can barely read news related to them anymore. Just get it over with guys. Just divorce and part ways.
I don’t think this is bad for the kids at all. As long as they are able to act politely to each other, doing things all together is enormously helpful for children of divorce. The most damaging thing is for them to speak ill of the other parent as children identify in part with their parents, and it is as if the parent is speaking ill of the child. My parents divorced when I was 21, and my father has never said a bad word about my mother. My mother, on the other had, despite having a masters in psychology and being a licensed therapist, regularly made sniping comments about my dad. One of the many reasons I broke ties with her.
I agree with you Crumpet, I guess what really gets me is the public outing thing, I agree that the parents should never involve their kids when they are going through divorce, and in their issues, generally, during and after marriage. But I also don’t think “pretending” everything is fine for “as long as possible” is a realistic way to keep the kids from suffering. Kids are very smart and they can see and feel when their parents are hurt and/or fighting that’s why I think it must be very confusing for the kids.
Dad moves out of the house but he still goes do Disneyland with us, Mom is crying but the next day let’s go out as a family and mom and dad wear rings sometimes and sometimes they don’t.
Unless they are VERY good at it, I don’t see how this will not affect their children. Unless they keep them away from other people who could break the news to them.
same here, a very ligth rain for the last 34 years. When i was older enough to free myself it slowly changed my relationship with my mother. thats a strong promise I made, never speak ill of the other, you never win at the end. my parents are still very unhappily married thought and my mother has not understand a bit yet
I’m not sure how much these family outings help Ben’s image when he looks totally and completely miserable. Isn’t he an actor? WTH can’t he at least look pleasant for his children?
It hurts me to applaud Goop, but she and Martin did this so much better and looked relaxed and happy in contrast.
I’ve wondered the same. While a few pictures don’t tell the whole story, he’s been looking miserable for a long time. Jen doesn’t look happy, either, so why add to the kids’ future online photo album (pap pics) of this sad time?
The funny thing us that he used to do the same with JLo. She’d be gazing at him adorably or trying to kiss him for the cameras on the red carpet and he’d be gazing off into the middle distance looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.
I think he’s one of those people who always want what they can’t have and don’t want what they’ve already got until it’s gone. Self-sabotaging jackass.
Bingo. That would explain pretty much everything he’s ever done ever.
that’s him to a t, well said.
*adoringly* Damn autocorrect.
All this intentional papping can’t be good for the kids, to be put under a microscope for the world to view, after learning their parents are splitting. I’m not a parent, but this song and dance, with miserable dad, seems counter-intuitive, as far as a benefit ‘for the children’. It just seems much more calculated to the benefit of the parents.
Would not surprise me in the least, if we heard the divorce had been called off! I think Ben can be a charmer when he wants to be, and I think Jen really loves him. He knows that he needs the stablility of a family…I know most people think he wants the divorce, but I don’t think he does, I think he put Jen in a position that she had no choice but to file…I think he would have been fine, being the loving family man in public, while getting a little something extra on the side…he just picked a big mouthed side piece this time, and it screwed him (no pun intended) lol
Oh please he does want this divorce.It is Jennifer clinging to him making him doubt his decisionBut at the end they will divorce just like Gwyneth and Chris did.This whole thing is Jennifer dragging a dead marriage on because she does not want him with someother A list star someone who happens to be waiting for him.These two do not confuse the least bit I see clearly through all this pr nonesense.
I agree with this, I don’t think he truly wants the marriage back. And I agree she is the one probably more reluctant to let go, in spite of everything. All of that said, I wouldn’t be shocked if they ended up trying to make it work again – for dysfunctional reasons on both his and her sides – but I can’t see that it would ever work out in the long term. Can’t see these two together at all, especially once their kids are grown up.
Agreed Jen is the one holding on, Ben is just trying to dump her with the least amount of PR damage possible after the nanny debacle.
Sorry, but this is too much. Have we ever before seen so much press in the aftermath of a celebrity divorce? Sources quoted almost daily for over a month now?
I know Jen’s filming in Atlanta, but in terms of all of these outings with the kids, they should be getting away from all of the hullabaloo. They have the money to whisk the children off to whatever little corner of the globe they desire – and give them some much-needed privacy. Why don’t they do so? Why don’t they just offer no comment to the press about every daily step they take?
Well, yes, we have. Liz-Eddie-Debbie followed almost immediately by Liz-Eddie-Dick. As ET was a star of megawattage power I can’t imagine how it would have been if they’d had internet back then. But, yes, for someone of Affleck’s limited appeal, it is very OTT.
It looks a PR move and its helping the situation for him. It is surprising after all this to do this with him right away from her. She defintley is getting something out of this whatever that is. Still It may be better than they are at war headlines for them . She may never file a divorce until they both well in to other relationships or at least not for a while if this continues.
must be fun living under such scrutiny. they probably can’t wait for halle berry’s divorce announcement because you know that will be epic.
How BIG a chunk of money would it take to shut the nanny up? Like a million? 5? I’m really curious.
Wth else are they going to say? They’re fighting like cats and dogs?! So stupid.
Ben looks like a stunned mullet in the top photo.
This divorce is wreaking havoc on Affleck’s wig.
I don’t this is all Jennifer trying to keep up appearances – it’s both of them. They both think they have to do this publiclly I guess. Ben *is* the guy who demanded his slave-owning ancestor be kept off that show, so he also cares very much about his image, even over things that aren’t about him personally.
I can’t figure out whether one or both of them really wants this press attention, whether they are ignoring professional advise and arrogantly controlling this publicity because they think they know what they’re doing or whether they just have the worst publicists in the world. Really.
They unnecessarily built up to this divorce for so long with their awkward/miserable family pap walks but the fires could have been extinguished upon the divorce announcement had they both kept their heads down for a few months and moved on. Instead it’s more of the same, they’re locked in the past, looking uncomfortable and miserable together, wearing their rings, pretending that nothing’s changed…. Creating more drama that their faces suggest they don’t want.
Well, you left out the nanny. The nanny was kind of the game changer in their conscious uncoupling rollout. LOL
But I do agree with you, the constant giving of info to US Weekly and Page Six and People back and forth and more pap walks with everyone miserable has been a bit much for sure for over a month now. Just go live your lives privately as much as possible.
The separation was never unexpected and it would blow over if they would just stay out of the press like the others divorcing are, with the caveat if the nanny goes away. There can’t be much interest left in regards to her, so that should be on its way out.
STOP talking Actions speak louder than words so if it about putting the kids first then put them first. Instead of running to the media telling everyone that your putting you kids first and the photo ops because it comes off as fake and PR driven.
Whatever Ben had to pay that little strumpet to go away, I’m glad he did. As for the PR press, this reeks of Ben trying to clean up his image, when he would need a few gallons of bleach to do that. Jen doesn’t really owe him anything, but loves her kids more than she hates his guts, so off they go to Disneyland.
I call BS on all of this. Ben would have rather spent his birthday partying in Vegas with strippers, booze, and a poker table. He loves his kids but he’s not the type of guy who would want to spend his birthday of all days at Disney World. Please.
Second, as I mentioned in yesterday’s post, Ben and Jennifer could have went anywhere within a few hours from Atlanta where Jen is filming for a family weekend/birthday celebration. Why spend a day miserable in hot weather and crowds? They could have spent a quiet weekend at their vacation home near Savannah. They could have flown to a quiet island in the Caribbean.
They knew the paps and the public would see and get many photos of them at Disney World and Universal Studios. At this point they are exploiting their own children to rehabilitate Ben’s image and Jen’s obsession with keeping up appearances and looking like she is in control. This outing was not for the children. If they had put their children’s best interests in mind, they would have went anywhere but one of the most crowded amusement parks in the country.
Agree with all above. This isn’t “for the kids”.
Also Ben has been away a lot. This won’t change a whole lot in their daily lives.
There is a new tabloid news from OK that they are calling off divorce because he doesn’t want to lose his family. This is such a cluster f#ck if true. If true, they both need to go to mental rehab and give those kids a break and give us a break. It feels like they were testing the water, especially on Ben’s part, on how public would take the divorce. For Ben, it failed.
Yeah, they are very transparent in their PR games (ring on/ring off!- their PR folks just bought a new pool) & the kids certainly can sense all the misery these two spew, even if they are at Disney…maybe they ramping up the PR again because Ben’s Ashley Madison info is about the hit the net- kidding! I think…
OMG – yup, it’s OK’s cover story! I hate to say this, but I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS ALL ALONG!
http://okmagazine.com/photos/ben-affleck-jennifer-garner-call-off-divorce-reconcile/photo/1001303314/
Who knows if it’s true, but ugh. I would understand them trying again if the nanny was just one random (albeit bad) blip on the radar, but these two have seemed miserable and on the verge of splitting for years. I don’t get it.
Of course, this conflicts with Gossip Cop’s story yesterday, which says the kids are “sad” about the divorce, but they “get it.”
http://www.gossipcop.com/ben-affleck-children-divorce-jennifer-garner-kids/
Seriously, I said it above, but I just don’t see these two together, especially once the kids are grown up.
It’s OK magazine. I don’t believe it. They would give that exclusive to People Magazine.
Gossip Cop gets their information from PR agents. Gossip Cop story’s from yesterday goes along with the People and US article today which came from their PR agents.
I think they would try again before making the announcement, why put the kids though all this unnecessary public stress, only to get back together in such a short time. Not to mention that would be horrible for both there images, the public would believe this whole thing was some big PR scheme.
@Jayna and @Neah – I agree, it seems too crazy! But, I don’t know, I’ve suspected this all along. It seems entirely too weird that they don’t take their rings off, because let’s be real, that’s not for the kids. I have a sneaking suspiscion that, although Ben seemingly wanted out for years, Jen forces the divorce filing in a rush job when she found out about the nanny. My guess is that it could have been an impulse decision that she really didn’t want to go through with and is still hoping they can work things out. Also, I’d this isn’t the case, why did she go to a hotel that one weekend in Atlants while Ben stayed at the house with the kids? If they’re divorcing anyway – and she already knew about the nanny supposedly when they filed – why did she storm out and leave the property and stay at a hotel? That’s the behavior of someone who is still in a marriage. I don’t get any of it. Complete dysfunction. I mean, again, I can see trying to save your marriage, but not when you’ve already been trying without success for the last 5-6 years.
It was mentioned on Tuseday or Wednesday post that Jen wasn’t wearing her ring at Universal studios and I think Ben PR team is making him wear his.
If it’s true that Jen wasn’t wearing her ring then I think one or two things happened. One she only wears the ring for photo op and as the theme park visits was not a photo op she didn’t wear the ring or two she finally ready to take it off and move on.
@Neah – I saw that mention too, about Jen not wearing her ring, but I don’t think it’s true. The photos of her showed her with her ring on in Orlando, and they zoomed in on a close-up of it.
I think we have to remember they are people first and PR second. I can imagine for them it’s even harder to know the difference sometimes. They have CLEARLY struggled for ages. But, also, there have been stories about Ben’s drinking/gambling, etc. being out of control for quite some time. Remember Lainey’s blind about the alleged heroin use? She implied then that if she pulled the plug it wouldn’t be over the women, but over the addiction. I have a feeling that emotionally she got hit with a couple of BIG unpleasant Ben-Woman shocks this spring (Canada) and summer (Nanny) and the nanny may well have tipped her over the edge. As I’ve mentioned before, when you love someone who is an addict, you love the person you see behind the addiction. That makes it HARD HARD HARD to cut them off when they are reassuring you (even sincerely) that they are going to deal with the addiction and do better. I told my ex when I had reached that line with him that if he was serious about getting better, then he needed to do so, and that if, in a couple of years (the timeline recommended by my counselor), he was still in a good place, we’d reassess and maybe I would be able to trust it was true this time and we could regroup as a family.
Of course, he didn’t want to wait, which proved the sincerity of the matter. Hence, the ex in his title. It’s a very hard place to be when your heart wants so badly to believe it can be different.
Gossip Cop is now debunking the OK! cover story about them reconciling. Wonder which one is true?
How can they reconcile – they both look utterly miserable. All this *happy family time *PR is shameful.
The pic of miserable Ben floating on the Dumbo ride is unforgettable and sadly comical.
BEN was probably wishing Dumbo would magically fly away to the nearest casino to escape all this misery.
The dimple parade is history. Move on.
MOOBS! that’s all I’ve got.
I’m still wondering about that Twitter feed about him and the nanny in San Diego. Not confirmed, and no mention of it anywhere…but still a possibility? I’m an old fart, so don’t understand Twitter that much, but 1) it could be true, 2) could the friends/nanny tweeted it to make it look real, 3) just a couple that looked like them. It’s a sad day in society when I’m more inclined to believe a social media, than a PR rep.
Not a chance in hell it’s true. The nanny has been making a fool of him, setting him up for a pap shot to out their affair, selling stories, selling the airplane photo to make more money and get her 15 minutes of fame, leaking she wants to be on the Bachelorette or DWTS. He’s not going anywhere near her nor will he talk to her.
He could be paying her to go away.
This “for the kids” stuff is getting old. I get it they want what is best for their kids. Isn’t that all parents though? Forcing them to endure an awkward family vacation really isn’t a benefit to them. Honestly, the whole thing is strange but whatever their kids, their decision.
I notice Matt is out and about a lot with wifey lately as far as getting papped. He even brought her to a radio interview. Me thinks he is enjoying highlighting his wonderful marriage so people don’t compare him to Ben. LOL
On ET:
“While his best bud Ben Affleck is in the midst of a tough divorce, Matt Damon is gearing up to celebrate his 10th wedding anniversary with wife Luciana in December. Though the couple have been together for over a decade, Damon says he “wouldn’t give anybody any advice” about maintaining a successful relationship.
“I think marriage is insane,” Damon admitted to ET. “It’s a crazy idea but I love being married to my wife. So I wouldn’t tell anybody else about their relationship. But I’m lucky I found my wife. And I guess maybe, if there’s any secret … it’s to feel lucky.”
“ET caught up with the actor at the junket for his latest film The Martian, where he confessed that there’s no hard and fast rule to staying together in the spotlight.
“So much of it is out of your hands,” Damon said. “I mean, I just had that conversation with my father this weekend. He says the same thing to me. Says it’s God’s grace, is what he said. Because you just don’t get lucky.”
Asked about Ben’s birthday.
“I was in Boston with my family actually. It was kind of a meaningless, it was 43 you know? It wasn’t that big,” Damon joked of his friend’s big day. “I think he was actually in Atlanta with his family. So we missed each other but…he’s good. He’s good.”
Matt is married to a former waitress while we all know Jennifer is an actress. You’d think being in the same profession, they’d have like minds; but, maybe opposites do attract and that’s why Matt’s marriage seems to be working. Only the shadow knows I guess. I never found Matt’s wife to be particularly attractive, but then again I never found him too attractive either, Oh well six of one, half a dozen of the other.
People are so much more than their occupation. Actor and bartender are not necessary the opposites. Were she an undertaker, I could consider it ))
You never know if they are having a happy marriage. I thought Meg Ryan was absolutely happy with Dennis Quaid, you know.
The ‘radio appearance’ was the live taping of a comedy skit show with friends, which Lucy usually attends. They’re in LA and being papped while Matt is in the city briefly, but there’s no story.
I thought the exact same thing Jayna
Back in the day couples would stay together for the kids, leaving them miserable. Now they divorce but put a front on for the kids sake. Either way, it is the children who suffer and when they are of age, the cycle will probably continue. Is it marriage, or just the marriage of the wrong people. We all know Jennifer had that third kid to give him a son. Fickle ass men.
There are several places out there today that are mentioning him going to rehab. I don’t think there have been any sightings since the weekend? I hope it’s true.
@Diane – Here’s your answer. I don’t think Ben is in rehab. LOL.
http://www.nationalenquirer.com/mike-walker/ben-affleck-explodes-nasty-dirtball-disses-jennifer-garner
Oh my goodness! I would agree.
Is this story supposed to be believe able. Lol first they keep comparing him to Batman which is laughable and their was no video, picture or law suit.
I also don’t believe the rehab story that sounds like PR stunt that’s agents use now a days to get their clients off.
Keeping the peace for the kids? You guys are multimillionaires. The kids will be fine.
This is just sickening. I’m sorry, but they’ve got to know when to stop. Ben wants to divorce her, so that she won’t be his family anymore. He doesn’t like her so much, he humiliated her in every possible way in the last years, publicly as well as privately. I feel so sorry for Jennifer, it must be heartbreaking crazy place for her, poor thing. But she has got to stop. And hide, till the crazy passes. And not be tellung us stories how all he wanted is his family. Or try and stick your kids as an excuse for everything, when it is her who really wants it.
Then, on the other hand, Ben could be having second thoughts too. Unless he is really in love with someone else, why divorce? She’d let him do whatever he wants to.
Another poster was hoping that we see Jen working with a stylist in a few months. I hope so too!!! The best revenge is living well … and looking hot.
When she gets rid of that blonde hair for the movie, which I don’t like, I would like to see her go back not to the dark brown, but medium brown with the caramel highlights scattered on the longer parts of her hair and tousled beachy like here.
http://f.tqn.com/y/beauty/1/S/g/Y/1/jennifer-garner-bangs.jpg
Seraphina looks so much like her mum, V like her dad.
You have it backwards. Violet is a mini me clone of Jen. And Seraphina looks like her daddy. She has his exact eyes and his mouth and is the only child of theirs who doesn’t have dimples Violet and Sam have their mom’s dimples.
Every time I see pics of the nanny, all I can think of is WHY Jen thought it was a good idea to hire her? I mean granted she’s all made up and blown out when she steps out her house now, “paparazzi ready”, but still she is an attractive woman, and when you are married to a cheater why would it not even cross your mind that he just might do the unthinkable? I love Jen but damn if she isn’t naive af and trusting to a fault.
Interesting that after getting papped all weekend, Ben and Jen have been incognito for the last few days… Jen will be wrapping up her movie soon and school is about to start again, it will be interesting to see what life will be like when they go back to LA, after they announced their divorce Jen and the kids went straight to Atlanta, and of course Ben went back to LA on and off and got busted with the nanny, so embarrassing. I feel for Jen and the kids, I hope the paparazzi are kind to her and don’t shout out questions about the nanny while she’s with her kids… Ben really f’d up his family’s life, sigh…
The nanny is just not that attractive. Bargain bin Barbie at best… Like the ones where the limbs don’t move and the head pops off when you try to brush its matted hair.
With the Gaffleck over saturation, I’m nonplussed that this is being covered ad nauseum… But not The Secret Divorce of Terrence Whatzizname… On Empire.