There’s been speculation that US Magazine, which was purchased by American Media in March, is going tabloid and is no longer relying on publicist-sanctioned stories. That would be a logical conclusion, given that American Media also owns The National Enquirer, Star, Radar and OK! Magazine. However just because US is becoming more sensational, that doesn’t mean they still don’t have the same sources (i.e. publicists) they’ve used in the past. Hence this cover story about Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, who filed for divorce this April without dishing the dirt, on vacation together in the Bahamas. US Mag is the same outlet that ran exclusive details of their first breakup vacation, when Garner learned that Affleck was boffing their nanny, back in 2015. They had information that only Garner or someone close to her would know, and it was heavily slanted in her favor. (As it should have been, given the circumstances.) With that in mind, here’s part of US’s report:
Jennifer Garner knows how to negotiate. Before agreeing to speak to a room of 160 executives from software company Fast Enterprises at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort, the actress had a list of requests. In addition to her appearance fee, she would need a private jet to transport her to and from the two-hour June 20 engagement and a local glam squad to prep her for the meet-and-greet (no selfies, please!) and subsequent dinner. She would also need adequate accommodations: two adjoining two-bedroom suites and an addition suite for a five-night stay.
After all, she would need plenty of room for her traveling companions: daughters Violet, 11, and Seraphina, 8, son Samuel, 5 . . . and their father, Ben Affleck. Despite officially filing for divorce from the two-time Oscar winner, 44, in April, nearly two years after they announced the end of their decadelong marriage, the 45-year-old star of The Tribes of Palos Verdes asked him to join her and their kids on the Bahamian getaway, sources reveal in the new issue of Us Weekly.
Though a Garner insider insists the couple aren’t reuniting, “Jen feels it is most beneficial for the kids to have their father present.” That means the Live by Night actor was on hand to watch their offspring enjoy their beach vacation, much of which, says a source, was spent 100 miles away at Baker’s Bay in Great Guana Cay — the same spot the family escaped to in 2015, when Garner and Affleck revealed they had split.
There, the kids could swim in the infinity pool, explore the white sand beaches and take advantage of the club’s many offerings. (On the list: snorkeling, tubing and even a Bahamian cooking class.) For Affleck, who recently spent time away filming, “it was a great opportunity to keep the norm going for the kids,” says a close Ben source. Garner was also eager to present a united front, says the insider: “Jen will always do whatever it takes to provide the best arrangements for them that she can.”
This makes me wonder – will Jennifer Garner call out US Magazine for making up a story about her? She just did this to People Magazine, claiming she didn’t grant them an interview for a recent cover story. I doubt she’ll do this to US, considering this story is probably from a “source” and they’ve had so many other cover story exclusives with her before. Also it’s all about what a great mom she is, and how reasonable she is with Ben, which I buy somewhat. He’s said as much in interviews. There’s a side to her that we see when reading between the lines though and it’s one of a control freak who will do anything necessary to maintain the perfect image. I’m not saying she’s a bad person or anything, it’s just clear that’s what’s happening. Also she’s making side money by giving paid speeches and doing credit card commercials. All of that requires a certain public persona and that she continually gets positive press. One caveat though – it’s possible US’s source is someone at the company who paid for her appearance, considering that they lead with those details. Maybe that was strategic to throw us off the scent.
True to form, E! has some “insider” quotes too. They write that “Ben and Jen took a family vacation with other family friends. There was never any question that Ben would be there. All the dads went along, and it would have been strange for the kids not to have their dad there.” As for whether they’re reuniting, “They are not getting back together at all. They are both moving on, but will continue doing things together as a family.” There are even more quotes if you care, which add that Ben only came a few days at the end of the trip. There are more over-the-top details including the fact that Ben and Jen worked out every day and that the kids swam in the pool and in the ocean. Yes but was the nanny there?
I don’t believe that Garner and Affleck are getting back together, but I bet that Affleck wouldn’t mind, as long as things could continue as before and he can sneak around on the side. She shouldn’t take him back just because (or if) he’s sober. They’re doing the right thing for their kids, that’s the takeaway here.
Photos credit: Backgrid and WENN
photos credit: Backgrid and WENN
That’s an old ass pic that they used on the cover, lol. Gossip Cop reports that they didn’t even stay in the same house on the island. Doesn’t sound so amicable to me, more like two people who don’t like each other anymore agreeing to be in the same time zone for the kids.
Totally an old picture. His face is looking a mess these days.
she has the worst taste in shoes.
Those shoes make me sad.
It’s almost impossible to have such bad taste in shoes. There is not one pair that she has ever had on that I would even allow in my closet, much less on my feet.
She has overlapping toes. She chooses shoes for comfort versus choosing them for gaze of people she doesn’t know.
I literally clicked on this article just to see and hate on her shoes, overlapping toes or not. There are for sure options out there. Her style is just actual garbage.
Maybe for someone with her money there are options. But again comfort should be the first consideration with shoes. Years of wearing beautiful but ultimately uncomfortable shoes led to Sarah Jessica Parker having foot damage.
Hear me out on this – if they had never been married and it came out they were dating, I think people would say really? she doesn’t seem his type – knowing what we know now about his drinking, gambling blah blah. She seems the stay at home family type. He doesn’t. To me, they seem a total mismatch apart from the kids. That doesn’t make ether of them “bad” it just means they dont work. I could honestly see Ben with Gwyneth Paltrow because of their personalities but not Jen.
I have known couples like this. Its classic opposites attract. RDJ and his wife admittedly have a similar dynamic. He instinctively gravitates towards someone who will provide structure and she seeks out someone who needs it. Those relationships do work if theres give and take but with these two, it seems like he started resenting the structure.
I also dont think it is a coincidence that both his and Casey have replicated their parents relationship. The wife provides the stability, the husband runs free and when the marriage ends, the women stay very close by and continue to provide the stability which the men can dip in and out of at will.
I like what you wrote, very good interpretation. I think is very much true.
Gwyneth broke up with him because of the drinking, gambling, and aloofness. He needs someone young and dumb like the nanny who has low standards for a partner.
Or who is seeking the fame and attention that banging him will bring to her.
Look at Ben’s parents. His father was a no-good, full-on drunk loser (complete with alcoholic seizures in front of Ben and Casey) and their mother still never threw him out. HE left her (and the kids and never returned), not the other way around. His mother was the original doormat. Kids live what they learn at home. Makes me sad for Ben and Jen’s kids.
Oh I didn’t know this. Very telling and interesting.
In all interviews Ben and Casey have ever given, the story is that their mother threw him out of the house. Do you know the family personally?
I agree, I can’t believe they were ever married because she doesn’t seem like his type at all. Oh, and is “breakup vacation” really a thing now? Please tell me this isn’t a thing.
Gwyneth and Chris Martin were just on vacation with their kids, too.
If you have all the money in the world and can take a ton of vacations, going on a civil trip with your ex for the sake of your kids is not the worst thing you could do. Why wouldn’t you?
Of all the terrible things you could do in a breakup, taking time off together is at the top of the Good Things List. Breakup Vacation should definitely become a thing if you have children.
She was pregnant when they got married.
I’ve always wondered why their narrative has been “it’s good for the kids for him to be around” when he has prolonged periods of not being sober and slept with their nanny?
You dont get to rob your kids of their dad cause he slept with their nanny. And if he is sober and supervised around them, its better for all concerned that you maintain the relationship. Alcoholism is an illness not an invalidation of parenthood. If you remember the first year of the separation, he only seemed to spend time with them when she was present or when a woman we assumed was a nanny was. In fact it always got people so worked up because they didnt understand why they all had to go to Farmer Market together if they were divorcing. Now we know why. She was providing supervision as naturally as possible.
Well he’s their father. He’s done a lot of horrible things that can be addressed as needed with the kids but they’ll still benefit from his love and attention and support. Isn’t that kind of what you say to kids in all divorces? Just because we’re not married any more doesn’t mean we won’t both always love you.
How do I know there is some PR involvement?
Look at this tidbit: ” The Tribes of Palos Verdes”
What is that, a film, TV series? I am not going to look it up. But dropping that in was quite clunky.
exactly: PR people always include the projects of clients they want to put out there. Typical PR statement.
I dont see how this can be healthy for the kids. Its just so bizarre. She is setting a very…strange example for her little girls.
He seems so unstable and Jen continues to
Enable him even after the divorce.
I hate to say it but Jennifer Garner comes off as so desperate and pathetic, even after the divorce.
Why is it only a strange example for their daughters and not their son? Just curious, not trying to be snarky. And as a child of divorce who’s parents could barely be in the same room together I actually find this dynamic much healthier. I think it’s better for them to see their parents getting along and being able to be “together”, considering the kids are still so young. If it works for them, and everyone is happy, then I don’t see the harm in it.
Children arent clueless and I’m sure they see what a doormat their mother is. She bends over backwards for him and its obvious it goes beyond just wanting to keep it civil.
She put up with a lot of mistreatment from their father and its obviously sad and pathetic. She seems to lack the ability to create boundries and lives in lala land all in thr name of “the kids.” i think she is in denial and holding onto him for dear life and its pretty pathetic at this point. Kids can see that. Its clear she has suffered through a lot and kids could feel that. Yet here she is inviting him on vacation, holding on for dear life to a man who doesnt want her. They are loaded- they can hire nannies to help him and he can go on elaborate vacations. if he is so unfit, he shouldnt have 50/50 custody anyways.
Jen Pick up the pieces and move on.
No Mary, she comes off as sensible and mature. Instead of using her children as a pawn, she provides access that she can monitor. She could play it dumb and force him to get a custody order which she couldnt supervise because a court probably wouldnt find cause. Or she can be a good co-parent and then innocently maneuver to be a part of his visits. So if this was his weekend with the kids, why not suggest that you all go away together to her conference? He gets his time with them, they spend time with their dad, you have your peace of mind and everyone is happy.
My parents have been divorced for 41 years and are vacationing at my dad’s condo in Florida even as we speak. For the first 4 years after the divorce, they hated each other with ferocity then they calmed down. They almost remarried each other after 7 years but my mom finally said no. She says as a husband he was stingy and controlling, but as a friend he’s funny and reliable. I think they are really good friends (who sometimes argue and have to take a break from each other) and it’s been great for us kids. They attend Christmas and family celebrations and we don’t gave to pick sides. They are a great example to my sibs and their grandkids of how to get along and how to put family first. I’ve been married for 24 years and if We ever break up this is what I hope we would do.
Idk. It has the look to me of her wanting to lie to the kids, if not explicitly, then by creating a false facade for them where it looks like nothing is different or going to change. There probably is some of that fakery going on for the public just because that’s what she does, but I have a nagging feeling that she’s trying to put on a show more for the kids. (Which I do not endorse, btw)
I get the group vacation thing just as Jennifer took her assistant/manager with her: the blonde woman who’s always with her in the pap pictures and is longtime friends with her and has a kid who shares school with Jen’s kids. So not so much of a real group vacation if not as what is what they want it to make it look like. It was IMO just a work gig and she took Affleck with her because it was his turn with the kids and she still doesn’t truest him to leave them alone in LA with him.
That actually makes a lot of sense.
I really wonder if part of why he keeps hanging around too is not that he is in love with her and wants to be with her but because he also doesnt want her to date and bring another man around his kids. As long as he keeps accepting all her vacation and farmers market invitations, no man will want to date her and Ben knows this.
Jen and ben are such a mess, married or not. Kinda sad really. They probably should never have gotten married.
Its Hollywood, nobody cares if you are still hanging out with your ex. Its a very incestous industry. Actually scratch that. Even in the real world, no secure individual over the age of 30 gives a fig that you spend time with your kids and their father once a week. Honestly any guy who did wouldnt be worth your time as a single mother.
No one would be able to date her is correct. Perhaps she doesn’t even want that, yet – – or at least anyone around her children yet. She may also be dealing with trust issues which would make sense. Relationships are tough, especially when two people are not like-minded.
@Y she actually restrained her “pool” herself when she said that she doesn’t have any plans to more kids and that her “family is complete” Granted that at 45 her baby factory is already closed but is always possible to adopt or IVF and saying that her family is complete basically excludes the possibility to start a new family, whith or without new kids, and her worlds seem to would exclude even enlarge her family with her new partners’ children from previous relationships. A very weird comment that seemed to be aimed to Affleck, more than anyone else. Maybe he’s getting serious with his new woman and she wants to make sure her kids will be the only Affleck kids? you know, she seems to be very much a money savvy woman and specially regarding her kids, and to divide the Affleck money with future half-siblings is probably a fight she will definitely fight.
@Mannori WTF? Talk about reading way too much into it. She said that her family is complete to counter all of the pregnancy rumors that she’s battled in the last couple of years. She’s saying SHE’S done birthing kids. If Ben wants to have more kids with someone else there isn’t a single thing that she can do about it.
Someone needs to nominate her to appear on What Not To Wear, stat.
Other than that, I don’t believe they will get back together, but I have a great deal of respect for both of them for their joint commitment to their children.
The harder they try to push the whole “we’re keeping it amicable for the kids” narrative, the more I’m convinced that it’s a shitshow behind the scenes. I forget which rag reported that at Sera’s graduation, they did not interact at all. Now they took this trip to the Bahamas but lived in separate houses. United front, my ass. It’s clear that something went down and I wonder at what point they’re just going to give up this charade and do everything separately. P.S. That’s not even a new pic. If you don’t have new pics to go with the “big scoop,” then it shouldn’t even be a cover. That’s a bit pathetic.
I don’t think she cares how the public perceives their relationship. If they went on vacation with other families like is reported, the kids would surely feel bad if their dad was not there.(It is too soon for them) Things will definitely change when they both move on with other relationships, but for now…if it works for them and their kids are happy, go for it! They seem to put their kids first!
I have residual love for her because 14-year-old me was a huge Alias fan, but she tests my resolve with her style. It is complete ass. Please madam, you’re a millionaire with a killer body, dress like it.
I didn’t think she would ever go back to where they announced their divorce. The memories of the nanny and subsequent blowout have to be extremely painful. He wasn’t there the whole time so I don’t really see the problem with him attending for a few days. They stayed in different houses, probably very little interaction. He has been seen so little this year, probably still receiving treatment. She is used to being the primary caregiver so I don’t think this is all that unusual for her. My guess is that it is harder on him.
Well they had been separated for months at that point. Did she even know the full extent of the nanny business when they were there? I thought it all came out after.
I can’t imagine their Baker’s Bay house holds good memories now. They were in the Bahamas in 2015 when Ben left to fly to Vegas for the weekend, and the nanny accompanied him instead of going straight back to LA like Jen thought. Jen found out, and when Ben got back to the Bahamas, she fired the nanny and they announced the divorce within a few days.
Interesting that he didn’t seem too upset about the destruction that caused since he happily continued the nanny dalliance after the Bahamas, back in LA. He only seemed to go into meltdown mode once it broke in the media a few weeks later.
They’ve had 2+ years to sell it and haven’t, so it must not be that bad. Honestly, if Jen had to avoid every place where Ben cheated on her, or got drunk/high, or did something that looked bad, she would quickly run out of places to go.
I’ve always agreed with @Louise above that they’re a mismatch. Scratched my head when they got married. I think opposites attract in the beginning, but reality sets in pretty quickly, which seemed to happen with Ben and Jen early on. RDJ is a different story. He’s been clean and sober and on the straight and narrow for years. For Ben, it seems more than alcohol/substance addiction – but also serial infidelity, long absences, etc.
I agree, I bet things are more strained behind the scenes now, which is normal during the course of a divorce..I also think it’s more normal that they’re finally showing some distance/independence by staying in separate houses. I think that sets more realistic expectations for the kids rather than the “we’re still all one big happy family in one big house” act.
smh at Us weekly and their tired gossip and old pic for the cover. They look foolish, breathlessly reporting half the story, on gossip that isn’t even interesting anymore. Slow week for them, I guess.
Terrible outfits.
I don’t like her fashion taste either, it’s truly horrible.
While I don’t get giddy over her, I don’t mind her. They are not perfect match yada dada, but people need to understand that addiction is more complicated than that and I cannot see him in a happy, fulfilled, lifelong relationship with anyone. His addiction issue go back to a time where he hadn’t even met Jen Garner.
She’s trying to keep it together for the sake of her children and while I’m not glossing over how unhealthy their relationship is, I truly believe Ben Affleck wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for her. And I think trying to keep him alive and somewhat functioning is the reason why she still involves him so much. Plus, I genuinely believe she loved him. She probably no longer does in a romantic sense, but it’s clear she deeply cares about him. Ben is a grown ass man. If he wanted to get out completey, he would’ve. But he hasn’t.
He wouldn’t be alive if not for her? LMAO How melodramatic and ridiculous. Saint Jen, the Savior of Selfish, Drunk Narcissists. And Ben might be a grown man but he’s a simpering coward whose #1 priority is himself and his public image. He can’t just walk out on his wife and three kids, how would that look? So much of the lie that is his public persona over the last 10 years is the doting husband and father. His life is much more complicated than simply, “if he wanted to get out completely, he would have.” He screwed the kids’ nanny for godssake. If that isn’t disrespecting his wife with callous disregard for her feelings, then I don’t know what is. He doesn’t really give a shit about her. He dished out as much as the doormat was willing to take. Their business.
Jen nailed herself to the cross. She will sacrifice herself for Ben’s sins! It is her gift to the world. She is SO SELFLESS.
I think the exact opposite, i think marriage does men like Ben no favors and drives them to drink and drug more. He clearly is not family man material and Jennifer Garner getting pregnant with trainwreck Ben three times probably didnt magically turn him into a family man, in fact doesnt it look like he went off the deep end sneaking around trying to get away?
I wonder how sober and mentally present was the majority of their marriage.
I think Jen wants people to believe she is a selfless woman trying to help her addict husband. Really what she is is a doormat who got pregnant out of wedlock and trapped Ben into a marriage to try to get him to settle down. When that didnt work and he continued to drink drug and cheat…she went and had 2 more kids with this mess!!! She isnt his savouir, she is a manipulative enabler and as the world predicted— it all backfired and their sham marriage fell apart.
Jenna, according to Lainey’s Blind Item, he was suffering from heroin addiction. So yes, he might be dead.
Regarding how he treated her: I never said he treated her well, I just said if it was such a torment, by now he could’ve walked out completely, so she cannot be that awful.
I don’t think being married/not being married made a difference. Ben has his demons and who knows, maybe his family is actually the only thing that keeps him going.
I highly doubt that he was ever on heroin. That sounds like some bullshit to me. It is one of the hardest drugs to kick — something like 1% manage to stay clean. I doubt he’d even be allowed to remain in the guest house for two years, if he were truly doing that.
Heroin!?! And she let him remain on the property and care for the children alone? Fucking idiot hillbilly doormat of epic proportions. Forget HIM, they’re lucky nothing happened to the kids while in his care.
Affleck is over. Harsh but true. Garner is a has-been who peaked 15 years ago. They’re only good for tabloid bullshit now.
Affleck’s box office is okay atm, isn’t it? I think he’s had more hits lately than bombs. Unlike Brad Pitt /johnny Depp and their flops.
I keep trying to imagine the mom in the situation as the drunk a-hole cheating and how the media would treat her. Or the mom being a drunk abuser continuing her drunk escapades even after CPS gets involved.
😂😂
That picture is like 10 years old. X17 actually had this story a week ago. Probably from their sources – photographers to stalk them outside their homes. They probably saw jen leaving and maybe got some info from the hired help.
Also Jen seems to be in West Virginia this week. So that vacay is over. Maybe affleck back in London with JL reshoots. Let’s see if he is at the Independence Day parade this year
at this point whatever works. I don’t think anyone out there thinks they have a romantic future anymore. It is all about the kids – and kudos to Jen that she can do it.
Their 2 children are young. I think their oldest daughter, Violet has processed their divorce. She is the one that Jennifer said they were roommates. Samuel and Sera, IMO, are still adjusting to it. I think it is good that they were able to go with their children(even if it was with friends) on vacation.
I still think something happened before they filed. They seemed like they got along better(even if it was just for the kids). Even if divorce was always their intent. They seemed like they were trying to be friends. In recent Pics, it looks like Jen is totally avoiding him.
Great for the kids. My only question is about E! stating that ALL the Dads would be there… so no one is divorced? No single parents whatsoever? Just such an odd statement to me.
Jenn is never going to get over him. She could have brought her parents to watch over the kids. I don’t believe the its for the kids line everytime. This isn’t believable anyhow because Ben Affleck will move on whether she likes it or not. She even tried to stop people from thinking he was already dating “seriously.” It does come off pathetic on her end. So where will the new girlfriend come into play when that happens. Jenn can’t control the narrative forever. The only woman he seemed to really shine with was JLo they had alot of passion. They are just mismatched completely.
Nobody held a gun to Ben’s head. He obviously wanted to spend time with his children.
Maybe Ben’s team wanted to shoot that dating rumor down.
Jennifer Lopez was too high maintenance for Ben. You can tell he dresses in jeans & t-shirts because he is comfortable in them.
(I like both Ben & Jen and I even like Jennifer Lopez …just not with Ben.)
It will be interesting to see who goes public first.
Boy there’s a lot of overreaction here for sure. I mean I know it’s the narrative that everyone wants to keep holding on to, but why is it “pathetic” for Jen to have a shared vacation and its not pathetic for Ben (double standard there), or for that matter Toby Mcquire, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson and Hillary Duff ALL of whom were seen recently (w/pictures no less) having vacations with their exs? I think it was no big deal for him to come to the Bahamas or wherever she was working to see his kids and it shows they are mature adults and nothing else. She’s been over it since she decided not to spend her summer in Detroit like she said she was going to way back when he was shooting BatmanvSuperman.
There was a tweet from someone who said they saw Jen at a cafe in London – where Ben is filming for JL – on 6/20. And another who said she sat next to her on a flight from WV to LA yesterday. Wonder where the kids were.
According to us weekly, she was speaking at a conference that day. False sighting.
DM has photos for her leaving Soho House in Malibu with friend Jennifer Todd Friday, June 30th(She works for Ben’s production company)
Isn’t she married to Chris Messina?