People: Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck ‘have a lot of love for each other’

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Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are having a cute little reunion and I’m totally here for it. Affleck was spotted multiple times last week being picked up by Jennifer’s white Escalade, which then dropped him off at her LA home. I honestly hope they’re having great sex and that this is the summer romance/gossip story/vintage drama we needed post-pandemic. Yes, I am asking J.Lo and Ben to bang for gossip. Come on, it will be so much fun! The very definition of win-win. As we’ve heard, Jennifer and Ben are playing the coy “just friends” angle. The sheer fact that her publicist has blanketed People, Us Weekly, Page Six and TMZ with the “just friends” cover story is pretty telling though. It means something is there.

More than 17 years after their breakup, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez remain connected. The exes were spotted spending time together at Lopez’s Los Angeles home on Friday, as shown by new photos of Affleck leaving a white Escalade SUV. The Gone Girl actor wore a T-shirt, jeans and was photographed holding a military green backpack as he exited the car. In other photos, Lopez is seen sitting in the car, wearing sunglasses, hoop earrings and her signature nude lip.

“They have spent time together in L.A. over the past week,” a source tells PEOPLE of the pair, who were in a relationship from 2002 to 2004. “They have a lot of love for each other. They have always admired each other.”

Affleck and Lopez were engaged in 2002 and made headlines as “Bennifer” during their years together, even costarring in the films Jersey Girl and Gigli. They postponed their 2003 wedding days before they were set to walk down the aisle, then officially split by January 2004. Despite going their separate ways, the two have remained friendly.

“They are friends,” another source told PEOPLE on Friday. “They have always been friends and they have seen each other through the years.”

[From People]

I’m really enjoying the vintage analysis of what OG Bennifer meant and how they really felt about each other back in the day. Personally, I think Ben was really obsessed with her at first – so much so that he openly ruined her marriage to Cris Judd – and then after about a year, he self-sabotaged because he was miserable. Like, he cared about Jennifer, but the whole thing had become a circus. I felt like Jen was like “but it was always going to be that way” and he was like “nah.” And she was like “WHAT.” What’s interesting is that it’s now been 17 years since their breakup and suddenly we’re supposed to believe that they’ve always been on good terms this entire time? Nah. They weren’t. But it’s water under the bridge, especially now that both of them are single and ready for a Hot Girl Summer. Fingers crossed that Ben doesn’t sabotage it.

Film premiere of 'Gigli'

Film premiere of 'Gigli'

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.

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48 Responses to “People: Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck ‘have a lot of love for each other’”

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  1. goofpuff says:

    Feels like a PR stunt to help both their images with this timing and PR coverage. I mean its still interesting but I’m not buying it.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      This reeks of a PR stunt to save face after Arod cheating rumors. Bennifer did PR stunts back in the day. Remember their performative dinner on the Ivy patio before the breakup?

      Another commenter and I called this about two weeks ago on Celebitchy. I’m sure a million other people saw it coming too.

      • MyJobIsToPrincess says:

        You are so right Tiffany. The ego was hurt so she has to save face. It can’t be with like, that 23 year old guy she was dating – she needs a quick story thrown together as fast as possible – and Ben is the guy being used and Ben is also using Jlo. So win win. Ana is now replaced by Alister JLo, Arod is non existent and replaced by 90’s hottie Ben. perfect gossip. I hope to see cool fashion, dates and kisses KatieHolmes/Emilio style, but in a summer california setup!!!!!!!

      • MyJobIsToPrincess says:

        You are so right Tiffany. The ego was hurt so she has to save face. It can’t be with like, that 23 year old guy she was dating – she needs a quick story thrown together as fast as possible – and Ben is the chosen one: he’s the one who will be used and Ben is also using Jlo. So win win. Ana is now replaced by A-lister JLo, Arod is now non existent and replaced by 90’s hottie Ben. perfect gossip. I hope to see cool fashion, dates and kisses KatieHolmes/Emilio style, but in a summer california setup!!!!!!!

      • Me says:

        I’m amazed JLo has managed to stay off the altar as long as she has! Better to mess around than marry these boys—especially a boy like Ben who has never changed and wouldn’t really want to if he could.

    • Mabs A'Mabbin says:

      Hell no. Anyone buying in to it hopefully realizes the crafted script as well lol. I mean, it’s not even carefully crafted, it’s thrown together ham and cheese.

      • AMA1977 says:

        LMAO, “thrown together ham and cheese” I LOVE IT!! And that picture of her swooning with love for him while he can’t even be bothered to stop scanning the crowd and kiss her like he’s enjoying it. Ugh, so disrespectful.

        That said, he was, is, and always will be a forever (shame) dong to me, and I still would. Totally hit-it and quit-it style, Ben’s for fun, not for keeps. Too much work, I have actual children to raise.

        J-Lo is a force…she is beautiful, hard-working, and business smart, but I wish she loved herself enough to figure herself out and be content with her own company. I hope she’s looking at this as a fun fling, too; time has shown that’s not her usual MO. But I am HERE for the vintage gossip show! We desperately need some fluff!!

    • Kate says:

      I’m getting ‘Alex was always jealous of Ben so she’s hanging out with Ben as a middle finger to him’ vibes. If this is real I’m not here for it. Let’s not revisit the last guy who cheated on you 2 seconds after you’ve ended your relationship with someone who cheated on you. Let’s take a pause.

    • shanaynay says:

      Totally is a PR stunt. I ain’t buying what they’re trying to sell.

  2. Rapunzel says:

    I just gotta say…Ben’s soul patch in the pic where he’s wearing the red jacket is gross.

    That is all.

    • Jais says:

      He’s giving John Fetterman vibes, the politician from Penn.

    • FYI says:

      It’s the worst soul patch ever.

      And check out the bottom pic, where he’s looking away (bored) as they kiss. He’s such a douche.

  3. Bettyrose says:

    I never thought it was a real relationship but it was good for both their careers. But if they developed a friendship that they’re now rekindling, good for them.

  4. Chill says:

    Jenny, Jenny, Jenny your picker is so BAD. Please find someone else.

  5. Noki says:

    Even when she should take some time and be single ,she cant help herself but be in some kind of entanglement.

    • SM says:

      I know, girlfriend is NOT capable of being single for 5 minutes. Not success, not money, nor talent can help fill the space always intended for a man in her life.

    • Lena says:

      Jennifer’s ego is hurt, and this is what she does. Remember she MARRIED Marc only 5 months after the Ben (final) split. Ben publicly left her at the alter which is unforgivable forever in my book. Is 17 years long enough to forget that?

      • Noki says:

        As in he felt her at the actual altar?

      • AMA1977 says:

        @Noki, basically, they were set to wed in less than a week and then the wedding got “postponed” last-minute and then stories started coming out about him cheating with a stripper at his bachelor party (or similar) and then they never “un-postponed” and broke up. She was heartbroken, and he was defiant and douchey like he gets when he’s done something terrible.

        I will say that there was also a story when they were together about how Ben was a big tipper and J-Lo would go take money off the table when she felt he’d left too much, and that always rubbed me the wrong way, but who knows if it’s true…

        Again, I AM HERE for this early-2000’s gossip revival!!

  6. DS9 says:

    I’m actually here for this revisit, whatever it really is. 17 years is a long time. People don’t necessarily change but they do grow, and they mature, not necessarily in a linear fashion but they do. And I think Jennifer was good for Ben in ways Ben’s friend group at the time didn’t and couldn’t understand. I’m not sure Ben was very good for Jennifer but idk, they’re grown.

  7. Lucy2 says:

    This is bonkers. Wtf is she doing? Just ended an engagement and now this?

    She looks so different back in the day without all the contouring makeup and open mouth poses like she does now.

  8. Lauren says:

    I’m all here for the fun gossip, but I think that this is a publicity stunt. Ana is seeing someone and Ben wants to make her jealous and JLo was cheated on. It’s benefiting both of them, it brings back fun gossip memories, and a complete revival of Jenny from the block.

    • Jayna says:

      I actually miss Ben with Ana, because I loved the pap walks. I loved seeing what she was going to wear on their daily outings. She’s naturally very pretty, and she had a very cute casual style for the most part and looked great in her clothes. They took that away from me when they broke up. LOL

      I also believe Ben wants to make Ana jealous, and J-Lo definitely wants to stick it to Alex. Plus, Ben has probably been waiting to hook back up with J-Lo for some sexy time. A-Rod humiliated Jen with a nobody, and Jen pulled A-list movie star Ben out of her back pocket for this opportune moment.

  9. I know says:

    This could get messy. It seems to me, that almost every time JLo is in a relationship with men who have children, they all of a sudden have issues with their child support payments. I cannot see Jennifer Garner being like Marc Anthony or ARod’s ex. Two Jennifers with control issues will not end well for Ben.

    • Merricat says:

      Ben is conceited and self-absorbed, but I highly doubt he has ever missed a child support payment.

  10. NotSoSocialButterfly says:

    Oh, god, this fragile woman can’t appear to be alone for a hot minute.
    She needs a new PR firm, because this is baaaaad.

    • LaurenS says:

      When has he ever been without a woman? So much focus on her when he has the same issue + lack of sobriety. At least she has her sh*t together professionally and isn’t a pill-popping drunkard.

      • NotSoSocialButterfly says:

        This is a PR stunt, orchestrated primarily by JLo, with the assistance of her firm. Given this is a third article about her &BA in a day or two since the breakup with ARod the infidel, the focus in on JLo.

        Last I read, addiction was a disease, not a judgement. If that’s your measuring stick for dysfunction, you need to read about codependency and other interpersonal dysfunction.

      • LaurenS says:

        LMAO. So Ben Affleck is sneaking around in JLo’s cars, completely oblivious to the fact that he’s part of her little charade? He was born yesterday? He’s the Hollywood PR stunt king. You Ben Affleck stans are really something else. He’s nothing but a has-been drunkard, get over it.

  11. Eleonor says:

    Maybe this time they will marry and divorce!
    I am here for it!
    This will be gossip GOLD.

  12. C-Shell says:

    Well, one or the other, or both, will sabotage this, but what a fun ride! I need to add popcorn to the shopping list.

  13. Annaloo. says:

    JLo, NO!!!!!

  14. Louisa says:

    I know it’s most likely a PR stunt but the early 00’s were the golden age for celebrity gossip (to me!) and so I am here for this!

  15. Hmn says:

    Hmm I don’t think anyone but a few care about these old celebrities anymore

    • Jaded says:

      How old are you? Like 21? They both look great — Ben doesn’t look like he’s drinking anymore and Jen is drop dead gorgeous. Given that their renewed friendship is all over the media I’d say more than a few are interested in this.

    • Meg says:

      Lol old?
      Oh honey

  16. Sunnee says:

    Oh. Here go, hell come!

  17. Ann says:

    I kind of love her brown dress. I know some people don’t like to call 90s fashion “vintage”……but that is vintage 90s. The slip dress, the color, the criss-cross detail. I always loved that color. She’s olive skinned and can wear anything she wants, but when you’re pale and kind of auburn haired like me, brown is so much more flattering than black.

  18. K says:

    I could go down this gossip trail blindfolded. Why can’t she just chill ?

  19. Caribbean says:

    Jo basically operates like a man. Maybe the same sensibilities. Always the next, the newest unless unresolved feelings aka Ben

  20. IMARA219 says:

    I don’t know how true this story is concerning getting back together but I love the walk down memory lane. They were a couple when I was a senior and going off to college. J. Lo was on the scene due to Black culture and then BAM! She was with Affleck, who at the time, was THE GUY. It was wild. I will never forget Puffy pining away for J. Lo while Marc Anthony whined about being friends and here we all see J. Lo chilling and in love, for real for real with Affleck. You could tell she thought he hung the moon. Hearing his proposal sounded so incredibly sweet and J. Lo was tight with his mom. Just so many found memories.

  21. Meg says:

    I was a huge fan of hers back then & i remember something on E! about her opening up a restaurant around the time there were whispers of her and ben being together but jlo was still married so she went to her restaurant opening with Chris judd her current husband but ben seemed hooked and couldn’t spend even a night away from her so he stood back behind the photographers with flowers and asked them to pass them to her while posing with chris. i couldn’t believe how blatantly they were disregarding her marriage, maybe chris knew and was just told to go with it and get a better divorce settlement or something?

  22. Susan says:

    Seeing these old pics of benaffleck makes me realize…he has improved with age looks-wise. Personality….that’s another story. LOL. Like, I know he’s occasionally been bloated and such but his face was so hard and angular back then. Can’t put a finger on it. There are a few people that get better looking as they age…Julia Louis Dreyfus comes to mind. Why can’t I be one of those people?? LOL

  23. Carolnr says:

    Jennifer Lopez & Ben do not have alot of love for each other but Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck do! ( as do Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony) They have children together for god’s sake & will bonded for life!
    Everytime Ben becomes tabloid fodder, he runs back to Jennifer Garner & his children.
    Prime examples are when Ben was falling down drunk at that Halloween party. The next day he was papped on Jen Garner’s porch. He was asked recently ( video is online) if he was with Jennifer Lopez in front of Samuel when he was picking him up from swim class. Ben again was seen with Jennifer Garner at Sam’s swim class.
    Jennifer Lopez was humiliated by Alex Rodriguez & she lost control of the narrative. She is trying to gain control of the narrative now. I think she & Ben are friends. Jennifer Lopez just made Ben Affleck tabloid fodder again & Ben did not like that before nor does he like it now! Jennifer Lopez is trying to show the world that she is still desirable. The only person she should have to convince is HERSELF!!!

  24. Kaykay says:

    Lmao #1 – that beard in the first pic.
    Lmao #2 – him looking at something else while kissing in last pic.
    lmao #3 – JLo being JLo. Deflecting from the breakup news with ARod with a man, any man, preferably multiple men with the hopes that the media will chase the fresh story and the interest in the breakup will fade. It’s so transparent.