The buzz surrounding Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s split keeps painting Affleck as the villain of the story. According to insiders and sources close to the former couple, Affleck is accused of being cold and distant behind the scenes while putting on a public act by speaking kindly of Lopez. And now, it seems, he’s continuing to dash her hopes for a smooth post-split relationship.
As usual, J.Lo is trying to project a positive public narrative, claiming she’s learning from the breakup. However, sources say that behind closed doors, she’s finding it hard to move on. Reportedly, she still sees Affleck as “family” and is determined to hold onto that connection. This determination has led to Lopez pushing for a “blended family” Christmas and holiday season, which would include her children, Max and Emme (16), and Affleck’s ex-wife Jennifer Garner with her kids—Violet (19), Fin (15), and Samuel (12). According to InTouch Weekly, Lopez wants everyone to come together with Affleck for the festivities.
But here’s the catch: Affleck is reportedly feeling torn. Garner isn’t sold on the idea of a blended family holiday, preferring instead that Affleck focus on spending time with her and their children. While the kids may support staying close despite their parents’ short-lived marriage, Affleck seems reluctant to sacrifice his peace for Lopez’s vision of togetherness.
“Spending time with Jen [Garner] and the kids is just so much easier for him,” the source revealed. “There’s no tension, no pressure—he feels like he can be himself.”
Although no one has pinpointed why being around Lopez feels so stressful for Affleck, some speculate it might have to do with their rocky dynamic during their marriage. Their public interactions often showed Affleck looking visibly irritated and Lopez appearing intense during whispered exchanges. Add to that Garner’s past comments about Affleck being “moody,” and it’s not hard to imagine tension on both sides.
Then there’s the swirling controversy involving Lopez’s past relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs. As Diddy faces serious legal trouble, rumors have dragged Lopez into the spotlight due to her presence during some infamous incidents, including a 1999 club shooting and an afterparty during which disturbing allegations against Jay Z have resurfaced. Some sources claim these controversies played a significant role in the Bennifer breakup.
Whatever the cause, it seems Affleck has chosen the path of least resistance. He reportedly feels less pressure and more comfort when he’s with Garner, and he’s no longer pretending things are fine with Lopez. This has led to speculation that Garner’s current partner, John Miller, may be taking a backseat while Garner and Affleck spend more time together—leaving Lopez to wonder if she’s to blame for Affleck not supporting her blended family plan.
While it’s all just rumors for now, the best advice for J.Lo might be to focus on a clean break. Clinging to the past doesn’t seem to be working, and taking a cue from Affleck’s approach to rely on stability when times are tough might not be her best option either.