In a recent conversation with comedian Kevin Hart, actor Ben Affleck offered new revelations about his married life with Jennifer Lopez and the challenges posed by her high-profile status. Affleck, known for his roles both on and off-screen, discussed the influence of fame on their family.
The 51-year-old actor was straightforward when discussing the public’s response to his wife. “I get out with [Lopez], all the kids, through Times Square,” he recounted, “and the reaction was ____ bananas. It was as if the mayor [arrived].”
Affleck vividly described a recent trip to New York City, illustrating the public’s fascination with J.Lo. “She starts running backwards, filming, going, ‘J.Lo!'” Affleck said, narrating a fan’s reaction. “It’s like a signal that then alerts everyone else, and then they’re all [starstruck] tourists. Then I’m on the move, we have our five kids, me and Jen, and it feels like hundreds of people — all of them screaming.”
Their combined family includes Affleck’s three children from his former marriage to Jennifer Garner and Lopez’s twins from her previous marriage to Marc Anthony. Affleck disclosed that even his children understand their unique circumstances. He relayed a humorous comment from one of his children suggesting possible titles for a hypothetical tell-all book, with “J.Lo Was My Stepmother” being a standout suggestion.
Although Affleck is accustomed to public attention, having been in the limelight for several decades, he conceded that the attention drawn by Lopez is on a completely different scale. “I really second-guess it a lot,” he confessed when discussing raising his children in such a public environment. The actor expressed his apprehensions about the contrast between his children’s upbringing and his own, stating, “I didn’t know any rich people.”
Affleck also discussed his reputation for looking unhappy in paparazzi photos, explaining that his “resting hard face” often gives people the wrong impression. “I’m also a little bit shy,” he admitted. “I also don’t like a lot of attention. This is why people see me and they’re like, ‘This dude is always mad!’ — because somebody has their camera and sticks it in my face and I’m … with my kids and you’re taking my picture.”
Affleck’s preference for working behind the camera as a director and filmmaker is partly due to his discomfort with constant public attention. He emphasized that while he doesn’t mind being photographed at public events or with his wife, he is especially protective of his children’s privacy.
Despite the difficulties, Affleck spoke positively about his relationship with Lopez and their shared experiences. The couple, who resumed their relationship after almost two decades, eloped in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2022, reigniting media interest in their relationship.
Affleck reflected on how the public has perceived him throughout his career, noting that people often attribute characteristics to him that he doesn’t necessarily resonate with. “People are projecting something onto me that I don’t feel about myself at all,” he explained. “And one thing I do think it gives off, whether it’s a certain look or role … for a long time they’d be like, ‘This guy’s a frat guy.’ I’ve never been in a fraternity one day in my life.”
The interview offered a seldom seen perspective into the intricacies of maintaining a personal life while being under constant public scrutiny. Affleck’s honesty about the challenges and his efforts to safeguard his family’s privacy were recurring themes in the conversation.
As Affleck and Lopez continue to maneuver their high-profile relationship and rumors about divorce, the actor’s frank comments shed light on the realities of life in the limelight and its effects on family dynamics. While the couple’s fame may be “bananas,” Affleck’s grounded outlook and dedication to his family are evident.
