Ben Affleck Says Media Was Responsible For 2004 Breakup W/ J.Lo

Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck

Actor Ben Affleck Says The Media Was Responsible For 2004 Breakup W/ Jennifer Lopez

Ben Affleck is reflecting on the fall of Bennifer.

Actor Ben Affleck, 49, recalled the demise of his relationship with Jennifer Lopez, 52, in 2004 now that they’re back together. Of their breakup, Ben reportedly said:

“I would say [media attention] was about 50 per cent [of what destroyed our relationship].”

He continued:

“The idea that people hate you and they hate you together and that being together is poison and ugly and toxic and the thing none of us want to be part of. And ‘who the f**k would want to have them to dinner?’ And ‘what the f**k are they doing together?'”

Their first relationship–which began in 2002 when they met on the set of Gigli–caused a media frenzy. Their faces were plastered on the cover of every magazine until they split 2 years later. The pair were engaged in 2003 and called off their engagement a day before their wedding date the following year. At the time, they stated that their wedding would be postponed due to “excessive media attention.”

Nearly 20 years later, publications are buzzing about the unexpected return of Bennifer. Ben claimed that he had some concerns about reviving their media-attracting relationship. This time around, he had 3 children to think about. When radio personality Howard Stern asked if the different circumstances ever made him hesitant, he reportedly responded:

“It crossed my mind for sure. My responsibility to my children is the highest responsibility. I don’t want to do anything that is painful or destructive to them if I can help it.”

He added:

“That being said, I know that my life affects them.”

Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck divorced his ex-wife, actress Jennifer Garner, in 2018. They’d been married since 2005. Earlier this year, Ben and Jen confirmed that their relationship was back in full effect. The renewed couple have proudly boasted their rekindled love, seemingly ignoring the backlash of two decades ago. Jennifer Lopez has a set of 13-year-old twins with her ex-husband, musician Marc Anthony. She was previously linked to baseball legend Alex Rodriguez. They started dating in 2017 and became engaged in 2019. In 2021–just two months before Jennifer and Ben confirmed their reconciliation–they broke off their engagement.

Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez

Do you think Ben and Jen’s relationship will last this time? Leave us a comment and let us know!

[VIA]