Ben Affleck. Image: AFP RelaxNews/Robyn Beck
Ben Affleck revealed that he considered not rekindling his romance with Jennifer Lopez because the publicity around their relationship could harm his kids.
The actor said that his children were his highest responsibility and that he tries to protect them from paparazzi as much as possible. He disclosed this in an exclusive interview on “The Howard Stern Show” last Tuesday, Dec. 14.
“[Not getting back together with Lopez] crossed my mind for sure. My responsibility to my children is the highest responsibility I have. I can’t do anything that’s painful or destructive to them if I can help it. That being said, you know, I know that my life affects them,” Affleck shared. “Me and their mom are celebrities, and that’s hard. Let’s not bullshit each other — that’s a fucking cross to bear, that is an albatross already.”
The Academy-award winner then opened up about his highly publicized divorce with Jennifer Garner, who is the mother of his three kids. He said that the press printed “horrible, mean lies” during the painful period.
“The truth is, we took our time, we made the decision, we grew apart, we had a marriage that didn’t work. This happens. It’s somebody I love and respect but to whom I shouldn’t be married any longer,” he clarified. “Ultimately, we tried. We tried, we tried, we tried, because we had kids [but] both of us felt that we didn’t want this to be the model that our kids see of marriage. I felt like we did it amicably. We did our best.”
Affleck then admitted that his marriage with Garner did have tension and that they also disagreed over their kids’ custody. However, he maintained that these arguments were always done with respect, especially since he knew that Garner is a good mother.
The actor made headlines anew for getting back together with pop superstar Jennifer Lopez this year, about two decades after they broke up. Referred to as “Bennifer,” the two were previously engaged before calling off their wedding in 2003. Affleck has since shared that he felt “very lucky” to be back together with her. Sam Mayoralgo/JB
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