Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck maintained a noticeable distance at the graduation ceremony for Affleck’s 12-year-old son, Samuel, on Wednesday morning. This event has fueled ongoing speculation about the state of their marriage.
Both celebrities arrived separately at the ceremony. Lopez was accompanied by her 16-year-old twins, Max and Emme, while Affleck brought his mother, Chris Anne Boldt. The couple’s separate arrivals and lack of interaction were evident, adding to the rumors of their marital troubles.
Lopez, 54, appeared cheerful as she entered the event, donning a sophisticated off-white dress with a scalloped hem. Her highlighted hair was styled in a low bun, and she accessorized with sunglasses and two-toned pumps. It was unclear if she wore her wedding ring, as her left hand was not visible in the photos.
Affleck, 51, looked stern in the photos, dressed in a three-piece blue suit and black dress shoes. Unlike Lopez, he was seen wearing his wedding band. His serious demeanor contrasted sharply with the high spirits of his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, who was also present at the graduation. Garner, 52, wore an ankle-length blue summer dress and a brown hat, and she was all smiles as she stepped out of her vehicle.
Garner and Affleck share three children: Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, the graduate. All three children attended the ceremony, further highlighting the family dynamics at play.
The lack of interaction between Lopez and Affleck at the graduation comes amid reports that they have been “living separate lives.” An insider told Entertainment Tonight that the couple had entered their relationship with optimism, hoping things would change, but they haven’t. Another source close to Affleck mentioned that he has “come to his senses” regarding his marriage to Lopez, describing the last two years as a “fever dream.”
Affleck and Lopez, who rekindled their romance and married in July 2022, are reportedly selling their $60 million marital home. Affleck is said to be staying at a rental home in Brentwood, California, close to Garner’s residence. The couple’s decision to sell their home and live separately has only added to the speculation about their impending divorce.
Despite the rumors, both Affleck and Lopez were seen wearing their wedding rings at the graduation. However, their separate arrivals and exits, along with their lack of interaction, suggest that their relationship is strained.
Lopez and Affleck’s relationship has been a rollercoaster. They were first engaged in the early 2000s but called off their wedding and went their separate ways in 2004. After finalizing their divorces from their respective spouses—Garner for Affleck and singer Marc Anthony for Lopez—they reunited in 2021 and tied the knot the following year.
The couple’s recent public appearances have been marked by a lack of unity. Last month, they attended a graduation event for Affleck’s daughter Violet, where they appeared more united. However, at Samuel’s graduation, they seemed to have abandoned any pretense of togetherness.
Garner, who has been supportive of Affleck, was seen at the graduation with their children. She has reportedly been encouraging Affleck to work on his marriage to Lopez, wanting nothing more than for him to be happy.
Affleck’s struggles with alcohol addiction have also been a concern. Sources have claimed that he might be at risk of relapsing amid the marital issues. Affleck has attended rehab several times and has been open about his battle with alcohol addiction.
Despite the challenges, Affleck has a support system, including his close friend Matt Damon. He is focused on his work, being a great dad, and co-parenting well with Garner.
Lopez, on the other hand, is reportedly looking for a new home and leaning on her family during this transitional period. She has been seen touring houses and shopping around for her own place.
As the couple navigates their relationship issues, their priority remains their families. The graduation ceremony for Samuel was a significant event, but the distance between Lopez and Affleck was palpable, reflecting the current state of their union.
