Interrupting our Emmys coverage because this was the biggest gossip story to emerge out of the weekend and by tomorrow, who knows, something else might come up with these two drama queens so we might as well get it out the way now.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were seen together, with their kids, at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday. When the photos of them came out on Saturday, there was a lot of chatter on social media about the location because the hotel has a reputation for not allowing paparazzi so people were assuming and accusing Bennifer of setting up the shots and wanting attention and… like… why does this matter, at this point, with this couple? From the time they were first together back in 2001 to the second time around, yes and yes.
And?
How does this advance the gossip? Well, it depends on the motivation. And where photo ops and paps are concerned, JLo is always the one assigned the motivation. From where I’m sitting though, that’s the lazy gossip take on the situation.
Throughout their marriage, Bennifer has been seen a lot at the Beverly Hills Hotel. They were there on their first anniversary in 2023. Over the last few years, they’ve been papped there frequently, either because, sure, they call the paparazzi on themselves or because the paps just follow them there. But again, the fact of the matter here is that they this is the first time they’ve been seen together in months. And the first time they’ve been seen together since JLo filed for divorce.
In some of the shots, Ben looks like he always does – crusty and argumentative. In other shots, the less widely circulated ones, he’s smiling, the Photo Assumption on him is less aggressive. TMZ is however is going with the Photo Assumption that it was a tense reunion, that the two seemed miserable to be in each other’s company.
Interestingly, Page Six had an exclusive about the lunch with their sources saying that Ben and JLo were “kissing and holding hands” and seated at their own table while their children were sat at another table. Jennifer Garner was also there.
So was it or was it not strained? Was he bitching at her or was he holding her hand and kissing her?
PEOPLE followed up with the party line on Sunday, apparently from JLo’s perspective. According to PEOPLE’s source:
"They all came together for a fun lunch so the kids could hang out," the insider says. "[Jennifer's] trying to be friendly with Ben. They are still moving forward with the divorce though. They are working out financial details amicably."
The source adds: "A divorce is never easy, but Jennifer doesn't want to be selfish about it. The kids always got along and have fun together. It makes her happy seeing the kids happy together. Happy kids are her priority."
Interesting timing though, isn’t it? And I’m not looking at her, I’m looking at him. Because we’ve heard over the last few weeks about how he ghosted her in the spring, just before they broke up. Wouldn’t return her calls or texts, and this was happening when TikTok was hammering her with hate. On top of that there was whatever he was or wasn’t doing with Kick Kennedy.
And then, of course, JLo does as JLo always does – “unbothered” on Labour Day weekend and then showing up at TIFF giving body and good work to promote Unstoppable, which got a standing ovation. The reviews were generally medium, but JLo’s performance was warmly received. And it felt like, maybe, the hate for her was receding and she was coming back into good graces again.
Cut to Ben Affleck re-entering the chat, willing to be photographed with her, the two of them riding in a car together – oh so NOW you’re good to hang out again?
That’s how it looks from where I’m sitting, so if anyone’s out there still trying to talk about set up pap shots and whatever, don’t point it in her direction. He’s the one who has more to gain in this situation, not her.
We're talking about this on The Squawk. (App link here)
