BEN Affleck and Jennifer Lopez shared a strenuous smooch during a tense-looking reunion on Sunday.
The couple appeared as if they’ve seen better days while attending a family event in Los Angeles amid divorce rumors.
Ben, 51, and Jennifer, 54, were spotted together on June 2 at the YMCA in Santa Monica.
The pair has recently stepped out without wedding rings and looked somber on solo outings, so the joint outing was a rare sight to see.
In photos obtained by The U.S. Sun, JLo was in full glam with a black top and bell-bottom jeans while holding a designer purse and coat.
Ben dressed down in a graphic tee that read, “The Dickens” with a matching maroon shearling jacket and Coke can.
The couple – joined by Ben’s mom – were supporting the actor’s son Samuel at his basketball game.
Ben shares three children with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, additionally two older daughters.
As the pair walked in, Jen leaned forward to give Ben a slightly forced-looking peck on the cheek.
His face muscles pulsated as they kept quite far from each other for the kiss.
Ben put his hand around JLo but did his hand never fully make contact with her lower back.
It also seemed like he may have dodged a full-on kiss on the lips based on the off-kilter nature of the embrace.
They walked up the steps of the venue and Ben stayed at least five feet apart from JLo who powered ahead.
Ben took a moment to speak to his mom looking more at ease before waving his hand at photographers and they all somberly went inside.
Interestingly enough, Jennifer Garner also attended the game to support their son and arrived separately.
However, she left the game with Ben’s mom instead of the couple and they looked jovial chatting it up.
JLo and Ben do not share any children together, but the singer has twins Emme and Max, 16, with her ex-husband Marc Anthony.
The twice-engaged couple got married in July 2022 when they eloped in Las Vegas, before having a lavish ceremony at his Georgia home the following August.
The tense outing comes after Ben stepped out solo on Saturday in a full suit in Los Angeles and somberly smoked a cigarette.
Ben was seen smoking while taking a walk around a street with a straight face.
The actor was attending his eldest daughter’s high school graduation, but took a moment to himself during the chaos of the event, his wife was nowhere to be seen.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Ben also reunited with ex-wife Garner to attend another of their son’s basketball games.
TOUR-TURED SINGER
Jennifer announced just two days ago that she was cancelling her latest tour to focus on her family.
Sources claimed that the singer’s decision is due to a sensitive time in her personal life, per Page Six.
“Jennifer is taking time off to be with her children, family and close friends,” a Live Nation rep said.
Fans on social media had a field day with the news, as many doubted that was the reason.
“Due to low ticket sales btw,” one X user snarked.
In a special message to her fans on Friday, she wrote, “I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down.
“Please know that I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t feel that it was absolutely necessary.
“I promise I will make it up to you and we will all be together again. I love you all so much. Until next time…”
This also comes after her “comeback” album This Is Me…Now and Amazon Prime movie bombed critically and commercially.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck relationship timeline
JLo and Ben were first linked together in 2002 and became engaged later that year. However, they called off the wedding just two years later. They rekindled their romance in 2021 and finally got hitched in 2022. Here is a timeline of their love story:
TROUBLE IN PARADISE?
Ben and Jen’s reunion comes after rumors the couple having serious marital issues, while the Hollywood director is said to be living in a separate home.
An insider told The U.S. Sun their inner circle saw “the writing on the wall” many months ago as Ben has been unhappy with their clashing schedules.
“Ben feels Jen needs to overhaul her career and have a better team behind her,” the insider revealed.
“He has butted heads with some members for a while now and it’s caused tension behind the scenes.
“He just wants what’s best for her and feels she’s doing a lot of mediocre projects and is surrounded by yes people who are also sometimes making decisions for her.
“Jen is also often doing 50 things at once.”
“Ben is not working as much by choice and she’s overworking – so their priorities are different,” they continued.
“Even though she has been dedicated to her marriage and kids, she’s very busy.”
Jennifer recently told the Associated Press that she goes “Half,” the speed she used to.
She also alleged she has “been doing things that are really exciting” or “inspiring” to her as opposed to “doing just everything.”
“Ben supports her but he doesn’t want her to be disappointed when something doesn’t do well,” the source said.
