JLo Wants 1/2 of EVERYTHING|INCLUDING Ben’s New $20Million Mansion
Ben Affleck Is ‘Focused’ on Kids Amid J. Lo Divorce: ‘He Hates That They’ve Been Pulled Into This’
Ben Affleck is keeping his children close amid his divorce from Jennifer Lopez. The Batman actor is “focused on his kids, as much as he can be, and trying to repair whatever damage this has done,” an insider exclusively tells Closer in the aftermath of Ben’s split from J. Lo.
Ben, 52, shares kids Violet, Fin and Samuel with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, while J. Lo, 55, shares twins Emme and Max with ex-husband Marc Anthony.
“Jennifer Garner is doing her best to put on a united front with Ben for the kids’ sake,” the source adds. “He hates that they’ve been pulled into this. Unfortunately, Jen’s twins have been through this several times before.”
On Tuesday, August 20, J. Lo filed for divorce from Ben after two years of marriage. She listed their date of separation as April 26. The date of the filing was significant in that it marked the two-year anniversary of her and Ben’s wedding celebration at his home in Georgia. They initially wed in a smaller ceremony in July 2022 in Las Vegas.
In the months leading up to their split, J. Lo and Ben sparked speculation that their romance was on the rocks as they were rarely photographed together and were both spotted out without their wedding rings on a number of occasions. The Argo actor moved out of their marital home, In Touch reported on May 15.
“Ben already moved out and they’ll likely have to sell the dream house they spent two years searching for,” a source told the outlet at the time.
“The writing is on the wall – it’s over,” the insider added. “They’re headed for a divorce – and for once, [Ben’s] not to blame! They’ll never stop loving each other, but she can’t control him, and he can’t change her. There’s no way it could have lasted.”
Ben Affleck Is ‘Focused’ on Kids Amid J. Lo Divorce
Ben was noticeably absent from J. Lo’s Bridgerton-themed 55th birthday party in the Hamptons in July, and she did not post anything about their second wedding anniversary on Instagram that same month. The duo also put their marital home on the market for $68 million in July. At the time of publication, the home has still not found a buyer.
Speculation continued to swirl about the status of their marriage when Ben purchased a $20 million L.A. home without Jennifer on her birthday.
“The fact that he bought a new home while she was celebrating her birthday in the Hamptons was really humiliating for her,” a source told In Touch on August 13. “Plus, one day he has his ring on, and the next day it’s off — it’s like he’s gaslighting her.”
The insider went on to tell the outlet that J. Lo and Ben were “giving each other the silent treatment” in the days prior to her filing for divorce.
“J. Lo doesn’t know how it came to this,” the source said. “She really thought she’d finally found her happily ever after, and then Ben pulled the rug out from under her. She’s putting up a brave front in public, but she’s seething on the inside.”
Jennifer Lopez News: This Is Me…Now Singer Files for Divorce from Ben Affleck
August 20 is an auspicious day for Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck—now in more ways than one. Two years ago, it’s when they celebrated their wedding with family and friends after tying the knot in Las Vegas in July 2022. Now, it’s also the day that marks the end of their union, as Lopez filed for divorce from her fourth husband earlier this month.
Their two-year marriage marks the stars’ second go-round at love. Lopez, 55, and Affleck, 52, were previously engaged in late 2002, just months after meeting. They called off the wedding until 20 years later. Their blended family included Lopez’s twins with her ex-husband Marc Anthony as well as Affleck’s three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
Over the years, Lopez has immortalized her relationship with the Air star through her music. The latest example is This Is Me…Now, her ninth studio album that released this February along with a self-funded musical titled This Is Me…Now: A Love Story and a documentary about the making of the album, The Greatest Love Story Never Told. Affleck appeared in both movies.
Jennifer Lopez’s Holiday Self-Care Plan Includes Face Masks and Reality TV: ‘It’s About Balance’ (Exclusive)
The JLo Beauty founder shares her holiday wellness essentials plus her intentions for the new year
Jennifer Lopez’s holiday self-care strategy is all about one word: balance.
“I don’t think there’s a busier time of the year than the holidays [but] even during a busy holiday season, I try to keep my routine consistent,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively.
For Lopez’s wellness regimen, that means, “sticking to my skincare even when I’m tired, making time for working out so I can stay energized, and finding moments to relax and recharge, whether it’s through a little affirmation or a little mindful breathing meditation for a couple of minutes in the morning,” she says.
The star, who is currently promoting her forthcoming movie Unstoppable (in theaters Dec. 6) and whose brand JLo Beauty just launched an assortment of sets for the holidays, also makes time for some “pampering,” and even a little TV.
“Once the kids have gone to bed, I’m like, okay, my time. Put my face mask on. Watch The Great British Baking Show or whatever’s on, she says of her “quiet evenings” in.
The star’s That Limitless Glow Face Masks evoke such a sense of calm for Lopez, she’s featuring them in three of JLo Beauty’s six new holiday sets.
The masks can be found in her The Gift of Glow Kit (below) as well as in her Head to Toe Glow Kit, which is back for 2024 after selling out with lightning speed in 2023. When fans subscribe to the former kit, they’ll also get two skincare brushes to make application of serums and moisturizers even more luxurious. When they subscribe to the latter, they’ll get Lopez’s iconic bling cup as well.
“Everywhere I go with my bling cup, everybody’s always obsessed,” she says, adding, “I just carried it around on set because it just reminded me to drink water all day and it’s become a thing — I never expected it to become a thing.”
The masks are also included as a free gift when fans make their first purchase of Lopez’s That JLo Deluxe Kit (as is a limited-edition travel pouch).
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Rounding out the skincare offerings in Lopez’s holiday assortment is the Holiday Skincare Kickstarter Set, which has the must-haves in her signature routine: That Single Hit Cleanser, That JLo Glow Serum, That Blockbuster Hydrating Cream, That Fresh Take Eye Cream and That Bg Screen SPF 30 Moisturizer.
Lopez also has two body care offerings, the Holiday Body Kickstarter Set (below) and The Ultimate Body Kit, to get fans to also focus on their skin from the neck down.
The former is a trio formulas, Tighten + Tease Ultimate Body Serum, Smooth + Seduce Hydrating Body Cream and Firm + Flaunt Target Booty Balm. The latter is boosted with a free mini That Star Filter Complexion Booster – Warm Bronze as well as Dry Brush with the first order. Both sets are under $50.
This holiday season, Lopez, who filed from divorce from Ben Affleck Aug. 20, is counting down the days until she gets to be with loved ones.
“It was a pretty intense year for me and I’m most looking forward to spending time with my kids and my family coming out from the East Coast,” she tells PEOPLE. “The holidays are such a special time for us and they’ve always been since I was a little girl. And I really look forward to those moments when I can be with my sisters and just relax and have fun and create new memories.”
Lopez describes the holidays as a occasion to “slow down” and “enjoy” being together. “We don’t get to see each other all year, so we kind of catch up on what everybody’s doing and how life is. It’s just a beautiful time. I really enjoy it.”
The star is also anticipating the merriment the season brings. “I love all of the decorations and the hot chocolate and the music and the food, and I’m one of those people who really tries to make it out of a storybook for my kids with all of those things. I’m a sucker for the holidays,” she says.
With the new year right around the corner, Lopez hopes to maintain a sense of balance, but also to grow. “I think a lot of it is about a deeper connection to myself and to God,” she explains, continuing, “making sure we’re checking with ourselves so we can be great for everybody that we love around us,”
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“I’m also setting my sights on pushing my boundaries creatively and seeing where that takes me, whether that’s through acting or music or producing or expanding JLo Beauty. I want to continue challenging myself to evolve and to try new things while all the while being true to who I am and those that I love.”