What All Of Ben Affleck's Exes Have Said About Him
This article discusses alcohol addiction.
From Gwyneth Paltrow to Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck's relationships have always garnered tons of attention. So when he and Jennifer Lopez rekindled their romance in 2021, it wasn't a surprise to discover that their relationship was making headlines once again. Previously, the pair split in 2004, just two years after they got engaged, and only one year after they decided to postpone their wedding.
However, Bennifer picked up right where they left off when they finally tied the knot in July 2022. Lopez opened up about the long-awaited ceremony while speaking with People in February 2022. "It's a beautiful outcome that this has happened in this way at this time in our lives where we can really appreciate and celebrate each other and respect each other," the mother of two explained. "We always did, but we have even more of an appreciation because we know that life can take you in different directions."
The "Hustlers" star has always spoken fondly of Affleck, and she isn't the only (former) ex who has opened up about dating the actor. For example, the mother of his three children, his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, has always been polite but completely honest about the actor's flaws. The once-married couple split in 2015 after 11 years together, so she understandably has had a lot to say about the relationship over the years. And she's not alone on that — this is what all of Ben Affleck's exes have said about him.
Gwyneth Paltrow is rooting for his new marriage
Before Bennifer, Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow were Hollywood's "It" couple. The movie stars met in 1997 at a party hosted by Harvey Weinstein, and dated on-and-off for three years, per Page Six. In that time, the celebs starred alongside each other in "Shakespeare In Love" and "Bounce," apparently deepening their connection along the way. In 2003, Paltrow addressed the breakup while being interviewed by Dianne Sawyer on "Primetime." "Ben makes life tough for himself," she said (via ABC News). "He's got a lot of complication, and you know, he really is a great guy. So I hope he sorts himself out."
Twelve years later, Paltrow gave more insight into her previous relationship with Affleck during an interview with Howard Stern. "He's super intelligent and really, really talented and he's funny. But he wasn't in a good place in his life to have a girlfriend," she said at the time (via People). While Affleck may have not been the best boyfriend to Paltrow, she made it clear that there were no hard feelings. In 2022, the Goop CEO had only good things to say about her ex-boyfriend finding love again. During an Instagram Stories Q&A, a fan asked her how she felt about Affleck reuniting with Jennifer Lopez in an Instagram Story Q&A (via Daily Mail), to which she responded, "Love!!! So romantic!!! Very happy for them."
Jennifer Garner said 'he can cast quite a shadow'
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner began dating shortly after he and Jennifer Lopez split in 2004. They tied the knot just one year later and went on to have three children, before announcing their divorce in 2015. Garner has addressed the highly-publicized separation over the years, and she's been honest about the struggles of co-parenting. Two years following their split, she told News.com.au, "I would not have chosen this life for myself or for my kids. I would not choose to be single or be in this position. It's something that we are working through." It appears that Garner and Affleck really didn't see this divorce coming.
The mother of three also opened up about what it was like to date Affleck and admitted that the actor had his flaws. While speaking with Vanity Fair in 2016, she revealed, "He's just a complicated guy. I always say, 'When his sun shines on you, you feel it.' But when the sun is shining elsewhere, it's cold. He can cast quite a shadow."
She also reminisced to the outlet on the good memories they shared and the things that drew her to Affleck in the first place. "I ran down the beach to him, and I would again," Garner said of her ex-husband. "... He's the love of my life. What am I going to do about that? He's the most brilliant person in any room, the most charismatic, the most generous."
Ana de Armas couldn't handle the attention
Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas, his "Deep Water" co-star, sparked dating rumors after they were spotted vacationing in Cuba together. The couple seemingly confirmed their relationship in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when they were photographed walking their dogs outside of Affleck's home every morning. The duo wasn't afraid to pack on the PDA during these strolls, despite paparazzi snapping photos. Unfortunately, this couple's chemistry wasn't enough to keep the relationship afloat.
In 2021, People reported that the former co-stars had split. A source told the outlet that de Armas initiated the breakup and alleged, "Their relationship was complicated. Ana doesn't want to be Los Angeles based and Ben obviously has to since his kids live in Los Angeles." Meanwhile, another source claimed that the split was mutual and that the couple simply realized they were at different points in their lives. De Armas herself set the record straight during an interview with Elle where she revealed that the constant media attention that surrounded their relationship was overwhelming. When asked about this time in her life, she admitted "[It was] horrible ... That's one of the reasons why I left L.A."
Shauna Sexton took to social media to defend herself
Former Playboy model Shauna Sexton was only 22 years old when she was first spotted with then-46-year-old Ben Affleck, in 2018. The couple began spending time with one another after the actor parted ways from ex-girlfriend Lindsay Shookus, who was a producer for "Saturday Night Live," per E! News. Toward the end of Sexton's relationship with Affleck, it was revealed that the "Jersey Girl" actor had checked into rehab for alcohol addiction. In a since-deleted Instagram post shared a little over a month later (via Us Weekly), the actor revealed that he'd completed a 40-day treatment for alcohol addiction. "Battling any addiction is a lifelong and difficult struggle," he wrote. "Because of that, one is never really in or out of treatment. It is a full-time commitment. I am fighting for myself and my family."
When news of Affleck's hospitalization broke, Sexton came under fire for her past alcohol use. Per People, social media users blamed the model for the actor's rehab stay. Commenting on a since-deleted Instagram post, Sexton defended herself. Although she admitted to having been arrested for underage drinking and public intoxication in the past, she insisted that she did not drink in front of Affleck. Furthermore, the model stressed that the actor is responsible for himself. "That being said, Ben is a grown a** man," she wrote. "... He makes his own decisions. Blaming a 22-year-old for someone's 3rd time in rehab is just ridiculous. He is human. I am human."
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Jennifer Lopez foreshadowed her rekindling romance
Ben Affleck's complicated love life came full circle when he reunited with his ex-fiancee, Jennifer Lopez, in 2021. This rekindling may not have come as a surprise to those who have noted the kind words the stars have shared about each other over the years, even after they were no longer together. In 2016, Lopez reminisced to People about the love she had for Affleck. "I think different time different thing, who knows what could've happened, but there was a genuine love there," she said of the past relationship.
Six years later, Lopez told People that she'd watched her ex-fiance's evolution from afar. "To see the person, the human being, the man that he is today, the father that he is today, the partner that he is — he is so everything I always knew he was and wanted to be," the "Get Right" singer shared.
Affleck also spoke about rooting for Lopez prior to their rekindling. During an interview with The New York Times (via Daily Mail), the actor praised the star for her work in the film "Hustlers," which she starred in and produced. "She should have been nominated," Affleck said, referring to J.Lo being snubbed by the Oscars. "She's the real thing. I keep in touch periodically with her and have a lot of respect for her. How awesome is it that she had her biggest hit movie at 50? That's ... baller." Bennifer's clear mutual affection makes it seem they were destined to fall in love again.