Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck‘s issues seem to be revolving around their differences in lifestyle, but there may also be another challenging aspect to their union — and it’s a tricky one to navigate. J.Lo reportedly isn’t feeling great about her husband confiding in his ex about personal matters.
Jennifer Garner was incredibly supportive of Affleck throughout his rocky sobriety journey, but she did it for the three kids they share, Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12. She wants them to have a healthy father, but Lopez might feel uncomfortable with their “very close” relationship. “He confides in Jen about everything, even his issues with J. Lo,” an insider told In Touch. “J.Lo hates that Ben goes back to his sensible, down-to-earth ex-wife for advice and emotional support. She doesn’t want Jen’s input.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 04: (L-R) Ben Affleck, wearing Gucci, and Jennifer Lopez, wearing Gucci, attend the 2023 LACMA Art+Film Gala, Presented By Gucci at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 04, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Presley Ann/Getty Images for LACMA.
Lopez probably didn’t mind Garner’s input when her marriage to Affleck was solid, but it might feel slightly threatening during their separation. “J.Lo didn’t come right out and tell Jen to back off — both women have been down this road before and know their boundaries — but she did tell Ben that his ex needs to stay away from him and butt out of their personal drama,” the source claimed while noting that “Ben then relayed the message to Jen [Garner].” However, friends close to Garner tell a much different tale.
Garner has been supportive of Lopez because she has encouraged Affleck to live “a healthy lifestyle” and is a wonderful influence who “supports Ben’s sobriety,” according to People. The Family Switch star rooted for them to succeed because she wanted to live her life instead of constantly worrying about her children’s father. “This relationship has been very stabilizing for him, and that’s a huge weight off Jen’s shoulders because she doesn’t have to worry about Ben anymore,” a source told Life & Style in 2022. The one issue that does bug Garner is Affleck’s “struggles with keeping up with J. Lo’s very public lifestyle.”
Those pressures in the limelight are often written all over Affleck’s face — he looks tired and weary in the press. That’s why Garner often jumps in to support her ex. “Jen can’t stand by and do nothing. That’s not in her nature,” the In Touch insider summed up. “She has dropped everything to make sure Ben doesn’t spiral out of control again. At the end of the day, Ben is still the father of their children, and she will help him however she can.” Those boundaries might be a little too close for comfort for Lopez!
