In a recent interview with Kevin Hart, Ben Affleck discussed his marriage to Jennifer Lopez and the difficulties of handling her high level of fame. The actor, acclaimed for his roles both on and off the screen, offered a unique perspective on their family life and the effects of stardom on their mixed family.
Affleck, 51, was straightforward when talking about how the public responds to his wife. “I get out with [Lopez], all the kids, through Times Square,” he said, “and the shit was ____ bananas. It was like the mayor [arrived].”
The actor described a recent incident in Times Square, New York City, that demonstrated the public’s obsession with Lopez. Affleck recalled a fan reacting, “She starts running backwards, filming, going, ‘JLo!’. It’s like a herald that then gets everyone else, and then they’re all [starstruck] tourists. Then I’m moving, we got our five kids, me and Jen, and it feels like hundreds of people — and they’re all screaming.”
The couple’s blended family consists of Affleck’s three children from his previous marriage to Jennifer Garner and Lopez’s twins from her earlier marriage to Marc Anthony. Affleck disclosed that even his children recognize the exceptional situation they are in, sharing a story about one of his children humorously suggesting titles for a possible exposé book, with “J.Lo Was My Stepmother” being a standout suggestion.
Despite being accustomed to fame and having been in the public eye for many years, Affleck acknowledged that the level of public attention drawn by Lopez is exceptionally high. “I really second-guess it a lot,” he admitted when talking about raising his kids in such a high-profile environment. He voiced his concerns about the disparity between his children’s upbringing and his own, remarking, “I didn’t know any rich people.”
Affleck also spoke about his reputation of appearing unhappy or angry in paparazzi photos, attributing it to his “resting hard face” which often gives a wrong impression. “I’m also a little bit shy,” he revealed. “I also don’t like a lot of attention. This is why people see me and they’re like, ‘This dude always mad!’ — because somebody has their camera and sticks it in my face and I’m … with my kids and you’re taking my picture.”
Affleck’s preference for working behind the camera as a director and filmmaker is partially due to his discomfort with the constant public attention. He emphasized that while he does not mind being photographed at public events or with his wife, he is particularly conscientious about his children’s privacy.
Despite the challenges, Affleck spoke positively about his relationship with Lopez and their shared experiences. The couple, who reignited their romance after nearly 20 years apart, got married in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2022, causing a resurgence of media interest in their relationship.
Affleck pondered on how he has been perceived by the public throughout his career, stating that people often attribute to him qualities that he does not see in himself. “People are projecting something onto me that I don’t feel about myself at all,” he said. “And one thing I do think it gives off, whether it’s a certain look or role … for a long time they’d be like, ‘This guy’s a frat guy.’ I’ve never been in a fraternity one day in my life.”
The interview offered an unusual look into the complexities of maintaining a private life under constant public scrutiny. Affleck’s candidness about these challenges and his determination to safeguard his family’s privacy was a consistent theme throughout the discussion.
As Affleck and Lopez continue their high-profile relationship, the actor’s frank comments provide insight into the realities of living in the public eye and how it affects family dynamics. Despite their overwhelming fame, Affleck’s grounded outlook and dedication to his family remain apparent.
