Ben Affleck is speaking out about the end of his relationship with Jennifer Garner, and the rekindling of his relationship with Jennifer Lopez. In a new interview with Howard Stern, the actor made some surprisingly vulnerable revelations about both love stories.
"The truth was, we took our time, we made a decision, we grew apart," Affleck said of his 2015 separation from Garner (via Us Weekly). "We had a marriage that did not work. This happens. It is somebody I love and respect, but to whom I should not be married any longer."
"And then we said, 'You know what? We tried. We tried, because we had kids,'" the actor continued, explaining that conflict was continually brewing. "Both of us felt like, ‘We don’t want this to be the model that our kids see of marriage.'"
Affleck has previously spoken about overcoming alcohol addiction and told Stern that he "would probably still be drinking" if he and Garner were still together.
He was so deeply unhappy at the time that alcohol felt like the only escape. "That was part of why I started drinking alcohol—I was trapped," he said. "I was like, 'I can't leave because of my kids, but I am not happy. What do I do?' What I did was drink a bottle of scotch on the couch, which turned out not to be the solution."
Despite all this, Affleck is careful to point out that this bad situation wasn't anyone's fault. "Did we have moments of tension? Did we have disagreements over the custody? Was stuff difficult for us? Did we get angry? Yes," he said. "But fundamentally it was always underpinned with respect. I knew she was a good mom. I hope that she knew that I was a good dad. I was. I had to get sober—I knew that too—and I acknowledged that. I said, 'You're right. I've got to quit drinking.'"
The actor and J. Lo began dating again in 2021, which as we all know made a whole lot of noise. Affleck knew it would, and it was a difficult decision for him whether or not to give it a try, because of how it might affect his kids. "My responsibility to my children is the highest responsibility," he said. "I don’t want to do anything that is painful or destructive to them if I can help it. ... My life affects them. Me and their mom are celebrities. That is hard. That is a cross to bear."
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Jess Hong Enters Her Chaotic Era
She was doing kids’ theater in New Zealand when she landed the leading role on Netflix’s epic ‘3 Body Problem.’ And now that the show is No. 1 on the streamer, her whole world is about to change.
By Jessica M. Goldstein Published
-
39 J.Crew, Reformation, and COS Items That Are Ideal for Spring Travel
Spring ready.
By Allyson Payer Published
-
Taylor Swift Breaks Yet Another Music-Industry Record
This is pretty much the norm now, no?
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Cancels the Final Seven Shows of Her ‘This Is Me…Now’ Tour with No Explanation
The tour marks her first in five years, since 2019’s “It’s My Party Tour” celebrating her milestone 50th birthday.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
No, You’re Not Dreaming—That, In Fact, Is Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Cleaning Up Trash at an L.A. Movie Theater
The couple caught a showing of ‘Dune 2’ just like the rest of us, and tidied up after themselves.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Labels Husband Ben Affleck ”The Reluctant Participant” in Her Documentary
"But I really feel like as an artist, you have to be vulnerable."
By Fleurine Tideman Published
-
Ben Affleck Says He Didn't Want "A Relationship on Social Media" When He and Jennifer Lopez Got Back Together
But he eventually relented.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Jennifer Lopez’s Stylist Begged Her Not to Wear the Green Versace Dress to the Grammys That Launched Her Into Superstardom
“It caused quite a stir.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Will Not Stand for Anyone Flirting With Ben Affleck: "Do Not Play With Me"
Watch yourselves!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Ayo Edebiri Personally Apologized to Jennifer Lopez for Past Hurtful Comments About Her "With Tears in Her Eyes”
Jennifer Lopez (Paris Fashion Week) and Ayo Edebiri (on SNL).
By Fleurine Tideman Published
-
Ben Affleck Was “Taken Aback” That Jennifer Lopez Shared His Private Love Letters to Her for the Making of ‘This Is Me…Now’
Affleck happened to walk in at the exact moment that a group of musicians were passing around his heartfelt notes, dissecting them for inspiration.
By Rachel Burchfield Published