After the news of the Garner Affleck divorce broke there were source quotes in various outlets about how amicable a divorce this was and how it was business as usual. We didn’t get a chance to cover some of those as they came out later on Good Friday and frankly we’ve heard it all several times before. E! had new quotes about how they were moving toward this for some time, how Jen has wanted to file for months, and how this was a mutual decision. Their source said, in part, “She gave him a chance to finish rehab and to be in a healthy place and then they decided together it was time to take this step. It was a coordinated effort and they are on the same page.”
The way the two of them filed, each without lawyers on the record (pro persona) and with each document mirroring each other, reinforces the message of a congenial divorce. People has a nice analysis of what their divorce filing means in context, and they write that while there are likely teams of lawyers on each side negotiating the financial details, we probably won’t hear about any of that. So this is going to be dealt with behind closed doors and amicably, at least by outside appearances.
Meanwhile People has had follow up stories about how Affleck is still staying on the family estate as usual, and how he spent Easter with his family. In fact as you can see there are photos of him outside church with Jen and the kids, he wore a suit coat over a t-shirt and jeans. Given the way this has unfolded so far, I would expect nothing less. Here’s what a source told people about their living situation.
“They are figuring out what to do” about their future living arrangements,” the source says. “For now, they are all living together. One thing they agree on — the kids will stay at the family house. Jen and Ben will focus on making things as smoothly as possible for the kids. It’s all about what’s best for them.”
As for how they’re weathering the divorce filing, another source adds that it was a “normal day” for the family.
“The kids went to school as usual, Jen and Ben took turns with drop-off and pick-up,” the second source tells PEOPLE. “Ben spent alone time with Violet after school. They went for ice cream in Santa Monica.”
The family “all stayed in last night” after news of the divorce broke, adds the source.
All of that is well and good and good for them for trying to do what’s best for their kids. As I’ve said many times, I suspect it’s a lot more messy behind the scenes, although that’s true for just about every couple divorcing. You don’t divorce when things are going well. Also, someone tweeted us a photo of Affleck in Vegas holding a drink. The photo is allegedly from last week. (Update: it’s old and is apparently from a professional event.) At least he’s still willing to show up for church with his family on Easter Sunday, that’s something.
TMZ is reporting that Affleck is preparing to move out of the guest house and that he’s dating someone, but “not seriously.” Kaiser thinks he probably has a Vegas hookup. The divorce will be complicated because they have so many assets and earnings, and should take at least six months by TMZ’s estimate.
Photos credit: FameFlynet
He’s standing beside Ezra Miller in the Vegas photo and it was taken while the Justice League cast were in town for CinemaCon. WB paid for a private jet for the whole cast to fly in for the afternoon.
Makes sense. I guess whenever he holds a drink now, no matter where he is, people will always speculate about what’s in the glass.
Given that Ben has always had a good professional rep (as far as I know) I kinda doubt he’s drinking at a work event.
It was a professional event and I highly doubt that someone as image-conscious as he is would be spotted drinking so soon and in such a public place right after a very public trip to rehab. I get why people would think that it’s an alcoholic beverage but I just don’t think it is.
Listen even if it’s messy behind doors I’m glad they are at least trying to be on the same page for the kids. Nothing worse then two adults that make situations like these worse for their children. OF course this is barring abuse or anything serious then what’s best for your kids is to get away (like Mel B).
I don’t understand how this is less messy. We get information about talks with the kids and which specific kid. We all know the names of their children because they cannot stop mentioning them. Literally more information about their children than the Jolie-Pitt divorce filling but it’s OK because it’s wrapped up in homemade milk and cookies? All I know is this insistence than everything is *for the kids* (patent pending) is so going to backfire when these children come of age and release their tell-all book about being used by their parents for PR.
It always happens just like the religious Right who tell everyone that will listen how moral the are until you find out about their cheating, child abuse etc. or the girlfriend on Facebook who tells you over and ove and over again how great her marriage is before you see her husband going to a motel room with his side piece.
This is nothing new at all for them. They’ve been using their kids and family image to further their careers since minute 1. Look at their divorce press release for example. In the first place, was that even necessary? They didn’t file, he didn’t move out and from the looks of it, nothing changed, not even after revelations about the nanny (FFS!). Would we have even known that they were “separated” without that press release? They asked for privacy but then proceeded to embark on a coparenting media tour which as far as I can tell, is ongoing. I guess if they can’t be America’s Couple, they are going to try to be Best Co-Parents Ever? Everything is fake with them, I feel sorry for whomever ends up with either one. She’s no better than him, even though some want to make him the villain here.
I don’t know. It seems like their united front is ultimately because they want to protect their bottom dollar and image. It bugs and doesn’t seem sincere to me.
Yeah it’s got that PR vibe to it doesn’t it. “Sources” who are going to recount every second of the family’s day durning which they’re fine….just fine…they’re FINE OK?!??
In fairness though they’ve been such a trainwreck relationship-wise we would expect to hear the worst. They know that and yes would try to salvage their brand as much as possible. And her main audience is the mommy magazine brigade, some of who likely actually bought that they were “working it out” and that nanny gate came after the separation… 😒
Yes. It has been all about image from the start and the fakeness continues with this staged photo op of them going to church. All i see in these pics are 2 actors nothing real about either of them. That smile on her face is fake fake fake.
To be fair, this is the happiest I have ever seen Affleck look while with his wife. And it so happens that she has finally decided to let him go. So at least on his part I think the smile is genuine. He seriously looks like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders, just like like every misbehaving husband who gets released to chase after his mistress. Total waste of her time.
I agree with both of you Sal & Original TC. I always feel like her smiles are so showy and plastered on trying to grab the headline and push the narrative. And I also agree about Affleck looking happy that it’s over. It was always my opinion that he wasn’t in love with her anymore and did not want to work things out, but her “goodness” and willingness to forgive him trapped him with guilt.
Agree. All the PR releases and pap walks…
U Derrick what Jennifer Garner acting will look like? Way more interested in that gossip than Affleck dating.
ha, it’ll be news if Affleck dates someone age appropriate.
I’m more interested in who Jen dates. And if shes now doing no makeup makeup, or is her skin just that good?
I saw a close up picture of her on the DM and her skin looks flawless. I’m thinking Botox and some fillers? I’m 41 and my skin does not look even close to that good. I wish I knew what she’s done, cause it looks great!
If you find out fill me in, I’m almost a decade junior to that and my skin doesn’t look that good.
Granted if the fountain of youth is some louche douche’s attentions ala Affleck I will pass.
those Vages pics are actually from when the Justice League cast attended CinemaCon a while ago.
Cinema Con wasn’t a “while ago”..was just two weeks ago and long after after he reportedly finished his stint in rehab, So is weird, to say the least, that he would show up at a casino with a drink in hand, considering those two are just one of his most serious and dangerous addictions: gambling and booze. And even is he was just passing by the place, on a working trip, and if in the glass there was just Diet Coke and he never even looked at the poker table is STILL a bad image and a bad picture…to say the least it was a misstep in his very much calculated PR appearances…
Wth is she wearing?
*house coat alert*
That dress is revolting
Kind of a “sister wife” religious compound look?
It’s from the Duggar Walmart Collection.
Same goes for him, his no better. WTH goes to church on easter wearing a rolling stones t-shirt that looks like that. Dumb and dumber.
For real. She’s so beautiful with an incredible figure but she’s such a damn dork!!!
And her hair. Sigh. At least her shoes are better than they usually are.
why don’t you like LandsEnd?
My mother wore a housecoat like that.
I don’t get JG, at all. She is pretty and slender and it’s like she goes out of her way to look dowdy.
It’s part of her brand. “Look at how frumpy I am, just like you when you take your kids to church.”
My grandmother also had a housecoat like that! My eyes! And the length of the dress with the straps on those hideous shoes manage to make her look like she has cankles. God I’d love to give her a makeover. A modern look with sex appeal like Kate Beckinsale or Charlize Theron.
This is what I came for .. this thread right here LOLOL
Me too lol
It is odd to me that he is coming out of rehab, divorcing, and dating someone all in a short time. I think there is much more to the story. Why would he want to deal with the media coverage this story is generating?
I agree. To me the REAL story is WHO is he dating because it seems to me that all of this was for HER, whomever she is: he went to rehab, he’s finally divorcing and I think Jennifer, for as much calculated and attentive to the appearances as she is, is just a second fiddle here, as she has always been in their marriage. Is always about HIM. My guess is that for a long time, probably even before the nannygate he had someone he really loves (or think he loves) and he’s just tying lose ends. The fact that TMZ is holding on the identity of his new woman and how Wasser is playing this information is something that speaks to any gossiper who knows how this works. IMO there’s the real story.
I have a feeling that in a few years, when Ben is healthy and in his next marriage or relationship, he is going to be everything Jen wished he was when they were married. A loving, caring, partner, husband and friend. I would bet money on this last stint in rehab, being the thing that changes him and makes him realize that if he wants to be happy, he has to change. He’s going to faithful to the new Misses, be more present, be more respectful, be more appreciative of the new Mrs. Affleck and poor Jen will be bitter! Like Madeline Mckenzie from Big Little Lies bitter. I feel like she nursed him back to health physically, professionally, and emotionally after Nanny-gate and someone else will be reaping the rewards after her. I just hope she finds some kind of happiness with someone who can appreciate her ways.
I do think that Jen might not in fact be good for him. It could well be that she isn’t healthy for him and she’s not going to let him be more than an addict. Often in some couples, one member of the couple will either actively or subtly sabotage the developing health of the addict to maintain a balance where the non-addict remains in the morally superior position.
I think she’s addicted to being a victim.
I agree with all of this. I think they got married because she was pregnant, and it was never meant to be. They forced it, and two more kids, and here we are. I think she thought she could fix him, and maybe he thought she could too. I think the next relationship will totally different and you’ll be able to see it on his face.
Yes to everything you wrote. She locked him down with a kid, then kept him around with more. I think he’s had one foot out the door for most of their marriage.
Yes-he’s never looked invested. Remember that Oscar speech where he “thanked her” in the most awkward, bizarre way?
They were already moving very fast before she got pregnant – living together, spending Christmas with her family in West Virginia
Yeah. I agree that the next long-term relationship will probably be really, really different. My sister is actually that relationship for my now-brother in law. Before meeting her, he had issues and–as luck would have it–a girlfriend at the time who is a kind and sensitive psychologist. So he hashed out all of those issues by talking them out with his girlfriend informally. It was basically excellent free counseling for several months! After their relationship fizzled out, he met my sister and fell deeply in love. I think his friends barely recognize the person he is now: totally committed, a great listener, willing to compromise on things. Sure, my sister gets to reap the rewards, but sometimes even I think about his ex-girlfriend and feel bad for her.
I agree with this. In a nutshell: he’ll behave like a man in love when he finds a woman he really loves. With Garner was never love: they got married because she was pregnant.
I think they should unload their LA estate, and Jennifer should move back to the east coast with the kids and the dog and Ben can fly to see them. Her career is probably such that she doesn’t need to be LA all the time. Of course, she wouldn’t get papped as much on the east coast, but it would give her distance from Ben and vice versa. I get that they are a family first, but I wonder if it is really healthy for them to be living that closely together, and is it really healthy for children?
The east coast isn’t her home anymore. She’s lived in Cali for decades now. Back when she was not separated she talked about her close girlfriends and how it was hard when she moved for months to be with Ben on location because she missed her girlfriends so much. This is when the kids weren’t school-age. She has a full life where she lives. Disrupt the children’s lives during a divorce?
The kids have lives in LA though. Why uproot them?
$100 they keep the LA estate, co-own it while Jen lives there to continue to raise the kids. They won’t disrupt them by moving them and I think she likes it there.
They’ll eventually unload it when the youngest is of age and out of the house, or perhaps Jen will buy out his half and keep it.
But this presupposes that she herself doesn’t want to be photographed though…
This. She does not exactly keep a low profile. Somehow the paps always find them.
All good points. It just seems she needs to get away from Ben. And QQ, she does love the paps 🙂
I actually could see Ben moving to NY, not now, but in a few months after the divorce. He’s been spotted casually and randomly strolling just a few weeks ago so my guess is that his new lady is living in NY. I also think moving out form LA will be a part of his career renaissance: he failed as a director with his latest flop and getting fired from Batman director’s chair, and that’s all he needs to motivate him for a better, more serious turn. So NY makes more sense. New woman, new career. Unlike many of you who think that he’ll hookup with a 20 something bimbo model, I think he’ll date someone famous already and respected as an actress or whatever other filed, but someone who he can look up to. Someone his own age with grown up children.
I still say Ben’s soulmate was Jenny from the Block. And one day they’ll get back together.
Gossip Cop said last week when they filed that he was still at the family home for now, but then this morning TMZ is saying that he’s already moved out. Well, if he is dating then yes, he should move out. Who knows what the truth is? They did arrive to church separately which to me indicates that he’s not at the family home anymore.
TMZ is saying he’s still at the family home for now but is considering putting an offer on a nearby house. They arrived at church together yesterday. He dropped them out front and then parked. There are photos of them in the car together.
They arrived at the church separately.
They’re the definition of a united front. Ben looks over it though…
I wonder if he will still do the pap church walk with his new gf and kids.
When the DM article on their Easter pap stroll said that they arrived in separate cars, I figured he had either basically moved out already and/or was seeing someone. If they were coming & going to the same place, why the separate cars? Someone didn’t sleep at the family home the night before.
They usually take two cars to church so one parent can then take the kids to karate afterwards. Yesterday they were photographed arriving and leaving in the same car. Ben drove and parked after dropping everyone off at the main entrance.
I saw the Easter pics. Ben looks happier than ever IMO. He’s even got some swagger back. I want to know who he’s been seeing.
Always sad when a couple with children divorce. Ben seems like a very present father but his vices are always going to be an issue in his life unless his really deals with them. Both he & his brother have deep rooted issues to sort out. Until they do, they will never have a healthy & happy relationship with others.
Up until today, TMZ has claimed that the divorce was definitely on, even when People mag had said that it was on hold. Now they’re saying that prior to rehab, they were “ambivalent” about the divorce. I find it really interesting that in the space of mere weeks Ben goes from living at home & trying to save his marriage, to moving out and has a girlfriend. Things aren’t adding up, even with funky tabloid math. My theory? The separation was in limbo, just limping along bc no one wanted to sort out the financials or custody, until one of them met someone. Boom, he’s moving out and they’ve filed.
I’m going to throw out that someone is seeing a new person, but it isn’t him (likely hookups aside – he isn’t ‘dating’ anyone). She has a new interest but to ‘protect’ her and her privacy they’ve put it out there that’s he’s moving on 1st.
Plus it keeps his ‘studly’ male image intact, to look like he’s moving on first. Otherwise why put that out there? It will make them a greater pap target while they chase them trying to catch them with the new flame. This smells like a diversion tactic, to me.
Sounds like a lot of hoop-jumping to me. The truth is probably a lot simpler. He’s seeing someone who has her foot down about the whole living at home in separation limbo stuff.
You’re probably right @Taissa. It’s just that will all the back-and-forthing and deliberate pr leaks coming from these two the past two years, with multiple stories and angles (to deliberately confuse? seemed that way at times) anything seems possible.
They are so deliberate and contrived with their public image/s. It does lend to the possibility he is in fact dating someone, and will go public or have the paps ‘catch’ him out soon. This leak could be a lead-in to that; although like I stated it makes him a bigger media/pap target now (they will chase him to find him out).
I don’t believe that the divorce was on hold. That story came from unnamed “sources”, not official reps.
I work in a law firm and I have heard the Divorce Attorneys call this “Separation Limbo”, where no one appears in a hurry to file for a divorce, for whatever reason, even though both realize the relationship is at the end. Getting on with your divorce means getting on with ones life, whether your a celebrity couple or not, this is sometimes very hard..
Takes a special kind of asshole to wear a Rolling Stones t-shirt with his sports coat to church on Easter Sunday, and I say that as someone who isn’t even religious. He’s such a douche and a jackass.
Yes! Exactly! I hate to see people dressed so casually in church. It seems disrespectful but that’s just the way people are nowadays. I guess it is good they are in church at all but at least try to dress appropriately for once! Ben doesn’t have to worry about it though, doubtful that he will ever bother with trying to get something out of church. He’s probably thinking about doing blow off a hooker or something. He is so vile I don’t know what she ever saw in him!
THIS!!! There is a looooong thread of commenters mocking her housecoat style dress but what struck me was how he’s dressed. A Rolling Stones t-shirt with the tongue and a sports jacket? For Easter church services? Really Ben? SMDH
I know I’m alone in this but I still feel sorry for her. Not just because he’s a boozy adulterer (that info was out there before they got together). No, what gets me is how she seems so into him in pics, interviews. I get the impression she thinks he’s brilliant or something. I want to say “Expand your horizons a bit Jen. He’s not that amazing.” She can do better and I hope she does.
Not a Ben fan but have to defend him here. He’s wearing the typical SoCal casual-dress attire many men wear to events such as this. Look at the other men coming out of church behind him, or in other photos: shirt sleeves, long-sleeved tees, jeans and (!) sneakers.
He looks just like the rest of them. At least he has on a jacket.
I see nothing wrong with it either. But hey, it’s Ben, it must be a bad thing to do…
Nothing wrong with JG’s dress either but hey it is her. So let’s pick on her too.
For me it’s not the t-shirt and jacket per se. It’s the big Rolling Stones tongue t-shirt in particular. It just seems incredibly inappropriate for a church service. I’ve been to lots of casual church services. And like Ana said people ripped Garner to shreds for her simple but relatively appropriate spring “housecoat” so I don’t think my comment was more unfair.
I wonder if the mystery girlfriend is a celebrity or some rando.
I would imagine we’ll be getting photos within the next 24 hours, it seems like a super weird thing to admit to randomly.
He will most likely be seen with her very soon. I thought it was odd to throw in that he is dating someone.
From New York, east coast. Someone who will get along with Matt’s wife. Party goer.
Despite talks of a united front I can’t help but think all this back and forth and to and fro-ing over the divorce must be super confusing for the kids.
If you’re leading separate lives behind the scenes isn’t it better to be open and upfront with young kids who are probably hoping their parents might stay together? Mixed signals are sh*t.
I do believe Jen will have problems adjusting to being a single woman in charge of her life. She likely will dislike being an ex-wife of Ben Affleck and I don’t think she’s going to get a major career going. She’ll likely do a bunch of interviews with PEOPLE and other tabloids, but certainly I do not believe that she’ll spend much of her time getting deluged with offers.
Being Affleck’s wife didn’t do her too many favors and after the divorce ripple effect, chances are she’ll go into semi-obscurity as the same as any ex-wife of a still famous and prominent Hollywood power player. It’ll be interesting to see what new act she comes up with to stay reasonably relevant and in the public eye. Making pudding won’t get her much mileage.
Any ideas on whether or not she’ll have any kind of active career after this?
I agree with everything you said. She’s a serviceable actress but I don’t think she’ll be offered any huge movie roles. It’s a good thing she is financially set. She should look into tv.
I don’t think she likes being single either. I’ve followed her with mild interest since I was a major Alias fan back in the day and she has never been single for long, she is a serial monogamist. She was with Michael Vartan only 2 seconds after announcing her divorce to Scott Foley. After her rebound relationship with Michael didn’t pan out a little after a year, she was rumored to be dating Ben Affleck only about a month after her breakup with him. Then she got knocked up by Ben only a few months into their relationship and that pretty much ruined Alias. That also caused a lot of drama since Vartan’s character was her love interest on Alias and I’m pretty sure that’s why Vartan’s character was killed off in the beginning of season 5 (I get the feeling he asked to leave since it was definitely awkward on set) but fans were mad so his character was revived towards the end of season 5 so Sydney and Vaughn could have their happy ending.
She has three kids now though and this separation/divorce has been really long and drawn out so I have a feeling she won’t be rebounding with anyone anytime soon. There’s a lot of emotional baggage there and for her kids’ sakes and herself I hope she takes some time for herself.
Also her frumpy style–she’s dressed like that even before she was with Ben and had children and I didn’t understand it then and I don’t now. That dress is so hideous. I really want Stacy London to get her hands on her wardrobe. “Being a mom” is not an excuse for sloppy outfits. She really just has terrible fashion sense.
Garner’s relationships have always overlapped. She first cheated with Ben when they were filming Daredevil. Ben even admitted that’s where they first hooked up. She was still married and this was pre-Vartan even. I really wonder if she already has an upgrade lined up post-Ben. That was her M.O. in her younger years.
Jennifer Aniston managed to remain famous past her TV career by playing victim in the tabloids so I wil expect the same from Jen Victim 2.0 Gardner.
She will have her Mommy blogs, find a political cause and make money playing wives and Moms in moral films. She’s not going away.
It’ll be interesting to see how she handles being part of the ex-wives club in Hollywood and I don’t think she’ll like it one bit. She won’t go away, but the question is, will she be wanted by casting agents for movies or will she be given the “don’t call me I’ll call you” treatment?
I think she’s more of a fruit fly than you give her credit for, she’s not going anywhere because she’s pesky. She likes attention and she’ll find a way to get it.
She lacks the talent for a career resurgence on her own. The only angle she has still working for her are those Cristian/Lifetime movies that have some profit with the minivan audience that seems to love her. That, and maybe some side business like a clothing line or jewelry line, aimed always to that demographic, like Reese’s clothing line, no surprise they’ve been hanging out lately. That’s her career perspective. Stop. Because she has not the talent of the likes Nicole Kidman or Robin Wright to attempt a come back on her own, just based on her talent as an actress and her own name, after a high profile divorce.
Reese and Jennifer have been friends for a long time
That can’t be too easy being a gambling addict in the first stages of recovery having to visit a casino, whether if it was for a job or not. The photo taken is of him in front of a slot machine so he was definitely randomly hanging out on the floor. I would imagine there would be an event space on the premise where they hold the press conference completely separate from the caino floor.
The only thing I’m surprised at is how she appears to be so happy here. If Ben is dating someone, she must surely know if TMZ does. I would’ve thought that would sting at least a little for her (or anyone for that matter). That’s why I think they both have someone in the wings.
IDK, by her own admission, Jen didn’t know about the nanny for a long time. I think they have truly led separate lives when it comes to that. The kids, the house — they are upfront, but private life/romantic stuff? It wouldn’t surprise me if she were in the dark and had no idea what he was up to. I mean, he’s been hiding relationships w/ other women from her all along.
I’d love it if she and Gwen Stefanie swapped wardrobes.
Any bets she’ll go all “Betty Broderick” on him once he moves on to someone else? She won’t be able to claim she made sacrifices to make him into a major star, but she will pull one thing or another to make his life miserable.