Ben Affleck was seen without his wedding ring for the first time amid rising speculation that his marriage with Jennifer Lopez might be on the rocks. The 51-year-old actor was photographed by TMZ on Saturday, May 18, 2024, while driving to his child’s recital. Affleck’s left hand was conspicuously ring-free in the images, adding fuel to the swirling rumors of an impending split.
This sighting has only heightened public curiosity and concern, especially since Affleck was seen with Lopez and her daughter, Emme, on Thursday, both wearing their rings. However, Affleck was spotted wearing his wedding ring again on May 19.
Lopez, 54, has been seen around Los Angeles, California attending dance rehearsals and other engagements. She was photographed on Friday with a ring on her finger, but it is uncertain if it was her wedding band.
The couple, married in a private Las Vegas ceremony followed by a larger celebration in Georgia in 2022, have faced public scrutiny since rekindling their romance. In February, Affleck opened up about their relationship challenges in Lopez’s documentary, “The Greatest Love Story Never Told,” emphasizing their struggle with media attention. “When Jen and I broke up before, the catalyst for that was the amount of scrutiny around our private life,” Affleck said.
In addition to the speculation, sources have reported that Affleck and Lopez have been house-hunting separately. Earlier this week, the media reported that Affleck had been staying at a house in Brentwood, California, away from the $60 million mansion he shares with Lopez. Meanwhile, Lopez was also seen looking at properties, although insiders claim she is searching for an investment property.
The couple’s busy professional lives may also contribute to their current issues. Affleck is reportedly working on producing his new movie, “Accountant 2,” in California, while Lopez is preparing for her “This Is Me…Live | The Greatest Hits” tour, set to start in June. An insider told the media that their differing schedules have put them on “completely different pages.”
“Jen and Ben are having issues in their marriage,” the source claimed. “They started having issues a few months ago as Jen had started ramping up work commitments and prepping for her tour.”
This isn’t the first time the couple has faced relationship troubles. They initially dated in the early 2000s and were engaged before splitting in 2004. They reunited in 2021, much to the delight of fans, and have since shared glimpses of their relationship on social media. However, their recent public appearances suggest they may face significant challenges once again.
Despite the rumors, Affleck and Lopez have continued their professional commitments. Lopez, who co-chaired the Met Gala on May 6, attended the event solo, further fueling speculation. Affleck’s absence from the high-profile event did not go unnoticed by fans and the media.
The couple’s representatives have yet to respond to requests for comments on the current state of their relationship. As fans and followers of the celebrity duo continue to speculate, the public remains hopeful for an amicable resolution to whatever issues they may face.
Affleck and Lopez have always been open about their relationship, and their ability to navigate public scrutiny has been a testament to their resilience. Whether they can overcome their current challenges remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the world will be watching closely.
