The happily ever after that was Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck seems to have ended tragically.
There are hints in recent stories and public occurrences that their relationship has been declining.
Fans were unable to overlook the telltale images and awkward moments that showed the warning indicators were there all along.

The revived romance between Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in 2022 resulted in a fast engagement and two weddings. After years apart, the couple, known as “Bennifer,” reunited with passion, capturing the attention of the world. But underneath all the outward show of affection, there were fissures.

The signs of trouble were subtle at first but became increasingly hard to ignore. From public squabbles to somber outings, the couple’s interactions began to raise eyebrows. This disappointed some fans rooting for the couple, but some say they saw it coming.

Is Second Time the Charm?

The romance that revived between Lopez and Affleck almost two decades after they called off their first engagement felt like something out of a Hollywood movie.

In addition to the pair, followers who had followed their journey since the early 2000s also felt hope and nostalgia at their reunion in 2021.

The world watched as “Bennifer” continued where they left off, and before long, they were once again in the news due to their sudden engagement in April 2022.

Two weddings in the same year seemed to be the perfect conclusion to their storybook love story. They tied the knot in a quiet, intimate ceremony in July 2022 in Las Vegas, and then celebrated with an even grander event in Georgia.

Held at Affleck’s expansive home, the second wedding was an extravagant event attended by the couple’s close friends, family, and A-list celebrities from Hollywood. Exuding the same energy that had previously made Lopez and Affleck one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples, the two looked inseparable.

However, as is frequently the case, reality sometimes pales in comparison to our imaginations of fairytales. Close observers saw that the strains of their highly visible relationship were starting to take a toll on them, even as the world marveled at their affection.

The initial indications that anything was wrong in the Lopez-Affleck home started to show when the honeymoon phase ended. Despite their best efforts to seem as one in public, the couple’s subtle—and occasionally not-so-subtle—signs of strain were difficult to ignore.

First Tell-Tale Sign: The Car Door Incident

May 2023 was one of the first and clearest indications that Lopez and Affleck’s marriage was having problems. What should have been a straightforward outing for the pair became a public display of stress as they were out and about in Los Angeles.

Affleck appeared to be acting chivalrously when he opened the passenger door for Lopez as they made their way back to the car, but the moment passed quickly. Affleck, who was clearly under stress, gave the car door a forceful smash behind Lopez that surprised bystanders.

Fans were taken aback by this unexpected outburst of annoyance and became concerned about the status of their relationship. Fans and onlookers quickly analyzed the incident, with many highlighting the two people’s seeming animosity.

As one user put it on X, “literally the unhappiest, most pressed husband in Hollywood,” summarizing the feelings of many. Some pointed out that Affleck’s face expression and body language revealed more serious problems.

Remarks such as “He appears that way all the time. Discussions concerning the pair frequently revolved around statements like “It’s his face” and “He never looks happy.”

Fans who had previously put rose-colored glasses on when it came to the couple’s relationship found the situation especially upsetting. It was the first big hint that something was wrong in their marriage.

Second Tell-Tale Sign: The Awkward Red Carpet Moment

There were other public signs that Lopez and Affleck might not be getting along, aside from the vehicle door incident. The pair made headlines for another heated moment the same month, this time at the Los Angeles premiere of Lopez’s film “The Mother.”

What should have been a magnificent and happy occasion rapidly descended into an awkward scenario as they walked the red carpet. The couple were noticeably stressed as they posed for cameras, as seen in the video.

Lopez appeared to be giving Affleck advice on where to stand and how to posture while wearing an impressive outfit for her big night. She attempted to guide her husband in front of the cameras with a stern, even agitated attitude.

An expert lip reader deduced from the interaction that Lopez was inquiring as to whether Affleck’s low-cut top was “showing too much.” In response, he assured her everything was OK.

They tried not to show it, but there was clearly friction between them. The stress seemed to be increased by the photographers’ cries and the pressure of the red carpet.

“Don’t worry, babe,” and “come closer,” were regarded as attempts by Affleck, who appeared anxious and uncomfortable, to calm his wife. Lopez answered with a straightforward “Come close to me,” and after that they struck a stance.

But despite their forced smiles for the cameras, there was clearly tension between them. “That’s us done,” was Affleck’s last remark, which appeared to indicate that he wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.

Social media users picked up on the discomfort quickly. Many others commented on the video, with one saying, “This marriage will end,” and another drawing attention to how exhausted Affleck seemed.

One person commented, “He looks really tired,” and another said, “There’s no love, just momentary passion between them, which is fading away slowly and soon will be news of their divorce.” Most people thought that their interactions did not exhibit the warmth and affection that one would expect from a newly engaged couple.

This incident on the red carpet added credence to rumors that the couple’s marriage was failing. What ought to have been a commemoration of Lopez’s most recent movie turned into yet another indication of how seriously their relationship was strained.

Third Tell-Tale Sign: The Grammy Awards Incident

Another public episode gave fire to the increasing rumors that something was wrong between Lopez and Affleck, as the world watched their relationship with a mixture of fascination and alarm. This time, everyone was paying attention to their heated fight at the Grammy Awards in February 2023.

A heated exchange between the two that was caught on video during the awards event instantly went viral. Affleck may be seen leaning in to whisper something to Lopez in the video, but Lopez responded angrily and quickly.

Lopez seemed to twitch away from him, a frustrated expression clearly visible on her face. Affleck then appeared to snap at her, obviously knowing that their interaction was being videotaped, as he straightened his back and adjusted his waistcoat.

Analysis of the video by lipreaders revealed that Lopez was urging Affleck to “Stop! Make yourself seem friendlier. Look driven,” Affleck shot back, curtly saying, “I might.”

When they discovered they were being filmed, Affleck tried to hide his discomfort, while Lopez immediately turned her attention to the stage as if nothing had happened.

Even though they tried to brush it off, many observed the moment. Viewers who had noticed the tension were commenting furiously on social media platforms.

“This pair is not content. They are actors, after all, and I say that lightly,” one X user remarked. “They can pretend all they want.” Another drew attention to Lopez’s reprimands’ mother tone. “She told him to sit up straight,” they stated. As a mother would convey to her ten-year-old kid.”

Some speculated that Affleck might not have been fully engaged in the evening after the event, with one user saying, “She should’ve left him at home, it’s clearly not his thing and he looks so bored.” Most telling of all, a user asked outright, “Divorce coming?”

Fourth Tell-Tale Sign: The Somber McDonald’s Trips

Another round of events added credence to rumors that Lopez and Affleck’s marriage was failing as it proceeded to fall apart in the public view.

The couple was frequently photographed at McDonald’s in October 2023. This seemingly benign pastime rapidly aroused questions because Lopez is well-known for adhering to a strict diet.

Another round of events added credence to rumors that Lopez and Affleck’s marriage was failing as it proceeded to fall apart in the public view.

Lopez frequently expressed his displeasure during these outings, which further suggested that there were underlying problems between the couple. During one such instance, Lopez was seen in photos appearing noticeably upset as she waited in the car for Affleck to grab a beverage and a bag of food.

Wearing an orange sweatshirt and gold-rimmed glasses, Lopez’s typical glitz felt inappropriate for the scene, as did her attitude.

Affleck carried their order back to the car and appeared thoughtful as well. Wearing a cream sweater and tan sweatpants, he didn’t look like the self-assured, charming actor that moviegoers had come to know. Fans were not blind to the serious tone of these events, and they swiftly expressed their worries on social media.

“She’s a grown adult she could have said no,” a person commented on X. A person said on YouTube, “This sinking marriage won’t be saved by McDonald’s, lol. They’ve already broken up,” said one, and “They usually seem irritated,” said another.

Others noticed that Affleck had become more and more depressed in recent months; one user said, “Ben seems miserable more and more lately.” Ben presents a miserable life every day that he spends with JLo.” These remarks revealed a mounting suspicion that the marriage of the pair was not merely problematic but possibly already headed toward disintegration.

These McDonald’s visits were shocking to watch for a couple who had before claimed to be so in love. They were yet another avenue for the simmering conflicts behind the scenes to be exposed to the public.

Many came to the conclusion that Lopez’s relationship was about to break because of the sharp contrast between the reality of these outings and the perfectly manicured public image that Lopez maintained.

The Climax: The Inevitable End

Many began to question when, not if, Lopez and Affleck’s marriage would collapse as the months went by because there were more and more indications that things were going wrong.

The answer arrived on August 20, 2024, a symbolic and ironic day when Lopez filed for divorce formally. Exactly two years had passed since the couple’s lavish, traditional Georgian wedding, which was widely regarded as the pinnacle of their rediscovered love. This date marked that anniversary.

Many people viewed the choice to file for divorce on this particular date as a purposeful and symbolic act. Lopez looked to be calling a close to a relationship that had once seemed like it would have a happily ever after, but had instead turned into a source of disappointment and heartache.

Her choice was even more personal given that she filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on her own, without legal representation.

The fact that no prenuptial agreement had been signed was one of the most startling features of the divorce case. Although Affleck and Lopez were married for the second time, Lopez had opted not to get a prenuptial agreement.

As a result of this ruling, any income or gains they had during their nearly two-year marriage would now be regarded as communal property and would probably be split equally between them.

This featured Affleck’s work as a producer on “The Instigators” and his leading parts in movies like “Air” and “Hypnotic.” Additionally, he had finished filming “The Accountant 2” soon before the divorce was filed.

Conversely, throughout their marriage, Lopez worked on a number of high-profile projects, such as “Shotgun Wedding,” “The Mother,” and “This Is Me… Now,” in addition to the upcoming movie “Atlas.”

It was especially shocking that the couple didn’t have a prenuptial agreement considering their individual wealth and public persona.

Fans and the media are analyzing the warning indicators that were present from the beginning as word of the divorce circulated. In retrospect, it was evident that Lopez and Affleck’s marriage had been having difficulties for some time—from the incident involving the car door to the awkward moments on the red carpet and the depressing McDonald’s excursions.

The divorce was finalized, and it ended a love story that had once captivated the world’s attention but finally crumbled under the stresses of life in the spotlight—especially on such a momentous day.