Jen’s A-list mates play Cupid
Ben’s moved on, now she will, too…
Ben Affleck was spotted on a heap of dates with new girlfriend Lindsay Shookus last week – and she’s reportedly moved in with him already. The TV producer is Ben’s first public relationship since his split from wife Jennifer Garner, and friends of the actress tell heat that it’s made her determined to get back on the dating scene as soon as possible.
“Jen is fuming over the whole situation, but rather than wallow in self-pity, she’s planning a romance of her own – and is already actively in dating mode,” says our insider. “She’s been back in touch with her former co-star Mark Ruffalo, which is going to sting, because Ben has always had a problem with their friendship. Jen has asked Mark and his wife Sunrise to set up some blind dates for her – she knows a new romance will not only make Ben jealous, it’ll show she’s moved on, too.”
The source adds that Jen’s friend Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth (an agent) also have a list of suitable guys for her. “They think she should date an actor, agent or other big player – someone who will bruise Ben’s ego with their looks or power. A man to make Ben feel inadequate.” The reason Jen’s upset is that, as
heat reported, despite announcing their divorce in 2015, Ben, 44, and Jen, 45, were on and off until recently, and Ben’s known SNL producer Lindsay since 2013. US reports claimed Ben had cheated with Lindsay, and that she’d been unfaithful to her husband Kevin Miller (with whom she has a daughter), and neither Ben nor his new girlfriend, 37, have commented on the reports yet.
Our insider adds that Jen – mum to Violet, 11, Serafina, eight, and Samuel, five – is keeping everything classy. “She’s putting on a smile, but behind the scenes, she’s ready to get back out there,” we’re told. “She doesn’t want any ‘poor Jen’ from the public or her friends – she wants to show everyone that she’s moved on.”