MOVING FAST
Reunited and it feels so good! Insiders dish on Bennifer 2.0 — and reveal why their rekindled romance is perfect timing
The temperature in Montana might have been a bit chilly during Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s recent getaway to the romantic Big Sky Resort, but the chemistry between the former lovebirds was as steamy as could be. “The trip was Ben’s idea,” says a source of the early May jaunt. “He and Jen had a wonderful time snuggled up together. The attraction between them is still white-hot.” Adds the source: “They’ve definitely been making up for lost time.”
According to multiple insiders, the pair — who got engaged in 2002 and split in 2004 — are going full speed ahead after reconnecting in the wake of Lopez’s split from Alex Rodriguez in mid-April. “As soon as Jen and Ben started talking, it became obvious their connection was as strong as ever. And when they met up, all bets were off,” says the first source of the 51-year-old
star and Gone Girl actor, 48. “They’re making plans to see one another as often they can. It’s clear that they are crazy about each other.”
Lopez’s former publicist Rob Shuter tells Us the Hustlers actress never fully got over Affleck, even after moving on with ex-husband Marc Anthony (they share 13-yearold twins Max and Emme) and later Rodriguez. “As far as I know, she still has the engagement ring,” says Shuter. (Affleck popped the question with a custom-made Harry Winston sparkler.) “For Jen, Ben was the love that got away.”
SECOND CHANCE
A second source says the A-listers, who costarred in 2003’s Gigli and 2004’s Jersey Girl, have come a long way since their romance initially made headlines. “Ben and Jen were both very hard-headed the first time they were a couple,” the source reveals. “They’ve matured a lot and they’re both at the top of their games professionally, so they don’t feel the need to compete with each other.”
Lopez and Affleck remained friendly since parting ways. The
Oscar winner, who was most recently linked to his Deep Water costar Ana de Armas (they split after 10 months in January), recently sang Lopez’s praises in an InStyle cover story. He called her “the hardest-working person I’ve come across in this business,” before gushing about her ageless beauty. “Why do you look the same as you did in 2003 and it kind of looks like I’m in my 40s… at best?” he joked. “Ben’s in awe of how beautiful Jen still is both inside and out,” says the first source. “The way in which she’s taken care of her body just blows his mind.”
Shuter believes they have a chance to make it work. “It’s a miracle they’re both single at the same time and able to give this another shot,” says the author of The 4 Word Answer: Who Are You in 4
“They’re both in different places now, but the love is the same. They have similar backgrounds and worked really hard to achieve everything they have.” Shuter also notes that while it isn’t easy being Mr. Jennifer Lopez, Affleck “can handle it” and says he wouldn’t be surprised if they make it down the aisle this time: “They’re the real deal.”
The first source believes Affleck is the perfect partner for Lopez. “So many guys Jen dated have just melted around her and wound up being subservient,” the source explains. “It’s like they find her too intimidating to act like they’re on her level. Ben has the confidence to walk alongside her, and that’s a turn-on for Jen.”
It helps that Affleck faced many of the demons that haunted him when they were originally together.
The Justice League star openly admitted to struggling with addiction
“THEY’RE VERY COMFORTABLE WITH EACH OTHER. IT JUST FEELS RIGHT.”
issues and has been on the straight and narrow for a while. Rumors of him cheating and gambling ran rampant before they called off their engagement. “Jen doesn’t want to be messed around or made to look like a fool,” says the first source. “Ben has promised he won’t hide anything from her. He’s determined to show he’s changed and won’t make the same mistakes again.”
EX FILES
Both sources say Rodriguez isn’t handling the Bennifer news well. “Seeing her running straight back to Ben’s arms is a real kick in the teeth,” says the first source. “It’s the first time anyone can remember him being dumped like this, and it really hurts his ego.” Adds the second source of the
betrayed baseball pro: “He’s bitter and upset. He really thought Jen would come back to him, especially because their families are so close.”
Affleck’s ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, with whom he shares Violet, 15, Seraphina, 12, and Samuel, 9, is also “surprised” by the reunion, says the first source. “It was common knowledge that Ben struggled with how high-maintenance [Lopez] was,” explains the source.
“He was open about not being ready for that Liz Taylor and Richard Burton-type of lifestyle.” That said, Garner has “a lot of goodwill towards Ben and wants to see him happy. As long as he’s a hands-on dad, he has her blessing to date whomever he wants.”
DOWN THE LINE
If things continue to go well, the source says Affleck and Lopez will introduce their kids to each other — but they’re not putting any pressure on themselves or jinxing anything with a label just yet. “For now,” says the source, “they’re enjoying the low-key, sexy vibes they have going on.”