The fairytale is over, the divorce is filed, but Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s lives are entwined in ways that mean family lunches are still on the table, however tense they may be.
On September 14, the pair were spotted eating at the Polo Lounge, a restaurant at the Beverly Hills Hotel – the first time they’d been seen together since Lopez, 55, filed for divorce from Affleck, 52, on August 20.
The pair had their kids in tow, but it’s reported the former couple sat on a table together while Affleck’s children, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12, and Lopez’s twins, Emme and Max, 16, dined next to them.
“They all came together for a fun lunch so the kids could hang out,” an insider told People magazine.
“A divorce is never easy, but Jennifer doesn’t want to be selfish about it. The kids always got along and have fun together. It makes her happy seeing the kids happy together. Happy kids are her priority.”
There’s no custody battle involved in their split as Lopez and Affleck don’t share any children. Lopez’s twins are with ex-husband Marc Anthony, while Affleck shares his three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not an adjustment for the blended family, who are reported to be coping and trying to move on, like their famous parents.
But while the kids looked to be enjoying the reunion, things seemed, understandably, more up and down for Lopez and Affleck.
A source told Page Six that at one point the pair were “holding hands and kissing” as Affleck found the ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing’ singer irresistible in the flesh.
“Once they were together, he could not keep his hands off,” the source said.
But there were also tense moments. The former couple were photographed in what appeared to be an intense exchange with Affleck leaning in closely to speak to the Hustlers star while gesturing with his arms.
Later, as they sat in the car, Lopez appeared to be wiping away tears.
Her engagement ring from Affleck was clearly seen on her pinky finger, along with a gold ‘Jennifer’ band on her wedding finger.
The pair, who famously rekindled their romance in 2021 after almost two decades apart, have much to settle before their divorce can be finalised.
There’s a lot of money in the mix and, with no prenuptial agreement, their earnings throughout their marriage are subject to division.
Affleck has been involved in multiple movies, including the upcoming sequel to The Accountant, while Lopez has starred in films, as well as the documentary exploring her romantic life, The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
In her divorce filing, Lopez, who listed their separation date as April 26, 2024, wrote that their assets at that stage were “unknown”.
Lopez and Affleck also have shared real estate to settle, and back in June, they were quietly shopping their $104 million Beverly Hills mansion off-market.
He’s now purchased a new house for himself for $31 million, while Lopez has been looking for a new home in Los Angeles since April.
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