Is JLo and Ben Affleck Still Together: What Really Happened

Is JLo and Ben Affleck Still Together: What Really Happened

The short answer is no. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are definitely not still together. Honestly, the "Bennifer 2.0" era officially closed its doors quite a while ago. It’s been about a year since their divorce was finalized in early 2025, and as we move through 2026, both stars are living entirely separate lives.

You’ve probably seen the headlines. They were everywhere. For a minute there, it really felt like the ultimate Hollywood comeback story—two people finding their way back to each other after twenty years apart. But the reality behind the red carpet photos was a lot more complicated than the "fairytale" narrative we all wanted to believe.

Is JLo and Ben Affleck Still Together in 2026?

They are legally single. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck finalized their divorce in January 2025, roughly twenty weeks after JLo first filed the paperwork. That filing happened on a very specific, and some might say pointed, date: August 20, 2024. That was their second wedding anniversary.

JLo didn’t even use a lawyer to file. She did it "pro se," which basically means she handled the initial documents herself. Most experts looked at that move as a sign she was just done. She wasn't looking for a long, drawn-out legal war; she just wanted to move on. Their official separation date was listed as April 26, 2024.

So, by the time the public really started noticing they weren't being seen together, they had already been living apart for months.

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Why the second chance didn't stick

It’s easy to blame the paparazzi, but that’s only part of the story. Ben has always been pretty vocal about hating the spotlight. In her 2024 documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told, Ben literally says he didn't want a relationship that lived on social media.

But JLo? She’s Jennifer Lopez. Her life is the spotlight.

A source told People that they just have "very different approaches" to fame. Ben is more of an introvert. He wants to go to work, come home, and be private. Jennifer likes to share her heart with her fans. Eventually, that friction becomes a wall you can't climb over. There was also the issue of JLo’s alcohol brand, Delola. Considering Ben’s very public journey with sobriety, some fans found the business move a bit jarring. Whether it caused a direct rift or was just another symptom of them being on different pages, it definitely added to the "internal tension" rumors.

Where they stand right now

Even though the marriage is over, they haven't completely vanished from each other's lives. They have five kids between them—JLo’s twins, Max and Emme, and Ben’s three kids with Jennifer Garner, Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel.

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They’ve been spotted at the same events recently. Just this month, in January 2026, both were at the Golden Globe Awards. They didn't pose for photos together (Ben reportedly wanted to avoid the "media circus"), but insiders say they remain friendly for the sake of the kids.

  • JLo's Status: She’s reportedly single and "content." She spent much of late 2025 and early 2026 focusing on her New York screening of Kiss of the Spider Woman and her upcoming rom-com Office Romance.
  • Ben's Status: He’s been leaning heavily into his work with Artists Equity. He also spent a good chunk of time recently staying near Jennifer Garner’s home during the LA wildfires, fueling "reconciliation" rumors that insiders were quick to debunk. They are just co-parents.

The business breakup

Interestingly, the split hasn't just been personal. It's professional too. JLo recently moved her projects away from Ben and Matt Damon’s production company. While there’s "huge respect" there, she’s reportedly realizing she’s better off running her own show through her own production house. It makes sense. If you're trying to heal, you probably don't want your ex-husband's company producing your next three movies.

What we can learn from Bennifer

Watching this play out for the second time was a bit of a gut punch for fans. It feels like a reminder that nostalgia is a powerful drug, but it doesn't always solve the "daily life" problems. They had "no scandal" and "no intrigue," according to Ben's interview with GQ. It was just the "quotidian" reality of two people who grew into different versions of themselves.

If you’re following the news, don’t expect a 3.0 version of this relationship. JLo has hinted in interviews that she’s looking forward to "flying on her own" and isn't looking for anyone new.

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Moving forward

If you’re looking for the most accurate updates, keep an eye on official filings rather than TikTok rumors. The "divorce is finalized" fact is the anchor here. For fans of JLo, the next big thing to watch is her return to the Las Vegas stage, where she’s been dropping hints about "learning and growing" through the pain of the last two years. For Ben, expect him to stay behind the camera as he continues to build his studio.

The fairytale ended, but they both seem to be doing okay in the aftermath.


Next Steps for You:
If you want to stay updated on their individual projects, you should follow the production schedules for JLo’s Office Romance or Ben’s upcoming The Accountant 2. These projects are where they’re putting their energy now that the divorce is firmly in the rearview mirror.