A body language expert has shared insights on Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s recent red carpet appearance, suggesting the pair still harbor ‘love for one another’ despite finalizing their divorce earlier this year.
J-Lo, 56, officially filed for divorce from the Batman actor on their second wedding anniversary, citing April 26, 2024, as the date of separation.
Initially engaged in 2002 following a whirlwind romance, the couple rekindled their relationship in July 2021 and were wed in an intimate Las Vegas ceremony in April 2022.
Though they’ve parted ways, the ‘Let’s Get Loud’ singer and Affleck, 53, continue to maintain a friendly relationship. He recently attended the premiere of Kiss of the Spider Woman, a film starring his former wife.
The actor, a father of two, produced the film through his company, Artists Equity.
The event in New York City marked the first time Lopez and the Good Will Hunting star appeared publicly together since their divorce was finalized in January.
The pair posed together for photos on the red carpet, where Affleck mentioned that casting his former partner as the lead in Kiss of the Spider Woman was a ‘no-brainer’ decision.
“I knew that Jennifer was dying to play a part like this her whole life. I knew she’d be spectacular,” he stated. “Bill Condon [director and writer] understands how to do this as well as anyone.
“I just can’t wait for you, the audience, to see the movie. I’m as proud of this movie as any that I’ve ever been involved with. I’m really excited to be here tonight.”
Relationship expert and So Syncd co-founder Louella Alderson analyzed photos of Lopez and Affleck on the red carpet.
Working with Mecca Bingo, she observed that the former couple appeared ‘incredibly comfortable with each other,’ with ‘no lingering tension or resentment’ evident.
“Their body language, as they turn toward each other and stand close, reveals a level of trust and attraction that hasn’t completely faded,” Alderson explained.
Discussing an image in which Lopez is seen listening to her former husband, she noted: “The way Jennifer is listening intently to Ben and giving subtle encouraging nods and smiles, even turning her ear directly towards him so she can hear more, are clear indications that she genuinely cares about him and is interested in what he has to say.”
“This interaction shows two exes with a deep history who seem to have settled into an easy, friendly connection that feels natural and unforced,” Alderson added.
“It’s likely that they still have a lot of respect and love for one another; they just couldn’t make their marriage work.”
Lopez has previously mentioned that their divorce ‘changed her’ and helped her ‘grow’ as an individual.
“It was a really tough time,” she recounted, describing how it felt to work on the adaptation of the 1976 novel during the end of her marriage, as per The Independent.
“Every moment on set, every moment I was doing this role, I was so happy, and then it was like, back home, it was not great. And it was just like, ‘How do I work inside of this?’”
On social media, fans have shared their thoughts on the Benifer reunion, with one user commenting: “The respect they have for each other after all.”
Another remarked on how they ‘loved to see exes getting along,’ while a third added: “This wasn’t on my bingo card last night…”
“He just can’t quit the Jennifers. Bro, there are other women in the world,” one X user stated.
Another person wrote: “Before I judge I must reflect on how many times I’ve done this.”
Kiss of the Spider Woman, featuring Lopez, Star Wars’ Diego Luna, and Tonatiuh, is scheduled for release in the United States on October 10.
The film has earned an 83 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with one critic describing it as a ‘cinematic experience waiting to be cherished’.