Amid his high-profile split from Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck has been spending time with Kick Kennedy, the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
As his marriage with Lopez unraveled over fundamental differences, Affleck seems to have found solace in new companionship, Page Six reported.
Hollywood circles were taken by surprise when Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, one of the industry's most scrutinized couples, decided to reignite their early 2000s romance by eloping in Las Vegas in July 2022. Their storied love affair, often dubbed "Bennifer," faced extensive media coverage, which significantly impacted their relationship dynamics.
The duo followed up their Las Vegas elopement with a more formal affair at Affleck's estate in Georgia. However, despite these seemingly romantic gestures, underlying issues soon came to light. According to an insider familiar with the couple, Lopez holds a belief in an all-encompassing kind of love—something she expected Affleck to reciprocate fully.
A source close to Lopez articulated her distress, stating, "She’s furious. He has humiliated her. He was the one who initiated getting back together." This sentiment echoes the profound humiliation Lopez felt as the marriage fell apart, especially after she had publicly labeled Affleck as the love of her life.
The chasm in their expectations became gradually evident. Affleck cherished his alone time and self-care, which often clashed with Lopez's vision of a deeply involved partnership. An Affleck insider pointed out, "He has never— and seemingly will never— give himself over completely to another person."
Despite Lopez's efforts to salvage the marriage, Affleck’s detachment only grew. "He hasn’t shown any commitment and interest in making their marriage work. It’s gotten to the point that she just needs to look out for herself," a source confirmed. This growing divide set the stage for their eventual separation in March, officially noted in their divorce filings in April, with Lopez citing irreconcilable differences.
Their history of splitting due to overwhelming media scrutiny appeared to repeat itself. Affleck's discomfort with the constant public eye and media intrigue was a recurring hurdle, as highlighted by an insider: "The kind of big love Jennifer believes in, that sort of all-consuming devotion? Ben played along for a while and wanted to be part of it, but it’s just not who he is."
Amid these personal upheavals, people saw Affleck with Kick Kennedy. They observed them at various high-profile venues, including the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. A Hollywood insider noted their presence, adding intrigue to Affleck’s next steps post-divorce.
The nature of Affleck's relationship with Kennedy is not clear, marking yet another chapter of speculation in his highly publicized personal life. His history with Lopez and the stark differences in their love languages paint a complex picture of what might have led to their split.
Affleck has long expressed his necessity for solitude, a trait he is not only unashamed of but also proud of. This aspect of his personality was always at odds with Lopez's expectation for a grand, sweeping relationship, fully immersed in each other's lives.
The pair's journey from their early engagement to their second attempt at marriage suggests a cycle of intense union and subsequent emotional withdrawal, influenced heavily by external pressures and internal disparities. Meanwhile, Lopez continues to deal with the emotional fallout of a very public separation, focusing on her own healing and professional endeavors.
As Affleck navigates his newly single life, the public and media alike remain captivated by the trajectories of both stars, each dealing with their contrasting approaches to love and commitment in the spotlight.
