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Inside Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s chaotic marriage

Less than a year after their surprise wedding and amid a series of tense moments in the public eye, there’s reportedly trouble in paradise for Bennifer.

There are reportedly “tensions” in Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s marriage. Picture: Michael Tran/AFP
There are reportedly “tensions” in Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s marriage. Picture: Michael Tran/AFP

They’ve been married for less than a year but Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have already had a series of public clashes.

And those tensions are only set to grow as the newlyweds start working together on a new movie project, reports The Sun.

Sources claim Affleck is growing tired of Lopez’s diva demands for everything to be “perfect” in the quest to find their dream home, while they have also been pictured arguing at premieres as he takes issue with her revealing tops.

Lopez has already spoken about how tricky moving their “blended” families in together has been.

Tying the knot in Last Vegas last July seemed to be a fairytale Hollywood ending for the couple — nicknamed “Bennifer” — who had called off their first engagement 20 years earlier.

But Affleck, a recovering alcoholic, is said to prefer a more relaxed approach to life than the businesslike singer.

The couple at the premiere of Lopez’s film The Mother last week. Picture: Michael Tran/AFP
The couple at the premiere of Lopez’s film The Mother last week. Picture: Michael Tran/AFP

An industry insider fears that the combustible mix could tip the fledgling relationship over the edge when their film Unstoppable heads towards production.

The source revealed to The Sun: “Ben wants to slow down a little.

“He needs that, but it’s not really how Jennifer does things.

“She’s an all-or-nothing type and has more energy than Ben.

“There’s no off-switch and this is just not somebody who is down for Netflix and chill.

“This will undoubtedly create tension as Jen prepares to make Unstoppable, which Ben’s new company Artists Equity is financing and producing.”

The film tells the true story of one-legged wrestler Anthony Robles who became a US national champion.

‘It’s a stressful time’

Ben confirmed his wife would be in the film, saying: “What fun, what a joy to do something with her, see her be great, go to work with your wife, go to work with your best friend.”

But the source wonders if that will put too much pressure on Ben, who launched Artists Equity with actor friend Matt Damon in November, and has three children from his first marriage to actress Jennifer Garner to think about.

They said: “Ben has a full plate just dealing with the decisions he has to make with his career and his new business venture.

“When he goes home at night he wants to zone out or talk to his kids on the phone.

“Ben has been through hell and back a few times, and he’s never had more responsibilities.

“It’s a stressful time.”

He has also taken flak on social media for appearing to look bored at awards ceremonies.

But the insider defended the Oscar-winning scriptwriter, actor and director, who recently made the hit sports biopic Air.

They continued: “The guy doesn’t deserve to be ordered around, dragged to dubious social events and critiqued on his every minuscule aspect of his day.

“But this is what he signed up for when he married Jennifer.

“She is a Duracell Bunny who doesn’t stop for anybody.

“He’s got the vibe of a man who’s just come home from a long tour of duty in a war zone only to have to deal with his house getting hit by a tornado.”

Lopez and Affleck were caught seemingly bickering in their car at red lights last weekend.

He later escorted his wife to the passenger side before slamming the door shut in a clip that went viral.

Days later the couple appeared to have a public spat during the premiere for Jen’s latest Netflix film, The Mother.

The Let’s Get Loud singer was seen gesticulating at her husband while he looked annoyed.

The incident came after another tense exchange at the launch of her rom-com Shotgun Wedding in January — and their infamous moment at the Grammys a month later when Lopez scolded Affleck for not looking “friendly” or “motivated” during the ceremony.

Affleck was roasted for looking “miserable” at the Grammys.
Affleck was roasted for looking “miserable” at the Grammys.

Yet it was all smiles and loved-up displays of affection after their wedding — and sources say a split would be humiliating.

Talking about their renewed romance, Lopez said: “I feel so lucky and happy and proud to be with him.

“It’s a beautiful love story that we got a second chance.”

But she admitted blending their two families — including four teens — had been “an emotional process”.

She said: “The teenage years are tough.

“They start challenging you and everything.

“You have this baby for a while and then it’s like your best little friend, who loves being with you all the time, then all of a sudden they’re like, ‘Get out of my room.’”

The couple are also looking for a new dream home for their family in Los Angeles but it’s said Affleck is growing tired of Lopez’s demands after pulling out of at least two sales at the last minute.

They have also clashed over the singer’s revealing outfits.

She admitted: “He’ll joke with me sometimes … he’ll say things like, ‘Where’s the rest of that shirt?’ or things like that.

“I’m like, ‘Oh, this one doesn’t have anything else.”

They tied the knot last year. Picture: On the JLo
They tied the knot last year. Picture: On the JLo

The couple called off their romance two decades ago amid tense media attention, and Lopez went on to marry three times while Affleck got hitched to actress Jennifer Garner.

But after the first flush of their second whirlwind romance, sources are asking if Affleck may have bitten off more than he can chew.

Our source said: “Jennifer is tougher, more demanding and a hell of a lot more ambitious than she was 20 years ago.

“This woman likes the results she gets when she pushes Ben as hard as possible. But is that really sustainable?”

Another insider told The Sun how the relationship thrives on drama.

She said: “Jennifer is very feisty.

“She thrives on passion and you don’t get that without the arguments and the drama.

“She wants a man who will stand up to her and stand up for her.

“If you look at her past failed marriages to a waiter and a dancer, she had autonomy over them.

“Ben doesn’t just say yes to her.

“Jennifer’s a diva but Ben 100 per cent knows that.

“They are both actors and they like a drama and an ever moving stage — and that’s what their relationship is.

“Jennifer once said she is a seeker of love but that it always has to induce passion.

“You don’t get that without a few arguments and slamming of car doors.

“She comes from a very strong family of women and knows what she wants.

“Ben knows who she is and that’s why he married her.

“I think they will make this work.

“After all, they’d look very silly if it didn’t.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Inside Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s chaotic marriage

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/inside-jennifer-lopez-and-ben-afflecks-chaotic-marriage/news-story/f5d8b256f54c7a950b231a576c1500d2