Ben Affleck’s recent appearance without his wedding ring has done little to quell rumors of marital trouble with Jennifer Lopez.
Their rekindled romance, once seen as a heartwarming example of second chances, now faces new challenges, including separate living arrangements and intense public scrutiny. The couple is also dealing with the lingering shadows of their past relationships.
Speculation began on May 18 when TMZ shared a photo of Ben Affleck inside a car, notably without his wedding ring on his left hand as he adjusted the sun visor. This ringless sighting immediately sparked rumors that Affleck and his wife of nearly two years, Jennifer “JLo” Lopez, might be on the verge of splitting.
Fans and onlookers quickly reacted to the photo, expressing a range of opinions. One user commented, “Kinda not surprised. They both need to just learn to be happy on their own.” Another added, “Sorry but I am not surprised at all!” The sight of Ben without his ring led to comments like, “Oh no, not his wedding ring,” and, “Soooo maybe it’s NOT a rumor,” hinting at deeper issues within their marriage.
Some users speculated about Affleck’s intentions, with one asking, “Isn’t he showing that hand up on purpose tho?” Another suggested, “Ben should have stayed with Jennifer Garner.” A more sympathetic commenter said, “I just hope and pray that she takes a lot of time out for herself and stops running into things that she doesn’t need to do, especially getting married soon after coming out of a relationship.” They continued, “I hope Ben is all right and he gets past all of this, and life goes on for him in a better way. I wish them both the very best of luck in life.” Another fan expressed hope, stating, “I certainly hope not…I really pray they stay together for the long run. They really love each other, I’m sure!”
The story took an unexpected turn on May 19 when another photo surfaced, showing Ben wearing his wedding ring again as he drove his car in Los Angeles. This came shortly after Ben and JLo were seen together in public for the first time in 47 days on May 17. They were spotted in a parking lot, with JLo carrying a bouquet of flowers and Ben holding some papers after attending an event for Ben’s children, which was also attended by his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner.
Later that evening, Ben was seen picking up JLo and her daughter, Emme Muñiz, outside a school. Ben leaned over the car’s center console to open the door for JLo, who sat in the front seat, while Emme got into the back. With a serious expression, Ben then drove away from the school.
While speculation about their relationship continues, these recent sightings suggest that Ben and JLo are still together, despite the public’s constant scrutiny, which they have previously said contributed to their split during the early 2000s.
