Ben Affleck has finally broken his silence about the “painful” claims regarding his relationship with Jennifer Garner. The couple, who were married for a decade, separated in 2015, and since then, there have been several rumors and speculations about their marriage. However, in a recent interview, the actor opened up about how the rumors have affected their family life and admitted he regrets some of his past behavior. With Affleck’s candid comments, fans are now getting a glimpse into the real struggles that the famous couple faced during their time together. In this article, we take a deeper look at Affleck’s revelations and explore how they shine a light on the complexities of divorce and relationships in the public eye.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ben Affleck spoke candidly about the backlash he faced after appearing to partially blame his struggles with alcoholism on his marriage to Jennifer Garner. The actor clarified that his behavior is entirely his responsibility and that his revelations were taken out of context, and were actually the opposite of what he meant. Affleck opened up about the experience after he was asked why he is not on social media, with Affleck explaining that he’s become “very guarded” and now views the platforms and interviews as landmines, where if you say one wrong thing, your career might be over.
In December 2021, Affleck sparked criticism when he told Howard Stern that he’d felt “trapped” during his marriage to Garner and that it was “part of why” he’d started drinking alcohol. “We had a marriage that didn’t work,” Affleck told Stern. “This happens. It was somebody I love and respect, but to whom I shouldn’t be married any longer … what I did was [I] drank a bottle of scotch and fell asleep on the couch, which turned out not to be the solution.” At the time, the actor, who was married to Garner from 2005 to 2018, then noted that they’d made the right decision ending their marriage, as they’d “probably be at each other’s throats” and he’d “probably still be drinking.”
Affleck reflected on the backlash he faced over the comments, which he described as a “really painful experience.” According to Affleck, he thought he was “pretty articulate” about his meaning during his interview with Stern. However, he claimed that his comments were then “deliberately mischaracterized in order to make it clickbait.” “And everyone else then picked it up, and it didn’t matter how many times I said: ‘I do not feel this way. I’m telling you; I don’t blame my ex-wife for my alcoholism,’” the actor continued. “So, yeah. It’s hard.”
This is not the first time that Affleck has hit back at the claims that he blamed his marriage to Garner for his drinking, as the actor revealed during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel in December 2021 that he believes his words were twisted, and that it “hurt [his] feelings.”
Affleck and Garner, who share children Violet, 17, Seraphina, 13, and Samuel, 10, separated in 2015 after 10 years of marriage. The celebrity couple officially divorced in 2018, the same year Affleck went to rehab for alcoholism. The actor later rekindled his romance with Jennifer Lopez, who he was engaged to in the early 2000s, with the couple tying the knot in July 2022.
During the interview, Affleck also spoke about his wife Lopez’s support and encouragement, which has been helpful to him. According to Affleck, Lopez told him to “relax,” “be himself,” and “have fun,” and reminded him that he is a “fun guy who is real and genuine,” even if he often comes across as “serious.” Affleck jokingly asked, “Do I seem serious?” before acknowledging that Lopez is “really right” and wise for him to listen to her.
Throughout the interview, Affleck emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for your own actions and behavior. He acknowledged that divorce is a difficult and painful process, but ultimately it’s up to individuals to make healthy choices and find positive ways to cope with difficult situations.
In conclusion, Ben Affleck’s recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter shed light on his reflections regarding the backlash he faced after he appeared to partially blame his struggles with alcoholism on his marriage to Jennifer Garner. The actor clarified that his behavior is entirely his responsibility and that his revelations were taken out of context, and were actually the opposite of what he meant. Affleck emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for one’s own actions and behavior and acknowledged that divorce is a difficult and painful process, but ultimately it’s up to individuals to make healthy choices and find positive ways to cope with difficult situations.
In conclusion, Ben Affleck’s recent interview highlights the importance of addressing and taking responsibility for one’s past mistakes. While the allegations against him may be painful for Jennifer Garner and their family, it is crucial for individuals to acknowledge the impact of their actions and work towards making amends. As we continue to navigate the complexities of human relationships, let us strive to learn from Affleck’s example and actively work towards creating a more just and compassionate society.
