Despite the Hollywood heartthrob battling numerous well documented demons over the years, the women in his life can’t seem to stay away – Fabulous’ Kelly knows why
JENNIFER Lopez’s cosy red carpet reunion with ex husband Ben Affleck had everyone asking if they’re secretly back on.
And frankly, despite his very well documented demons, I’m not surprised JLo, 56, can’t resist Ben’s charms. I’ve been in his company on numerous occasions and have been shocked by what he’s really like IRL.
I first met Ben, 53, on the red carpet for his film Hollywoodland nearly 20 years ago.
While often A-listers rush past the journalists refusing to speak, Ben stopped and chatted for a while before eventually being encouraged to move on or the film would start without him.
He told me how thrilled he was that his best friend, Matt Damon had surprised him by turning up to support him.
We also discussed his recent role playing superhero Daredevil with him telling me “It was a source of humiliation for me and something I wouldn’t want to do again soon”.
Usually film stars tell you about how wonderful they are but he seemed aware of his flaws and his self-deprecating humour drew me in.
But it was at the 2013 Bafta awards where he clinched three awards for his film Argo including Best Film and Best Director where he really won me over.
He was the toast of the evening having taken home all the big awards.
Having spent the previous years being seen as a bit of a joke particularly off the back of his then failed engagement to Jennifer Lopez, he was giddy at being recognised by his peers.
Speaking on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London, he said: “This is a second act for me and you have given me that, this industry has given me that.”
He added. “I’m so grateful and proud, and I dedicate this to anyone else out there trying to get their second act.”
Following the awards, there is a swanky three course meal at the posh Grosvenor House in Mayfair.
The grand ballroom was jam packed with stars and everywhere you looked the film elite was schmoozing.
I was thrilled to meet Gerard Butler, Samuel L Jackson as well as George Clooney – who was a producer on Ben’s film about the CIA’s scheme to get the US Embassy staff out of Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis by having them pose as film producers.
I was most excited about meeting Gorgeous George in the flesh but to be honest he was somewhat underwhelming and took a quick picture before being desperate to return to his conversation rather than chatting to a fan like me.
It meant I was somewhat apprehensive about approaching Ben’s table as I expected a similar response afterall he was a massive star.
He was seated with then wife Jennifer Garner but when I interrupted his meal to congratulate him he jumped to his feet and seemed genuinely appreciative.
He said: “Oh my goodness, are you from Belfast? I love the accent.” He then asked me to “keep talking so I can learn your accent”.
In response I told him how much I loved his Bostonian accent and did a somewhat embarrassing rendition of his which tickled him.
My best friend lived in Boston at the time so I had spent a lot of time there and I shared different spots I had visited.
He commented: “I could listen to you talk all night. Just say anything.” Adding for a third time “I really love your accent.”
I was utterly thrilled that an A-list actor was complimenting me and giving me attention.
We were both quite bantery.
I had recently been on holiday in Boston and had gone to Harvard College and taken a tour of the famous university campus.
One of the highlights was seeing the dorm room Matt Damon lived in while studying there.
Ben often came to visit him so the pair could pen their Oscar award winning film Good Will Hunting.
“I’ve seen your bed…” I joked. He let out a laugh saying “that was the weirdest thing I’ve ever heard” and it was concerning that was the selling point of the tour and I should have asked for a refund.
When I asked him if I could have a picture he said “Would you like to hold my BAFTA for it?” which of course I jumped at the chance to do.
As we were getting the picture, he sniffed my head and said: “Your hair smells amazing. What shampoo do you use?”
As our conversation went on, I realised that sitting behind him was his then wife Jennifer Garner.
I apologised to her saying “I am so sorry I am hogging your husband” to which she replied; “Oh honey don’t worry. I am eating his dessert”.
She gestured to a slice of chocolate cake which she was tucking into. I was incredibly impressed to see a Hollywood star actually eating.
Knowing he was friends with George Clooney, I commented on how he hadn’t been as much fun when I spoke to him which cracked Ben up.
He laughed and said: “Yeah Clooney can be a c**t! You should tell him I said that!” Then he stopped me and said “Maybe actually don’t do it! It might not translate if it comes from you.”
Obviously I had no intention of going up to George Clooney and repeating that.
There’s no doubt that Ben Affleck is not Prince Charming.
He has been honest about his problems. He has battled alcohol addiction for over two decades.
His first stint in rehab was in 2001 and he has returned several times since after relapsing.
He also has a history of gambling problems and has even been banned from a Las Vegas casino for counting cards.
Anyone who has seen the numerous internet memes he’s spawned knows his image is unkempt, grumpy has spawned numerous internet memes particularly snaps of him smoking.
But despite his flaws, he clearly has something that draws women in – perhaps it’s the female desire to fix him.
I left that evening totally smitten with Ben – afterall he is much better looking in real life than on screen, incredibly talented, kind and engaging so I’m not surprised he’s magnetic to women.
Even someone as successful and beautiful as Jennifer Lopez, which is perhaps why she looked so thrilled to be back by his side at the premiere of their new movie, Kiss Of The Spider Woman.
She had previously been in a relationship in 2002 when they were dubbed Bennifer.
While they were together, Ben’s credibility took a nose dive. He was seen as a bit of a joke especially when their film Gigli was panned.
It was only after they split in 2004 that he focussed on rebuilding his image and earned critical praise.
It was then he started dating his Pearl Harbour pal Jennifer Garner, who he married in 2005.
Despite seeming loved up at the BAFTAs when she stole his cake, eyebrows were raised about their relationship when just a few months later he said marriage is “work” while thanking Jennifer in his speech for clinching Best Picture at the Oscars.
And just two years later they had split and divorced by 2018. But just like JLo, the pair, who have two children together, remain close friends.
And after the split, Ben rekindled his romance with Jennifer Lopez in 2021 before tying the knot a year later. They were married for two years until the singer filed for divorce in August 2024.
Who knows if J Lo and Ben will give it a third attempt but I’m now questioning with his penchant for Jennifers if I had changed my name perhaps I’d have stood a chance at being the third Mrs Jennifer Affleck!
