Welcome to The Scoop — the ultimate back-to-the-office water cooler cheat sheet, your go-to source for all things everyone really wants to know! Get the latest on everything from the political swamp maneuvering in D.C. to Hollywood drama to jaw-dropping small-town shenanigans from Paula Froelich. Subscribe to her newsletter here.
(NewsNation) — Stick a fork in it: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s marriage is done, a source tells me.
Lopez had still held hopes that her marriage to Affleck could be saved — until this week. As I reported, Lopez’s friends told Hamptonites that Affleck would be flying out east to see his wife this week; but on her actual birthday, instead of buying Lopez a gift, Affleck bought his own $20 million mansion in the Pacific Palisades — in his name only.
“She’s seen the light,” my source said. “She has had the worst year ever and is not doing well right now. But she’s strong, and it’s over.”
Lopez did spend time with Affleck’s daughter Violet in the Hamptons this summer, but Affleck was a no-show.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s crumbling marriage
When the two finally legally split, it will be an easy process. The couple have airtight prenups and will just have to sign papers dissolving the marriage (as opposed to appearing in court).
Affleck seemingly turned off the light on his marriage when Lopez’s album and subsequent companion movies flopped. She hit the Met Gala carpet on her own in May, and he moved out of their $60 million Los Angeles mansion.
Lopez tried hard to save the crumbling marriage: Canceling her tour (using her personal life as an excuse, although poor sales were cited) and appearing in (Affleck-approved) sweats and low-key outfits for the past few months. But now, she’s done.
-
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are seen out and about on March 30, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 09: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez attend “The Last Duel” New York Premiere at Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall on October 09, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) -
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 30: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are seen leaving Sadelle’s restaurant on March 30, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 16: Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck and his son Samuel Garner Affleck attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on March 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: (L-R) Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez attend the Los Angeles Special Screening of “Marry Me” on February 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) -
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 26: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are seen at the Louvre Museum on July 26, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pierre Suu/GC Images)
Timeline: Jennifer Lopez’s ‘worst year ever’
So far this year, Lopez has had to endure (alone):
- Feb. 16: “This is Me … Now” debuts alongside her accompanying documentary, “The Greatest Love Story Never Told” (which follows her love story with Ben Affleck), and a “companion” musical film “This Is Me Now … A Love Story.” Both movies flopped, and the album was Lopez’s worst-performing ever.
- March 13: Seven cities were canceled from her “This Is Me … Now” tour due to poor sales.
- April 2: With lagging sales, Lopez’s tour is rebranded as “This Is Me … Live,” featuring her greatest hits instead of the treacly love songs from her latest album.
- April 11: Lopez goes back to work filming “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” while Affleck leaves for Los Angeles.
- May 6: Lopez co-chaired the annual Met Gala and showed up alone after Affleck refused to attend (claiming he was filming in LA). On what was supposed to be a glorious homecoming for Lopez, she appeared gaunt and furious, snapping at reporters on the red carpet.
- May 12: Lopez spent Mother’s Day 5,643 miles away from Affleck in Paris with her daughter Emme while Affleck was hanging out with his children in Los Angeles next to his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner.
- May 15: Lopez spotted house hunting with her producer Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas despite Lopez and Affleck dropping $60 million in cash for a Beverly Hills mansion last June.
- May 24: Lopez’s Netflix movie “Atlas” premieres and is panned.
- May 28: Affleck attends his daughter Violet’s graduation without Lopez.
- May 29: It’s reported Lopez’s $90 million deal with MGM in Las Vegas is kaput.
- May 31: Live Nation announces tour cancellation.
- June 2024: Lopez and Affleck put their $60 million house on the market. He is reported to be staying in a rental, alone.
- July 2024: Affleck buys his own house.