Ben Affleck Allegedly 'Taken Aback' When Jennifer Lopez Shared His Private Love Letters With Guests
Ben Affleck was seemingly surprised when he realized his wife, Jennifer Lopez, had shared the letters he wrote for her with other people, according to a report.
Lopez is celebrating her reunion with Affleck nearly 20 years after they split with a new album, "This Is Me...Now." The project is a sequel to her 2002 album "This Is Me...Then," which she dedicated to Affleck and is part of a three-part conceptual project documenting the singer-actress' life as a serial romantic. The three projects include the album "This Is Me...Now," the musical film "This Is Me...Now: A Love Story" and the documentary "The Greatest Love Story Never Told."
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez attend the red carpet of the movie "The Last Duel" during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 10, 2021 in Venice, Italy.
Interestingly, when Lopez invited musicians over to their house for inspiration, she showed them Affleck's love letters, Variety reported.
"In the documentary, Affleck comes into the room and seems taken aback when he sees his letters being bandied about," the report indicated. "He says to the camera, 'I did really find the beauty and the poetry and the irony in the fact that it's the greatest love story never told. If you're making a record about it, that seems kind of like telling it.'"
Lopez and Affleck started dating in early 2000, but the unwanted attention from the media tore them apart. This time, she is reportedly "turning the tables," and Affleck "grudgingly follows along." Between the two, the "Batman" star is more reserved and private.
"Things that are private I always felt are sacred and special because, in part, they're private," Affleck reportedly said in the documentary, adding, "So this was something of an adjustment for me."
Lopez self-funded the project and admitted to Variety that the people around her thought she was "crazy." But the "On the Floor" singer didn't object to them and jokingly added, "And by the way, I thought I was crazy."
Jennifer Lopez (L) and Ben Affleck arrive for the world premiere of "The Flash" at Ovation Hollywood in Hollywood, California, on June 12, 2023.
Many seemingly disapproved of the project because they felt it was too personal. Lopez's pal Jane Fonda spoke with her manager, Benny Medina, to warn her about the project. Medina relayed Fonda's thoughts to Lopez.
Fonda reportedly said many were rooting for Lopez and Affleck's romance but were concerned about presenting it like it's so "sacrosanct." Fonda suggested that it should be "handled in a way that you aren't overly flaunting it, so much so that it creates any form of criticism or resentment."
Lopez's longtime producer partner, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, admitted she was also surprised when Lopez told her she would put $20 million of her own money into the project after a potential partner pulled out because they didn't understand a thing about it.
Jennifer Lopez (L) and Ben Affleck attend the 2023 Eastern Congo Initiative Poker and Blackjack Tournament hosted by TAO Group Hospitality at LAVO Restaurant & Nightclub at The Palazzo at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas on November 17, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"I'm in New York," Goldsmith-Thomas recounted, "and she's saying, 'I think I'm going to finance this myself.' I was like, 'Wait, what?' I don't even know what it is. What are you doing?' I was worried. 'Why are you sharing your story? It's too personal. Stop it.' It made me uncomfortable for her."
Lopez went on with the project.
The album and musical film will be released on Feb. 16. The documentary will follow on Feb. 27.
