Inside J-Lo & Ben Affleck’s chaotic marriage amid claims her diva demands may scupper their romance – & secret new film
THEY’VE been married for less than a year but Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have already had a series of public bust-ups.
And those tensions are only set to grow as the newlyweds start working together on a new movie project.
Sources claim Ben is growing tired of J-Lo’s diva demands for everything to be “perfect” in the quest to find their dream home, while they have also been pictured arguing at premieres as he takes issue with her revealing tops.
Jennifer has already spoken about how tricky moving their “blended” families in together has been.
Tying the knot in Last Vegas last July seemed to be a fairytale Hollywood ending for the couple — nicknamed Bennifer — who had called off their first engagement 20 years earlier.
But recovering alcoholic Ben is said to prefer a more relaxed approach to life than the business-like singer.
An industry insider fears that the combustible mix could tip the fledgling relationship over the edge when their film Unstoppable heads towards production.
The source revealed to The Sun: “Ben wants to slow down a little.
“He needs that, but it’s not really how Jennifer does things.
“She’s an all-or-nothing type and has more energy than Ben.
“There’s no off-switch and this is just not somebody who is down for Netflix and chill.
“This will undoubtedly create tension as Jen prepares to make Unstoppable, which Ben’s new company Artists Equity is financing and producing.”
The film tells the true story of one-legged wrestler Anthony Robles who became a US national champion.
‘It’s a stressful time’
Ben confirmed his wife would be in the film, saying: “What fun, what a joy to do something with her, see her be great, go to work with your wife, go to work with your best friend.”
But the source wonders if that will put too much pressure on Ben, who launched Artists Equity with actor pal Matt Damon in November, and has three children from his first marriage to actress Jennifer Garner to think about.
They said: “Ben has a full plate just dealing with the decisions he has to make with his career and his new business venture.
“When he goes home at night he wants to zone out or talk to his kids on the phone.
“Ben has been through hell and back a few times, and he’s never had more responsibilities.
“It’s a stressful time.”
He has also taken flak on social media for appearing to look bored at awards ceremonies.
But the insider defended the Oscar-winning scriptwriter, actor and director, who recently made the hit sports biopic Air.
They continued: “The guy doesn’t deserve to be ordered around, dragged to dubious social events and critiqued on his every minuscule aspect of his day.
“But this is what he signed up for when he married Jennifer.
“She is a Duracell Bunny who doesn’t stop for anybody.
“He’s got the vibe of a man who’s just come home from a long tour of duty in a war zone only to have to deal with his house getting hit by a tornado.”
J-Lo and Ben were caught seemingly bickering in their car at red lights last weekend.
He later escorted his wife to the passenger side before slamming the door shut in a clip that went viral.
Days later the couple appeared to have a public spat during the premiere for Jen’s latest Netflix film, The Mother.
The Let’s Get Loud singer was seen gesticulating at her husband while he looked annoyed.
The incident came after another tense exchange at the launch of her romcom Shotgun Wedding in January — and their infamous moment at the Grammys a month later when Jen scolded Ben for not looking “friendly” or “motivated” during the ceremony.
Yet it was all smiles and loved-up displays of affection after their wedding — and sources say a split would be humiliating.
Talking about their renewed romance, J-Lo said: “I feel so lucky and happy and proud to be with him.
“It’s a beautiful love story that we got a second chance.”
But she admitted blending their two families — including four teens — had been “an emotional process”.
She said: “The teenage years are tough.
“They start challenging you and everything.
“You have this baby for a while and then it’s like your best little friend, who loves being with you all the time, then all of a sudden they’re like, ‘Get out of my room.’”
The couple are also looking for a new dream home for their family in Los Angeles but it’s said Ben is growing tired of Jen’s demands after pulling out of at least two sales at the last minute.
They have also clashed over Jen’s revealing outfits.
She admitted: “He’ll joke with me sometimes . . . he’ll say things like, ‘Where’s the rest of that shirt?’ or things like that.
“I’m like, ‘Oh, this one doesn’t have anything else.”
Bennifer called off their romance two decades ago amid tense media attention, and Jen went on to marry three times while Ben got hitched to actress Jennifer Garner.
But after the first flush of their second whirlwind romance, sources are asking if Ben may have bitten off more than he can chew.
Our source said: “Jennifer is tougher, more demanding and a hell of a lot more ambitious than she was 20 years ago.
“This woman likes the results she gets when she pushes Ben as hard as possible. But is that really sustainable?”
Another insider told the Sun how Bennifer’s relationship thrives on drama.
She said: “Jennifer is very feisty.
“She thrives on passion and you don’t get that without the arguments and the drama.
“She wants a man who will stand up to her and stand up for her.
“If you look at her past failed marriages to a waiter and a dancer, she had autonomy over them.
“Ben doesn’t just say yes to her.
“Jennifer’s a diva but Ben 100 per cent knows that.
“They are both actors and they like a drama and an ever moving stage — and that’s what their relationship is.
“Jennifer once said she is a seeker of love but that it always has to induce passion.
“You don’t get that without a few arguments and slamming of car doors.
“She comes from a very strong family of women and knows what she wants.
“Ben knows who she is and that’s why he married her.
“I think they will make this work.
“After all, they’d look very silly if it didn’t.”