J.Lo and Ben Affleck are doing just fine, thank you very much.
Over the weekend, the couple—who have dealt with divorce rumors over the past few weeks—stepped out together, with Page Six reporting that the two attended a movie event at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica, California before making their way to Soho House.
The two were photographed by paparazzi in a parking garage, with snaps showing them walking together. In a subsequent photo, Ben raises his arm at the photographers while Jennifer stands close. Both appear to be wearing their wedding rings.
The pop star and actor have been flooded with reports of a split since the beginning of the month. It all started on May 6, when Jennifer attended the Met Gala solo, prompting fans to realize they hadn’t been spotted together in over a month. The fire was only fueled when the Hustlers star liked an Instagram graphic discussing relationship red flags on May 16, per People. And a day later, sources told the outlet they were living apart amid marital strife.
On May 20, a source told People that their “styles” “clash” when it comes to fame.
“Ben hates all attention and it makes him very uncomfortable. Jennifer has always had a different approach,” the insider said. “Even though he admires that about her, it doesn’t make him happy and causes stress in his life.”
So where, exactly, do Bennifer stand after their most recent outing? Below, body language expert Patti Wood breaks down exactly what’s going on in their relationship—and why she believes they’re still “in sync” despite some of their “tense” movements.
Meet the Expert: Patti Wood is the author of Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma.
Ben and J.Lo remain on equal footing.
In the first snap, Ben and Jennifer walk next to one another in a parking garage, with Jennifer’s purse resting on her left hand between them. But their gaits are nearly identical—both stepping forward with their right foot and looking down to the left—which Wood says means that they’re “in sync” with one another.
“Even in the stress of everything that’s going on— all the public scrutiny—they’re side by side,” she explains. “It’s an indication that they are centered and grounded with one another. It’s unusual in power couples.”
In Jennifer’s previous relationships, Wood says she had a tendency to walk up front, ahead of her man. But she and Ben are strolling together, meaning they remain on the same page, even as rumors swirl, Wood says.
There is a bit of “tension” in their upper bodies, with Wood noting that their shoulders are slightly raised, and Jennifer holds her right thumb in her pocket. But that’s more due to the feeling of being spotted by paparazzi, not because of anything going on behind the scenes. “There’s an awareness of being watched,” she says.
And even though her purse remains between them, it’s not stopping Ben and Jennifer from cuddling close, should they choose. “It’s not blocking him,” she says. “It’s lowered down—it’s not between her chest or pelvis.”
“What’s more powerful is that they’re walking together,” she adds. “They’re in sync. They’re not out of pace with each other.”
Ben Affleck gestures at photographers during an outing with Jennifer Lopez on May 19.
The sparks are still flying between them.
In the next photo, Ben gestures to the paparazzi as the two wait outside an elevator bank. But the anger isn’t with Jennifer, Wood says: it’s with the photographers. “It’s not about them as a couple. In fact, as a couple, both of their expressions are showing pissed!” she says.
Ben and Jen remain physically close with one another, with their each of their pelvises facing the other. That’s an even better sign, Wood says, because it means they remain attracted to each other.
“That says they’re still sexually connected,” she explains. “I’d be wary if they were pulling apart.”
Don’t read too much in to Ben’s arm, either: He’s just being “protective” of his wifey, Wood says. “What matters, in this case, is that they’re close to one another,” she says.
Overall, it seems like Ben and J.Lo are on the road to recovery.
“I’m not seeing that they’re going to break up tomorrow,” Wood says. “What we all know about this couple is that they keep coming back to each other. They’re still getting something from one another.”
And what is that special something, you may ask? From these photos, Wood says, “It’s that groundedness. The being in sync with one another. They’re still getting that.”
Charlotte Walsh (she/her) is an associate news editor with Women’s Health, where she covers the intersection of wellness and entertainment. Previously, she worked as a writer at The Messenger, E! News, and Netflix. In her free time, she enjoys reality television, tennis and films starring Nicole Kidman.
