Ben Affleck opens up on his ‘beautiful’ reunion with Jennifer Lopez: 'It's a great story'
Watch: Ben Affleck on rekindling Jennifer Lopez romance: 'It's a good story'
Ben Affleck has opened up about rekindling his romance with former fiancée Jennifer Lopez.
The 49-year-old actor has said that his reunion with Lopez, 51, has been "beautiful" and added that reconnecting with the woman he had previously hoped to marry is a "great story".
The former couple delighted the world earlier this year when rumours started swirling that Bennifer were back together, following J-Lo's split from former New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez.
And when Lopez made their relationship Instagram official it was clear Bennifer 2.0 was back on.
Lifting the lid on their second-time romance, which previously ended in 2004, the actor described it as "beautiful".
Read more: Jennifer Lopez channels a bride onstage at last night's American Music Awards
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Affleck touched on what it was like returning to a former love.
"I can say that it’s definitely beautiful to me. And, you know, one of the things I really value across all facets of my life now is that it was handled in a way that reflected that,” he said.
Hinting further about the topic, Affleck added: “And it is a good story. It’s a great story.
"And, you know, maybe one day I’ll tell it. I’ll write it all out. And then I’ll light it on fire."
Watch: How Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck celebrated Thanksgiving together
The actor went on to say that he was "lucky" to have been given a chance to rekindle his romance with the singer.
"I am very lucky in my life in that I have benefited from second chances, and I am aware that other people don’t even get first chances," he said.
The Gone Girl star added that he had a chance to reflect on things second time around.
"I’ve definitely tried to take advantage of that," he said. "I haven’t always been successful, but in cases in which I have, they’ve turned out to be the defining aspects of my life."
Ultimately, Affleck says, he feels “very lucky” to have “benefitted from second chances” in both life and love.
Affleck, who shares three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, also explained that one of the "harder" lessons he has learned over the years is not to "share everything with the world".
"I know that I feel more comfortable having those healthy boundaries in my life around which, in a friendly and straightforward way, I tell you, I just don’t want to be talking about my personal relationship in the newspaper," he continued. "I’m going to exercise a little restraint."
While the couple have remained fairly tight-lipped about their romance, it isn't actually the first time Affleck has spoken about his rekindled relationship with Lopez.
Earlier this year, in a rare interview discussing Lopez and her work, the actor credited the star's achievements and the contribution she has made in helping to make women feel more represented.
Speaking to AdWeek, Affleck told the publication he is "in awe" of his other half's work and the impact she has had.
"All I can tell you is that I have seen first hand the difference representation makes, because I have seen, over and over and over and over, women of colour approach Jennifer and tell her what her example as a strong woman and a woman succeeding and demanding her fair share in the business world means to them," he said.
"I am in awe of what Jennifer’s effect on the world is," he added.
Read more: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck led the best dressed couples at the Met Gala 2021
While Lopez has also remained largely silent about her relationship, she has said she hasn't ruled out the possibility of one day walking down the aisle with someone special, claiming she still believes in marriage.
“You know me. I’m a romantic,” she told Today last month when asked if she could see herself getting married again in the future.
“I always have been. I’ve been married a few times. Yeah, I still believe in happily ever after, for sure, 100%.”
Meanwhile Lopez's one-time publicist Rob Shuter claimed last month that he could see the newly reconnected couple getting married — also hinting that Affleck was the one who got away.
The rekindled couple became 'red carpet official' at Venice Film Festival earlier this year, following weeks of rumours surrounding their rekindled romance.
Back in July, JLo posted a series of bikini snaps to celebrate her 52nd birthday, which ended in a picture of the newly reunited couple kissing and sent social media into a complete spin.
Read more: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck led the best dressed couples at the Met Gala 2021
Almost 20 years after the pair's original romance between 2002-2004, during which the couple became engaged, rumours of a 'Bennifer' reconciliation sparked earlier this year, following splits from their respective partners.
They eventually made their red carpet debut together at Venice Film Festival earlier in September, and then again at the 2021 Met Gala, where they were spotted kissing with their face masks on. COVID safety first, kids!
Lopez confirmed her split from fiancé Alex Rodriguez in April after a two-year engagement. Affleck was previously married to Jennifer Garner, with whom he has three children. They announced their separation after 10 years of marriage in 2015.
