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Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck reunite at back-to-school event with kids — but divorce is still on: report

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are keeping it real for the kids. 

The estranged couple came together to attend their kids’ back-to-school night on Tuesday, according to TMZ

Lopez, 55, and Affleck, 52, were allegedly spotted “making their way” to the event at a Los Angeles-area school where their kids are enrolled. Affleck has three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner: Samuel, 12, Seraphina, 15, and Violet, 18, while Lopez shares twins Emme and Max, 16, with ex-husband Marc Antony. Violet recently began her first year in college.

The “Jenny From the Block” singer and the Oscar winner “were totally cool with each other and very cordial,” sources revealed to TMZ. 

Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck are seen having lunch at the Beverly Hills hotel together with all their kids. Jennifer is seen wearing her engagement ring on her pinky finger & a Jennifer name ring on her wedding finger on Sept. 14, 2024. NewsYourCelebs / SplashNews.com
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were seen having a tense conversation during their first reunion amid ongoing divorce proceedings, meeting at the Beverly Hills Hotel with their kids on Sat., Sept. 14. LXXVI/Splash News / SplashNews.com

Lopez and Affleck are “a couple who still care for each other” and “wrapped up in a years-long love affair,” the insiders explained before adding that their kids “are the real focus.” Sources also told the outlet that the divorce is still moving forward.

Lopez filed legal docs to end her marriage with Affleck, whom she once called “the love of my life,” on August 20, the second anniversary of their second wedding ceremony (the pair officially married in a July 2022 service at The Little White Chapel in Las Vegas but held a lavish star-studded reception in Georgia the following month). 

Mr. and Mrs. Affleck’s back-to-school reunion is the second time the pair have been seen together in less than a week. 

The “Atlas” actress and the “Air” director were photographed arriving for lunch at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday, Sept. 14, with Seraphina, Samuel, Emme and Max in tow. 

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are seen going out to lunch together at The Beverly Hills Hotel amid their divorce drama.
BauerGriffin/INSTARimages
Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Samuel Affleck, Max Muniz, Emme Muniz, and Seraphina Affleck arrive for lunch at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Sept. 14, 2024. BauerGriffin/INSTARimages

Though the reunion would have been notable enough in its own right, the luncheon attracted headlines as witnesses claimed they saw J.Lo and Ben kissing and holding hands during the outing.

A source told Page Six that Lopez and Affleck were spotted getting cozy in the hotel’s famed Polo Lounge while their kids were seated at a separate table.

The family reunion was among the “Hot Topics” on Monday’s episode of “The View,” with co-host Sunny Hostin expressing concern that Ben and Jen could be sending their children mixed signals. 

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were reportedly kissing and holding hands at their recent lunch outing with their kids. BauerGriffin/INSTARimages
Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleck on August 20, 2024, after two years of marriage. BauerGriffin/INSTARimages

“I do feel it’s confusing for their kids, their blended families, and perhaps they’re doing this for their family, you know? And for each other,” Hostin said. “Maybe they’re giving it a second try, and then maybe those divorce papers will… disappear.”  

Lopez and Affleck first dated between 2002 and 2004. They got engaged in November 2002, shortly after meeting on the set of their now-infamous movie “Gigli.” They called it quits in 2004, but both carried a candle for the other for nearly two decades after. 

The “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” singer and the “Good Will Hunting” scribe got back together in 2021 and married in July 2022. 

A movie they co-produced, which J.Lo stars in, “Unstoppable” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) earlier this month. Lopez shined on the red carpet in a revealing revenge dress and later shared an intimate (but platonic) moment with Affleck’s BFF and fellow “Unstoppable” filmmaker Matt Damon. Affleck did not attend.

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