In July, we wondered if this would will be our first Leo season without Bennifer. Would their reportedly dwindling passion make it through the end of August? Or would their Leo fire finally burn out? (And now why is Aries Jennifer Garner in it?) On August 20, after months of divorce rumors, Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck.
The pair spent some time apart from each other during the most important time of the year: their birthdays, July 24 and August 15, respectively. Lopez already got a head start on the celebrations in the Hamptons, while Affleck stayed in Los Angeles despite wrapping up The Accountant 2. Here, a look back at how Bennifer spent this fiery Leo season.
Hear ye, a royal party without Sir Ben
July 20, 2024: Lopez is having the time of her life leading up to the beginning of Leo season. According to People, she reportedly had a Bridgerton-themed pre-birthday party in the Hamptons without her king beside her — Affleck was reportedly running errands in Los Angeles as the ball went on. He still has time to make a grand entrance for her 55th birthday. Shonda Rhimes is taking notes as we speak.
Sun’s out, legs out
July 21, 2024: At a birthday lunch celebration at a Bridgehampton restaurant, the “Let’s Get Loud†singer wears a pair of white floral mini-shorts seemingly embroidered with pastel florals and a matching blouse, with pink espadrille wedges completing the vacation look. The doily-inspired outfit feels like a spiritual continuation of her Affleck-less Bridgerton-themed b-day party a day prior. Her husband is still AWOL, and by that we mean he’s in L.A.
Ben Affleck’s ring finger steps out naked
July 21, 2024: Affleck’s Sunday stroll is a few carats lighter. He’s spotted out and about in Los Angeles without jewelry on his ring finger, looking characteristically weary in a red T-shirt and gray pants, according to People. Paps capture him the following day, July 22, in a suit and carrying a large non-Dunkin iced coffee with cream. It’s unclear if he’s similarly ringless, but the venti beverage did give him vigor, if his good posture is anything to go by.
Jenny is spinning the block
July 23, 2024: A smiling Lopez cycles around the Hamptons just a day before her 55th birthday, per Harper’s Bazaar. Despite the chorus of divorce rumors, she looks carefree in a black-and-white floral set, accompanied by a gaggle of friends.
Dance again, it’s J.Lo’s birthday
July 24, 2024: After a weekend of cottagecore and Bridgerton in Bridgehampton, Lopez finally rings in her 55th birthday. The pop star spends the evening at a low-key birthday dinner at Nick & Toni’s in East Hampton, “celebrating her birthday with no Ben in sight,†according to “spies†for Page Six. She dines with five people, and the vibes are good. “She looked happy,†the source says. “But she wasn’t dancing on the table; they were not raucous.†Another insider claims, “She arrived in a custom Jeep Wrangler with tunes blasting, donning a cream sequined dress.†Apparently, Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria are in the restaurant’s other room, dining a few tables away from Michael J. Fox and his wife Tracy Pollan. Though the stars aren’t necessarily there for J.Lo, they’re still miles closer than Affleck. No word yet on how he is celebrating.
Maid(en) in Manhattan?
July 25, 2024: Lopez returns to the big city after her birthday retreat in the Hamptons. Photographed in Soho with her longtime manager, Benny Medina, she spends the day at a restaurant with friends before returning to a hotel to hang out with her mother and another group, according to People. The singer posts an Instagram video of herself and vocal coach Stevie Mackey performing Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand’s mash-up, “Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy.†A subtweet, perhaps?
Ben’s turn
August 16, 2024: When Ben Affleck celebrated his birthday without Jennifer Lopez, he just turned to a different Jen in his life. Affleck’s ex Jennifer Garner was spotted visiting his place on August 15, when he turned 52, per “Page Six.†A source added to Entertainment Tonight that Affleck wanted to “keep things intimate†and spend his birthday with “close friends and family.†Meanwhile, J.Lo seemed too busy enjoying herself to mind — she posted some snaps from her own birthday to Instagram before dancing the night away at a Bruno Mars concert.
Going out with a bang
August 20, 2024: In true Leo fashion, Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce on the two-year anniversary of a wedding ceremony they had at Affleck’s house in Georgia. (They previously eloped on July 16, 2022, but this was the bigger event with friends and family.) The news was abruptly broken by TMZ. Talk about coming in hot one last time before Leo season ends this week.
Namechecked at the DNC
August 21, 2024: When you’re a Leo, the whole country feels your pain. Ben Affleck got a shoutout from Mindy Kaling during her speech at the DNC Wednesday night. “I couldn’t leave here without giving a shoutout to the amazing delegation from my home state, Massachusetts. I love you, Massachusetts!†she said. “Everyone is always hating on us! But they just don’t get it! Go Sox! Go Jason Tatum! Ben Affleck, hang in there!†Kaling has taken an interest in Affleck since her earliest days in comedy, writing and performing in the two-person show Matt & Ben. Obviously she played Affleck because they have the same color hair.
This post has been updated.