Ben Affleck has shared his thoughts on the widespread rumors that he held his ex-wife Jennifer Garner responsible for his alcohol addiction. Keep on reading for all the details.
Uncovering the Truth
During a conversation with Howard Stern in 2021 , the renowned actor expressed his feeling of being “trapped” in his marital relationship.
Trapped Feelings Triggered Drinking
Affleck stated that feeling trapped was one of the factors that led him to start drinking.
Burdened by Blame
Close friends of his former spouse Jennifer Garner believed that he was holding her responsible for his drinking issues.
Clearing the Air
Affleck emphasized that the public’s interpretation was actually contrary to his intended message.
A Moment of Admiration
The actor also took a moment to appreciate his wife Jennifer Lopez , 53, for her exceptional skills in interviews and social media.
The Long Road to Love
After co-starring together, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck started dating in 2002 , got engaged later that year, and delayed their wedding in September 2003, eventually ending their relationship in January 2004.
However, Lopez announced their reunion in July 2021, and they exchanged vows in Las Vegas in July 2022.
Walking on Eggshells
Getting back to the subject, Affleck compared his current situation to landmines, where even a single wrong statement can lead to the demise of his career.
Vulnerability Betrayed
“I had a really painful experience where I did an interview where I was really vulnerable, and the entire pickup was something that was not only not right, it was actually the opposite of what I meant,” Affleck shared.
No Excuses
While there was a belief that he was placing the blame for his drinking on his ex-wife, Affleck stressed that he alone is responsible for his behavior.
Emotional Separation
Affleck and Garner went public with their separation In 2015 their divorce was finalized after three years.
Saying Goodbye
The divorced couple wrote in a joint statement :
“After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce.”
A Message of Love and Respect
“We loved each other. We care about each other. We have respect for each other,” Affleck said about his ex-wife.
Misleading Headlines
Affleck claimed that publications twisted his words for clickbait and despite his efforts to clarify that he didn’t hold his ex-wife responsible for his alcoholism, the false information continued.
He also expressed his frustration with correcting the misinformation.
Affleck Faces Backlash After the Controversial Interview
Affleck faced a wave of backlash following his comments, with certain individuals in Garner’s inner circle appearing to take offense to his interview.
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Insider’s Response to Ben Affleck’s Remarks
“It’s disgusting,” an insider with connections to both Affleck and Garner revealed to Page Six in December 2021.
Insiders Continue to Lay Blame on Affleck
A different insider with connections to Garner expressed their disappointment and similarly indicated that Affleck was placing blame on her for his battle with addiction.
The Blame Game
During his conversation with Stern, Affleck stated that he would likely have continued to drink if he had remained married to Garner, a remark that further caused anger among some readers and viewers who perceived it as an attempt to assign fault to his ex.
Trapped in an Unhappy Marriage
Affleck went on to elaborate on feeling “trapped” in the latter stages of his previous marriage. He revealed that he believed he couldn’t leave because of his children, but was unhappy and unsure of what to do.
Ben Affleck in Hot Water
Following the interview, Garner’s friends and social media users expressed their anger towards Ben Affleck after he appeared to shift the blame for his drinking issues onto his ex.