When I say I want celebrities to start acting like it’s the 2000s again, this Ben Affleck and J.Lo situationship of the century isn’t what I had in mind, but I’ll take it. It was wild enough that after linking up in 2002 to coin the best celebrity couple name of all time, they broke off their first whirlwind engagement a year later in January of 2004. It was truly such a BFD that even ten-year-olds such as myself at the time understood the gravity of the pop culture situation. How can you call off a wedding after making a silver screen monstrosity as iconic as Gigli and flashing that custom canary yellow diamond for an entire year? And yet, they did it. But to get back together 17 years later in the most ostentatious way possible from multiple recreated photoshoot moments to an unfathomable amount of red carpet kisses, all off the back of her loud breakup with ARod ONLY to get divorced two years later??? Unfathomable amounts of audacity (that, or the Vogue wedding curse is working overtime).
It feels impossible not to ask: what in the world is keeping these two crazy kids coming back for more? I’m unpacking Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s astrological compatibility and reasons why Bennifer keeps getting back together.
Did Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez get back together again after divorce?
Jennifer Lopez holds Matt Damon’s hand as they have a serious conversation at Toronto Film Festival 👀 pic.twitter.com/4UKjJypHAR
— JLo Updates (@lopez_updates) September 8, 2024
After their second landmark breakup, Ben Affleck and Jenny from the Block are still keeping the world guessing about their relationship status. Still, sources speaking to People claim the divorce is still on. The questions of a possible round 3 first began when photos dropped of Ben’s biggest fan, Matt Damon, holding hands with J.Lo during a “serious 20-minute” chat at TIFF. Fans speculated Damon could be playing matchmaker, perhaps?
Then, the couple took their blended family out for a chummy brunch where Ben and Jen according to nosey spectators got extra cozy. Page Six reports insiders saw Bennifer holding hands and kissing at brunch, and yet reports claim they are still proceeding (quite amicably) with divorce. Sure, Jan.
Why does it feel good to get back with an ex?
Yes, you can use science to explain why you’re addicted to your toxic ex. Things that bring you joy or people you love trigger a dopamine release in your brain. Dopamine, as many overachievers will already know, is basically your body’s way of giving you a natural high. On top of that, bonded partners generate the production of oxytocin, a chemical that comes from intimacy and close relationships. According to research detailed in The Mend, once you and your ex part ways, levels of dopamine and oxytocin drop in the body, and every time you think of them mini-releases leave you craving more. So that’s why I sent that risky text and not three martinis??? Cool, cool, cool.
Besides that, humans are constantly falling prey to the sunk cost fallacy. Our brains and society trick us into thinking that since we’ve already invested time and energy into something, we have to see it through, otherwise we’re losing more by giving up. In reality, it’s never too late to start making beneficial changes, and making those changes sooner rather than later is actually the best way to “save time.”
Research also shows those in on-again-off-again relationships report the highest levels of satisfaction — an unsurprising factoid to those who can’t look away from the hot mess that is Ben and Jen. The rollercoaster of makeups and breakups provides a level of excitement, risk, and uncertainty that causes an addictive cycle of love that’s hard to walk away from.
Ben Affleck And Jennifer Lopez’s Astrological Compatibility
Never one to stay mum instead of professing her love, J.Lo told People pretty much unprovoked, “Ben and I are both Leos — like a male and a female lion.” Even the least astrologically inclined will recall that Leos are known for their passion, loyalty, and low-key obsession with being the center of attention. While two Leos may have tension over whose ego needs to be stroked first, dating the same sun sign is always the most compatible match possible. Which might explain why no matter how many times it goes left, Bennifer keeps rising like a phoenix from the ashes.
However, according to astrology expert Isa Nakazawa of the popular podcast Stars and Stars, Ben and Jen have far more in common than their dominant sign. During an appearance on podcast Lemme Say This, Isa explained that while both halves of Bennifer are notably Leo suns, they also share a Scorpio moon placement. So while their Leo roots push August babies to be intense lovers who go head over heels for grand romantic gestures, their Scorpio sides are “very private” which can make PDA “intrusive” and “corrosive” to a relationship. Considering how these particular lovebirds are perpetually in the public eye, perhaps Ben prefers indulging his Scorpio moon but J.Lo is insistent on igniting the lion she knows is hiding beneath his shy side.
Isa describing their Leo/Scorpio dichotomy as “contradictory” does kind of explain a lot. One minute Ben is down to pose for the papz on a yacht in a (cringe) ode to their love, and the next he’s retreating to the nearest Dunkin’ Donuts to chain smoke in the corner. Good to know his very wishy-washy man behavior actually has backup from the stars.
Ben Affleck is also a Cancer rising, which means the stars say he might present to the world as an overly emotional creature of comfort. Pretty sure that checks out. Both Ben and Jen have their Mercury placed in the house of Leo, which means they have a fiery and (ever so slightly) self-centered approach to communication. So, long story short, astrology says these Leos fight hard but love harder… I haven’t checked in with the happy(?) couple, but I’m p sure they’d agree.
