Jennifer Lopez recently filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, bringing their relationship dynamics back into the forefront. Since the news emerged, fans have begun to review his former relationship with another actress and producer. Many believe Affleck was happier and more compatible with his prior sweetheart.
Social internet is awash with opinions, and the discussion over who was a better match for Affleck is increasing. As we investigate the grounds for these feelings, the differences between his time with his past love and Lopez will become clear.
Users’ Opinions on Ben Affleck’s Previous Relationship
With Lopez filing for divorce on their second wedding anniversary, it appears that the relationship many fans had questioned from the beginning has come to an end. Many people first stated their opinions on who they believe is a better match for the actor when he and JLo restarted their romance.
What’s the general consensus? Many believe Affleck’s earlier romance with Ana de Armas was far more appropriate for him, with some even calling her his “true love.”
One X user didn’t mince words, saying, “It’s Jennifer Lopez lmao, we saw it coming + we are tired. Ben, go back to Ana de Armas and never look back.”
Another expressed this sentiment, saying, “Always think the same; Jennifer Lopez Karma is that she use every relationship to try to get over the past man she had. Now her karma is that Ben is using her to try to get over Ana De Armas, his real one true love is her, not JLO. [sic]”
These comments reflect a general perception that de Armas brought out Affleck’s brighter, more genuine side, which admirers believed was lacking in his relationship with Lopez.
One X user commented, “Ben has become the saddest, most pathetic person in Hollywood since he married JLo. Ana de Armas was better for him.”
The comparisons didn’t stop there. “How could Ben Affleck change Ana de Armas for Jennifer Lopez?” one user questioned, while another speculated, “Ana de Armas left him…. JLo most likely was his rebound girl… he realized that he’s still in love with Ana…”
Others were more direct in their admiration for de Armas, with one stating, “Well, there only was one choice[.] Ana de Armas is better than JLo any day.” Another commented back in June, “Dude left Ana de Armas, of all the gorgeous women in the world, to go back to jlo hahahaahahah biggest fumble [sic].”
The outpouring of feedback demonstrates how passionately fans feel about Affleck’s relationship with de Armas. They believe he was happier with her than he ever was with Lopez.
A Facebook post with a photo collage of Affleck’s ex-lovers was also shared online, causing debate among followers. The collage started with Garner, then de Armas, and finished with Lopez.
The Ben-Ana Relationship
Affleck and de Armas firstly met on the set of Adrian Lyne’s psychological thriller “Deep Water.” Their on-screen chemistry as a pair rapidly transferred to real life, and the two stars were frequently spotted together after filming concluded.
What began as a professional relationship quickly turned into a romance that attracted fans and the media alike. Despite their great connection, Affleck and de Armas’ romance ended in January 2021, after nearly a year together.
According to people close to the pair, Ana de Armas discontinued the relationship due to lifestyle issues. “Ana doesn’t want to be Los Angeles-based, and Ben obviously has to since his kids live in Los Angeles,” a source told me.
Another said the split was consensual and amicable, with both stars respecting one other’s decisions. Affleck, juggling many projects and fatherhood obligations, was focused on self-improvement, but de Armas wanted to take a different path in life.
Why Fans Believe Ana de Armas Was the ‘Better’ Choice
De Armas, born on April 30, 1988, in Havana, Cuba, is a gifted actress and producer who has quickly established herself in Hollywood. She became well-known for her breakout part as a kindhearted caretaker in the 2019 film “Knives Out,” which demonstrated her acting versatility and personality.
Her rise to prominence in the United States is especially astonishing given that she came in Hollywood without speaking English. Despite the language barrier, the actress, who costarred with Daniel Craig as James Bond in “No Time to Die,” was determined to succeed.
She notably acquired English while watching the popular sitcom “Friends,” a tactic that helped her not only master the language but also adapt to the cultural intricacies of her new surroundings.
The Cuban beauty’s dedication and determination paid off, as she landed roles in high-profile films and became one of Hollywood’s rising stars. While her career was flourishing, de Armas was propelled into the spotlight for reasons other than her work: her highly publicized relationship with Affleck.
The extensive media coverage of their relationship was difficult for the actress, who has always preferred to keep her personal life private. In an honest interview, she described her experience as “horrible.”
In a subsequent conversation, she stated that the continual surveillance left her feeling “disrespected” and “unsafe.” This unwanted attention had a huge impact on her decision to leave Los Angeles.
“That’s one of the reasons why I left L.A.,” she said, emphasizing her dissatisfaction with the media’s intrusion. De Armas, who had never sought celebrity outside of her professional accomplishments, found the emphasis on her personal life especially unpleasant.
She eventually moved to New York City, hoping to be able to focus on her job without the constant intrusion of paparazzi and gossip columns. For some supporters, de Armas’ decision to leave Los Angeles and reject the Hollywood spotlight made her even more admirable.
They saw her as a grounded and authentic individual. Fans believe these qualities made her a better match for Affleck compared to the more media-savvy and attention-grabbing Lopez.
Affleck’s Shift Back to JLo
After splitting with de Armas in January 2021, Affleck did not stay alone for long. Rumors of a revived affair with Lopez emerged just a few months later, in April 2021.
Lopez, who had previously terminated her engagement to Alex Rodriguez, was seen spending time with Affleck in Los Angeles. The sightings prompted suspicion that the two were rekindling their love over 20 years after their first high-profile affair.
Affleck was observed several times coming at Lopez’s California house, typically in a white Escalade SUV that Lopez is said to own. According to an informant, “security picks him up at a nearby location and drops him off after spending a few hours at her house.”
This abrupt transition from his engagement with de Armas to his reunion with Lopez generated questions about whether Affleck had actually moved on from de Armas or if Lopez was simply a rebound.
Affleck had talked highly of Lopez in a 2020 interview, prior to his split from de Armas, praising her for her accomplishments and keeping a connection with her over time.
Some speculated that his lingering love for Lopez contributed to his breakup with de Armas. The rekindling of Bennifer, as fans affectionately referred to the couple, sparked speculation about the timing and motives for Affleck’s fast move from one relationship to another.
However, the debate over who was truly better for Ben Affleck — Ana de Armas or Jennifer Lopez — continues to rage on social media and beyond.
While public perceptions can often differ from private realities, it’s evident that many fans hold de Armas in high regard as the one who made Affleck the happiest.
