Amid his divorce from Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck has been spotted with a mystery woman who is part of a famous family. Netizens have pointed out the uncanny resemblance she shares with the actor’s ex.
Since soon-to-be ex-Hollywood couple Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck decided to part ways after experiencing marital woes, the “Deep Water” star has been spotted hanging out with a young lady on several different occasions. The woman has quickly caught the attention of netizens who believe she bears a similarity to Ben’s ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
User comment about the mystery woman who has been seen with Ben Affleck, posted on August 25, 2024 | Source: X/@Kellyhyman1
On August 24, a popular media outlet published an article discussing the 52-year-old actor’s recent excursions with Robert F. Kennedy’s 36-year-old daughter, Kick Kennedy.
Kick Kennedy at Maison de Mode’s Sustainable Style Awards in West Hollywood, California on June 26, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
According to the outlet, someone they deem an insider confirmed that Ben and Kick have been spotted together at hotspots like the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. However, while the two have been seen out together on different occasions, neither has given clarity on the nature of their relationship.
The timing of their excursions coincides with the timeframe in which JLo and Ben began experiencing marital woes, which ultimately led to the “Atlas” actress filing for divorce on Tuesday, August 20. She cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez spotted out in New York on March 30, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Netizens who have found out about Ben’s outings with Kick have taken to social media to comment on the situation. Many are taken aback by how similar Kick looks to Ben’s ex-wife and mother of his kids, Jennifer.
Kick Kennedy at Maison de Mode’s Sustainable Style Awards in West Hollywood, California on June 26, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
“[Looks] exactly like Jennifer Garner…” asserted a social media user on X. Echoing the same sentiment, another stated, “She looks like his [ex-wife], not [JLo]. Jennifer Garner.”
Jennifer Garner at the ESPY Awards in Hollywood, California on July 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
An Instagrammer echoed, “Jennifer Garner [look-alike].” Agreeing with the aforementioned comments while referencing the timing of Ben and Kick’s hangouts and JLo filing, someone else said, “He has a type [that’s] quick but it tells you how done he is with [JLo].”
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck spotted out in Los Angeles, California on February 27, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
“She looks more his type than J-Lo does… as in Jen Garner more than Jen Lopez seems his type,” added a Facebooker. On the other hand, one netizen was happy to learn of the potential that Ben may be moving on. They exclaimed, “Go Ben!!!!”
However, another netizen appears to think Kick shouldn’t be hanging out with the “Gone Girl” talent. “Girl, run!” asserted the person.
One social media user believes that the tabloids are reading too much into the situation, remarking, “Please stop… he was probably talking to her at a bar and now they have him in a relationship.”
While Ben and Kick hanging out has certainly grabbed the public’s attention, this is not the first time the 36-year-old has made headlines. A past profile on her from 2012 reveals some details about who she is apart from being the mystery woman recently spotted with Ben.
Kick is extremely passionate about acting and activism—the latter of which is an interest she shares with her famous father. Both Kick and Robert Jr. have a passion for advocating for clean water.
According to the profile, Kick spearheaded a nonprofit organization called Waterkeeper. She is so devoted to the cause that she even hiked with famous actors Emile Hirsch and Jessica Biel to help increase awareness concerning water shortages.
Kick is also a lover of making the most out of life. “I like to say life is just a collection of experiences — some good, some bad — and the more you have the better. Saying yes has just kind of worked for me so far,” she shared in the 2012 interview.
As far as her acting career is concerned, Kick has appeared on popular TV shows like “Gossip Girl” and “The Newsroom.” At the time she did the interview, she was still in pursuit of her big break, dividing her time between Los Angeles and New York.
However, she confessed to feeling a bit hindered by the fact that she stems from an extremely famous family. “I was born with a sticker — a name — that has made me totally uninterested in the fame factor of success. I see all my actor friends really going for it in that way because it’s such a big part of the job, but it kind of turns me off,” Kick admitted.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kick Kennedy at the press conference to launch The Legacy Group in New York City on April 21, 2009 | Source: Getty Images
However, the Harvard graduate, who studied both dramatic and comedic acting at school, still has a love for the craft, particularly live theatre. “I played the lead role in the Storm Theatre’s production of ‘Antigone,’ which really gave me the bug for live theatre,” divulged Kick in another past interview.
Kick went on to say that she hopes to do more live theatre pieces in the future, but she clarified that at that time, she was more focused on enjoying her life in New York.
When asked about what she loves most about the city, Kick replied, “Just being able to anonymously walk into a bar with a bunch of friends and shoot a round of pool.”
Given the recent attention that Kick has gotten as a result of her connection to Ben, it would appear that the budding actress is unable to hold onto the anonymity she once enjoyed experiencing.
Kick Kennedy at a Remembrance and Celebration of the Life & Enduring Legacy of Robert F. Kennedy event in Arlington, Virginia on June 6, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
This is especially so because her hanging out with Ben Affleck comes at the same time as his break-up drama with Jennifer Lopez. Although the “On the Floor” singer only filed for divorce on August 20, reports claim that her and Ben’s marital woes began months before.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck spotted out in Los Angeles, California on October 13, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
According to an August 2024 Page Six report, Ben and JLo’s honeymoon in Italy marked the beginning of their marital struggles, as Ben struggled with the intense media attention and the demands of his wife’s high-profile lifestyle.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez attend the screening of The Last Duel at the Venice Film Festival on September 10, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
The couple’s honeymoon in Lake Como in 2022 seemed glamorous on the surface. However, behind the scenes, Ben was uncomfortable with the constant paparazzi presence.
Ben Affleck walks as two men film him in Los Angeles, California on May 19, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
A source reportedly said that Ben “was unhappy with paparazzi following them. She is an international superstar, and he acted like it came as a surprise that they would be followed around.”
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were spotted strolling through the streets of Italy during their honeymoon, posted on August 26, 2022 | Source: YouTube/x17online
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez walk up to a restaurant in Lake Como, Italy, posted on August 24, 2022 | Source: YouTube/TMZ
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck sit inside a restaurant facing the lake in Lake Como, Italy, posted on August 24, 2022 | Source: YouTube/TMZ
Privately, the couple’s relationship was already strained, despite their public displays of affection. Insiders shared with Page Six that they “would barely speak to each other during what was supposed to be the happiest time of their life.” Ben had assured JLo that he was a changed man, but as the source noted, “that lasted a very short time.”
Jennifer Lopez spotted out in Los Angeles, California on December 11, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Ben’s sobriety was also a major factor in the couple’s issues. After entering rehab in 2018 for alcohol addiction, he was in a fragile state when he and JLo reconnected. As he settled into his sober life, the initial excitement of their reunion began to fade.
Ben Affleck appears serious while posing with Jennifer Lopez at the “Marry Me” screening in Los Angeles on February 8, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
An insider explained, “He was in a vulnerable state, and whatever their chemistry played into that [sic].” As Ben’s sobriety stabilized, he began craving more privacy, which conflicted with JLo’s fame-filled life. “He doesn’t want [the entourage] and all the drama that comes with that in his home,” added the source.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France on July 26, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Despite these struggles, Ben reportedly delayed filing for divorce to protect JLo’s feelings, with the Page Six sources describing him as “very protective of her.”