“Ben Affleck finally ditched his aversion to acting like a ‘Hollywood show pony’ during his cosy red carpet appearance with his ex JLo, a body language expert has claimed.”, — write: www.dailymail.co.uk
The Hollywood director and actor and his ex-wife Jennifer Lopez surprised fans by putting on an incredibly familiar display as they promoted their new film.
The former couple, whose divorce was finalised at the beginning of this year, looked to be on very friendly terms at the New York premiere on Monday.
While Ben has typically shunned the spotlight in recent years, he seemingly had a change of heart during their recent joint appearance.
Body language guru Judi James shared her thoughts on their interaction as the exes attended the screening for the remake of Kiss Of The Spider Woman, which Jennifer stars in and her ex-husband produced.
The typically-stony faced star flashed a huge grin and took his ex-wife off to the side for an intimate chat, while she was the more reserved of the pair.
According to Judi, the former couple’s latest appearance showed that the exes had switched roles from how they previously behaved during their relationship.
She told us: ‘It used to be J-Lo putting in all the pose-producing effort on the red carpet when she was with Ben, while he tended to stand in several stages of reflective, distanced or just impatient-looking body language.
Judi added that Ben’s usual public demeanor suggested ‘an aversion to being a Hollywood show-pony,’ while Jennifer ‘always worked the cameras to create signals of adoration and a perfect A-list romance.’
‘Suddenly though, after two seismic relationship splits, it’s Ben putting in all the body language graft here in what looks like a bid to appear joyful to be standing alongside his ex,’ James continued.
She emphasised how different Ben’s appearance at the premiere was compared to his reserved demeanor at other past high-profile events.
‘His staccato, slightly jumpy movements and his insistently animated behavior look off-brand for the man who is usually famous for looking dourer when there are press photographers around, and his teeth-baring smiles here suggest a huge amount of effort is involved to appear jolly,’ James shared.
According to her, Ben’s high-energy behavior and broad smile indicate he may have an ‘inner tension.’
Judi singled out how Ben leaned in for a laugh with one guest on the red carpet, before ‘smiling back at JLo with his upper lip raised in a way that bares his teeth in a “snarl” smile that looks performed.’
‘Ben turns quickly to chat and there is what looks like an overkill expression as his mouth opens in a mime of delight,’ she added.
By comparison, Judi thought Jennifer’s smile seemed to reveal a similar amount of effort, as she had a ‘wide, teeth-baring [smile] that shows little sign of actual joy.’
The body language expert noted that Jen appeared to urge Ben to look happier when they were together, but now the Argo star appeared to have taken the lead.
‘When the couple used to “chat” on the red carpet there were often signs that suggested unhappy words were being exchanged as she would coax him to do some more romantic poses, but here it looks like it’s Ben who is all into pleasing the press, even turning to get his ex for some “alone time” chat in front of the snappers,’ Judi said.
Judi went on to suggest that Ben displayed ‘some animated gesticulation,’ before he learned in, ‘making it a classic “ear whispering” pose that celeb couples often perform to suggest intimacy for the cameras.’
She thought Jennifer gave away they game by showing a ‘demure and cool’ expression for the cameras, rather than a more ‘eager and besotted’ visage to match the energy Ben was putting out.
According to Judi, ‘It’s clear the couple want to signal an ongoing friendship here but Ben’s rigid, overkill smiles and expressions plus his rather jerkily animated effort to look happy hints at some awkwardness and tension.’
The body language expert added that even Jennifer’s outfit appeared to signal a distance between her and her ex-husband.
‘It looks telling how JLo seems to have worn a personal “ring of steel” for this red carpet outing with her double-ex Ben, as the hoops from her outfit that come up to either side of her face look like a distancing move, as well as a fashion statement.’
Fans on social media were shocked by the seemingly warm display between Jen and Ben after seeing months of tense displays from the two A-listers amid their divorce.
Several fans wondered if the two might have gotten back together again — even though there’s no evidence of anything more than a professional obligation between the exes — while others saluted them for putting their differences aside for the evening.
One fan joked on X, ‘3rd time’s a charm…come on!’
Another poster commented, ‘Thank God,’ while one person wrote that Ben, 53, and Jennifer, 56, were having a ‘reunion with a touch of adrenaline.’
One user wrote, ‘These two are a mess,’ adding that they were ‘perfect for each other.’
Another fan suggested they still ‘like each other’ despite not being married anymore.
One poster suggested JLo’s friends would be happy to see her looking so ebullient with her ex-husband.
‘Her besties must be TIRED,’ they wrote.
Another user had a theory that the exes were putting on a show because of fears that the Kiss Of The Spider Woman remake could be a flop.
‘This film is getting zero press,’ they opined. ‘Must be as bad as Gigli.’
But the majority of commenters spread reconciliation rumors after seeing Ben and JLo beaming together on the red carpet.
One fan posted a GIF of a stressed out Tiffany Pollard rubbing the temples of her head and writing on X, ‘Lord…they’re gonna start this all over again.’
Another said: ‘They are going home together.’
The actress and her ex were pictured having an intimate chat together, a little over a year since she filed for divorce, during their surprise red carpet appearance.
The dynamic duo smiled as they looked into each other’s eyes at the event, after Jennifer recently praised Ben for helping the film come to life.
It marked the first red carpet appearance for the high-profile exes since their divorce was finalised, after two years of marriage.
Someone else compared the two to Hollywood legends Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who were also married to each other twice.
‘It’s sort of a modern Taylor-Burton romance. Two toxic personalities who can’t be together but can’t stay apart.’
‘There’s some interesting body language going on there!’ someone else chimed in.
Jennifer stunned in a dramatic Harris Reed gown with an exaggerated corset that highlighted her famous hourglass curves.
Meanwhile Ben looked dapper in a navy suit with a white button-up underneath, as he posed for photos on the red carpet, with his arm wrapped around his ex-wife.
Jennifer is the star of the musical film, and Ben serves as an executive producer through his company, Artists Equity.
While on the red carpet the duo also posed with Jennifer’s co-star Tonatiuh. They were also joined by director Bill Condon.
Other stars at the premiere included Laverne Cox, who stunned in a gold corset gown. Whoopi Goldberg was also in attendance, sporting a black coat and matching pants.
Ahead of the screening, Jennifer thanked her ex-husband while introducing the film. ‘Thank you so much, thank you everybody for being here tonight. Thank you, Ben, this movie wouldn’t have been made without Ben and without Artist Equity,’ she said, according to People.
Just hours earlier, Jennifer had a fierce response to an awkward question about her ex-husband during a chat on The Today Show.
As host Craig Melvin asked: ‘In the middle of filming this elaborate, beautiful musical, your divorce was also finalized with Ben’ with the star cutting him off mid-sentence.
Jennifer pointed at Melvin and said: ‘There you go! Look at this guy!’ before laughing awkwardly.
Melvin responded: ‘But then I read that your ex is an executive producer on the film.’
Jen took the high road and said: ‘If it wasn’t for Ben, the movie wouldn’t have gotten made. And I will always give him that credit.