Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck's Awkward PDA At The Met Gala Has Fans Talking
Fact: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have one of the steamiest relationships not only in Hollywood, but on planet Earth. They first got tongues wagging worldwide when they started hanging out in May of this year (via Elle). The rumors that they were dating again gave way to paparazzi photos of the duo together, repeatedly, and then, JLo made their love Instagram official on her birthday in June (via Vogue).
Months later, we still can't get enough of Bennifer 2.0. Our obsession with the on-again couple was renewed when Lopez and Affleck appeared on their first red carpet since rekindling their romance, with photos from the Venice Film Festival giving us a reason to smile all weekend (via Vanity Fair). And was it just us or did her deeply-plunging white gown give off major wedding vibes? Just sayin'.
Flash forward only a few days, and fans (us!) were thrilled to see the pair reunite in public for the second time this week at the Met Gala in New York City (via E! Online).
Behold the awkward PDA moment between Jen and Ben
The mega-stars certainly dressed for the big occasion, considering that this year's Met Gala theme was "American Independence" according to Vanity Fair. Lopez sported a drool-worthy dress by American designer Ralph Lauren, which she paired with an on-the-nose cowboy hat (via Elle). As for Affleck, all the "Good Will Hunting" star needed to look like a million bucks was a dapper-looking tux (via Page Six).
Meanwhile, the couple also respected Covid-19 safety protocols (there was a vaccine requirement for the event according to The New York Times) by wearing face masks — his was disposable and black, while she, not surprisingly, accessorized her look with a mask that matched her designer duds. But the couple's face coverings didn't keep the lovebirds from packing on some major PDA, incidentally.
In fact, at one point on the Met Gala red carpet, Lopez and Affleck kissed through their face masks, making for an interesting, if not kinda awkward photo opp. Of course, Twitter was quick to react to the moment with both positive and negative feedback for the "it" duo.
Twitter has some thoughts about the awkward PDA moment between Jen and Ben
After Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck kissed one another while wearing face masks on the red carpet at the Met Gala, Twitter lit up with their thoughts, naturally.
"Literally the only ones I've seen with a mask on. Ben and JLo thank you," tweeted on fan who appreciated the safety measure taken by the movie stars. It's worth noting that another big star incorporated safety into her Met Gala look and that is none other than Kim Kardashian, who sported a full head mask to the event (via Vogue).
Back to Ben and Jen. "Romance, but make it safe!" another Twitter user complimented the safety-minded twosome.
But other Twitter users found the mask kiss moment a little too bizarre even if the superstars were being super safe, with one person commenting, "cringe." "Bit weird," someone else said, while another fan simply tweeted, "Why?"
Finally, another Twitter user called the mask kiss between Affleck and Lopez "goofy."
Ben and Jen are accustomed to media attention over, well, everything
Ultimately, Lopez and Affleck are probably used to their every single move being dissected — and hopefully have learned from the past.
Consider that about their previous relationship, which ended when they called off their engagement in the early 2000s, the "Jenny From the Block" singer has said, "We didn't try to have a public relationship. We just happened to be together at the birth of the tabloids, and it was like, 'Oh my God.' It was just a lot of pressure. I think different time, different thing, who knows what could've happened? But there was a genuine love there" (via Cheat Sheet).
For his part, the "Argo" director and star said in 2008, "I think Jen and I made a mistake in that we fell in love, we were excited and maybe too accessible. I don't think either of us anticipated the degree to which it would take on a world of its own" (via Showbiz Cheat Sheet).
Indeed, the would-be bride and groom even postponed their nuptials "due to the excessive media attention." The wedding was later called off, period.
Almost two decades later, the "excessive media attention" has not changed. But maybe Lopez and Affleck have, and therefore won't let opinions about their relationship — and in this case their viral face mask kiss — deter them from following their hearts.