The Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have been best friends since they were children growing up in Boston. That’s why it’s come as a bit of a shock that new reports indicate that Matt is siding with Jennifer Lopez after she filed for divorce from Ben last month.
‘It’s Been Very Difficult For Matt’
Matt, 53, is reportedly disturbed by the way that Ben, 52, has handled his split with Jennifer, 55. Earlier this month, Jennifer reunited with Matt at the Toronto Film Festival for the premiere of their movie Unstoppable. Jennifer starred in it while Matt and Ben produced the film. Ben, however, did not attend the premiere.
“J. Lo has been confiding a lot in Matt, not just in Toronto but during recent weeks as well,” one source alleged. “She’s found him to be a calming influence and is hopeful their friendship will last beyond the marriage, plus she’d like to work with him down the line, too.”
“It’s been very difficult for Matt to sit by and condone or even forgive Ben’s behavior, which he finds cruel and totally unwarranted,” the insider continued. “He’s not trying to butt in for the sake of it and can see very well that life with J. Lo was likely a challenge, but not to a point where she deserved to be humiliated and degraded.”
If he wasn’t trying to butt in, surely Damon will be upset with the source spilling the beans!
‘Matt’s Big On Manners’
Matt has been married to his wife Luciana Barroso, 48, since 2005. Luciana has reportedly sided with Jennifer as well.
“Matt’s big on manners,” the source added. “His wife, Luciana, also agrees that Ben’s handled this situation with a serious lack of empathy or class. And they’ve not been shy letting him know that.”
Jennifer and Matt were photographed having what looked to be an intense conversation at the Toronto Film Festival on September 6.
“Jen and Matt began talking and had a long, deep conversation,” another source told People Magazine at the time. “The two friends laughed and spoke more seriously, and for several minutes, they clasped hands as they spoke.”
Related: Now We Know The Real Reason Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Are Divorcing
Matt Felt ‘Pretty Bad’ For Jennifer
A third insider said that Matt felt “pretty bad” for Jennifer in the wake of the divorce.
“He’s been liaising with her on the roll out of the movie so he’s on calls with her all the time and she has opened up to him about how much she’s hurting,” the insider explained. “He’s been trying to reason with Ben to be a little bit more compassionate to the fact that she’s humiliated right now.”
Though Matt’s “loyalty is always going to be to Ben,” the insider went on to say that “he’s known the guy for long enough to know he has his demons and is by no means perfect.”
The insider concluded by saying that Matt is in a “tough spot.” While he wants to be supportive to Ben, “he’s also got to maintain this relationship with J. Lo and when he hears her side of things he just feels awful for her.”
Related: Here’s How Much Money Ben Affleck And Jennifer Lopez Stand to Lose In Their Divorce
Ben And Jennifer’s History
Ben and Jennifer have a complicated history, to say the least. They met in December of 2001 on the set of their movie Gigli. They became engaged the next year, only to shock fans by calling off their planned wedding in 2003 just days before it was set to take place.
Ben and Jennifer each went on to marry and divorce different people. Ben married the actress Jennifer Garner in 2005 and had three children with her before they divorced in 2018.
Meanwhile, Jennifer married the singer Marc Anthony, staying with him from 2004 until they divorced in 2014. She shares twins with him.
This is clearly a very complicated situation for everyone involved. Many of us can certainly relate to Matt’s ordeal, as it’s always difficult to be stuck in the middle when two friends break up. We can only hope that Matt is able to navigate this tricky situation, and maintain his friendships with both Ben and Jennifer!
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