Ben Affleck Appears 'Exasperated' In Recent Reunion With Jennifer Lopez; Wide Smile Looks 'Performed,' Body Language Expert Claims
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have been spotted out and about a couple of times amid rumors they could be heading for divorce, but they were not as lovey-dovey, according to a body language expert.
The A-list Hollywood couple -- rumored to have been living separately in the past weeks -- reunited on Sunday. They were seen leaving the Aero Theatre in Brentwood, Los Angeles, in the same vehicle. Judi James, a leading communication and body expert featured regularly on BBC News, Sky News, GB News and CNN, weighed in on the couple's most recent public reunion.
According to her, the "Batman" actor looked "exasperated." Although Affleck was smiling, his grin was reportedly not genuine and appeared "performed" for the paparazzi.
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"The shot of Ben smiling out the car window while Jennifer adopts a similar smile beside and behind him is totally out of kilter in terms of any natural body language from the couple, both of whom have been tending to adopt more negative responses to the heavy press presence that has surrounded them since their marriage," James told the Mirror.
"Ben, in particular, has shown himself to be allergic to this type of paparazzi attention, so the wide smile does tend to look performed here," she continued. "He is also seen behind the wheel using a gesture of exasperation, with one hand raised, fingers upward and a teeth-baring expression on his face rather than a smile, while Jen sits with an unsmiling expression."
Lopez and Affleck arrived at BOA Steakhouse in LA and walked side-by-side. However, they were noticeably not showing affection, with Lopez keeping her hands in her pockets. Instead, James noticed a "barrier" between the pair.
"Ben strides out with his arms swinging while Jen face-gazes him, but she has her bag in the hand that is between them, which would create a barrier, and her thumbs are hanging rather awkwardly in her pockets," the expert continued.
"In this pose, there is no hand-holding or mutual, authentic smiling that might suggest a 'denial' appearance to show they are still the loving and close couple fans hope them to be."
It wasn't the first time they were spotted together amid rumors they were having marital strife. Lopez showed up at Affleck's daughter's play on Thursday with her child, Emme. However, according to eyewitnesses, he didn't appear happy seeing his wife at the event.
"Ben did not look happy to see J.Lo as she arrived at a show for one of his kids," the source told the Daily Mail. "When he saw her get out of her car, they did not hug or kiss."