On Thursday, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were photographed sharing a kiss while Christmas shopping at clothing boutique Maxfield in West Hollywood. The Batman actor looked a little distracted—his wife gave him a smooch just as he was glancing at his phone. The busy pair were accompanied by both their mothers, Guadalupe Rodríguez and Christopher Anne Boldt.
Lopez was wearing a leopard-print coat with wide lapels over a black top with a mock turtleneck. On her legs were form-fitting black pants she wore with tall black boots. She was carrying a large Hermès Birkin bag and had her hair up in a ponytail, revealing gold earrings. Affleck wore a black peacoat over a gray sweater with black jeans and black-and-white sneakers.
The couple are clearly preparing for a family holiday. They each have children from previous relationships. Lopez shares her twins Max and Emme with her former husband Marc Anthony. Affleck has three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, 18-year-old Violet, 14-year-old Seraphina, and 11-year-old Samuel.
But J.Lo recently reflected on times when things haven’t been as easy in an interview with Variety, explaining how their first break up almost two decades ago is still an issue, adding that they “both have PTSD” from the attention at that time.
She went on to say, “We also know what’s important, what’s really important in life, and it’s not so much what other people think. It’s about being true to who you are.”
The star says her upcoming album is about her new marriage and new knowledge.
“As artists, we have to follow our heart and this is me following my heart and doing something that maybe everybody didn’t think was the best idea, but I had to do it,” Lopez explained.
Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.