Even as Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are reportedly checking out the small print of their divorce, the previous supercouple seems determined to take care of an amicable relationship and met last weekend to exchange Christmas presents for themselves and their children.
And Affleck has been fascinated with his gift for Lopez, Page Six reported. The gift was nothing extravagant or intimate—not one other multimillion-dollar piece of bijou. Instead, it was something that might be meaningful to the megastar entertainer and even revealed a private obsession for her, based on Page Six.
The 52-year-old actor and director arrived on the members-only Soho House club in West Hollywood on Sunday carrying a black bag containing the gift – “a signed Marlon Brando book.” That's what sources who spoke to Page Six say, including the owner of Mystery Pier books, the famous bookstore in West Hollywood, where Affleck did some Christmas shopping.
“Ben gave Jennifer the book (Marlon Brando) because she is a fan, and her Super Bowl body was inspired by Marlon Brando,” a source told Page Six.
The source didn't name the “Marlon Brando book,” however the legendary star of “The Godfather” and “The Last Tango in Paris” published an autobiography called “Songs My Mother” in 1994, ten years before his death Taught Me.” in 2004 on the age of 80.
Like any writer, Brando signed copies of his book, at the least one in all which could have ended up at Mystery Pier Books. The internationally renowned Sunset Boulevard store is understood for its celebrity clientele and for exclusively selling “first edition and first condition” copies of collectible literature, including books signed by authors.
Meanwhile, Lopez's “Super Bowl body” likely refers back to the sexy, studded black leather bodysuit she wore to her performance on the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in 2020. It feels like the bodysuit was inspired by Brando's iconic outlaw biker look within the 1953 film The Wild One.
Starting in 1951, Brando became Hollywood's hottest and best-known young actor, starring in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “On the Waterfront” and “The Wild One.” Subsequent generations of stars, from Al Pacino to Johnny Depp, have cited Brando as inspiration for his or her approach to acting in film.
It now appears that Brando was also an inspiration for Lopez, and Affleck thought Lopez would really like a book in regards to the two-time Oscar winner.
Signed copies of Brando's autobiography can sell for $600 or more on eBay. Of course, several hundred dollars wouldn't be considered extravagant within the Affleck-Lopez playbook.
Affleck reportedly spent greater than $7 million on two diamond engagement rings that he gave Lopez over the course of their two-decade love story.
They first made headlines as a pair in 2001 and got engaged before a significant, high-profile split in 2004. After the 2 rekindled their romance 17 years later, their love story reached its climax with their marriage in 2022. They first married by eloping in Las Vegas in July 2022, then married again in August 2022 in a lavish ceremony on the grounds of Affleck's Georgia estate.
But things went downhill from there, based on several reports. The couple separated in April 2024 and Lopez filed for divorce on the second anniversary of their reception in Georgia. Still, they’ve reportedly vowed to stay friendly, if just for the sake of their five children together.
Lopez shares 16-year-old twins Max and Emme together with her third ex-husband Marc Anthony. Affleck and his ex-wife Jennifer Garner are the parents of Violet (19), Seraphina (15) and Samuel (12). As Lopez and Affleck rekindled their romance, their children grew closer.
Page Six reported last week that the separated spouses need to remain “connected” during their divorce, though they seem to have celebrated the vacations individually. On Christmas Day, Lopez posted photos as she enjoys the vacations in Aspen with Emme and her sister Lynda Lopez.
“They have every intention of continuing to be involved in each other’s lives even if they don’t have a romantic relationship,” a source told Page Six. “Ben and Jennifer are still connected and they communicate when it comes to their children.”
The ex-partners even have “a mutual respect” for one another that “doesn’t go away overnight,” the source continued.
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