Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s ‘exclusive signals’ revealed in surprise cosy reunion

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck ‘appear to be friends’ after making a cosy public appearance together.

The former couple reunited on a red carpet last night for the New York premiere of their new movie, Kiss of the Spider Woman.

An adaptation of the 1976 novel by Argentine author Manuel Puig, the musical drama stars Jennifer, 56, in the titular role, while her ex-husband, 53, is an executive producer.

The former couple, once dubbed Bennifer, were previously engaged in 2002, before splitting two years later.

They then reunited nearly two decades later before getting married in two separate ceremonies in 2022.

But on their two-year wedding anniversary last year, she filed for divorce after intense speculation their relationship had broken down again.

However overnight they appeared to be incredibly civil, posing for photos together while promoting their latest project.

The pair were snapped smiling while looking into each other’s eyes.

Speaking to Metro, body language expert Judi James weighed in on what she thought their interaction suggested about their current relationship.

‘It’s ironic that it took one painful split and one divorce from J-Lo to look keen, animated and very happy on the red carpet with her. Ben’s apparent dislike of posing up for the cameras led to some rather difficult-looking moments while they were together but here he is throwing beaming smiles out in all directions and using eye contact and “exclusive” signals to suggest undivided attention as they pose and chat,’ she said.

‘There’s a strong whiff of effort here though with some rigid overkill smiling and a maybe more muted and demure response from J-Lo as her ex singles her out for some chat.

‘It looks like they’re whispering together here but this is an old red carpet trick to look intimate when she’s just turned her head to hear what he’s saying while he leans to her ear to be heard. But they obviously do appear to be able to show up as friends which is pretty outstanding given their rather painful history.’

Ahead of the screening, Jennifer also thanked her ex-husband while introducing the film. ‘Thank you so much, thank you everybody for being here tonight. Thank you, Ben, this movie wouldn’t have been made without Ben and without Artist Equity,’ she said, referencing his production company.

Meanwhile he said that Jennifer was ‘fabulous’ in the movie.

‘I’m enormously proud of her.’

The event marked the first red carpet appearance for the former couple since their divorce was finalised in January.

However, not missing their chance to weigh in on their friendly reunion, some fans speculated they could get back together one day.

‘I AM IN SHAMBLES AFTER THESE #BENNIFER PICS. WHY DO THEY LOOK SO GOOD TOGETHER?,’ user ChrisCastillo posted on X.

‘THIRD TIMES THE CHARM PLS GET BACK TOGETHER BENNIFER FOREVER,’ Kay begged.

‘A movie about J-Lo and Ben Affleck would break box office records,’ TiMongoose added.

Earlier in the day, Jennifer called out a reporter for asking her live on air about working with her ex.

During an appearance on The Today Show, she was asked by host Craig Melvin: ‘In the middle of filming this elaborate, beautiful musical, your divorce was also finalized with Ben..’

However, cutting him off mid-sentence, Jennifer jumped in and exclaimed ‘There you go! Look at this guy’, before laughing awkwardly.

Continuing, the host went on: ‘But then I read that your ex is an executive producer on the film.’

Choosing to avoid making any digs at her ex, she instead praised him: ‘If it wasn’t for Ben, the movie wouldn’t have gotten made. And I will always give him that credit.’

Since their split, the pair have spoken about it amicably.

Ben said earlier this year that there was ‘no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue’ behind their separation.

While Jennifer admitted being single felt ‘lonely, unfamiliar and scary’, she also explained she had been able to find happiness within herself and was ‘not looking for anybody’.

Last month she even said the divorce was the ‘best thing that ever happened’ to her.

‘It changed me. It helped me grow in a way that I needed to grow,’ she said on CBS’ Sunday Morning.

However, she admitted working on Kiss of the Spider Woman was a ‘really tough time’.

‘It was hard not to think about stuff, but it was like the best and the worst of times, in a way,’ she said.

‘Every moment on set, every moment I was doing this role, I was so happy. And then it was like, back home, it was not great. And it was just like, “How do I reconcile this?” But you get through it.’

Her starring role in the movie has already earnt her critical acclaim though, with some suggesting she could be in the running for an Oscar following her ‘captivating’ performance.

Kiss of the Spider Woman will be released in the US on October 10. A UK release date is yet to be announced.

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