Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez put on a friendly front in Beverly Hills as they spent the day together with their kids, a body language expert has claimed.
UK-based body language specialist Judi James has revealed her interpretation of the snaps, which have caused a stir among fans this weekend.
Ben, 52, and J Lo, 55, appeared tense as they reunited for the first time since the Jenny From the Block singer filed for divorce as they took their kids to the Beverly Hills Hotel.
But according to Judi, although the couple showed “signs of tension” at first, the estranged husband and wife actually displayed a “lack of animosity” towards each other.
The exchange took place in front of Ben’s children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner — Finn, 15, and Samuel, 12 — and Jennifer’s 16-year-old twins, Emme and Max, with ex-husband Marc Anthony. Ben also shares 18-year-old daughter Violet with Garner.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck showed some ‘signs of tension’ as they stepped out for lunch with their blended family at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday, a body language expert has claimed.
Despite many fans suggesting that the pair were involved in a conflict during the day, Judi disputed such an analysis and instead suggested that the body language between the pair showed that they are open to communicating with each other.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Judi said: “There are some signs of tension here in[Ben and Jennifer’s]facial expressions as they walk together but turn away, but some of their more subtle signals hint at a lack of coolness and a possible mutual desire to communicate.”
In a photo that appeared to show Ben displaying anger towards J Lo, Judi instead suggested the pair’s body language showed a closer conversation.
“Ben leans in at one point as they walk together as if he’s happy to engage in more intimate conversation and their proximity suggests a lack of animosity despite the fact that he also waved his arms at one point as if questioning her,” she said.
The body language expert added: “But the key signal comes from their arms, which hang close enough to touch, and their inner hands which they both keep free despite having accessories at hand such as his drinks can and her handbag which could be used as a rejection barrier.”
Despite many fans suggesting that Ben and J Lo’s outing was a tense affair where the pair showed signs of conflict, Judi James suggested they were instead engaging in an “intimate” conversation.
While some fans had suggested that J Lo appeared to be wiping her nipples in the car, Judi instead suggested she was simply scratching her face.
In other photos of the couple in the driver and passenger seat of the car, Judi claimed that J Lo was not crying, as some people had suggested.
“I’m pretty sure Jennifer wasn’t crying in the car photo,” she said. “She has the tip of a claw touching her face here, which is how she scratches herself, not how she wipes away tears.”
Judi’s assessment that the couple were actually open to each other coincides with Page Six’s reports that they had been spotted kissing during an afternoon outing.
The outlet reported that the couple was seen being affectionate during a lunch with the children.
A source claimed that Ben and Jennifer were “at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel holding hands and kissing.”
The source explained that their children were also close to the restaurant, “but at a separate table.” At the end of the brunch, Jennifer Garner arrived to pick up her and Affleck’s children while the exes left together in a car.
And perhaps another sign that the couple is on better terms than many initially thought is that J Lo was wearing her engagement ring from Ben, albeit on her pinky finger.
The actress oozed movie star glamour in a chic black cropped sweater and flared skinny jeans as she walked alongside Ben at the famous hotel.
Her sandy blonde hair fell in loose waves, perfectly framing her flawless face, which was enhanced by a pair of vintage glasses.
Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleck last month, following months of speculation about the status of their marriage.
In court documents seen by DailyMail.com, the singer listed their split date as April 26, 2024.
A source close to the star told DailyMail.com that those close to Lopez are growing tired of her chaotic love life.
“After four failed marriages, her friends feel she should look inward and focus on herself instead of what others want her to be and finally figure out who she is and what she wants from her future,” the source said.
The source told DailyMail.com that the My Love Don’t Cost A Thing star isn’t the only one capable of playing mind games.
Explaining Affleck’s attitude of taking the high road, the source said: “Jennifer said she was tired of Ben putting her down and waited until the second anniversary because she wanted to be tough.”
“But it didn’t hurt him. He’s been finished for a long time and deep down she knows it. He let her do it so she wouldn’t look like the bad guy.”
The couple began to spark separation rumors when they had not been seen together for 47 days.
Speculation about their split continued as they skipped several vacations together over the summer and Lopez also walked the red carpet alone at the Met Gala in May, which was also when Lopez canceled her world tour “to be with her family.”
Since then, the couple has been spending summers on opposite coasts and have not spent their anniversary together.
However, in recent months, the couple has been spotted together on a handful of occasions, but notably all of those were when Affleck’s children were present, as they had reportedly been trying to rekindle their romance.
After being seen without their wedding rings on several outings, they also began to make it clear that they were once again wearing their tokens of commitment.
Lopez was even spotted paying Affleck a special visit on his birthday at his rented property in Brentwood, California.
