Few celebrity couples have attracted the attention of the media like Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. They were one of the most famous and most influential pairs of the early 2000s tabloid scene and their rekindled romance after 20 -or so- years made many of their fans happy. At the same time, it delighted hopeless romantics and pop culture enthusiasts.
However, while the world went crazy over Jen and Ben, they somehow forgot of his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner.
Affleck and Garner divorced back in 2018 but split in 2015. They have three children together, Violet, 17, Seraphina, 14 and Samuel, 10.
Rumors are that Garner started dating her on-and-off boyfriend, businessman John Miller, around six months before her divorce was finalized.
Miller, who loves to keep his life as private as possible, is an attorney and a businessman who works as the CEO of the fast food chain CaliBurger and its parent company, CaliGroup. In the past, he worked at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals as the VP of intellectual property.
Miller, previously married to American violinist Caroline Campbell from 2005 to 2014, completed his divorce around one month after Garner’s separation from Affleck. Miller and ex-wife share daughter Violet and son Quest together.
Although Miller and Garner have been together for five years now, they avoid the spotlight and tend to live a more private life away from the public and the media.
“She loves how little he cares for the limelight or the whole Hollywood scenester stuff…Very different from Ben and J.Lo’s relationship in that way,” a source told Us Weekly. “You’ll never see them ham it up for the cameras or fixate about what events to attend together, it’s just not their style.”
The source added: “They’re happier being a regular, under-the-radar couple and don’t need anyone else’s validation to know they’re meant to be together. That’s not to say they’re taking digs against others, it’s just not them.”
Miller and Garner split for a short time between 2020 and 2021 and the reason why was that “he was ready for marriage, and she just couldn’t commit,” according to a person close to the couple.
“John is so smitten and caring, but not in an overbearing way…He gives Jen space when she needs it but he’s there for her when the chips are down or she’s in the mood for something spontaneous. They’ve enjoyed some wonderful getaways together…that’s one of their big things,” another source said of the couple.
When Affleck and Lopez tied the knot in 2022, the media was eager to see Garner’s reaction.
Garner and her boyfriend were caught having fun and smiling and it was obvious she didn’t mind her ex marrying in Las Vegas.
January 2023, Entertainment Tonight published photos of Affleck “happily chatting with John.”
“Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are proving that exes can get along just fine! Jennifer and her boyfriend John Miller arrived at their house where Ben was seen happily chatting with John. The private couple were then spotted were also spotted in Santa Barbara, shopping in Montecito’s Village,” the outlet wrote.
Growing more at ease with showcasing their relationship to the public, Garner and Miller have been spotted together openly displaying their affection through kisses, holding hands, or seen on an early morning run.
“Jen’s not nearly as shy as she once was with John because they’re a lot more comfortable and secure with each other,” a source said. “She’s proud to show him off.”
A source told US Weekly in 2023 that the couple are “in a great place” and added, “They used to go out of their way to keep a low profile, but they’ve both become very secure with their relationship and how it’s all worked out.”
On Garner’s 50th birthday, they brought all their children together, reaching an important milestone.
Their friends say the two have discussed about marriage, but they are not rushing things up and the actress is “perfectly happy cherishing and enjoying what they have…without a formal label.”
“Jen and John have a really special relationship,” another insider added. “After having so much of her [marriage with Affleck] in the spotlight, she really enjoys being with someone who isn’t a celebrity.”
