Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner used to be one of Hollywood’s most endearing couples before their romance fizzled out after a decade of being blissfully wedded. While the ex-spouses finalized their divorce in 2018, they officially called it quits in 2015, bidding a tearful farewell to what was once a beautiful love story.
Before their separation was clinched, however, the Justice League star – who, at the time, had freshly broken up with his then-girlfriend Lindsay Shookus – was spotted cozying up to a young model, Shauna Sexton.
Meanwhile, Garner was reportedly displeased when her ex-husband started “hanging out” with Sexton. But she had bigger fish to fry than worry about Affleck’s increasing rebound count.
Ben Affleck’s Romantic Exploits Allegedly Made His Ex-Wife Unhappy
After tying the knot in 2005, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner – who went from co-stars to lovers – shared ten long years of married life and even had three kids together, before ultimately parting ways in 2015. And while they maintained an amicable equation after their breakup, the 13 Going on 30 star didn’t always approve of her former beau’s dating escapades.
Before the ex-couple’s divorce became official in October 2018, Affleck, who’d been 46 at the time, was seen around L.A. with a then-22-year-old Playboy model, Shauna Sexton after his previous sweetheart got too “serious” about their relationship.
“He is happy being able to date who he wants and not feel tied down to a serious relationship,” a source told PEOPLE magazine about Affleck’s new romantic interest. “He enjoyed [Lindsay Shookus’] company but was not looking for anything permanent now.”
Ben likes a woman with brains and beauty but he also likes to be free to do what he wants.
While Affleck’s fling with Sexton didn’t crystallize into anything resembling a commitment, an insider told the magazine back then that Garner was nevertheless upset at the actor and filmmaker’s brand new amour. “Is she happy about him hanging out with a very young Playboy model? Certainly not,” the source remarked.
But her ex-husband’s dating roster had been the least of Garner’s concerns during that time.
Jennifer Garner Had Bigger Issues Than Ben Affleck’s Flings
It’s no secret that the 51-year-old Gone Girl star has fought grave battles with crippling alcoholism more than once. Even amid their divorce, Affleck ended up going to rehab for the third time with the Daredevil star herself driving him up to the treatment facility (via PEOPLE).
Given his delicate condition at the time, the same source – who’d claimed that Garner, 52 wasn’t “happy” with her former significant other going out with such a young model – divulged to the magazine how she had much more serious concerns about Affleck than his choice in women.
But her concern right now is not who he is dating. What she ultimately cares about is his sobriety and whether she can rely on him to co-parent.
A couple of months down the line, a source relayed to Page Six that it was “belittling” that Affleck even began to date Sexton when the latter seemingly held no “respect” for the Oscar-winning actor, his sobriety, or his family.
The now-28-year-old Sexton, who happens to be a party animal and avid drinker, has been arrested on counts of underage drinking as well as public inebriation. “He’s being used by this girl,” the insider stated. “Anyone who drinks the way she drinks and is out there publicizing it and their relationship has no respect for him or his family.”
Affleck is now married to Jennifer Lopez but the two are currently making headlines amid divorce rumors. Meanwhile, Garner is back with her long-time boyfriend John Miller after a break.
