Ben Affleck says dating isn't a priority amid Shakira setup rumors

Ben Affleck addressed rumors about his love life while attending the Los Angeles premiere of his thriller Animals, clarifying that dating is not a priority following his divorce from Jennifer Lopez. The Oscar winner emphasized that his primary focus remains on his three children and his career.

Ben Affleck offered a rare update on his personal life this week, making it clear that romance sits far down his list of priorities. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the Los Angeles premiere of his new thriller Animals, the 54-year-old actor and filmmaker addressed swirling speculation surrounding his single status following his high-profile split from Jennifer Lopez.

Affleck offered a rare update on his love life after arriving at the glitzy red carpet event on Thursday. With his attention divided between family commitments and filmmaking, the actor explained that his daily schedule leaves little room for new romantic pursuits.

Affleck Prioritizes Family and Work Over Romance

Explaining his current approach to dating, Affleck insisted that he is content and focused entirely on his established responsibilities. He shares three children—Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel—with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, whose divorce was finalized in 2018 after a 2005 marriage.

Ben Affleck says dating isn't a priority amid Shakira setup rumors — Photo: Page Six

“There’s not a lot of room. I’m not running around.”

Ben Affleck, via Dailymail

He reiterated that sentiment at the New York premiere of the same project, noting that it is just not a big priority in his life right now.

“I know what my priorities are. You can’t have two things that are the most important in your life. For me, that’s the kids. So that’s what that is. And then I have my work, which I love.”

Ben Affleck, via Starmagazine

While he maintains that he is good and happy being single, Affleck added that he remains open to whatever the future holds without actively hunting for a partner. I’m open to it but I’m not trying to chase anything, he noted.

telling Entertainment Tonight

Shuts Down Claims of Shakira Matchmaking Attempt

The actor also used the red carpet appearance to deny recent speculation about a matchmaking effort. Earlier in the week on ABC’s The View, co-host Ana Navarro claimed she tried to set Affleck up with singer Shakira by enlisting Matt Damon at a Miami concert.

Navarro acknowledged on air that she had never actually met the Oscar winner. When reporters brought the claim to Affleck, he expressed complete bewilderment.

“I hear s–t like that, honestly, first from people like you. I swear to God, I never heard that in my whole life.”

Ben Affleck, via The Daily Beast

Affleck attributed the story to the constant churn of celebrity gossip surrounding single figures in Hollywood. People gossip. Stuff gets made up, he said, adding that he does not experience outside matchmaking attempts.

Ben Affleck in Animals — Photo: Cinemablend

Teenagers Mock His Relationship Advice

Though Affleck might generate headlines for his romantic history, his children are decidedly unimpressed by his credentials as a dating mentor. During a September appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the actor described how his efforts to offer parental wisdom during dinner conversations routinely backfire.

When he tried to weigh in on relationship drama discussed at the dinner table, one of his teenagers delivered a sharp reality check.

Ben Affleck BREAKS Silence on Shakira Dating Rumors After J.Lo

“Oh, like you’re the expert on relationships?”

Affleck’s 17-year-old child, via Republic World

Now I catch them giving each other looks. And I realize I’m the caricature in this story, Affleck recalled of family dinners where his twice-divorced status becomes the unspoken punchline.

Professional Projects Rise Amid Divorce

Affleck’s public updates arrive alongside a busy professional slate. His new thriller Animals—which he directed, co-wrote with Billy Ray and Connor O. McIntyre, and stars in alongside Kerry Washington, Steven Yeun, and Gillian Anderson—is playing in select theaters ahead of its October 9 release on Netflix.

The project follows his finalized January 2025 divorce from Jennifer Lopez. Lopez filed to end their marriage on the two-year anniversary of their August 2022 Georgia ceremony, following a Las Vegas wedding on July 16, 2022, and an initial engagement in the early 2000s.

Is Ben Affleck Dating Shakira — Photo: Republic World

Despite the high-profile split, the former couple have maintained a collaborative working relationship. They reunited to promote the film Kiss Of The Spider Woman, which was produced post-divorce and featured a red carpet appearance in New York City last October. Affleck has maintained that he holds deep gratitude for his ex-wife, calling her an enormously important, tremendous person of a lot of integrity who I adore while noting that he would gladly collaborate with her again in the future.

Affleck spent time reflecting on his family dynamics, noting that his children talk about their friends, drama, and relationships during dinner. He feels he has lived experience and valuable lessons to share with them, though his teenage children often playfully question his qualifications. As Affleck balances his demanding professional schedule with being a father to Violet, Fin, and Samuel, he continues to live in the public eye. His prior marriage to Jennifer Garner lasted from 2005 until their separation a decade later, with their divorce finalized in 2018.

Affleck noted that public figures often face unfounded rumors. The actor remains firmly grounded in his daily routine, prioritizing his work and his kids above all else.