Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez presented an amicable display in Beverly Hills as they spent the day together with their children, a body language expert has claimed.
Judi James, a UK-based body language specialist, revealed her interpretation of the snaps, which have caused a stir among fans this weekend.
Ben, 52, and J Lo, 55, seemed to appear tense as they reunited for the first time since the Jenny From the Block singer filed for divorce as they took their children out to the Beverly Hills Hotel.
But according to Judi, while the pair showed ‘signs of tension’ at first, the separated husband and wife actually displayed a ‘lack of animosity’ towards each other.
The exchange took place in front of Ben’s kids 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 Violet, 18, with Garner.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck showed some ‘signs of tension’ as they stepped out for brunch with their blended family at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday, a body language expert has claimed
Despite many fans suggesting the couple were involved in conflict during the day out, Judi has disputed such analysis and instead suggested the body language between the pair showed 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 back, but some of their subtler signals hint at a lack of frost and some possible mutual desire to communicate.’
In one photo which seemed to show Ben was showing anger towards J Lo, Judi instead suggested the couple’s body language showed closer conversation.
‘Ben leans in at one point as they walk together as though happy to engage in a more intimate conversation and their proximity suggests a lack of animosity despite the fact that he also waved his arms out at one point as though 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 props handy like his drink can and her bag that could be used as a barrier of rejection.’
Despite many fans suggesting Ben and J Lo’s outing was a tense affair at which the couple were showing signs of conflict, Judi James suggested they were instead engaging in ‘intimate’ conversation
Where some fans had suggested J Lo looked like she was wiping away teats in the car, Judi instead suggested she was merely scratching her face
In further photos of the pair in the driver’s seat and passenger seat of the car, Judi asserted that J Lo was not crying, as some people had suggested.
‘I’m pretty sure Jennifer was not crying in the car photo,’ she said. ‘She has the tip of one talon touching her face here which is how you scratch, not dab tears.’
Judi’s assessment that the couple were in fact open to each other coincides with reports from Page Six that they had been spotted kissing on the afternoon out.
The outlet reported the couple were seen being affectionate during brunch 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 insider explained that their kids were also nearby at the restaurant, ‘but at a separate table.’ At the end of brunch, Jennifer Garner arrived to pick up her and Affleck’s kids while the exes left in a car together.
And perhaps another sign that the pair are on better terms than many first thought is that J Lo was wearing her engagement ring from Ben – albeit on her pinky finger.
The actress exuded movie star glamour in a chic black cropped sweater and skintight flared denim 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 state of their marriage.
In papers filed to the court, seen by DailyMail.com the singer listed the date of their separation as April 26, 2024.
A source close to the star told DailyMail.com said those close to Lopez are growing tired of her chaotic love life.
‘After four failed marriages, her friends feel that she should take a look inside 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 insider 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 take-the-high-road approach, the insider said: ‘Jennifer said she was tired of being humiliated by Ben and she waited until the two year anniversary because she wanted to sting.
‘But it did not sting him. He’s been done for a long time and deep down she knows this. He let her have this so that she wouldn’t look like the villain.’
The couple first sparked separation rumors when they had gone 47 days without being seen together.
Split speculation continued as they did not spend a number of holidays over the summer together and Lopez also walked the red carpet alone at the Met Gala in May — which was also when Lopez called off her world tour ‘to be with her family.’
Since then, the pair have been spending summers on opposite coasts and did not spend their anniversary together.
In recent months, however, the pair have been spotted out together on a handful of occasions — but notably all were when Affleck’s kids were present — as they had reportedly been trying to rekindle their romance.
After being noticed without their wedding rings on several outings, they also started making it apparent that they were once again wearing their tokens of commitment.
Lopez was even seen paying Affleck a special visit on his birthday at his rental property in Brentwood, California.