New Details About Ben Affleck's Rumored Girlfriend — And Meghan Markle's Friend
They met on the set of their new film.
instagram Since his split from Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck has had public relationships with Lindsay Shookus (who he dated for a year) and most recently, Shauna Sexton.
His relationships with both women were not without scrutiny (which is usually the case in Hollywood). According to some sources, Affleck and Shookus started dating while both of them were still married to their respective significant others.
“They were having secret rendezvous,” a source told People. “Both of them were cheating on their spouses so they were very careful about it.” However, other sources have refuted claims of an affair between the two.
Shortly after his relationship with Shookus, Affleck went on to date Sexton. While his relationship with Sexton was reportedly “casual,” it ended as Affleck took time to focus on his sobriety and his family, according to People.
Now that he’s out of rehab, officially divorced, and back to work, is Ben Affleck dating?
According to In Touch, the actor has been spotted getting close to Janina Gavankar, his co-star in the upcoming film Torrance. In the film, Affleck plays “a widowed, former basketball all-star” thanks to “a struggle with addiction.” Gavankar is set to play his ex-wife.
Unlike his dalliances with Shookus and Sexton, a relationship with Gavankar would come with no strings attached as she is reportedly completely single and available. “As far as I know, she’s not in a committed relationship right now,” a source revealed to In Touch. “So dating Ben could be a real possibility. He’s definitely interested.”
1. She’s an actress
Despite not yet having a household name, Gavankar has an impressive acting resume. According to her IMDB page, the actress has appeared in shows such as The League and True Blood.
“Janina isn’t just sexy, she’s a good actress, no-nonsense and a hard worker,” a source told In Touch, claiming that’s exactly what attracted Affleck to her in the first place. “Janina plays Ben’s ex-wife in the film,” the source explained. “There’s definitely chemistry there.”
2. She’s friends with Meghan Markle
Before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, Markle was working her way up the ranks in Hollywood, where she and Gavankar apparently became close friends. In 2016 (as news began breaking about Prince Harry and Markle’s romance), Gavankar shared a photo of her and Markle on Instagram gushing about their decade-long friendship.
Gavankar also attended Markle’s royal wedding. "It was such a beautiful day and a carefree night, and it was a very powerful day in history. And I think everybody felt it across the world,” she told Town and Country Magazine about the event. "I walked away feeling so confident that these two will put their combined power into the world for good.”
3. She reminds him of his exes
According to In Touch’s source, Affleck can’t help but draw comparisons to not one but two of his exes when he’s around Gavankar.
If you can recall, Affleck and his ex-wife Garner filmed Pearl Harbor and Daredevil together, and before that he began a romance with Jennifer Lopez during filming for Gigli. According to In Touch, Gavankar especially brings back memories of Lopez for Affleck, as she has a background in singing and performing as well.
Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
4. Is it a real relationship?
While a source told In Touch that Affleck and Gavankar have palpable chemistry on set, it’s likely just because they’re doing their jobs. According to Gossip Cop, there’s not truth to the rumor and Affleck and Gavankar are taking their onscreen romance into real life. Affleck’s rep reportedly told Gossip Cop that the story is fabricated.
After his split with Sexton, a source explained to People that Affleck “will date in the future, but for now his focus is on his sobriety, family and his next project,” a sentiment Affleck himself has echoed on his own Instagram page.
“Battling any addiction is a lifelong and difficult struggle,” Affleck wrote. “It is a full-time commitment. I am fighting for myself and my family.”
Micki Spollen is a YourTango editor and entertainment news writer. She also runs the travel blog Where In The World Is My Drink.