photographed with Ben more often than with her boyfriend . In January , the Argo actor-director even evacuated to her house during L . A .’ s wildfires . They fed the homeless together on Thanksgiving morning then shared a holiday meal at Jen ’ s home that afternoon . And during their kids ’ summer break , they vacationed together in Japan . Jen was also spotted making a stealth visit to Ben ’ s place on his birthday in August — two months after she was photographed letting herself into the bachelor pad he was renting following his April separation from J . Lo .
But is he the best man for her ? Despite speculation they ’ re rekindling , the source says Jen is leery . On a November episode of the Lipstick on the Rim podcast , she shared some relationship advice from her mom , Pat Garner , who warned her , “ Don ’ t marry a man thinking you can change him .” Experts echo that motherly counsel . “ We ’ re always tempted to go back to a past relationship because we want to prove that the other person really did love us after all ,” Beverly Hills psychiatrist Carole Lieberman , who doesn ’ t treat the pair , tells Star . “ But there are pitfalls , and Jen should be very wary of getting back together with Ben , because a rebound relationship with him wouldn ’ t last .”
Friends feel the same . “ Jen ’ s pals are watching this play out with some concern . They think she ’ s always been lacking in self-defense mechanisms
PUT HIM UP POST-SPLIT
Jen let Ben live in the guesthouse of the $ 2 million Atlanta property she rented while filming Miracles From Heaven . She reportedly allowed him to stay in the guesthouse of their former marital home , too , after they filed for divorce in 2017 , so he could be close to their kids .
BONDING WITH HIS MINI-ME
Ben and his son watched the Lakers defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves Feb . 27 .
when it comes to Ben . She ’ s such a nice , caring person that she ’ s become blind to his shortcomings ,” explains the source . “ They worry he ’ ll let her down by embarrassing or humiliating her again .”
There ’ s also concern that if Jen won ’ t set boundaries , John will . “ John ’ s been extremely patient , but how long
Like father , like son ! Ben and Samuel have been spending a lot of time together , sitting courtside at two Los Angeles Lakers NBA games last month , including on Samuel ’ s 13th birthday , Feb . 27 . Three days later , the world learned that , like his dad — who directed and starred in 2023 ’ s Air , about the origin of Nike ’ s Air Jordan shoe line — the teen is a sneakerhead . At the Got Sole sneaker convention March 1 , Samuel flipped over a pair of Dior Air Force 1s with a $ 6,000 price tag . “ That ’ s a lot of lawns you gotta mow there ,” Ben quipped in a playful moment caught on video and shared on Get Sole ’ s Instagram . “ You only like those ’ cause they ’ re expensive .” His son begged to differ , insisting , “ No , they ’ re tough ! I always said they look good .”
he ’ ll continue to be ,” says the source — especially after Ben ’ s paintball antics — “ is anyone ’ s guess .” Indeed , some in Jen ’ s circle believe she would have married John long ago if it hadn ’ t been for her unfinished business with her ex . “ No one would blame John for making Jen choose , but any ultimatum could only lead to heartbreak .” ★
A SHOULDER TO CRY ON
Jen was reportedly a “ mediator ” of sorts to Ben and J . Lo when their marriage crumbled last year . The 13 Going on 30 actress was regularly seen supporting Ben through the split and even had the security code to the gated property he rented a few blocks from her own home .
SUPPORTED HIS BLENDED FAMILY
One big , happy ! Jen was photographed with Ben ’ s stepkids , Max and Emme Muñiz , 17 , at Disneyland and school events before Ben and J . Lo ended their two-year marriage in 2024 . Violet spent time with her stepmom in New York ’ s Hamptons over the summer .
MARCH 24 , 2025 Star 31