It has not been long since Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner filed their petitions for divorce. But it was never a secret that the two have already ended their decade-long marriage when they separated in 2015. The "Daredevil" duo, in a joint statement, surprised the public when they announced the unfortunate news a day after their 10th wedding anniversary.
Affleck and Garner were among the most adored couples in the entertainment industry because of their love story. But just like any other relationships, their marriage was not spared from controversies which involved cheating, infidelity, and other marital issues.
The "Argo" actor was even rumored to be involved with their nanny, Christine Ouzounian, in the wake of his rocky marriage with his then-wife. Garner, however, clarified that they had been separated even before the nanny issue came out. She insisted that their decision to part ways has nothing to do with Affleck's alleged affair with their nanny.
Ben finds new love after divorce filing
Three months after both parties submitted their petitions to dissolve their marriage, Affleck was the first to step out with his new found love, Lindsay Shookus, on Thursday. An E! News report cited that the two seemingly confirmed dating rumors when they went out for a dinner date in Los Angeles.
The "Saturday Night Live" producer reportedly stayed at Affleck's house before she was seen at the Los Angeles International Airport the following morning.
Their first public appearance has raised a lot of questions about how and when they start seeing each other.
Several sources told People that they have been in a relationship even before the "Pearl Harbor" actors announced their separation. Shookus was still married to her "SNL" co-producer Kevin Miller when she allegedly started her affair with the actor in 2013.
“They didn’t hide. They would use the Mandarin Oriental [hotel]. They were regulars," an insider claimed.
This statement was supported by another affiliate who said that the two usually go on "secret rendezvous" whenever Affleck is in New York. Garner and Miller reportedly found out about the affair "around the same time" after a few years.
How did Jen react to Ben's affair?
A source from Garner's party admitted that the actress knew about her estranged husband's romance with Shookus. The mother-of-three, however, wants to remain true to their promise to set aside their differences in order to co-parent their three kids with Affleck.
The insider added that the "Miracles From Heaven" actress is "okay" with her former lover's newfound romance. The source also denied reports claiming that Affleck has started dating Shookus even before he separated from Garner. "[They have been] casually dating for three months," it clarified.
