In a surprising turn of events, it appears that Jennifer Garner’s long-term relationship with their boyfriend John Miller is facing a period of uncertainty. According to a source close to the couple, the strain in their six-year romance can be attributed, at least in part, to Garner’s continued support for her ex-husband, Ben Affleck, as he navigates the aftermath of his separation from Jennifer Lopez.
Jennifer Garner and John Miller
The source reveals that Garner, 52, and Miller, 46, have been “on a break” in their relationship, coinciding with Affleck’s increasing reliance on his former wife for advice and emotional support. The insider explains that Miller, the CEO of the restaurant chain CaliGroup, has struggled to compete with Affleck for Garner’s attention, as the Air star has repeatedly turned to his ex-wife during his personal struggles.
The source notes that Affleck’s separation from Lopez, 55, finalized on August 20, has only exacerbated the situation. “Ben’s been turning to Jen [Garner] for advice and support, and that’s been a big source of annoyance for John Miller,” the insider reveals. “He doesn’t enjoy competing with her ex-husband for her attention.”
According to the divorce filing, the Marry Me star and Affleck had been married since 2022 but separated in April 2024. The former couple’s decision to go their separate ways has not only impacted their own lives but also the lives of their blended family, which includes Affleck’s three children with Garner – Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12 – as well as Lopez’s twins, Max and Emme, 16, from a previous relationship.
Garner has reportedly been focused on helping the children navigate the latest divorce, with the source stating, “Helping the kids get through another divorce with as little trauma as possible has been Jen’s priority.” The insider also notes that Garner’s concern for Affleck’s well-being, particularly his history of addiction issues, has added to the stress in her relationship with Miller.
“The reality is that Jen needs Ben to be healthy for the sake of their kids,” the source explains. “With his history of addiction, there’s definitely an extra pressure to make sure he doesn’t fall” during this difficult time.
Despite the strain in her personal life, Garner has remained steadfast in her support for Affleck. The source stresses that her actions are not driven by any lingering romantic feelings but rather by her unwavering commitment to the well-being of their children. “It’s got nothing to do with Jen having feelings for Ben — she’s not carrying some torch for him,” the insider insists. “It comes down to what’s best for her kids. Jen is the type of mom who will always put their needs above her own.”
However, Garner’s dedication to her ex-husband has not gone unnoticed by her friends, who the source says believe that “Ben’s taken up a lot of her time – especially because they’ve had so much parenting to deal with.”
This is not the first time Garner and Miller have faced challenges in their relationship. The couple briefly split in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic but later reconciled in 2021, leading to rumors of a possible engagement the following year. Now, their friends hope they can find a way to get back on track once Affleck’s issues have stabilized.
“Jen’s inner circle really likes John and hopes they can get back on track one day,” the source says, noting that Garner’s friends “are still rooting for them.”
As Garner navigates this delicate situation, it remains to be seen how she will balance her commitment to her children and ex-husband with the needs of her relationship. The outcome of this complex dynamic will undoubtedly be of great interest to the public, who have long followed the ups and downs of the former Hollywood power couple’s lives.
