The TRUTH behind Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s ‘spats’: Couple ‘butt heads’ because he struggles with being photographed and wants more privacy – but she insists he is ‘happy’ as they pack on the PDA at Golden Globes

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez‘s seemingly tense exchanges are a result of the pair ‘butting heads’ over being photographed in public, with insiders claiming the Batman actor would prefer more privacy – but knows his wife ‘loves’ being snapped.

Affleck, 51, who has long had a fraught relationship with paparazzi, is often snapped looking downcast while gesticulating wildly at the singer, 54.

Lopez insisted that her husband is ‘happy’ when questioned about their apparent heated exchanges at the Golden Globes on Sunday night, where she was also awkwardly asked how she knows this is her ‘last’ marriage.

But a source appeared to clear up the misconception for good, and told DailyMail.com exclusively: ‘Ben and Jen are doing very well… A lot of the times we see Ben upset, it’s because he just hates the paps always following him and Jen.

Insiders have revealed the real reason behind Ben Affleck’s often grumpy appearance when stopped in public with his wife Jennifer Lopez – pictured in in St Barts in December

Fans have been fearing the worst for the pair’s marriage due to a number of seemingly tense exchanges the pair have been pictured having since tying the knot (pictured in May 2023)

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‘It is just one part of his day that he dreads, and often times it seeps into his everyday life and it ends up looking like he is upset with the people he is with or his surroundings, when it is actually just some photographers that are just jerks.’

The insider continued: ‘Ben doesn’t like red-carpet photos or being snapped by photographers when they are out doing regular life. He knows Jen loves it, so it does put them at odds at times, but they eventually fall back to a place with each other to be happy.

‘Navigating the life they live as a celebrity couple can be trying sometimes because Ben just wants to go to a restaurant or get coffee and be done with it and just have more privacy – but Jen is all about it.

‘So, they butt heads there but it isn’t in any way ruining their relationship… They are really in a good place.’

Affleck appeared to oblige at Sunday’s event where they posed for a kiss inside the Beverly Hilton – after Lopez had walked the red carpet alone.

When asked about the actor’s somewhat forlorn pictures, she told Entertainment Tonight: ‘Ben is doing alright. You don’t need to worry about Ben, let me just tell you. He is good. He is happy. I’m chilling, I don’t understand what people are so pressed for.’

The pair recently sparked concern when they were pictured looking strained while shopping in the high end boutiques of St Barts capital, Gustavia, on December 30.

The Pearl Harbor actor looked exasperated as he helped his wife try on Bulgari pieces, throwing his hands in the air as she sat next to him.

However, they later appeared to kiss and make up, with Lopez cuddling her husband for a series of selfies.

Another instance took place in May 2023 when the pair posed together at the premiere for Lopez’s movie, The Mother.

EXCLUSIVE: Ben Affleck wags finger at Jennifer Lopez in car

An insider has revealed that much of the Oscar-winner’s downcast appearance is due to his fears with looking unhappy when pictured out in public with his wife (pictured in April 2023)

The pair’s recent ‘heated exchanges’ while out and about have fueled continued speculation that there could be trouble in paradise in their marriage

Affleck appeared to oblige with his wife’s love of being photographed with the pair packing on the PDA at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards on Sunday

The Get Loud singer appeared to have a frown on her face and was gesticulating at her husband.

An expert lipreader told FEMAIL, the couple were discussing how and where they should pose for photographers.

Lopez appeared to ask Affleck whether her low cut top was ‘showing too much’, prompting him to respond that it was fine.

Three months prior, they appeared terse with each other at the Grammys.

Fans believed Lopez was caught telling Affleck to act like he was enjoying himself.  and a lipreader commissioned by DailyMail.com confirmed it.

‘Stop,’ Lopez told him. ‘Look more friendly. Look motivated.’ Affleck replied: ‘I might.’

Ben Affleck opens door for Jennifer Lopez before slamming it

The actor went viral after he seemed to showcase his frustration while the couple were out together back in May 2023

Ben appeared to slam the car door after being sat in the passenger seat, causing a frenzy on social media

Affleck and the singer have been married for just over a year after sensationally reconciling nearly two decades after their initial split.

The couple, who first called off their engagement in 2004, reunited during the pandemic and said ‘I do’ at the The Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas last summer. A more lavish ceremony at Affleck’s Georgia estate followed a month later.

The hitmaker shares her twins Emme and Max with her ex-husband Marc Anthony.

Prior to her rekindling with the actor, she was engaged to baseball pro Alex Rodriguez.

The Gone Girl star was previously married to Jennifer Garner from 2005 to 2018. They share daughters Violet, Seraphina, 13, and son Samuel, 10.

Elsewhere, the insider also shared an update about how the pair have been managing their blended family – explaining that Affleck and Garner are co-parenting smoothly.

Jennifer Lopez is pretty in pink at Golden Globes 2024

Meanwhile, the couple made headlines over a seemingly tense exchange during the Grammy awards in February 2023

‘Whoever keeps cutting to Ben Affleck as he gets more and more exasperated, thank you,’ wrote one amused viewer

The source noted: ‘Ben and Jen (Garner) have figured out co-parenting. Everyone is friends and everyone has gotten to the point where making things work is the best scenario possible.

‘No one wants any unneeded drama, so they never chase it. All emotions are in the right place.’

In a recent interview with Variety, Jennifer confessed they ‘both have PTSD’ from the glare of the spotlight on their first romance, but explained that in their present life as a married couple ‘we’re older now. We’re wiser.’

She added: ‘We also know what’s important, what’s really important in life, and it’s not so much what other people think. It’s about being true to who you are.’