Ben Affleck sent fans into a frenzy when he slipped into Spanish to gush over ex-wife Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of her new film Kiss of the Spider Woman.
The 53-year-old Oscar winner, who also produced the movie, surprised onlookers as he continued speaking in the language to shower Lopez with praise for her performance in the musical.
During the red carpet interview, Affleck explained that Lopez’s role as Ingrid Luna was one she had long dreamed of — having grown up watching similar Hollywood classics with her mother.
‘It’s a great honor to be here because that is a kind of character for Jennifer that she wanted,’ Ben said. ‘And now she has the opportunity to do it and she is incredible in this movie. You must see. Must see. This movie is spectacular.’
The actor’s unexpected bilingual moment left fans swooning online.
One fan raved, ‘He speaks Spanish so well!’ while another joked, ‘He speaks better than J.Lo!’
Ben Affleck sent fans into a frenzy when he slipped into Spanish to gush over ex-wife Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of her new film Kiss of the Spider Woman
The 53-year-old Oscar winner, who also produced the movie, surprised onlookers by effortlessly continuing in Spanish to heap praise on Lopez’s performance during the red carpet interview
Others praised the effort, with one writing, ‘I love seeing all the effort he makes to speak Spanish.’
The red carpet also marked a reunion for the former couple — their first public appearance together since finalizing their divorce earlier this year after two years of marriage.
And fans couldn’t help but get sentimental, with one romantic follower commenting on Ben’s heartfelt Spanish tribute: ‘Awwwww how beautiful what love does! It takes you out of your comfort zone!!!’
Back in May 2023, when Lopez was still married to Affleck, she couldn’t help but gush about his Spanish skills.
‘Yeah, really great Spanish,’ the actress told Access Hollywood when asked about her then-husband’s command of the language.
‘He spent time in Mexico when he was a kid, and so, he loves the culture, and he loves the people, and he loves speaking Spanish.’
‘He learned it then, and he’s kind of kept it up his whole life and really loves speaking Spanish,’ she continued.
Lopez even admitted she feels more hesitant speaking the language than Affleck does.
Affleck explained that Lopez’s role as Ingrid Luna was one she had long dreamed of — having grown up watching similar Hollywood classics with her mother
‘It’s a great honor to be here because that is a kind of character for Jennifer that she wanted,’ Ben said
‘And now she has the opportunity to do it and she is incredible in this movie. You must see. Must see. This movie is spectacular.’
The actor’s unexpected bilingual moment left fans swooning online
‘I get very self-conscious, because I didn’t grow up in Puerto Rico, you know what I mean?’ she said. ‘I speak Spanish, and I know Spanish. I know Spanish well, but I still get self-conscious – not him!’
Affleck has also spoken about his love for the language over the years.
During a 2020 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, he said he speaks it ‘passively’ — and revealed his daughter Violet was on the verge of surpassing him.
‘She’s always been a very good student, and she’s been interested in Spanish, and so I would often help her,’ the Oscar winner said at the time.
‘Now, all of a sudden, she’s gotten into the grade where she’s, like, in the harder Spanish classes, and she’s getting better.’
He added, ‘She’s right at the point where I think she might be passing me.’
The Spanish interview comes after Affleck found himself in yet another meme-worthy moment on Monday night after an onstage mishap left him standing alone at the movie premiere.
Affleck was ushered onstage mid-speech as director Bill Condon addressed the crowd, per People.
In a clear case of mistiming, Affleck ended up standing silently behind Condon, hands clasped in front of him, as the director spoke for more than seven minutes — completely unaware the actor was there.
At one point, Affleck even set down the can of soda he’d brought onstage, patiently waiting as Condon continued to thank the cast and crew, according to the outlet.
When Condon finally turned around, he jumped at the sight of Affleck.
The 53-year-old Oscar winner was left stranded under the spotlight at the New York City debut of Kiss of the Spider Woman — the new musical film starring his ex, Lopez
‘I didn’t know you were there!’ the director laughed before walking over to hug the actor.
After wrapping his speech, Condon introduced Lopez and her co-star Tonatiuh to join them onstage.
Affleck later took the mic to share a few kind words, per the outlet.
‘I’m humbled and honored to be standing up here,’ Affleck told the crowd. ‘It’s an honor to be here. This movie is exquisite.’
The unintentionally hilarious moment marked a full-circle return to Affleck’s meme era — more than eight years after the original ‘Sad Affleck’ photo went viral.
That now-iconic image, snapped in London in 2016, showed the actor in a blue sweater and jeans, cigarette in hand, looking visibly weary.
Once posted online, it exploded across social media — Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Reddit — with fans pairing the photo with captions capturing the spirit of quiet defeat.
