Gwyneth Paltrow Called Out ‘Lying, Cheating Scumbags’ After Ben Affleck Breakup
Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck dated in 1997. Their relationship didn’t last long, and they didn’t seem to end things on good terms. While Paltrow and Affleck were able to establish a friendship, she wasn’t happy at first. In an interview shortly after their split, Paltrow called out men’s behavior.
Gwyneth Paltrow wasn’t happy with men after her split from Ben Affleck
When Paltrow and Affleck met, she felt deeply drawn to him. Her friends weren’t sure the relationship was a good idea, though.
“Affleck was struggling with alcoholism and a gambling habit around the time he met Gwyneth, who was attracted to his intellect,” reads an excerpt from Gwyneth: The Biography by Amy Odell (via People). “Her friends had reservations about him, because he didn’t always reciprocate her affection. He at times seemed more interested in playing video games with the guys at his house than being with Gwyneth. She spoke openly about how much she enjoyed their sex life.”
They appeared together in Shakespeare in Love, but broke up shortly after it premiered. Comments Paltrow made in the aftermath hinted that the relationship didn’t end well.
“Their physical chemistry couldn’t overcome his self-destructive impulses, which may have even included cheating on her,” Odell wrote. “After they broke up, Gwyneth said, ‘I love men, even though they’re lying, cheating scumbags.’”
Despite this, they briefly reunited before breaking up for the last time in 2000.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck filmed a movie together after their breakup
After the breakup, Paltrow and Affleck appeared in the film Bounce together. She encouraged him to take the part alongside her.
“When she first read it we’d just broken up, so things were a little strained,” Affleck told Talk Magazine. “We were still trying to figure out how to be friends. She said, ‘Listen, I read this and it struck me that you should do it.’ Initially, I thought, ‘Oh, the characters are older, maybe I’m too young,’ and she just said ‘You’ll be great.’”
As he thought about it further, though, Affleck began to believe Paltrow pushed him to take the role to help him.
“Then it occurred to me that maybe she set the whole thing up so that I could have the opportunity to play this part,” he said. “Not just because it would be good for my career, but because it would give me a new sense of perspective by asking me to investigate certain psychological issues. I’m not sure if she would admit to that, but I believe it. And I was really touched. That’s what eventually allowed us to be friends.”
He stuck up for her in the press after their split
When Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were together for the first time, rumors circulated that he had a steamy reunion with Paltrow in a Manhattan bathroom. He outright denied this.
“This is clearly about me,” he told Vanity Fair. “There’s no truth in it whatsoever. Gwyneth is in London. The last time I saw her was at the memorial service for her father. While we’re friends, you would not find us in any compromising position.”
He also shut down any rumors that Paltrow was jealous of his new relationship or horrified by their engagement. He had nothing but good things to say about her.
“Gwyneth is one of the most gracious and well-mannered people I’ve ever met,” Affleck said, “and when I saw her at the, what’s it called, the shivah, in the middle of what had to be the worst time of her life, she said, ‘You know that’s not true. Please tell her it’s not true. I wish you guys only the best.’”
