Ben Affleck appears to have moved on from his highly publicized split with Jennifer Lopez, and sources say he’s doing so with a smile.
The Academy Award-winning actor is reportedly “hooking up” with Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Brooks Nader, according to Star magazine.
At 53, Affleck seems to have found new energy with the 28-year-old model and reality TV personality.
Insiders claim the connection has reignited something in the actor that had dimmed during his tumultuous second marriage to Lopez.
A Fresh Start After High-Profile Heartbreak
Sources close to Affleck told Star that the actor is experiencing a noticeable shift in mood since spending time with Nader.
[Ben has] finally found a fling that has brought his mojo back since divorcing J.Lo.
According to insiders, Affleck “can’t wipe the smile off his face” after connecting with the Louisiana-born beauty. The timing suggests this new romance may be exactly what he needed following months of divorce proceedings and public scrutiny.
Affleck’s divorce from Lopez was finalized in January 2025, closing a chapter on their second attempt at romance. Lopez had filed for divorce in August 2024, just two years after the couple rekindled their relationship and married in 2022.
Who Is Brooks Nader?
Nader isn’t just another model—she’s built a multifaceted career in entertainment and media. The 28-year-old gained widespread recognition after appearing in Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit edition, cementing her status in the modeling world.
More recently, she expanded her public profile by competing on Dancing With the Stars, showcasing talents beyond the runway. Her appearance on the popular dance competition introduced her to millions of viewers who might not follow fashion or swimsuit modeling.
In 2025, Nader starred in Love Thy Nader, a reality television series featuring her three sisters: Mary Holland, Grace Ann, and Sarah Jane. The show gave fans an inside look at family dynamics and sibling relationships.
Both Coming From Recent Splits
Like Affleck, Nader is navigating life after divorce. She was previously married to advertising executive Billy Haire, and the couple announced their separation in May 2024.
That timing means both Affleck and Nader spent significant portions of 2024 dealing with the end of their respective marriages. This shared experience may have created common ground between them.
Understanding the emotional toll of public relationships ending could provide a foundation for their connection, whether it develops into something serious or remains casual.
Affleck’s Complicated Romantic History
Ben Affleck’s love life has been tabloid fodder for over two decades. His relationship with Jennifer Lopez first captured public imagination in the early 2000s when they became one of Hollywood’s most photographed couples.
The pair got engaged in 2002 but called it off in 2004, citing excessive media attention. Affleck then married actress Jennifer Garner, with whom he shares three children: Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 13.
After divorcing Garner, Affleck remained single for several years before reconnecting with Lopez in 2021. Their reunion delighted fans who had rooted for “Bennifer” nearly two decades earlier.
However, their second attempt at marriage lasted only two years before Lopez filed for divorce. The 56-year-old singer cited irreconcilable differences, and their split was finalized at the beginning of 2025.
What This Means Moving Forward
Sources describe Affleck’s connection with Nader as a “fling,” suggesting neither party may be looking for immediate commitment. After two divorces and intense public relationships, taking things casually might be precisely what Affleck needs.
For Nader, who’s building her entertainment career and managing her own recent divorce, a low-pressure situation could also be ideal. Both individuals have experienced the challenges of relationships under media microscopes.
Whether this connection develops into something more substantial or remains casual, insiders say it’s already having positive effects on Affleck’s outlook. After months of divorce proceedings and undoubtedly difficult conversations, finding joy again matters.
The 25-year age gap between Affleck and Nader will inevitably draw commentary, as will the timing so soon after his divorce was finalized. But both are adults navigating their own paths forward after relationships ended.
As Affleck continues balancing his career, co-parenting responsibilities with Garner, and personal life, this new chapter appears to be bringing lightness back into his world—at least according to those who know him.