Mindy Kaling, known for her sharp wit and comedic talent, took a moment to deliver a heartfelt message to Ben Affleck during her appearance at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago. The actress and producer addressed the delegation from her home state of Massachusetts on Wednesday, August 21, just a day after Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck after two years of marriage.
Kaling, 45, brought her usual charm to the stage, rallying the crowd with a shoutout to her beloved Massachusetts. “I love you, Massachusetts!” she exclaimed, prompting enthusiastic applause. But it was her unexpected words for Affleck that captured the audience’s attention. “Everyone is always hating on us. But they just don’t get it. Go Sox! … Ben Affleck, hang in there! Dunkin Donuts, you’re the best coffee in the world.”
The connection between Kaling and Affleck goes back to her early career when she portrayed the Oscar-winning actor in the off-Broadway play Matt and Ben, which she co-wrote with her college friend, Brenda Withers. The play, a fictional retelling of how Affleck and Matt Damon wrote the script for Good Will Hunting, became a hit in 2002, showcasing Kaling’s talent and love for Affleck’s hometown roots.
Kaling’s lighthearted message comes at a poignant time for Affleck, 52, as he navigates the publicized end of his marriage to Lopez, 55. On Tuesday, August 20, Lopez personally filed divorce paperwork in Los Angeles, listing April 26 as the official date of their separation. This timeline places their split just three months before what would have been their second wedding anniversary.
The couple’s impending divorce follows months of speculation about the state of their marriage. Rumors began to swirl when the pair went weeks without being seen together in public. In May, it was reported that Affleck had moved out of their shared Beverly Hills home, and by July, the couple had not acknowledged their anniversary, further fueling the speculation.
An insider revealed to Us Weekly that the couple had been “living separate lives” for some time. “Jennifer suggested they just take time to figure it out,” the source shared, noting that the couple had started experiencing issues earlier in the year as Lopez ramped up her work commitments in preparation for her tour. The source added that the couple was “on two completely different pages most of the time,” with Lopez focused on her career and Affleck seemingly in a different place.
Despite their personal challenges, Lopez and Affleck’s professional lives remain intertwined. Lopez is starring in the upcoming film Unstoppable, produced by Affleck’s production company, Artists Equity. The project, directed by William Goldenberg, wrapped filming in January and highlights the duo’s ability to work together even as their personal relationship unravels.
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Before their split, the couple’s rekindled romance had been at the forefront of Lopez’s recent album This Is Me … Now: A Love Story, which was accompanied by a high-concept project exploring their relationship. Lopez credited Affleck with encouraging her to take the project on, recalling his belief in her creative abilities.
“He was like, ‘You do, you write, you direct, you produce, you choreograph, you do all the things. Start stepping into that, start owning a little bit of who you are,’” Lopez shared at a press conference in February.
While neither Lopez nor Affleck has publicly commented on their split, Affleck was spotted in Los Angeles on the day of the divorce filing, notably without his wedding ring. As the couple transitions into this new phase of their lives, it’s clear that their story, once one of Hollywood’s most captivating romances, is now entering a new, more complex chapter.
Mindy Kaling’s words at the DNC may have been a small gesture, but they offered a moment of levity and support for Affleck during what is undoubtedly a challenging time. As the public continues to follow the developments in the lives of these two iconic figures, the impact of their separation will undoubtedly resonate both personally and professionally for years to come.
