Ben Affleck has been single a Hollywood minute amid his split from Jennifer Lopez, but rumors are already flying about his love life. The Oscar-winning actor has been spotted around Los Angeles with Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to multiple reports.
Media outlets seem torn on what exactly is going on with Affleck, 52, and Kennedy, 36. Are they dating? Have they even met? Here’s what we know.
How the Affleck-Kennedy rumors unfolded
Page Six broke the news on Aug. 24 — four days after Lopez filed for divorce — that the two had been spotted at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel “and other hotspots” around L.A. The news made headlines one day after RFK Jr. suspended his bid for the White House.
On Aug. 26, People reported conflicting information, with multiple sources claiming the two have spent time together. “I’m not sure what’s happening,” one insider said, adding: “Kick’s celeb crush has always been Ben.”
A separate source insisted “there’s definitely nothing going on,” elaborating, “I don’t think they even know each other.”
In another article, People cited multiple sources who claim Affleck and Kennedy “are getting to know one another,” with one person alleging the two are “in the same scene.” They’ve reportedly spent time together since June. (Lopez listed her and Affleck’s date of separation as April 26.)
TMZ got in on the action and landed somewhere in the middle: While the two have been spotted around town together, they are not dating and are not a couple. This is what a source tells Yahoo Entertainment as well.
On Tuesday, Affleck’s rep denied dating reports to Yahoo and said the “rumors are not true.” Kennedy’s rep did not respond to Yahoo’s request for comment.
Who is Kick Kennedy?
One of RFK Jr.’s six children, Kennedy is familiar with the entertainment industry. She appeared in an episode of The Newsroom and one episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm (which stepmother Cheryl Hines starred in).
In a 2012 interview with Town & Country, Kennedy said she has no interest in fame despite trying to break into Hollywood.
“I was born with a sticker — a name — that has made me totally uninterested in the fame factor of success,” she said. “I see all my actor friends really going for it in that way because it’s such a big part of the job, but it kind of turns me off. I’m frightened of it, or at least uninterested, unamused.”
Given Affleck’s penchant for privacy — one thing that reportedly caused friction in his marriage to Lopez — that would seem to be a plus for a new acquaintance.
“People ask me, ‘What’s it like to be a Kennedy?'” Kick said in the interview. “Maybe it’s just the temperature of the water, but I’m just like, ‘I have no idea.’ When I see my face or name in the tabloids, I get a knot in my stomach. It’s just not me — it’s reading something that’s not real.”
Kennedy ultimately switched her focus from acting to philanthropy. She’s passionate about animals and the environment, according to a 2014 Resident interview. She hiked Mount Kilimanjaro with actors Jessica Biel and Emile Hirsch to help raise water shortage awareness.
Lopez and Affleck still silent on split
Neither star has publicly commented on the breakup since the Atlas star filed for divorce one week ago — but plenty of people have on their behalf.
Affleck’s alleged “mood swings” and attitude are said to have contributed to their split. Multiple sources tell Yahoo that it ultimately came down to how they are two different people.
“She tried really hard to make things work,” a source told People. However, Affleck wasn’t giving her “any signs that he wants to continue their marriage,” a Lopez insider added. “It got to the point that she just needs to look out for herself.”
